We Have Brains
In response to the following:
a rose by any other name
October 26, 2003 11:18 AM
If you are married, did you take your husband's last name? Or, if you're unmarried, do you plan to take your husband's last name? Why or why not?
If you did not take your husband's last name, have you ever had any problems because of it?
How about Mrs.? Are you, will you ever, be "Mrs." anyone, or is "Ms." the only title you will will ever take?
And of course, for men, do you want your wife to take your last name, and why or why not?
In general how do you think this naming thing should be handled? Last names, children's names, etc.
This is a familiar discussion. One in which I don't think there can ever be a consensus as to "acceptable" practices of naming and renaming.
That having been said, I'm going to be so bold as to say that name--like any sign--is arbitrary. There is no quality of the thing labelled inherent in the name; there is nothing in "Natalie" to indicate that the word refers to me.
All words/signs obtain their significance from their usage in society. So long as we agree to call a certain thing "X," it will be understood that that thing is "X." Similarly, we can agree to call "X" "Z" without the thing itself having been changed.
What is perhaps more important than the name is the act of naming itself.
To name is to exercise power; to name oneself, the ultimate act of self-recognition.
The freedom to choose to take or reject any future husband's name is more important to me than the actual name itself. The freedom to evoke "Ms" or "Miss" (or "Ma'am"/"Madame," for that matter) in connection with myself is of equal importance (incidentally, I happen to reject all those titles--preferring just "Natalie"--and nothing irritates me more than being "Ma'am"ed by sales clerks!)
Certainly that's not to say that children should remain nameless until they're old enough to choose their own name. But they--everyone, for that matter--should have the freedom of re-evaluating and determining the appropriateness of the name that stands for them.
Thursday, October 30, 2003
Friday, October 24, 2003
Passion of Christ star struck by lightning.
You know, they say that an actor who dares to play Jesus invites misfortune. Some go as far to say that the role is cursed, noting some wildly unproven statistic that every actor who has played Jesus of Nazareth has died before his thirty-third birthday.
But that's garbage, of course.
Jim Caviezel, the actor assuming the part for the new (and controversial!) Mel Gibson produced film, is thirty-five and--more importantly--survived the lightning strike.
Jeremy Sisto, who played Jesus in the 1999 eponymous television movie, is alive and kicking (though our conspiracy theorists will point out that he's only 29.)
Willem Dafoe and Ted Neeley provide arguably the strongest case against the theory that to play Jesus is to die young. Dafoe, who was Jesus in 1988's The Last Temptation of Christ, is going strong at forty-eight. Neeley, now 60, appeared on screen as Jesus in Norman Jewison's Jesus Christ Superstar and has--in recent years--taken up the part again in North American tours of the musical.
Curious how these "theories" get started... No truth to this one, as far as I can see. Though I'm sure there'll be a few fanatics who will use Caviezel's accident to prove their case.
You know, they say that an actor who dares to play Jesus invites misfortune. Some go as far to say that the role is cursed, noting some wildly unproven statistic that every actor who has played Jesus of Nazareth has died before his thirty-third birthday.
But that's garbage, of course.
Jim Caviezel, the actor assuming the part for the new (and controversial!) Mel Gibson produced film, is thirty-five and--more importantly--survived the lightning strike.
Jeremy Sisto, who played Jesus in the 1999 eponymous television movie, is alive and kicking (though our conspiracy theorists will point out that he's only 29.)
Willem Dafoe and Ted Neeley provide arguably the strongest case against the theory that to play Jesus is to die young. Dafoe, who was Jesus in 1988's The Last Temptation of Christ, is going strong at forty-eight. Neeley, now 60, appeared on screen as Jesus in Norman Jewison's Jesus Christ Superstar and has--in recent years--taken up the part again in North American tours of the musical.
Curious how these "theories" get started... No truth to this one, as far as I can see. Though I'm sure there'll be a few fanatics who will use Caviezel's accident to prove their case.
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Sunday, October 19, 2003
The Nun by Denis Diderot (Translated by Leonard Tancock): A Review
What else can be said about the man who is credited with compiling the first encyclopedia except that he may be best suited to non-fiction?
The Nun (1796), Denis Diderot's foray into fiction, tells the story of Marie-Suzanne Simonin--a young French woman who is forced into the convent by a mother who believes she can atone for her own sins through the piety of her daughter. Narrated by Suzanne herself, the novel chronicles the innumerable horrors of convent life--horrors not just innumerable, but absurdly so.
