Almost Forgot

I almost neglected to include my fall line up for those of you interested (mom). Here is what I find worthy to study this fall.

> Contemporary Ethics: What is "virtue ethics" and why is it so cool? An inside peek.

> Christian Anthropology: What are humans that God is mindful of them? Not cultural study like "anthropology" but rather sin, the fall, its consequences, our possibilities, etc., all theologically understood.

> Thomas Aquinas: Love him or hate him, you still have to know him.

> And a lovely colloqium on Dante's Comedy. OBU Western Civ revisited; only now its harder and we actually get to read more of Paradiso.

That should keep me entertained for at least a few months, eh?

Aliens Landing?

I am making no promises, but my friend Clint's blog inspired me to post at least one more time. If I can approximate even slightly the perfect blend of insight, humor, and self-revelation I just read at his blog (which can be accessed via my links) I will be doing exactly what I always hoped to achieve: a continuation of a formative conversation with people important to my self-understanding even if in a fragmentary form.

Because I do not want my life to stop making sense, I need to at least have a "happy illusion" of immediate contact with people who have influenced me. I do plan on changing, and already have, but the notion of me "changing" implies that I was formerly something that I at least recognized as a whole and coherent self. Should I ever forget that, I fear I may lose something quite precious to my well-being.

The significance of this is simple: I believe that we are most vulnerable to disasters both private and professional when we live under the illuson that we are unconnected to the world in a definite manner already. It is a dangerous thing to believe that one can redefine the nature of their existence on earth in a mere instant of capricious reflection.

I am going to stop now so I have an excuse to continue later.

End of Summer

I am now a certified reader of the German language. However, let us hope that I am never incarcerated in a prison cell until I can translate a page or two of Goethe or Hegel or Kant. It would be a long stay.

I am now officially orientated to my new school. I have been thoroughly frightened by the reading lists for my preliminary exams, briefly introduced to the library, and repeatedly told how smart my incoming colleagues are. Class begins on Monday.

This means one of two things. Either
1) This will be my last posting ever due to the insane constraints placed upon my time.
-or-
2) I will be posting with renewed vigor in an attempt to keep my last shred of sanity intact.

Stay tuned...