Daniel asked the other day for my thoughts on some things he had posted on his blog. I had neither the time nor direct inclination for the consideration he expects or the posts deserved. However, after some deliberation, I have decided to post not my response but the response of Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180).
What follows is ever so closely linked to what proceeds; it is not the procession of isolated events, merely obeying the laws of a sequence, but a rational continuity. Moreover, just as the things already in existence are all harmoniously coordinated, things in the act of coming into existence exhibit the same marvel of concatenation, rather than the bare fact of succession. (Book Four, 45)
Let it be clear to you that the peace of green fields can always be yours, in this, that, or any other spot; and that nothing is any different here from what it would be either up in the hills, or down by the sea, or wherever else you will. You will find the same thought in Plato, where he speaks of living within the city walls 'as though milking his flocks in a mountain sheepfold.' (Book Ten, 23)
One thing hastens into being, another hastens out of it. Even while a thing is in the act of coming into existence, some part of it has already ceased to be. Flux and change are for ever renewing the fabric of the universe, just as the ceaseless sweep of time is for ever renewing the face of eternity. In such a running river, where there is no firm foothold, what is there for a man to value among all the many things that are racing past him? It would be like setting the affections on some sparrow flitting by, which in the selfsame moment is lost to sight. A man's life is no more than an inhalation of the air and an exhalation from the blood; and there no true difference between drawing in a single breath, only to emit it again, as we do every instant, and receiving the power to breath at all, as you did yesterday at your birth, only to yield it back one day to the source from which you drew it. (Book Six, 15)
10.07.2008
10.06.2008
10.05.2008
Race Report: Portland Marathon 5 Miler
It was a perfect morning for running your guts out. In preparation for Clearwater I am doing a lot of speed work, which includes some shorter road races. My goals today were, first, to go under 30min. This I did not accomplish. Second, Finish top 5 in my age group. This I did. Third, and most importantly, go hard, push the limit. Achieved.
I knew this was not going to be my fastest day, after riding for three hours the day before, but I still felt like I had enough to go sub 6min pace. I was on this pace until about 300 meters from the finish. That is when I started to feel the heave reflex trigger. I knew the last minute was going to be painful, heaving every 10 or 15 steps. I was on the rivet the whole time, but luckily I did not barf. As those of you know who have done any run from downtown PDX, we had to run up the Front Street hill to Broadway. This is stupid and although it does create some separation, it does not make for a fun run. So here are the stats.
Total time - 30:17
Age Group - 2/49
Overall - 13/1239
I knew this was not going to be my fastest day, after riding for three hours the day before, but I still felt like I had enough to go sub 6min pace. I was on this pace until about 300 meters from the finish. That is when I started to feel the heave reflex trigger. I knew the last minute was going to be painful, heaving every 10 or 15 steps. I was on the rivet the whole time, but luckily I did not barf. As those of you know who have done any run from downtown PDX, we had to run up the Front Street hill to Broadway. This is stupid and although it does create some separation, it does not make for a fun run. So here are the stats.
Total time - 30:17
Age Group - 2/49
Overall - 13/1239
9.28.2008
comedy
At this point I believe it is safe to say they are one of the greatest comedic teams of all time. Seriously.
9.27.2008
turning
Today I woke up to the news that Paul Newman had lost his battle with cancer. I will not postulate now on his importance in American Cinema and thusly his importance to American Culture and America itself, but instead, as is my want, I will leave you with some dialog from what is undoubtedly my favorite Newman movie.
from Cool Hand Luke
Luke: I can eat fifty eggs.
Dragline: Nobody can eat fifty eggs.
Society Red: You just said he could eat anything.
Dragline: Did you ever eat fifty eggs?
Luke: Nobody ever eat fifty eggs.
Prisoner: Hey, Babalugats. We got a bet here.
Dragline: My boy says he can eat fifty eggs, he can eat fifty eggs.
Loudmouth Steve: Yeah, but in how long?
Luke: A hour.
Society Red: Well, I believe I'll take part of that wager.
from Cool Hand Luke
Luke: I can eat fifty eggs.
Dragline: Nobody can eat fifty eggs.
Society Red: You just said he could eat anything.
Dragline: Did you ever eat fifty eggs?
Luke: Nobody ever eat fifty eggs.
Prisoner: Hey, Babalugats. We got a bet here.
Dragline: My boy says he can eat fifty eggs, he can eat fifty eggs.
Loudmouth Steve: Yeah, but in how long?
Luke: A hour.
Society Red: Well, I believe I'll take part of that wager.
9.21.2008
chrysalis
I have been plugging away at Thomas Wolfe's You Can't Go Home Again for some time now. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and can't believe I put off this task for as long as I have. I was reading last night and came across something that struck me. Below is an excerpt from the afore mentioned book, judge it as you will.
The leaders of the nation had fixed their gaze so long upon the illusions of a false prosperity that they had forgotten what America looked like. Now they saw it--saw its newness, its raw crudeness, and its strength--and turned their shuddering eyes away. "Give us back our well-worn husks," they said, "where we were so snug and comfortable." And then they tried word magic. "Conditions are fundamentally sound," the said--by which they meant to assure themselves that nothing now was really changed, that things were as they always had been, and as they always would be, forever and ever, amen.
