Allan G. Hunter's Blog, page 4
January 22, 2021
Diary 309
Thursday, January 21st
This sense of relief is not just me. It’s also shared by Dr Fauci, who spoke out about finally being able to say what he thinks rather than what his “boss” decreed. Biden is getting to work without any delay, undoing as much damage as he can as fast as he can. Elsewhere the rioters are being tracked down and arrested. That works for me.
January 21, 2021
Diary 308
Diary 308
Wednesday, January 20th Inauguration of President Joe Biden
‘And hast thou slain the Jabberwock, my son?
Come to my arms my beamish boy!
Oh Frabjous Day, Calloo, Callay!,’
He chortled in his joy.
[Lewis Caroll]
Did I shed a few tears of joy and deep relief as I watched the ceremony? I won’t say.
And when Lady Gaga, looking up at the Capitol dome, sang the lines, “Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there” my heart swelled. Pass the kleenex, would you, please?
January 20, 2021
Diary 307
Tuesday, January 19th
A colleague of mine mentioned today that she has started to watch movies at home — but she makes sure she watches them at the same time as a select group of zoom friends. Then they discuss them on zoom.
I was struck by this, because ever since Covid descended upon us going out to a movie and then talking about it with friends at a coffee place/bar/ice cream stand has become impossible. It used to be that the conversation would reveal to me aspects of the movie I hadn’t noticed, and opened my eyes on many occasions. We can’t do that now.
These days I, and millions like me, probably watch a movie at home with one other person. Sometimes that means one doesn’t stop to process what one’s seen, or think about it at all. Binge watching is the antithesis of being critically aware; it’s the consumption of one screen item after another without paying too much attention to any one episode. It’s about as aware and alert as consuming candies is to tasting individual chocolates.
I admired my colleague’s sense of focus and desire to consider art as more than just another bland ‘event’. Considerate, thoughtful assessment, based in intelligence and discussion: it’s time for more of that in this country.
January 19, 2021
Diary 306
Monday, January 18th. MLK Day.
Walking by the river today I saw a young beaver swimming energetically by the bank. I think the swift currents had moved it well downstream from its usual habitat. It’s good to know our local river supports not only many types of birds, fish and reptiles but mammals too.
And I wondered how many people have been swept away by the recent tide of events, ending up in strange and perhaps alarming spaces. Now we all have to find our way home.
January 18, 2021
Diary 304
Sunday, January 17th
Today would have been my old chum Gabor’s 66th birthday – except he was killed while reporting on the Iraq war 20 years ago and more. How is it I still ‘hear’ him in so many ways? Time is more and more of an illusion when it comes to the attachments we have. Some things – some people – simply transcend it. I was very lucky to know him.
January 17, 2021
Diary 303
Saturday, January 16th
It’s that time of year again when I feel the urge to buy another motorcycle. Of course, it’s way too cold to ride, and with covid the way it is there’s no where to go where you can even get a decent cup of tea to warm up, even if the icy roads don’t kill you.
The urge to move and get out is what’s happening.
What seems evident to me is that this urge won’t be solved by buying something, or by going someplace (which we’re not supposed to do). It can only be solved by coming to a place of peace and understanding, accepting that the urge is there but that it’s a diversion. It’s a good reason to work on inner peace.
January 16, 2021
Diary 302
Friday, January 15th
One of the things our social media, and our conventional media, are good at is riling us up and getting us angry. How about if we didn’t do that anymore? Since Twitter banned the former ‘president’ things have been quieter; presumably at least some of his supporters have been deprived of their daily dose of hate and outrage.
It’s time to direct our energies towards solving the climate crisis. Yes, covid is important, and preventing future pandemics is going to be a priority, too. And we need to have a planet we can live on. We could turn from media-inflicted hate and embrace media-inspired love — for the planet, the environment, and ourselves.
January 14, 2021
Diary 301
Diary 301
Wednesday, January 13th
I’m delighted to say that my former student (and a former Curry College Rugby player of great daring and skill) Thomas P. Athridge, has published yet another book – this time on the Rollings Stones’ Brian Jones. Full disclosure: he quotes me in it. It’s his second volume.
I love it when my students take what they know and use it to explore what they love. I also have had parts of my life shaped by the Stones – those formative years will always be, in part, remembered to the sound track of their songs. Good work, Tom.
January 13, 2021
Diary 300
Tuesday, January 12th
I had hoped that the 300th entry milestone would see some relief from Covid, but … Here’s an aerial picture. Can you guess what it is?
The good news is that we are, most of us, holding up pretty well under difficult circumstances. We’re still strong – stronger than we thought we were capable of being.
Still – if we want good news Kinzinger and Cheney (Republicans) have said they’ll vote to impeach. That gives the resolution a real chance to pass.
January 12, 2021
Diary 299
Monday, January 11th
Impeachment is going ahead. If it succeeds then the lame duck ‘president’ will not be able to occupy any office ever again. If it fails then we know exactly what we’ve got in the Republican party (as if we weren’t already aware). We have accomplices to treason.
Bill Belichick (the NFL’s most successful coach ever) has refused the ‘president’s’ offer of a Presidential Medal of Freedom. At least he shows he has guts. And sense, too. Hint: Never accept a present from a gangster boss.
