The first part of this title was meant to be “On blood,” in French, but I see that it also means “You (fam.) sang” in Danish. I wonder what else it means. In any case, we are rereading Denis de Rougement, L’Amour et l’Occident, for fun; our profit on it is, we are daily more … More Du sang, or, Reading for Pleasure Wednesday: Denis de Rougemont
I am in a ruin on goals already for this week, and the situation will continue. What the writing group has done, however, includes: – I did not have time to work out, but I make a point of commuting by bicycle, at least. – I did not have time to grade up to 1500 … More More on that writing group
I do have enough will and energy, but not enough time (or, of course, money). Income must be increased and amounts of time free must be as well. Two time consuming projects will be finished by the end of this week and that will be good, and one time consuming assignment will be over at … More More time, and new news on the language
It appears that there are about 3 hours of grading per week for each 3 hours spent in class. My university counts our time for these courses like this: 3 hours in class, 3 in consultation with students, 3 hours of preparation, and 3 hours of grading. I suppose it is accurate enough except for … More On being, grading, and time
Saying that creates fear. Who does not fear suffering? How is concern about possible futility not discouraging? People who say they cannot accomplish anything meaningful in only half an hour, do not say this out of laziness or the lack of a practical sense, but because they have not gained confidence or have had it … More More on why I am against saying work is hard
We drank this nero d’avola, a wine from a grape I did not know about. It is grown, made, and bottled on a fief that calls itself a fief (the Feudo Principi di Butera) and has existed since at least 1543. We toasted research, which we are now undertaking in rebellion against some of the … More To Research
This was not a good week, due to post-hurricane teaching, service and administrative avalanches; research was accomplished but goals were not met. These avalanches will continue, however. The coming two weeks will be as bad as the last. The plan this week is, one work block per day, first thing, every day but Sunday and … More That Writing Group
This is 12th century Occitan, and it resembles Catalan. It is part of a Cathar ritual. (The Middle Ages are such a strange country, I find.) [2.1] Nos em vengut denant Deu, e denant vos, e denant l’azordenament de santa Gleisa per recebre servisi, e perdo, e penedensia de tuit li nostri pecat li qual … More Occitan
Je vais faire un poème sur le pur néant : Ce ne sera pas sur moi ni sur d’autres gens, Ce ne sera pas sur l’amour, sur la jeunesse, Ni sur rien d’autre, Il vient d’être trouvé tandis que je dormais Sur mon cheval. Here is the original in langue d’oc, with a good deal … More Guillaume de Poitiers, prince d’Aquitaine and forerunner of Mallarmé
At last I put the bicycle together and rode it back and forth from work. I have not had a bicycle with good gears except for a few hours once, decades ago, before it was stolen and I can now say that bicycles with good gears are an entirely superior experience. It is stressful to … More En bicicleta
coldhearted scientist وداد 