An old friend wrote about the topic of Ennui on his blog The Cage. I and others have known first hand this persistent sense of malaise. Ennui is personal, a condition of soul that is beyond any abstract focus of interest. Speaking personally, a confluence of climate disruption resulting from runaway capitalism, and the…
These words come from Joan Westenberg’s newsletter. Contrary my natural inclination, I cannot but resonate with her point. It is this involuntary feeling – to preserve decorum is indirectly to “kiss the ring.” At the very least, to begin, – a push away from the starting block. You and I must find our voices. While…
Philosophy by its very nature is esoteric; for itself is neither made for the masses nor is susceptible of being cooked up for them. It is philosophy only because it goes exactly contrary to the understanding and thus even more so to “sound common sense,” the so-called healthy human understanding. Which actually means the…
I am more than midway the Nishitani book. It is a challenging read introducing me to literature that I have only heard others speak of. In this quoted passage the author comments upon Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. At this moment 9:09AM Starbucks is busy, almost crowded. I can hear the buzz…
Thursday. Thursday is halfway to Friday. A compass heading is an orientation of sorts. That’s something I suppose, to believe you are located here or there in space and time. The two guys seated at the table to the right of me are bowed in prayer. I used to do that, so I “get…
It’s Monday morning. I watched the Oscar Awards event on television with Laura before bedtime. Memories linger. I am fascinated by the exuberance and delight on a face when the envelope is opened. Filmmakers, perhaps a director, a special effects professional, or an actor/actress hears their name called, a singular affirmation of excellence bestowed…
Nietzsche advocates that I become “the lion.” I offer these lines as a snap-shot of the condition of mind and heart of Lion-like existence. This point converges to our condition in Trump-land, a weak autocrat, elected by a majority of Americans to make their lives better. The question is unavoidable – Who the fuck…
These thoughts have taken me longer than usual to formulate, to write. The second movement of Nietzsche’s vision-story of a camel that changes into a lion is well worth reading/absorbing as one would taste an exquisitely prepared appetizer. Why should one desire, or better, – need to become a lion? So far I am…
Lately I’ve reflected upon the idea of “conversion.” That moment, as if illuminated by a closeby flash of lightning, the lay of the land transformed in appearance, you recognize an alternative, a different course than the one so familiar. Perhaps the conversion, the transformation of view comes upon one gradually, a kind of dawning…
Yesterday, Sunday afternoon I attempted to watch the NASCAR race at Daytona. I cannot remember the last time I listened/watched a “stock car” race on television. At the time watching NASCAR became similar to watching golf. The televised races seemed to be perfect for napping. I lasted about 20 minutes, then I had to…