Amplifying the incredibility of the plot is the first-person narration. Though Suzanne's voice is wholly engaging (and alone makes the novel worth reading), it eliminates the possibility of other perspectives so that--more often than not--the plot's momentum is bogged down by "Woe is me" whining and self-absorption. Also problematic is that despite Suzanne's constant assertions of her own intellect, she comes off as extremely naive and, well, just a little stupid. This is one narrator that I dare not trust. And--given that Diderot is attempting to critique Catholicism--I'd say that this is one sin that cannot be absolved.
Most damning of all this Nun's faults, though, is that the narrative voice is not distinctly female. Voice appropriation is always tricky, but it is especially so when appropriating the voice of the opposite gender. Still, the voice is not particularly male, either. Yet to say that the voice is androgynous because of Suzanne's "saintly" personality is ludicrous. While, at her age, Suzanne's sexuality would not be fully developed/defined, there should be more of a sense of self-awareness than the last eighty pages describes.
Having read all this, the reader of this review must think I found The Nun unbearable. Not so. I did enjoy it, but in the way one enjoys pulp fiction, as opposed to the high literature The Nun masquerades as. All in all, Denis Diderot's The Nun is far from the perfect novel, but still it miraculously manages to entertain.
What else can be said about the man who is credited with compiling the first encyclopedia except that he may be best suited to non-fiction?
The Nun (1796), Denis Diderot's foray into fiction, tells the story of Marie-Suzanne Simonin--a young French woman who is forced into the convent by a mother who believes she can atone for her own sins through the piety of her daughter. Narrated by Suzanne herself, the novel chronicles the innumerable horrors of convent life--horrors not just innumerable, but absurdly so.
Amplifying the incredibility of the plot is the first-person narration. Though Suzanne's voice is wholly engaging (and alone makes the novel worth reading), it eliminates the possibility of other perspectives so that--more often than not--the plot's momentum is bogged down by "Woe is me" whining and self-absorption. Also problematic is that despite Suzanne's constant assertions of her own intellect, she comes off as extremely naive and, well, just a little stupid. This is one narrator that I dare not trust. And--given that Diderot is attempting to critique Catholicism--I'd say that this is one sin that cannot be absolved.
Most damning of all this Nun's faults, though, is that the narrative voice is not distinctly female. Voice appropriation is always tricky, but it is especially so when appropriating the voice of the opposite gender. Still, the voice is not particularly male, either. Yet to say that the voice is androgynous because of Suzanne's "saintly" personality is ludicrous. While, at her age, Suzanne's sexuality would not be fully developed/defined, there should be more of a sense of self-awareness than the last eighty pages describes.
Having read all this, the reader of this review must think I found The Nun unbearable. Not so. I did enjoy it, but in the way one enjoys pulp fiction, as opposed to the high literature The Nun masquerades as. All in all, Denis Diderot's The Nun is far from the perfect novel, but still it miraculously manages to entertain.
In honour of both Halloween and my inner child, I'm buying the following book tomorrow:
And, if my will-power fails, I'll probably come home with this one, too:
Anyway, while I force myself to do some work, you can check out the personal website of Neil Gaiman (author of the aforementioned Coraline and The Wolves in the Walls, as well as The Sandman series [which, admittedly, I have yet to read]).
And, if my will-power fails, I'll probably come home with this one, too:
Anyway, while I force myself to do some work, you can check out the personal website of Neil Gaiman (author of the aforementioned Coraline and The Wolves in the Walls, as well as The Sandman series [which, admittedly, I have yet to read]).
Friday, October 17, 2003
The Friday Five
1. Name five things in your refrigerator.
- Maille Dijon mustard;
- orange juice;
- turkey lunchmeat;
- fruit (inc. strawberries, peaches, plums, and red grapes); and
- marmalade.
2. Name five things in your freezer.
- sole fillets;
- leftover Thanksgiving turkey and gravy;
- brown bread;
- frozen mixed veggies and frozen corn; and
- veggie ground round.
3. Name five things under your kitchen sink.
- my ChiaPet--waiting to be re-seeded;
- the recycling;
- vases for flowers;
- extra dishsoap; and
- the garbage pail (well, that's on the back of the cupboard door, but it's technically still under the sink.)
