I almost never feel autonomous, but I sometimes feel peaceful. Sometimes I can see what autonomy and peace would be like together; they look good. As a younger person I knew neither was meant for me, but I admired them and I was surprised one day long ago when it seemed I had them on … More On autonomy and peace
Someone is President of an organization called Restore Louisiana Now and I am envious — that is the kind of job I want. I think of my law degree and work on globalization and prison industrial complex, or my Near Eastern Studies degree and the active job I would have found in a large, international … More On enthusiasm
It will say: 1. My father can drive. 2. He can shop, and has always done. 3. He can cook, and has always done. 4. He eats three meals a day more religiously than you or I. 5. No, he does not need “24 hour care.” That was what he arranged for my mother, who … More I will make a T shirt
Someone said this, and it is the correct attitude. In Reeducation it would have been “denial” and inappropriate generally. One should be felled by everything, call in sick, take leave from work, retire. Reeducation believed in opening veins and draining life out slowly. ♦ That is NOT health. But there was so much discussion about … More “I hope you can get back to what needs to be done”
Check it out. Axé.
People were so stressed yesterday. My dentist was blocked into his house by a flood and did not meet his appointments. I conversed with one who is concerned he will not be allowed to teach his course with the same textbook a second time, one who does not realize she is going to pass her defense, … More Zen
You have to be ruthless. Axé.
Exceptionalism calls specific what is not. My utterly unpublishable example is Cadjin(e) exceptionalism. “We are the only ones ever shamed for speaking our language.” (Uninformed) “Our experience can only be understood from the inside.” (So it cannot be an object of study, only a subject of storytelling.) “This is a folkway only we have.” (Uninformed) … More A thesis on specificity and exceptionalism
I was looking for an older, American poem about Division Street I read long ago and found this 2008 piece by Helen Mort. You brought me here to break it off one muggy Tuesday. A brewing storm, the pigeons sleek with rain. My black umbrella flexed its wings. Damp-skinned, I made for the crush of … More Division Street
This month I have been in San Francisco and New Orleans. I am in Chicago now, confident, industrial and a really big city, and I will be in Houston next weekend. I am having a spectacular U.S. tour and I had not planned on this. Cincinnatti is next, but that is in June. When I … More Sweet Home Chicago
coldhearted scientist وداد 