But they were wrong. They did not know that you can't go home again. America had come to the end of something, and to the beginning of something else. But no one knew what that something else would be, and out of the change and the uncertainty and the wrongness of the leaders grew fear and desperation, and before long hunger stalked the streets. Through it all there was only one certainty, though no one saw it yet. America was still America, and whatever new thing came of it would be American.
Originally published in 1934, five years after the stock market crash of 1929.
The leaders of the nation had fixed their gaze so long upon the illusions of a false prosperity that they had forgotten what America looked like. Now they saw it--saw its newness, its raw crudeness, and its strength--and turned their shuddering eyes away. "Give us back our well-worn husks," they said, "where we were so snug and comfortable." And then they tried word magic. "Conditions are fundamentally sound," the said--by which they meant to assure themselves that nothing now was really changed, that things were as they always had been, and as they always would be, forever and ever, amen.
But they were wrong. They did not know that you can't go home again. America had come to the end of something, and to the beginning of something else. But no one knew what that something else would be, and out of the change and the uncertainty and the wrongness of the leaders grew fear and desperation, and before long hunger stalked the streets. Through it all there was only one certainty, though no one saw it yet. America was still America, and whatever new thing came of it would be American.
Originally published in 1934, five years after the stock market crash of 1929.
9.18.2008
Carrie and Daniel
September 14th was Carrie and Daniel's Wedding. It was a wonderful affair. I could tell it met all there expectations as the smiles on their faces could not be contained. It was simple, intimate and elegant. I was asked to read a short selection during the ceremony. It was nice to be included on this auspicious day. The words, an interpretation of some Hindu text, were clear and poignant. Dan is like a brother to me. In another post I believe I called him, confidant par excellence.
Which is why I should not have been surprised when I was cajoled into providing a toast during dinner, but surprised I was. His own brother had said some heartfelt words, a smattering of others had said added theirs, when both Daniel and his mother, Joy, began to give me a look signifying it was my turn. I was ill prepared. I had consumed my share of beer (a treat rarely afforded). I spoke during the service. I thought I was off the hook.
This was not the case.
Those who know me will say I never refuse the opportunity to provide my dissertation to groups large and small. I have relished it. I have pontificated on topics rare and common, great and base. I have built a reputation on being able to do so at moments notice. However, at that moment and in that climate, I was, for lack of a better word, speechless. It may have been a combination of many things, but I will say I was wrought with emotion. Few things compare with seeing your best friend with his bride on their wedding day. It makes us see how far we come, but at the same time illuminates the possibilities in front of us.
My toast was passable, but not memorable for any reason. I rambled into some of the traps invariably lining the path of these unprepared speeches but quickly evaded their most perilous snares. Those moments where great impact can be made are uncommon and without the possibility to recreated. Thanks to miracle of science, the internet provides us the opportunity to make amends. So, raise your glasses....A Toast for Carrie and Daniel.
On this day we come together, family and friends of Carrie and Dan to celebrate the commitment of their relationship, to send them on their way as their lives together begin anew. I think, like all great relationships, Carrie and Daniel provide a balance for each other that allows them to move forward with quiet and full hearts, with a sense of true love.
To the bride and groom, as they begin their lives in union. Let them have, as Denise Levertov says in her poem First Love
that endless giving and receiving, the wholeness
of that attention,
that once-in-a-lifetime
secret communion.
To Carrie and Daniel
Which is why I should not have been surprised when I was cajoled into providing a toast during dinner, but surprised I was. His own brother had said some heartfelt words, a smattering of others had said added theirs, when both Daniel and his mother, Joy, began to give me a look signifying it was my turn. I was ill prepared. I had consumed my share of beer (a treat rarely afforded). I spoke during the service. I thought I was off the hook.
This was not the case.
Those who know me will say I never refuse the opportunity to provide my dissertation to groups large and small. I have relished it. I have pontificated on topics rare and common, great and base. I have built a reputation on being able to do so at moments notice. However, at that moment and in that climate, I was, for lack of a better word, speechless. It may have been a combination of many things, but I will say I was wrought with emotion. Few things compare with seeing your best friend with his bride on their wedding day. It makes us see how far we come, but at the same time illuminates the possibilities in front of us.
My toast was passable, but not memorable for any reason. I rambled into some of the traps invariably lining the path of these unprepared speeches but quickly evaded their most perilous snares. Those moments where great impact can be made are uncommon and without the possibility to recreated. Thanks to miracle of science, the internet provides us the opportunity to make amends. So, raise your glasses....A Toast for Carrie and Daniel.
On this day we come together, family and friends of Carrie and Dan to celebrate the commitment of their relationship, to send them on their way as their lives together begin anew. I think, like all great relationships, Carrie and Daniel provide a balance for each other that allows them to move forward with quiet and full hearts, with a sense of true love.
To the bride and groom, as they begin their lives in union. Let them have, as Denise Levertov says in her poem First Love
that endless giving and receiving, the wholeness
of that attention,
that once-in-a-lifetime
secret communion.
To Carrie and Daniel
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