4. Name five things around your computer.
- my creative writing appraisal (framed);
- stuffed animals;
- framed photographs;
- a Quadrophenia postcard; and
- a host of reference books (Oxford Canadian Dictionary; Oxford Paravia Italian Dictionary; Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable; the MLA Handbook; and The Harper Handbook to Literature.)
5. Name five things in your medicine cabinet
- Christmas bubble bath;
- the Promise Land's Avacado Bath Salts;
- cotton make-up pads;
- toner/astringent; and
- mud mask.
1. Name five things in your refrigerator.
- Maille Dijon mustard;
- orange juice;
- turkey lunchmeat;
- fruit (inc. strawberries, peaches, plums, and red grapes); and
- marmalade.
2. Name five things in your freezer.
- sole fillets;
- leftover Thanksgiving turkey and gravy;
- brown bread;
- frozen mixed veggies and frozen corn; and
- veggie ground round.
3. Name five things under your kitchen sink.
- my ChiaPet--waiting to be re-seeded;
- the recycling;
- vases for flowers;
- extra dishsoap; and
- the garbage pail (well, that's on the back of the cupboard door, but it's technically still under the sink.)
4. Name five things around your computer.
- my creative writing appraisal (framed);
- stuffed animals;
- framed photographs;
- a Quadrophenia postcard; and
- a host of reference books (Oxford Canadian Dictionary; Oxford Paravia Italian Dictionary; Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable; the MLA Handbook; and The Harper Handbook to Literature.)
5. Name five things in your medicine cabinet
- Christmas bubble bath;
- the Promise Land's Avacado Bath Salts;
- cotton make-up pads;
- toner/astringent; and
- mud mask.
Mean lil fellow, arn't you?
What Monty Python Character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Um...what?
[Quiz via Becky.]
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Talk about unholy Alliance(s)...
Peter McKay has just nailed shut his own political coffin (not to mention that of Canada's oldest political party!) Yeah, vote-splitting sucks, but why hitch the Conservative Party to that wagon? (Enough cliches for you? I have decided that today is Cliche Day! Today, I shall use cliches whenever possible! Thank goodness I don't have any papers to write tonight...)
Argh. I'm tired of Liberal governance at the federal level, but Conservative rule would be--I believe--a regression. I haven't forgotten the Mulroney Era. Let's hope the rest of the Canadian electorate hasn't either.
Peter McKay has just nailed shut his own political coffin (not to mention that of Canada's oldest political party!) Yeah, vote-splitting sucks, but why hitch the Conservative Party to that wagon? (Enough cliches for you? I have decided that today is Cliche Day! Today, I shall use cliches whenever possible! Thank goodness I don't have any papers to write tonight...)
Argh. I'm tired of Liberal governance at the federal level, but Conservative rule would be--I believe--a regression. I haven't forgotten the Mulroney Era. Let's hope the rest of the Canadian electorate hasn't either.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
What am I doing?
I don't even know if I want to go grad school! My plan was to take a year off--to work, to travel, and to contemplate going to grad school. Now I find myself with the extra work/headache of preparing applications (and doling out money I don't really have to pay for this fee and that [why the hell do they charge $10 for a transcript?!?!! All they do is print it off a computer!!!].)
Why? Why am I bringing on all this unneeded work/stress?
Partly because I got caught up in the moment ("People think I might actually have a shot at all this!") Mostly, though, because I have a problem saying no. Especially to people who believe in me and my abilities (the professors encouraging me to apply to grad school and for grad scholarships are a few examples.)
I have to start saying "no." Now is a perfect opportunity.
I am saying "no" to duress; I am saying "no" to paperwork for something I lack the conviction (at the moment) to follow through. I am saying "no, not just now" to grad school/scholarships.
And I'm sticking to my original plan.
Now that I've pretty much wasted the evening, I'm going to make myself a hot chocolate and finish The Nun.
Sleep well. I'm sure I will.
I don't even know if I want to go grad school! My plan was to take a year off--to work, to travel, and to contemplate going to grad school. Now I find myself with the extra work/headache of preparing applications (and doling out money I don't really have to pay for this fee and that [why the hell do they charge $10 for a transcript?!?!! All they do is print it off a computer!!!].)
Why? Why am I bringing on all this unneeded work/stress?
Partly because I got caught up in the moment ("People think I might actually have a shot at all this!") Mostly, though, because I have a problem saying no. Especially to people who believe in me and my abilities (the professors encouraging me to apply to grad school and for grad scholarships are a few examples.)
