Week in Review

If you have been reading any of these posts, one thing you would have picked up on is that I love College. This atmosphere, daily routines, and people make this time of my life amazing. This week another notch was added to this. I had a 1 day school week! Incredible as that sounds it is true. My week started off with 1 class on Monday & my only other class commitments were on Thursday, 2 of them to be precise. I know I went to class 2 days this week but Monday's class does not count. A great way to introduce my week. The freedom from commitments allowed me to accomplish lots of fun stuff which I finally got to attend to.

The Praise of Folly

I finally finished Erasmus' The Praise of Folly which I have been attempting to read for too long. I bought the book in Antwerp gives a little bit of my effort in finishing it. The book is translated from Old Dutch to an even foreign English version. It gets worst. Erasmus uses countless references to Greek, Roman, & Norse G-ds while satirizing and berating the 15th & 16th century church institution. The main idea I got out of the essay was that one should praise folly (as the title suggests). Wise men argue over thing which they not know about and refute books, passages, references, and other second hand material made by other purported wise men. The fool who basks in his folly and does not worry about the learned or others opinions enjoys life for what it is. The fool does not listen to the divine messenger at the pulpit or lend his time towards the arguments of professors and the wise, the fool guides himself on his own intuitions. The funny thing is for one to read the book you need to have a very good understanding of Roman and Greek mythology and other historical references. Erasmus was in a position to write this since he was Theologian among many other things, philosopher, writer, mathematician, etc. I would highly recommend the Cliff Notes for this book but not to read it unless you want a great challenge.

The Tao of Pooh

I have read one book twice in my life. This happens to be it. The Tao of Pooh teaches the basics of Taoism through the life of our favorite cuddly, wuddly bear Winnie-The-Pooh and all of the other creatures in the 100 acre woods. The book is a very easy read and equally enjoyable. If you were ever interested in Taoism this a definite book to pick up. You'll learn the ways of the Bisy Backson and what's the deal with Wu Wie, not Pooh's way but Wu Wei. I have put below the poem which a chapter is based on entitled Cottleston Pie which is wrtten by A.A. Milne who created Winne-The-Pooh.

'Cottleston Pie'

Cottleston Cottleston Cottleston Pie,
A fly can't bird, but a bird can fly.
Ask me a riddle and I reply
Cottleston Cottleston Cottleston Pie.

Cottleston Cottleston Cottleston Pie,
Why does a chicken? I don't know why.
Ask me a riddle and I reply
Cottleston Cottleston Cottleston Pie.

Cottleston Cottleston Cottleston Pie,
A fish can't whistle and neither can I.
Ask me a riddle and I reply
Cottleston Cottleston Cottleston Pie.

Vagina, Vagina, Oh Where Art Thou Vagina?

On Wednesday I saw the Vagina Monologues. I was aware that the play was about women empowerment through the vagina or coochie snorcher or the several other hundred names they quote throughout the play. The play has been around for a bit and I think it is important to see something that has had such an impact on society and pop culture. I liked the play, not fantastic but liked it. As you can understand a lot of the play I could not relate to, especially what it is like going to a gynecologist. The imagery was very vivid which helped but I can only imagine unless you have had you feet in cold, metal stirrups with duck lips laying around awaiting for the attack one can not receive the full effect of the show and I am glad for the fact that I cannot relate. The play had lots of ups and downs from very funny acts, to serious, and some troubling. Happy to see the play but I do not want to hear the word vagina used so often in 2 hours for a long time.

That's all for now