Thoughts

Isn't it amazing how one thought always leads to another? I was writing a paper on "What is literacy" and talked about if "literacy" is the root to the great branches of communication then where does art fit in? Art communicates, at least that is what I think, so how is art not literacy. Then my mind wandered to Nerval and his surreal imaging and hints at mythology with his poems. Is this an art, or is this literacy? Maybe both? One can never know where my thoughts will lead me...

El Desdichado [The Disinherited]

Gerard De Nerval (1808-1855)

Translation by Robert Duncan

I am the dark one,--the widower,--the unconsoled,

The prince of Aquitaine at his stricken tower:

My sole star is dead,--and my constillated lute

Bears the black sun of the Melancolia.

In the night of the tomb, you who consoled me,

Give me back Mount Posilipo and the Italian Sea,

The flower which pleased so my desolate heart,

And the trellis where the grape vine unites with the rose.

Am I Amor or Phoebus?...Lusignan or Biron?

My forehead is still red from the kiss of the queen;

I have dreamed in the grotto where the mermaid swims...

And two times victorious I have crosst the Acheron:

Modulating turn by turn on the lyre of Orpheus

The sighs of the siant and the cries of the fay.

Drinking

I have had a really long week. I have been behind because of personal matters, but I have finally caught up today. Finally. And needless to say, I want a drink. I am going to try and convince Iaco and Yount Smash to take me out Friday night. (And, of course, if there is anyone else living in the central Indiana area, you are more than welcome to come. The more the merrier.)

If I am forced to go alone, so be it. (And with that awesome lead-in, here is my poem for the day!)

Drinking Alone in the Moonlight

Li Po (701-762)

Beneath the blossoms with a pot of wine,

No friends at hand, so I poured alone;

I raised my cup to invite the moon,

Turned to my shadow, and we became three.

Now the moon had never learned about drinking,

And my shadow had merely followed my form,

But I quickly made friends with the moon and my shadow;

To find pleasure in life, make the most of the spring.

Whenever I sang, the moon swayed with me;

Whenever I danced, my shadow went wild.

Drinking, we shared our enjoyment together;

Drunk, then each went off on his own.

But forever agreed on dispassionate revels,

We promised to meet in the far Milky Way.

I have edited out a lot that was originally posted. There are two reasons for this 1. I just needed to get it off my chest and now that it is done I can let go 2. I am usually a very upbeat person but that blog just didn't show my better side! So, if you read it, thank you for your replies. If not, that's perfectly fine too, it was just a lot of bad news anyway! (You rocked grma!) 

People

Had class today. Astronomy. It was interesting. My sister is taking it with me, therefore, it will be a good time no matter what. On the way home we decided to stop for coffee...and while you are getting coffee, you might as well go to B&N to look at books too! That's where I spent my evening. I found a book so great and so silly that I had to buy it. (Ian, it willed itself into my checkout pile, I swear.) Anyway, it is titledThe Pig of Happiness by Edward Monkton and it is now my theme book. I plan on carrying it around with me and showing it to people on a daily basis. Yes, including people I do not know. So, that is my recommendation for everyone. If it does nothing else for you, it will make you smile. That is a good enough reason for me! Also, while I was there I found a Quotable Magnet (which I enjoy collecting) that I also had to have. And this is my blog theme for the day. Enjoy!

Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) was a famous beat writer. (Even his name has a beat!) His writings include, but aren't limited to, The Dharma Bums, Dr. Sax, Big Sur, and On the Road.

I actually do not know where this particular quote came from, I could probably research it and find out, but I really don't want to right now. Maybe I will later and update you all (and myself), if you care that much.

Doubt

You know, I am a pretty smart girl. Not to be egotistical or anything, but I am. Yesterday was the first day of classes for me. Normally I get the pre-semester jitters, thinking "oh this will be so hard." But not really this time. No, this time I wasn't jittery or concerned...I should have been. I certainly should have been. My first day in class was upsetting and ridiculous, and I have come to doubt a lot of things.

So, I thought I would dedicate this blog to Doubt. To describe "doubt" in all it's glory, I need Dante.

from the Inferno

Canto II Lines 31-35

Rising Slaw

Okay, this will be the silliest post you'll read today, I am sure. The clan I am in is 2Old2Pwn and for those who don't know, I guess you could say we are just a bunch of people who aren't good at playing Halo but really good at being silly. Now, that said, we also currently have an obsession starting to circulate within our clan. Its about Slaw...that's right, coleslaw. Don't ask, just accept. Here is my contribution to the Brothers in Slaw.

There is a house in Lockout
They call the House of Slaaww
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one

My mother was a scientist
She made my new green suit
My father was a spartan
Inside the House of Slaaww

Now the only thing a Spartan needs
Is a stickey and a gun
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a run

------ organ solo ------

Oh mother tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of Slaawww

Well, I got one foot on the platform
The other foot on the train
I'm goin' back to Lockout
To protect that ball and chain

Well, there is a house in Lockout
They call the House of Slaaww
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
And God I know I'm one

Now, I never read the actual books, but IACO has. And also, if you are a lover of this song, as I am, please think not that I have ruined it, think that I have Slawed it.