I have to start saying "no." Now is a perfect opportunity.
I am saying "no" to duress; I am saying "no" to paperwork for something I lack the conviction (at the moment) to follow through. I am saying "no, not just now" to grad school/scholarships.
And I'm sticking to my original plan.
Now that I've pretty much wasted the evening, I'm going to make myself a hot chocolate and finish The Nun.
Sleep well. I'm sure I will.
I'm a little stuck.
I have to draft a one page project proposal (I'm applying for grad school scholarships--even though I'm still not sure I even want to go to grad school next year. Better safe than sorry, I guess) for tomorrow. No, the applications aren't due tomorrow. I want to have a little info pack to my referees by then--and I was told to include a draft of my project plan (oh, department info sessions! MUCH more informative than one might guess!)
So, my problem: I have an idea of what I want to do, but I haven't hammered out quite as many details as I'd like. Ah, well. It is only a draft. I suppose I could give them an outline and then pass on a more detailed plan at the beginning of next week. That could work, couldn't it?
Well, blogging about it certainly won't solve anything.
I'll let you know what I come up with.
I have to draft a one page project proposal (I'm applying for grad school scholarships--even though I'm still not sure I even want to go to grad school next year. Better safe than sorry, I guess) for tomorrow. No, the applications aren't due tomorrow. I want to have a little info pack to my referees by then--and I was told to include a draft of my project plan (oh, department info sessions! MUCH more informative than one might guess!)
So, my problem: I have an idea of what I want to do, but I haven't hammered out quite as many details as I'd like. Ah, well. It is only a draft. I suppose I could give them an outline and then pass on a more detailed plan at the beginning of next week. That could work, couldn't it?
Well, blogging about it certainly won't solve anything.
I'll let you know what I come up with.
I received a rather, um, interesting forward from my mother tonight. Maybe you've seen it already?
PLEASE READ. THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.
> This is something that happened to Ryan and me on the way back from Texas
> last spring. I didn't think much of it until now. The reason we were a
> little suspicious is we had been riding in a jeep all day with 100 degree
> temps and we stopped at a truck stop for something to drink. When I was
> leaving a young girl followed me out and asked what kind of cologne I was
> wearing? Well after 7 hours in a car sweating. I don't think you could
> tell
> I was or was not wearing any cologne. We just got in the jeep and said no
> thanks. So this does happen.
>
> To all my female friends:
> It was about 3 weeks ago, I was at the shell station in Auburn getting
> gas. It was about 11:30 p.m. I was approached by 2 men and 2 women in a
> car.
> The man t! hat was driving asked me "What kind of perfume do you wear?" I
> was
> a bit confused and I asked him "Why?" He said "We are selling some name
> brand perfumes, at ch! eap prices." I said I had no money. He then reached
> out of the car and handed me a paper that was laminated, it had many
> perfumes on it. I looked quickly at it and gave it back. I said, I have no
> money. He then said it is OK, we take check, cash, or credit cards. Then
> the
> people in the car began to laugh. I just got in my car and said no thanks.
> Then I received this e-mail yesterday, and it sent chills up my spine.
>
> Please read this. It is not a joke. -Wendy McGee
> Here is the e-mail that I was sent:
>
> Dear Friends:
> I know not all of you are women that I am sending this to, but I am hoping
> you will share this with your wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, etc.
>
> Our world seems to be getting crazier by ! the day. Pipes bombs in mailboxes
> and sickos in parking lots with perfume. Be careful!
>
> I was approached yesterday afternoon around 3:30 pm in the Wal-Mart
> parking lot at University Drive (Des Moines), by two males! , asking what
> kind
> of perfume I was wearing.
>
> Then they asked if I'd like to sample some fabulous scent they were
> willing to sell me at a very reasonable rate. I probably would have agreed
> had I not received an email some weeks ago, warning of a "Wanna smell this
> neat perfume?" scam.
>
> The men continued to stand between parked cars, I guess to wait for
> someone else to hit on. I stopped a lady going towards them, pointed at
> them, and told her about how I was sent a e-mail at work about someone
> walking up to you at the malls or in parking lots, and asking you to SNIFF
> PERFUME that they are selling at a cheap price.
