I woke up at 5.30 this morning, with a sore throat and a head manically producing lists of things that need to be dealt with over the weekend.
The cat is ill again and needs to be taken to the vet, pronto; my students' test books and homework are waiting on the desk and need to be marked by Monday morning; it's grandpa's birthday on Sunday - I need to think of something more creative for a present than yet another pair of socks; a dear childhood friend from my hometown in Croatia found me on Facebook and emailed me last weekend, and I haven't had any time to write her back; I've got two hours of Latin & Greek to teach from 2 pm, and I haven't prepared anything in advance.
The cacophony went on and on like that for what seemed like half an hour, but it turned out to be no longer than a minute or two. Time seems to run at a different pace when you're in that semi-awake state in the wee hours of morning.
All of a sudden the mental clatter disappeared as I realised that the trees outside were covered with a thick layer of snow. Instantly I felt like a child with no worries on his mind, none whatsoever. Hey, it's snowing! What could possibly be more relevant or important than that?
Saturday, 17 November 2007
Friday, 16 November 2007
Peanuts
Who would've thought that there's a connection between Peanuts and Mormonism. Admittedly, not an obvious one.
There's been a debate over a recently published biography of Charles M. Schulz (Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography), in which he was apparently portrayed as a cold, depressed and melancholy person. Contrary to otherwise positive reviews the book got, Charles' son Monte called it "stupid" while referring to its author, David Michaelis, as "an idiot".
But it was Schulz' daughter Amy's recent post that I found most interesting. In it she describes how her father, a Bible-believing Church of God member, responded to her conversion to Mormonism. It's a different take on Schulz' personality and character, one too intimate and first-hand to be found in any of the biographies.
In any case, it's an interesting piece of trivia for any Charles M. Schulz fans out there.
There's been a debate over a recently published biography of Charles M. Schulz (Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography), in which he was apparently portrayed as a cold, depressed and melancholy person. Contrary to otherwise positive reviews the book got, Charles' son Monte called it "stupid" while referring to its author, David Michaelis, as "an idiot".
But it was Schulz' daughter Amy's recent post that I found most interesting. In it she describes how her father, a Bible-believing Church of God member, responded to her conversion to Mormonism. It's a different take on Schulz' personality and character, one too intimate and first-hand to be found in any of the biographies.
In any case, it's an interesting piece of trivia for any Charles M. Schulz fans out there.
Thursday, 1 November 2007
Belgrade Book Fair
This is the cultural event in Belgrade that I love to hate, generating more pet peeves for me than any other.
It never fails to turn into an ordeal. First off, it's too crowded and there are way too many stalls. Naturally, you don't want to miss anything, because it's such a huge and important event and all, so you elbow your way to literary delights until you're dehydrated, dizzy, with a massive headache and too many bags to carry around. About as hectic as like last-minute Christmas shopping.
On the other hand, I love it because I always find great stuff there. This year I went with a list of desiderata with Iain Banks and Margaret Atwood among the top five (thanks for the tip, Dragana!). Not that they're difficult to find in local bookshops, but the discounts were really amazing. I got home with a supply of books that is bound to last until spring.
One thing I was really sorry about was not saying hello to one of my favourite authors, Croatian novelist Miljenko Jergovic. I kept bumping into him all the time (I hope he didn't think I was stalking him!). It was only days after I finished reading his Mama Leone. The book really touched me; excellent piece of writing. I'm certain to blog about it in the next instalment of my book reviews some time in December. I hope he'll be at the Fair next year.
There was one notable change that I feel I should mention: the removal of most of the fast food kiosks from the grounds. No as much smoke from all the kebabs and burgers... Although I'm left wondering whether it's a case of a new cultural policy or perhaps of giving monopoly on feeding the starved masses of Serbian bookworms to that one lone strategically positioned burger joint.
P.S. And the Zen award goes to the British Council for their quite unusual presence. They went minimalist this year, with nothing but a tiny information desk in the middle of a large and totally empty space. Go figure.
It never fails to turn into an ordeal. First off, it's too crowded and there are way too many stalls. Naturally, you don't want to miss anything, because it's such a huge and important event and all, so you elbow your way to literary delights until you're dehydrated, dizzy, with a massive headache and too many bags to carry around. About as hectic as like last-minute Christmas shopping.
