Mariage in 17th Century America
Cynthia Rosen filed this interesting report in her Deva Vu column of the Wall Street Journal.
Couples in the U.S. Used to Marry Early,Often and Informally
In a Connecticut village in the 17th century, an unmarried couple moved in together. One day, while out for a stroll, they ran into the local magistrate.
“John Rogers,” the magistrate said, “do you persist in calling this woman your wife?”
“Yes, I do.”
“And Mary, do you really wish this old man to be your husband?”
“Indeed I do.”
“Then by the laws of God and this commonwealth, I pronounce you man and wife…”
Continue ReadingJoshua Tree Park, California
I have puzzled for some time about what attracts many people to a desert landscape. Driving through the Joshua Tree Park, I may have hit upon the answer: for the human eye this ecosystem gives the impression of order and peace. The eye has to look very hard before it finds one creature eating another. In a jungle the colors are much more lushes and varied. Life is buzzing. But the human eye readily sees that every living creature is in line to be devoured. The minimalist landscape of a desert, by contrast, appears much less dangerous and chaotic. Enlarge Photo
21 Grams
How do you feel when your heart is failing you, but you don’t know if a donor heart is found in time to save your life? How do you feel when your husband and two little children are killed by an inattentive driver only a few blocks away from home? How do you feel when you find out that your new lover has the heart of your late husband? In this meditative film, the director explores these deeply emotional questions with determination and with an interesting narrative strategy that breaks the linear flow of time. Sean Penn shows that he can also play mild characters with great dramatic force. The expressiveness of his character lies precisely in using the body and not words to articulate the meaning of the situation. For the most part our hearts beat regularly and Penn is able to remind us of this fundamental rythm. And one day it will stop.
Albert publishes pictures from his first wedding
It may have been a Freudian slip, but Albert at least is honest. Albert published photos from his wedding, but left himself the option that one day he will add some pictures from his second, third or fourth wedding to his website.
See for yourself at Albert’s Homepage
Realism and Romance, are they a good pair?
Continue Reading“A Joke that has gone too far…”
Britney Spears, After a Dip Into Marriage, Is Free for Whatever Future May Hold
By LOLA OGUNNAIKE
Forlorn men around the world can breathe a collective sigh
of relief. Britney Spears is one step closer to being
available again.
Confirming reports that her marriage to a childhood friend
early Saturday morning in Las Vegas might not last forever,
a spokesman for the Clark County District Court in Nevada
said yesterday that Ms. Spears had filed a request for an
annulment that morning.
The request was made on the grounds that “plaintiff Spears
lacked understanding of her actions to the extent that she
was incapable of agreeing to the marriage.”
Is this a Joke, Ann?
I have only read Ann Landers colums perhaps five times in my life. The other day on the road, far away home, I came across a real funny one that I want to share. I wonder if Ann ever thought about doing her column live as a form of stand-up comedy. Too bad we cannot get an update on how well her advice was received.
January 25, 2002
Dear Ann Landers:
I have fallen in love with my parish priest and need to know what to do. Of course, I can’t talk to anyone about this, so I’m writing to you.
I have been separated from my husband for over a year and am getting an annulment. I am deeply religious and am being counseled through the church. As a result, I often chat with Father X.
Ann, I believe this man is my true soul mate. He posseses so many wonderful qualities, and I love being around him. Since he is counseling me, I cannot avoid him.
However, I know my infatuation is wrong, and I want to do the right thing.
Can you help me find a way to let go?
—Feeling Guilty in Boston
Continue ReadingThe World’s ‘Funniest’ Jokes
New York Times, January 27, 2002
By TOM KUNTZ
IF you’re a careful reader of this newspaper, you’re already aware that British scientists have released preliminary results of their search for the world’s funniest joke. Reprinted below is the best-rated joke in their global online survey, which will be followed up with
further diligent study. (You may be skeptical of online surveys like this. If so, you may have a point; just read some of the jokes.)
Now, for a closer look at the findings of Dr. Richard Wiseman. He’s the psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire who devised the experiment with the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
It’s no surprise that women and men have different ideas of just what constitutes funny. Or that different nationalities do. But did you know that while computers can beat grandmasters at chess, they still can’t bring down a room? And that those cutups the Germans (think lederhosen) may be the most laugh- prone people on earth, followed by zee zilly French?
Samplings from the research follow:
Continue ReadingOffice Jokes
I’M ON A COMMITTEE!
Oh give me some pity, I’m on a committee,
which means that from morning to night,
we attend, and amend, and contend, and defend
without a conclusion in sight.
We confer and concur, we defer and demur,
and reiterate all of our thoughts.
We revise the agenda with frequent addenda,
and consider a load of reports.
We compose and propose, we suppose and oppose,
and the points of procedure are fun!
But though various notions are brought up as motions,
there’s terribly little gets done.
We resolve and absolve, but we never dissolve,
since it’s out of the question for us.
What a shattering pity to end our committee,
where else could we make such a fuss.
-Author Unknown
Continue Reading
Reports from Berlin, 1920-33
A couple of months ago (March 2003) I started reading Joseph Roth’s newpaper columns about life in Berlin in the 1920s. He turns out to be a master of short essays on social life. I became so enamored with his powerfully perceptive prose that I started to read his novels. Savoy is a fine story but Job is truly outstanding.
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