>
> THIS IS NOT PERFUME! IT IS ETHE! R! When you sniff it, you'll pass out. And
> they'll take your wallet, your valuables, and heaven knows what else. If
> it
> were not for this e-mail, I probably would have sniffed the "perfume." But
> thanks to the generosity of an emailing friend, I was spared whatever
> might
> have h! appened to me. I wanted to do the same for you.
>
> PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS, AND PLEASE BE ALERT, AND
> AWARE!! IF YOU ARE A MAN AND RECEIVE THIS, PASS IT ON TO YOUR WOMEN
> FRIENDS!
>
> Ladies this happened to me yesterday and I didn't smell the perfume
> either, thanks to this email!
> This is true! Believe me, I know! I was over by Big Lots in the parking
> lot at lunch time when I was approached. So either day or night, it does
> not
> matter. There were 3 guys together when I was approached. I called the
> police
> when I got back to my desk. Like the email says above, LET EVE! RYONE KNOW
> ABOUT THIS. YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, COWORKERS, who ever. It helped me.
>
> The first thing that popped in my head was this email warning.
My thoughts?
Pure fiction.
I'm open to the possibility that I could be wrong, but--as I told my mom--this is the way I see it: urban legend.
First of all, how many people have access to ether? To my knowledge, it's not widely used (yes, I know that doesn't mean it's not available to sickies, but it does mean that it's not as readily available.)
Second: the stories--particularly with regards to the numbers and genders of the (potential) perpetrators--keep changing. Could there be a number of people in on it? Possibly. But the whole thing seems a little too amateur to be the product of a big crime ring (the only conspiracy theories I give any weight to are those dealing with the J.F.K. assassination. Even then I'm critical.)
Above all, though, I find the rhetoric of the e-mail most suspect. More often than not, the rhetoric is vague (the Des Moines Wal-Mart incident is the most specific.)--almost of the "it happened to a friend of a friend of a friend of mine's cousin's uncle's sister-in-law" variety. Still, there appears to be some attempt at a constructed narrative, as the e-mail appears to build towards a climax and denouement (just like all of those urban legend e-mails.) All it leads me to is the conclusion that we have ourselves a very poorly written "horror story." I mean, if it were a real warning, don't you think they'd have gotten to the point quicker?
And don't you think it would have registered at least a blip on the evening news radar?
Off to read more of Diderot's The Nun.
PLEASE READ. THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.
> This is something that happened to Ryan and me on the way back from Texas
> last spring. I didn't think much of it until now. The reason we were a
> little suspicious is we had been riding in a jeep all day with 100 degree
> temps and we stopped at a truck stop for something to drink. When I was
> leaving a young girl followed me out and asked what kind of cologne I was
> wearing? Well after 7 hours in a car sweating. I don't think you could
> tell
> I was or was not wearing any cologne. We just got in the jeep and said no
> thanks. So this does happen.
>
> To all my female friends:
> It was about 3 weeks ago, I was at the shell station in Auburn getting
> gas. It was about 11:30 p.m. I was approached by 2 men and 2 women in a
> car.
> The man t! hat was driving asked me "What kind of perfume do you wear?" I
> was
> a bit confused and I asked him "Why?" He said "We are selling some name
> brand perfumes, at ch! eap prices." I said I had no money. He then reached
> out of the car and handed me a paper that was laminated, it had many
> perfumes on it. I looked quickly at it and gave it back. I said, I have no
> money. He then said it is OK, we take check, cash, or credit cards. Then
> the
> people in the car began to laugh. I just got in my car and said no thanks.
> Then I received this e-mail yesterday, and it sent chills up my spine.
>
> Please read this. It is not a joke. -Wendy McGee
> Here is the e-mail that I was sent:
>
> Dear Friends:
> I know not all of you are women that I am sending this to, but I am hoping
> you will share this with your wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, etc.
>
> Our world seems to be getting crazier by ! the day. Pipes bombs in mailboxes
> and sickos in parking lots with perfume. Be careful!
>
> I was approached yesterday afternoon around 3:30 pm in the Wal-Mart
> parking lot at University Drive (Des Moines), by two males! , asking what
> kind
> of perfume I was wearing.
>
> Then they asked if I'd like to sample some fabulous scent they were
> willing to sell me at a very reasonable rate. I probably would have agreed
> had I not received an email some weeks ago, warning of a "Wanna smell this
> neat perfume?" scam.
