Justin Howe's Blog, page 57
December 12, 2011
From Olaf Stapledon's The Last and First Men
Olaf on Americans:
"In the Far West, the United States of America openly claimed to be custodians of the whole planet. Universally feared and envied, universally respected for their enterprise, yet for their complacency very widely despised, the Americans were rapidly changing the whole character of man's existence.
What wonder then that America even while she was despised, irresistibly molded the whole human race. This, perhaps, would not have mattered, had America been able to give of her...
December 9, 2011
Ladies and Gentlemen, I Give You This
One of my students is on a "portrait" kick. Most of his victims are not amused. Anyway, I sat for him today during the break between classes. With any luck the picture will age while I stay 35 forever.
He then drew one of my co-teacher. It was less than flattering. He wanted to give it to her, but I said he shouldn't because she'd likely kill him. He did it anyway. My co-teacher laughed, tore it up, and threw it away before chasing him from the room.
For now he lives to draw another day.
...
December 7, 2011
Favorite Reads 2011
It's December. You can expect some year end posts. Here's my list of 10 favorite reads from this past year.
1. The King Must Die by Mary Renault: A historical novel set in ancient Greece retelling the early life of Theseus up to his killing the minotaur and returning to Athens. It walks a fine line between the real and the fantastic because while nothing "magical" happens, the characters believe their world is magical.
2. God's War by Kameron Hurley: Probably the most recently published book...
December 5, 2011
Sometimes One Even Does It By Oneself
"During their leisure time you will see them promenading on the streets and boulevards. One of them takes his friend, male or female, by the hand and they set out on a stroll, going back and forth with purposefulness as if they had a goal in mind, but their only intention is talk and relaxation. Sometimes one even does it by oneself. They say it is useful for reflection, for revealing hidden thoughts, and for discovering new ways of doing things; and I tried it and it was true."
...
December 4, 2011
From Olaf Stapledon's The Last and First Men
"In the Far West, the United States of America openly claimed to be custodians of the whole planet. Universally feared and envied, universally respected for their enterprise, yet for their complacency very widely despised, the Americans were rapidly changing the whole character of man's existence."
…
"What wonder then that America even while she was despised, irresistibly moulded the whole human race. This, perhaps, would not have mattered, had America been able to give of her very rare best...
December 1, 2011
Friday Caption Contest
All demonic children love the taste of pork and beans!
November 30, 2011
Thursday Update
It's day two of cold grayness and pissing rain. Hell of a time to find out my shoes aren't waterproof. On the positive side the cold will hopefully kill off the mosquitoes.
Stuff? It's cold. It's gray. School hasn't turned on the heat. I'm typing this while wearing fingerless gloves. The windows in the hallway leak so puddles form on the floor. I wonder if they'll ice over in the winter time.
My coteacher and I have largely stemmed the tide of rebellion and only have one class that makes...
Idle
"There was formerly a capacity for light-heartedness and play which has been to some extent inhibited by the cult of efficiency. The modern man thinks that everything ought to be done for the sake of something else, and never for its own sake."
-Bertrand Russell, In Praise of Idleness
