Another Eco quote from the novel Baudolino:
"Try to understand, Baudoline: God is a lamp without flame, a flame without fire, a fire without heat, a dak light, a silent rumble, a blind flash, a luminous soot, a ray of his own darkness, a circle that expands concetrating on its own center, a solitary multiplicyt; he is... is.... He is a space that is not, in which you and I are the same thing, as we are today in this time that doesn't flow." Hypatia, p. 427
23 September 2003
Apparently spending so much time with Sarah has had a bad influence on me. I am becoming more of a loon. The good news is that it enables me to torment her more! For example, just the other day, I told her that lately I have been drawn to the colour lavender, and I wonder what that means. Especially as I hate purple and always have, and usually hate all of its derivatives. I have to remember to ask my yoga teacher. But since that comment drives Sarah nuts, I like to repeat it to her on a near daily basis.
Also, she and I have both decided that we need Security Stuffed Animals. This is, of course, in addition to the fact that I already have a security blanket (known simply as my "B") and a substitute security blanket, as the original is too frail to travel. Also, in the last few months, I have found myself going out in my pajamas - to the salon, to the grocery, to the pharmacy. It's alarming! I blame all of this on her. But we were at a restaurant with one of those claw games, and it had a praying mantis stuffed animal, which we both liked, but her especially. I, however, have thought much about a cat, although I also cannot get "Pistachio" out of my head - a frog from FAO Schwartz I saw at a toy store recently. Unfortunately, the praying mantis was buried under two full layers of other stuffed animals. But I digress. The point is, I am getting crazier by the day, due in part to her, and I am, I fear, enjoying it!
22 September 2003
A few quick notes:
First, after enduring two pokes, it turns out that I do not have leukemia, even though my doctor and I had been pretty sure that I did. Doesn't that sound like good news? It may, in fact, not be, however, as 1) we still do not know what is wrong with me and 2) on the list of possibilities, there are things worse than leukemia. So we are ordering more tests, and soon I will travel to the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion (just to be sure). In the meantime, I have started a horrible vitamin regimen per my oncologist's instructions, which is likely to revive the alien babies. So for the meantime, no good food and ABSOLUTELY NO BOOZE. Not even one glass of wine - NONE! That may kill me before they find out what is wrong. LOL! Also, more tests.
Secondly, on Sunday Kelly and Sarah and I went to see the Magdalene Sisters. It was a very well done film about a society of nuns who took in girls against their will (girls in their late teens) who were in danger of becoming "loose women" or who were already accusing of being so. (Often, it was no more than an accusation).And these girls were forced to work in the nuns' laundry, which would make it quite profitable, after all - the only labour costs were feeding and housing the girls in an orphanage/prison style. The Magdalene Sisters (different link and review) was a fine film, even if it was a little depressing. Anyway, I highly recommend it. I also recommend Russian Ark - a very interesting film, which I recently purchased on DVD.
Also, a quote from the novel Baudolino, by Umberto Eco, which I am enjoying immensely:
"Worms for silk? What does that mean?"
"It means that in Tzinista there exist some tiny eggs that are placed in women's bosoms and, enlivened by the warmth, they produce little worms. These are set on mulberry leaves, which nourish them. When they are grown they spin silk from their bodies and wrap themselves in it, as in a tomb. Then they turn into marvelous, varicolored butterflies and they break free of the cocoon. Before flying away, the male penetrates the female from behind and both live without food in the warmth of their embrace until they die. ..." (p. 227)
"There's no trusting a man who wants to make you believe silk comes from worms..."
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18 September 2003
In honor of Sarah - a note about extinct giant rodents. I have two things to say about this story: 1) Thank GOD they are extinct, and 2) I am glad and proud that reptitles, specifically crocodiles, helped rid the world of them! Go ahead and say it! I have been called cold blooded, reptilian and worse, but the fewer rodents on the planet, the better, and that includes the ones I have dated!
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17 September 2003
A story today, about Galapagos, specifically the part about Sea turtle porn. I found troubling. The author (ok, and it is SLATE) says that the female sea turtle will shortly move on to another mate.
I specifically remember reading,years ago, that sea turtles were not like that at all! I read that sea turtles swam to return to the same spot to mate with the same mate, and if he did not show up one year, she would not mate at all that year! Now, I am going to drive myself mad looking for proof of just that. Perhaps it was just one particular species or variety of sea turtle. But I am certain of this! And now, I am disturbed. If you cannot count on the faithfulness of sea turtles, you cannot count on anyone to be faithful! Geez!