>
> The men continued to stand between parked cars, I guess to wait for
> someone else to hit on. I stopped a lady going towards them, pointed at
> them, and told her about how I was sent a e-mail at work about someone
> walking up to you at the malls or in parking lots, and asking you to SNIFF
> PERFUME that they are selling at a cheap price.
>
> THIS IS NOT PERFUME! IT IS ETHE! R! When you sniff it, you'll pass out. And
> they'll take your wallet, your valuables, and heaven knows what else. If
> it
> were not for this e-mail, I probably would have sniffed the "perfume." But
> thanks to the generosity of an emailing friend, I was spared whatever
> might
> have h! appened to me. I wanted to do the same for you.
>
> PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL YOUR WOMEN FRIENDS, AND PLEASE BE ALERT, AND
> AWARE!! IF YOU ARE A MAN AND RECEIVE THIS, PASS IT ON TO YOUR WOMEN
> FRIENDS!
>
> Ladies this happened to me yesterday and I didn't smell the perfume
> either, thanks to this email!
> This is true! Believe me, I know! I was over by Big Lots in the parking
> lot at lunch time when I was approached. So either day or night, it does
> not
> matter. There were 3 guys together when I was approached. I called the
> police
> when I got back to my desk. Like the email says above, LET EVE! RYONE KNOW
> ABOUT THIS. YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, COWORKERS, who ever. It helped me.
>
> The first thing that popped in my head was this email warning.
My thoughts?
Pure fiction.
I'm open to the possibility that I could be wrong, but--as I told my mom--this is the way I see it: urban legend.
First of all, how many people have access to ether? To my knowledge, it's not widely used (yes, I know that doesn't mean it's not available to sickies, but it does mean that it's not as readily available.)
Second: the stories--particularly with regards to the numbers and genders of the (potential) perpetrators--keep changing. Could there be a number of people in on it? Possibly. But the whole thing seems a little too amateur to be the product of a big crime ring (the only conspiracy theories I give any weight to are those dealing with the J.F.K. assassination. Even then I'm critical.)
Above all, though, I find the rhetoric of the e-mail most suspect. More often than not, the rhetoric is vague (the Des Moines Wal-Mart incident is the most specific.)--almost of the "it happened to a friend of a friend of a friend of mine's cousin's uncle's sister-in-law" variety. Still, there appears to be some attempt at a constructed narrative, as the e-mail appears to build towards a climax and denouement (just like all of those urban legend e-mails.) All it leads me to is the conclusion that we have ourselves a very poorly written "horror story." I mean, if it were a real warning, don't you think they'd have gotten to the point quicker?
And don't you think it would have registered at least a blip on the evening news radar?
Off to read more of Diderot's The Nun.
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Still at home. Ended up having a last minute visit with a friend from Montreal (Murph). For those of you trying to reach me at my apartment (Ker), I'll be back in town just before dinner.
In the meantime, here's another picture of my cat (as promised!) This one's a favourite of mine. Still, despite this being a better likeness, it just doesn't capture Cuddles' charm and handsome face.
Oh, and in case you're wondering what happened to that Vatican post I promised, I just want to say that I've abandoned the idea. I think it's pretty obvious what I disagree with. If I were to devote another post to it, I'd just be dignifying the stupidity.
In the meantime, here's another picture of my cat (as promised!) This one's a favourite of mine. Still, despite this being a better likeness, it just doesn't capture Cuddles' charm and handsome face.
Oh, and in case you're wondering what happened to that Vatican post I promised, I just want to say that I've abandoned the idea. I think it's pretty obvious what I disagree with. If I were to devote another post to it, I'd just be dignifying the stupidity.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Anger at Vatican plan to ban altar girls
John Hooper in Rome
Wednesday September 24, 2003
The Guardian
A heated battle has been joined in the Vatican between moderates and conservatives over a directive, called for by the Pope, that would bar altar girls and stop millions of Roman Catholics around the world dancing, or even clapping, in their churches.
The document would also clamp down on adult, lay pastoral assistants. It would forbid priests during sermons quoting from ethical texts other than the Gospels. And it would rank services jointly celebrated with Protestant ministers or Orthodox priests alongside black masses as one of the four "most serious" abuses.
In a clear effort to block, or, at least dilute, the measure, a leaked text of the draft was this week published in Jesus, the monthly review of the Society of St Paul, an international Catholic organisation.
One Vatican insider was yesterday quoted by the Rome newspaper Il Messaggero as saying it contained "idiocies so mad as to incite fear".