On the other hand, I love it because I always find great stuff there. This year I went with a list of desiderata with Iain Banks and Margaret Atwood among the top five (thanks for the tip, Dragana!). Not that they're difficult to find in local bookshops, but the discounts were really amazing. I got home with a supply of books that is bound to last until spring.
One thing I was really sorry about was not saying hello to one of my favourite authors, Croatian novelist Miljenko Jergovic. I kept bumping into him all the time (I hope he didn't think I was stalking him!). It was only days after I finished reading his Mama Leone. The book really touched me; excellent piece of writing. I'm certain to blog about it in the next instalment of my book reviews some time in December. I hope he'll be at the Fair next year.
There was one notable change that I feel I should mention: the removal of most of the fast food kiosks from the grounds. No as much smoke from all the kebabs and burgers... Although I'm left wondering whether it's a case of a new cultural policy or perhaps of giving monopoly on feeding the starved masses of Serbian bookworms to that one lone strategically positioned burger joint.
P.S. And the Zen award goes to the British Council for their quite unusual presence. They went minimalist this year, with nothing but a tiny information desk in the middle of a large and totally empty space. Go figure.
Friday, 26 October 2007
The dread of giving presentations
I'm doing a presentation on blogging in English language teaching tomorrow morning.
The last time I did a presentation on anything was back in high school when I shared my long-forgotten passion for the German art scene of the 1920s in a History of Art class. Seems so long ago.
An important note for the Saturday morning crowd (who will be inspecting Saunterer's as a case in point): please answer the poll question found at the bottom of the right sidebar with brutal honesty. No sugar coatin'. And if the poll doesn't work (there were some problems earlier today), please post a brief comment. Thanks!
P.S. This brings back memory: Otto Dix, Meine Eltern. Just look at those hands...
The last time I did a presentation on anything was back in high school when I shared my long-forgotten passion for the German art scene of the 1920s in a History of Art class. Seems so long ago.
An important note for the Saturday morning crowd (who will be inspecting Saunterer's as a case in point): please answer the poll question found at the bottom of the right sidebar with brutal honesty. No sugar coatin'. And if the poll doesn't work (there were some problems earlier today), please post a brief comment. Thanks!
P.S. This brings back memory: Otto Dix, Meine Eltern. Just look at those hands...
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Saluton!
As if I didn't have too much on my plate already, I took up learning Esperanto. By learning I mean doing online exercises powered by Lernu!, the leading free Esperanto website. That and downloading mp3 audios for the listen-and-repeat tasks.
It's weird and it definitely sounds funny, but it doesn't strike me as easy as people generally assume. Which is why I'm wondering why would anyone put so much time and effort into learning an artificial language, when there are easy to learn natural languages like Spanish, with far more speakers than Esperanto? Not to mention cultural background, literature etc.
I guess it's about the idea of having one common language for all of humanity, not any one national language with its baggage and issues of cultural imperialism, but a politically, nationally and culturally neutral one that everyone could claim as their own, simply on account of being able to learn its vocabulary and syntax. No strings attached.
But Esperanto, too, has its share of ideological baggage. Most of its vocabulary is taken from Romance and Germanic languages, which makes it easily understandable, but also very eurocentric. Also, it seems to be prospering in countries like China and Iran, where it's used for ideological and propaganda purposes. There are also various Esperanto offshoots, new artificial languages relentlessly competing with each other in an atmosphere that can be described as sectarian.
As far as I'm concerned, it's all part of the fun, language itself and all the bickering about it. And if the worst thing that could happen to me is meeting a Chinese communist Esperanto enthusiast, I think I'll survive.
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Mother Teresa's 18.250 dark nights of the soul
A new book of Mother Teresa's letters continues to cause a stir in the world of religion. It has now come to light that the saintly woman spent most of her life doubting the very existence of God.
It seems that this piece of information won't have much influence on the ongoing process of her canonization, although she is not likely to be officially made a saint as soon as it was initially thought. The Vatican commission in charge is apparently having trouble finding any solid evidence for a miracle that happened through her intercession, one among a number of requirements.
She is by no means the only Catholic saint (or saint-to-be) famous for her doubt and struggle with faith. Among more popular ones is a medieval mystic St John of the Cross. Some already make comparisons between Mother Teresa's collection of letters and St John's "Dark Night of the Soul."
Seems like a timely piece of work for this day and age.
