Diary, Curious News
Reading Don Quixote I learn great deal about the medieval literature about knights. Cervantes spoofs these stories in his famous novel. Apparently, there was also a “Murmann” knight, born in 1766. [Now I know why I am such a chivalrous kind of guy:) ] Georg Murmann entered the military in 1783 and spent all his life as a brave soldier, so we are told. For his heroism in many a battle fought first against the Turks and then the French he was made in 1811 a knight of the Maria Theresia order. He retired from the military July 20, 1820. The picture represents his coat of arms that he worked on during his retirement. So did his life make a difference? If you count up the number of streets named after a person to make this judgment, the answer is—a little. One small street bears his name. Details on his life in German .The Knight “Georg Murmann”
Diary
One of the most compelling moments in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner occurs when a son points out to his father that they have fundamentally assymetrical duties toward one another. Three days ago I started to read Don Quixote. It is hard to put the book down. I just came across a wonderful passage that reminded me of the aforementioned scene in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Here the concern is the assymetrical relationship between the lover and beloved. Read for yourself.Don Quixote
Diary
It is so much fun to watch children because for them everything is new. Teenagers already know quite a lot about the world, but they are still willing to experiment with new identities and become someone entirely different from one day to the next. When people reach middle age, this all seems to stop. People typically settle for stable identities, careers, and seek durable relationships. For good reason: To function society needs dependable adults. So it is really something extraordinary when individuals in midlife radically change their relationship to the world. I recently met an investment banker who decided to leave Wall Street and become a priest. I was curious how this happened. “It was a calling. I had to do it.” He went on to tell me that he is much happier now. Today I encountered in the New York Times Hollywood soap opera producer who also seemed to have had a epiphany. He also felt a strong calling to dramatically change his career. I am getting very curious about what happens psychologically when people experience such a calling in midlife. See for yourself.Experiencing an Epiphany
Diary, Astute Observations
The New Yorker once in a while publishes personal histories that are compelling because they touch upon core issues our lives, are deeply thought through, and are superbly written. The one I read last night by Amy Holmes is available on the web.Interesting Article in the New Yorker: “The Mistress’s Daughter”
Diary
I found a wonderful poem by Edgar Allen Poe that possesses remarkable musicality. It was many and many a year ago,Edgar Allen Poe’s “Annabel Lee”
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
Diary
Until today I believed that the current elections in the U.S. are calm and civil compared to places like Ukraine where the oppositions candidate became very sick in the weeks leading up to this coming Sunday’s fateful election because he was apparently poisoned by the incumbent party. But then I read this short report about the famous Katherine Harris, who has a secure place George Bush’s Christmas card list for the foreseable future. Katherine Harris Is Almost Hit by Car ARASOTA, Fla., Oct. 27 (AP) -Representative Katherine Harris, Republican of Florida, and a group of supporters were almost hit by a speeding car on Tuesday evening, and the driver was charged on Wednesday with aggravated assault, the police said. The driver, Barry M. Seltzer, 46, of Sarasota, told the police that he had been exercising “political expression.” Bystanders said a silver Cadillac sped through an intersection here and swerved onto the sidewalk. The car headed toward Ms. Harris before swerving and driving away, the police said. No one was injured.Losing one’s life in democratic elections
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Diary
I discovered Harold Bloom last year and have become a big fan of his literary criticism. Even when he writes about authors I know quite well, he brings a fresh perspective on the material. Many of his 100 creative minds I have not had the chance to read in detail, but my appetitive for their works is enormously stimulated by Bloom’s deep knowledge of how they fit in the larger canvass of world literature. Bloom is a literary heavyweight. His language is a spectacle for the mind. I highly recommend this book. One does not have to read the book all at once but can read about one author a day, for example.Genius: A Mosaic of One Hundred Exemplary Creative Minds
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