The document was compiled by officials from two Vatican ministries, responsible for doctrine and liturgy, after the Pope called earlier this year for new guidelines on the way masses are held. Many clerics had complained that liberalisation and experiment in recent decades had left them not knowing what was allowed.
Catholics in western, and particularly northern, Europe are likely to be most taken aback by the Vatican officials' determination to block one of the few means of participation in church ritual for women.
The draft text states that priests should only allow girls to help them at mass if they have a special dispensation from their bishop and there is "just cause", which Italian commentators took to mean an absence of boys. According to the leaked draft, priests ought "never to feel themselves obliged to recruit girls".
In developing countries, where the Catholic church now has most of its members, the most controversial injunction will be the one banning "applause and dance within the place of worship, even outside the celebration of [mass]".
Dance is an integral part of worship in Africa and Asia and has figured in numerous services attended by the Pope. Clapping is also commonplace in Italy at weddings, baptisms and even during funerals.
The draft "instruction" was reportedly tabled in June and came in for stiff criticism at a meeting of the two departments. A final version is due to be published this year.
[Via we have brains]
Now, that's just a draft, but as a Roman Catholic, I just want to say, um, WHAT THE FUCK??!
Watch this space for the forthcoming coherent tirade. Right now I'm too mad to think straight.
John Hooper in Rome
Wednesday September 24, 2003
The Guardian
A heated battle has been joined in the Vatican between moderates and conservatives over a directive, called for by the Pope, that would bar altar girls and stop millions of Roman Catholics around the world dancing, or even clapping, in their churches.
The document would also clamp down on adult, lay pastoral assistants. It would forbid priests during sermons quoting from ethical texts other than the Gospels. And it would rank services jointly celebrated with Protestant ministers or Orthodox priests alongside black masses as one of the four "most serious" abuses.
In a clear effort to block, or, at least dilute, the measure, a leaked text of the draft was this week published in Jesus, the monthly review of the Society of St Paul, an international Catholic organisation.
One Vatican insider was yesterday quoted by the Rome newspaper Il Messaggero as saying it contained "idiocies so mad as to incite fear".
The document was compiled by officials from two Vatican ministries, responsible for doctrine and liturgy, after the Pope called earlier this year for new guidelines on the way masses are held. Many clerics had complained that liberalisation and experiment in recent decades had left them not knowing what was allowed.
Catholics in western, and particularly northern, Europe are likely to be most taken aback by the Vatican officials' determination to block one of the few means of participation in church ritual for women.
The draft text states that priests should only allow girls to help them at mass if they have a special dispensation from their bishop and there is "just cause", which Italian commentators took to mean an absence of boys. According to the leaked draft, priests ought "never to feel themselves obliged to recruit girls".
In developing countries, where the Catholic church now has most of its members, the most controversial injunction will be the one banning "applause and dance within the place of worship, even outside the celebration of [mass]".
Dance is an integral part of worship in Africa and Asia and has figured in numerous services attended by the Pope. Clapping is also commonplace in Italy at weddings, baptisms and even during funerals.
The draft "instruction" was reportedly tabled in June and came in for stiff criticism at a meeting of the two departments. A final version is due to be published this year.
[Via we have brains]
Now, that's just a draft, but as a Roman Catholic, I just want to say, um, WHAT THE FUCK??!
Watch this space for the forthcoming coherent tirade. Right now I'm too mad to think straight.
Monday, October 06, 2003
Shit. I think I've come down with something. No. I want to amend that. I'm sure I've come down with something. Now, ordinarily, trying to determine the cause of the congestion, runny nose, et cetera would find me vascillating between "allergies" and "cold."
But it's too cold for my allergies to be doing this, I think.
And I felt this coming on at the end of last week.
I think I'm going to take a shower and spend the rest of the day in bed.
Yeah, I do have an hour of class today and a study group this evening (because I have a one-hour, in class exam on Wednesday), but I'll be completely useless if I'm not over this thing.
I'm off to make some orange juice.
Afterthoughts...
I am out of Kleenex. It looks like I may have to go out--however briefly--after all. Boo-urns. (Yes, I just said "Boo-urns." See how the congestion is getting to me???)
But it's too cold for my allergies to be doing this, I think.
And I felt this coming on at the end of last week.
I think I'm going to take a shower and spend the rest of the day in bed.
