1st Response to the book "The American Political Tradition: And the Men Who Made it" by Richard Hofstadter

I found the text dense and difficult to read due to vocabulary. As I worked my way through the new words and deciphered the meaning behind the prose, I developed a new understanding of the Founding Fathers and their motivations. I have to say that their motivations make sense when their personal histories are included. However, they are nonetheless surprising to my unsuspecting mind. Public primary and secondary school do not prepare students to understand our political history in its realistic rather than idealistic form.

I found it strangely comforting and disconcerting that the same comments and arguments are alive today in American politics. Have we not evolved in our philosophies, our ideals? Thomas Jefferson appears to be naïve to think that rewriting a constitution every twenty-five years would be necessary because of our evolution of ideas. We would most likely come up with a similar constitution today as we did in 1776. Or worse, we would sway drastically between ideologies from quarter century to quarter century, as we do every four to eight years. Although, having our countrymen focus on the meaning and form of their constitution periodically throughout their lives may arouse the apathetic to action.

Interestingly, an understanding of the vocabulary is not necessary to form your own opinion of how government should work and how citizens should be involved. My new vocabulary reinforces my opinions by giving them labels from historic movements or schools of thought. In a way, it legitimizes those views and explains the views of my opponents or identifies my natural opponents by linking together ideas my mind had not connected. For instance, a person with currently popular conservative views might naturally be an anti-intellectual. This helps to explain the endless astonishment I experience at the outrageous comments from my aunt regarding her view of society.

At best, I hope this class prepares me to more critically consider the statements of political figures and follow political conversations without being derailed by outlandish statements that I should have known were related. At worst, I will consider myself confident in political discourse and find myself in political arguments that I lack the ability to articulate, as I do now.

Beyond School

So, graduation is looming...well, if a year away is looming. Regardless, my obsessively plotting mind has focused on this distant event for so long, to plan out how I will reach it with plans in ever motion and being refined in the last year. Then as my uneasiness ebbs from trying to swallow just how difficult the plan truly is, I realize that I must have a plan beyond school. I've been attending college for over a decade. What will I be when I am no longer a student and working my way through school? Well, now that is partially answered. I will be an HR professional, with letters and everything. *snicker*

But really... I am finally comfortable with the answer "an artist". That word has meant many fleeting and shallow things over the years to me. It is now, now that I have explored others and myself that I can say an Artist. So, ok, then what?

Well, there is exploring more of myself. There is trying new things. Doing the things I have been too busy to do. There is a marathon or at least running. I tasted the peace and exhileration of running more than a year ago when I did at least try to keep up a physical regimine. Now that I'm fat and out of shape, running has a more obvious appeal. But truly it is the pushing of my limits that gives me great joy in the surprise of me. It creates a unique chance to stand apart and say "wow, you can actually do that." Without it being a question.

Then there is the goal of learning to sing; to express what I cannot say in words alone. But what voice will I find with a soul singing Janis Joplin and vocal cords that emulate Jewel? We shall see...we shall see...

"Where the Wild Things Are" directed by Spike Jonzes

This is a must see!


http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/03/25/movie-trailer-spike-jonzes-where-the-wild-things-are/

You have to watch this!!

Inconestrate?

We have a cheese purchased at the Green City market that we do not think we will find again.

The handwritten label states,
"Inconestrate
Italy, cow".

A Google search for Inconestrate yielded no results...none at all! When does Google have nothing?

So, I figure that the label might be a little off and go in search of Italian cheeses. Well, that was way too many results...yummy results. Then with a little narrowing of the search to Italian cow cheese I find a website that carefully describes the types of Italian cheeses. This may be a Parmesan cheese after all. But who will ever know?

Parmesan Cheese

A hard Italian cheese that is thick-crusted and made from cow's milk. It is aged up to two years, resulting in a sharp, salty, full flavored cheese. It is normally ivory or pale yellow in color. Fresh grated Parmesan variations are an excellent addition to salad dressings as well.

Named after the town of Parma in northern Italy, Parmesan is one of the world's most popular and widely-enjoyed cheeses.

2004 Hawai'i Trip

Election Night 2008

If we had a baby...

http://xkcd.com/441/

The Great Office War

This is a must see...

Contact Juggling Anyone?

http://www.break.com/index/another-amazing-contact-juggler.html