More on this: an editorial from Mennonite Weekly Review and an excellent On Point (NPR) podcast.
It seems that this piece of information won't have much influence on the ongoing process of her canonization, although she is not likely to be officially made a saint as soon as it was initially thought. The Vatican commission in charge is apparently having trouble finding any solid evidence for a miracle that happened through her intercession, one among a number of requirements.
She is by no means the only Catholic saint (or saint-to-be) famous for her doubt and struggle with faith. Among more popular ones is a medieval mystic St John of the Cross. Some already make comparisons between Mother Teresa's collection of letters and St John's "Dark Night of the Soul."
Seems like a timely piece of work for this day and age.
More on this: an editorial from Mennonite Weekly Review and an excellent On Point (NPR) podcast.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Quarterly Book Reviews #5
Temperature in Belgrade has suddenly dropped almost twenty degrees. I didn't expect to be wearing my winter woolies at the beginning of September, but autumn being my favourite season, I'm hardly complaining. The unexpected change in weather also came as a signal for me to sit down and make the seasonal inventory of the books I read during summer.
FICTION
The Royal Physician's Visit by Per Olov Enquist
Struggle for absolute power and economic reforms in the twilight of feudalism, intertwined with Pietism, revolutionary French rationalism and the constant wrestling between self-restraint and unfettered sexuality, all on the court of the mad King Christian VII of Denmark.
Not having any knowledge of Swedish, apart from a personal appreciation for that great Swedish word smörgåsbord, I read Enquist in Tiina Nunnally's excellent English translation.
Great novel, a real page turner.
RELIGION/HISTORY
Portrait in Grey: A Short History of the Quakers by John Punshon
There is only a handful of books I've had the desire or patience to read more than once. This is one of them.
It is my favourite of all the Quaker histories I've read so far, primarily due to the author's ability to provide insight into complex historical processes and ideological influences that shaped the Society of Friends, from its wild 17th century beginnings to what it is today (i.e. the exact opposite of wild) - all that in a very clear and concise way.
FICTION
Due Preparations for the Plague by Janette Turner Hospital
I am not into this sort of books normally, airplanes hijacked, hostages taken, survivors questioning their government's involvement... Anxiety, paranoia and claustrophobia easily transfer from characters to the reader. I couldn't put it down, and when I eventually finished reading it, it was with an uneasy sense of relief.
Very post-9/11.
FICTION
Grasshopper by Barbara Vine
Being a recent convert to Barbara Vine's novels, I'm still quite enthusiastic about her storytelling. Macabre, full of twists and turns, albeit somewhat repetitive, it was just the right combination of anguish, personal tragedy and psychopathy, as any Barbara Vine novel ought to be.
Probably not her best, but still thoroughly enjoyable.
FICTION
The Royal Physician's Visit by Per Olov Enquist
Struggle for absolute power and economic reforms in the twilight of feudalism, intertwined with Pietism, revolutionary French rationalism and the constant wrestling between self-restraint and unfettered sexuality, all on the court of the mad King Christian VII of Denmark.
Not having any knowledge of Swedish, apart from a personal appreciation for that great Swedish word smörgåsbord, I read Enquist in Tiina Nunnally's excellent English translation.
Great novel, a real page turner.
RELIGION/HISTORY
Portrait in Grey: A Short History of the Quakers by John Punshon
There is only a handful of books I've had the desire or patience to read more than once. This is one of them.
It is my favourite of all the Quaker histories I've read so far, primarily due to the author's ability to provide insight into complex historical processes and ideological influences that shaped the Society of Friends, from its wild 17th century beginnings to what it is today (i.e. the exact opposite of wild) - all that in a very clear and concise way.
FICTION
Due Preparations for the Plague by Janette Turner Hospital
I am not into this sort of books normally, airplanes hijacked, hostages taken, survivors questioning their government's involvement... Anxiety, paranoia and claustrophobia easily transfer from characters to the reader. I couldn't put it down, and when I eventually finished reading it, it was with an uneasy sense of relief.
Very post-9/11.
FICTION
Grasshopper by Barbara Vine
Being a recent convert to Barbara Vine's novels, I'm still quite enthusiastic about her storytelling. Macabre, full of twists and turns, albeit somewhat repetitive, it was just the right combination of anguish, personal tragedy and psychopathy, as any Barbara Vine novel ought to be.
Probably not her best, but still thoroughly enjoyable.
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