Yeah, I do have an hour of class today and a study group this evening (because I have a one-hour, in class exam on Wednesday), but I'll be completely useless if I'm not over this thing.
I'm off to make some orange juice.
Afterthoughts...
I am out of Kleenex. It looks like I may have to go out--however briefly--after all. Boo-urns. (Yes, I just said "Boo-urns." See how the congestion is getting to me???)
Sunday, October 05, 2003
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Tomorrow (or today, rather) we vote.
I know I don't need to tell you who's getting my support; it's already apparent. I know my party doesn't really stand a chance of winning, but of recovering lost ground--! Oh, yes!
Right now, I'll be content with a good showing.
It's funny, really. I must not look like a Tory (but then what does a Socialist look like?) because a Conservative canvasser didn't bother to try to force a flyer on me as I passed her on campus today. Or maybe she didn't accost me because the second she looked in my direction, I looked away and kept walking.
I know, I know. Not polite at all. But part of me really didn't want to have to get into anything by not accepting a flyer (I could have just accepted one, I suppose, but then why waste paper?)
The other part of me kind of wanted the opportunity to turn down a flyer--and the opportunity to detail why I will not, nor will I ever (unless I lose my soul!), vote for the Conservatives. I wanted the opportunity to tell her what I think of Conservative policies, to tell her how wrong they are, to enlighten her (poor messenger...!) because I know I'm right.
Sometimes I can be so proud--haughty, even. And that really bothers me. I don't know. Most times--when I feel proud--I think I have cause to feel that way. Still, though, that's no excuse.
Aside from wisdom, sustained humility is that virtue to which I most greatly aspire.
Biting my tongue today was proof to me that I can indeed master that proud impulse that makes me speak when I should really let things be. Now if only I could get rid of the impulse all together!
Hm. But writers, by nature, aren't really humble creatures, are they? And just because anything is "by nature" doesn't mean it'll be left alone. If there's one thing I've learned in my twenty-two years, it's that we are all constantly at war with nature--with our "selves." So it seems that my attempts at self-restraint are about as inevitable as the occurrence of any writerly-related hubris.
Anyway, a little righteous indignation never hurt anyone... Right...?
The wrestling continues...
At any rate, it's likely I'll get some good story ideas in process.
Afterthoughts...
I just hope my fellow students vote. There is so much apathy on my campus (why I really didn't realize until becoming more active in social causes/activism last year, I still don't know), it's discouraging.
I know I don't need to tell you who's getting my support; it's already apparent. I know my party doesn't really stand a chance of winning, but of recovering lost ground--! Oh, yes!
Right now, I'll be content with a good showing.
It's funny, really. I must not look like a Tory (but then what does a Socialist look like?) because a Conservative canvasser didn't bother to try to force a flyer on me as I passed her on campus today. Or maybe she didn't accost me because the second she looked in my direction, I looked away and kept walking.
I know, I know. Not polite at all. But part of me really didn't want to have to get into anything by not accepting a flyer (I could have just accepted one, I suppose, but then why waste paper?)
The other part of me kind of wanted the opportunity to turn down a flyer--and the opportunity to detail why I will not, nor will I ever (unless I lose my soul!), vote for the Conservatives. I wanted the opportunity to tell her what I think of Conservative policies, to tell her how wrong they are, to enlighten her (poor messenger...!) because I know I'm right.
Sometimes I can be so proud--haughty, even. And that really bothers me. I don't know. Most times--when I feel proud--I think I have cause to feel that way. Still, though, that's no excuse.
Aside from wisdom, sustained humility is that virtue to which I most greatly aspire.
Biting my tongue today was proof to me that I can indeed master that proud impulse that makes me speak when I should really let things be. Now if only I could get rid of the impulse all together!
Hm. But writers, by nature, aren't really humble creatures, are they? And just because anything is "by nature" doesn't mean it'll be left alone. If there's one thing I've learned in my twenty-two years, it's that we are all constantly at war with nature--with our "selves." So it seems that my attempts at self-restraint are about as inevitable as the occurrence of any writerly-related hubris.
Anyway, a little righteous indignation never hurt anyone... Right...?
The wrestling continues...
At any rate, it's likely I'll get some good story ideas in process.
Afterthoughts...
I just hope my fellow students vote. There is so much apathy on my campus (why I really didn't realize until becoming more active in social causes/activism last year, I still don't know), it's discouraging.
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