Praise Be
Dinner was not a catastrophe. I said/did nothing stupid, or even incredibly awkward. Most of the time was spent in little side conversations (there were 8 folks around the table), and I really can't recall them all at the moment. The really big conversation that took over the entire table toward the end of the dinner went a bit as follows:
English departments everywhere are ruining literature for our students by teaching them to read with their heads instead of their emotions. This starts early, in HS even, as kids are told to read with highlighters in hand, and progresses as more and more people are brainwashed into thinking books instead of feeling them. In fact, (and this next bit is very closely paraphrased) dictators like Stalin knew more about literature than did any professor then or now. We (he) talked about how opinions based on emotions couldn't be logically changed, but that by striking directly at the emotion (as true art does), the opinions could be changed almost without the knowledge of their holder. Then some stuff about how any manuscript that was written with the mind was trash, while only those written with the subconscious (the things you've forgotten) were any good.
It was, overall, very interesting. I'd talk more, but I still have to plan my lesson for tomorrow, and while I've got it basically finished, there's still several chapters of Sammy to read and bedtime at a decent hour. So I'll leave you with the following observations:
Today was beautiful, as was yesterday. Weather in the mid 80s in late winter bodes a dusty, bone-dry and baking summer, but for now, it's wonderful.
My new work schedule is working out, and I enjoy the time I have on Wednesday mornings up at campus. I get home in time to still accomplish lots, so it's all wins.
I left my lunch up at school today, so I don't have to take a lunch tomorrow (forgetfulness *can* pay off). Which reminds me that the free lunch I had today was eaten outside in a shady, green alcove with friends and conversation.
In conclusion, I've had a pretty good day.
Love and Peace
English departments everywhere are ruining literature for our students by teaching them to read with their heads instead of their emotions. This starts early, in HS even, as kids are told to read with highlighters in hand, and progresses as more and more people are brainwashed into thinking books instead of feeling them. In fact, (and this next bit is very closely paraphrased) dictators like Stalin knew more about literature than did any professor then or now. We (he) talked about how opinions based on emotions couldn't be logically changed, but that by striking directly at the emotion (as true art does), the opinions could be changed almost without the knowledge of their holder. Then some stuff about how any manuscript that was written with the mind was trash, while only those written with the subconscious (the things you've forgotten) were any good.
It was, overall, very interesting. I'd talk more, but I still have to plan my lesson for tomorrow, and while I've got it basically finished, there's still several chapters of Sammy to read and bedtime at a decent hour. So I'll leave you with the following observations:
Today was beautiful, as was yesterday. Weather in the mid 80s in late winter bodes a dusty, bone-dry and baking summer, but for now, it's wonderful.
My new work schedule is working out, and I enjoy the time I have on Wednesday mornings up at campus. I get home in time to still accomplish lots, so it's all wins.
I left my lunch up at school today, so I don't have to take a lunch tomorrow (forgetfulness *can* pay off). Which reminds me that the free lunch I had today was eaten outside in a shady, green alcove with friends and conversation.
In conclusion, I've had a pretty good day.
Love and Peace
posted by Rehkmira @ 21:13
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