Kleine Runde auf'm Philosophen Weg

Took some photos today- walking home from lunch I looked up across the river and saw the sun so bright, so nice. Instead of working on my stupid papers I went for a nice long walk. I like taking pictures of my shadow. Is it existentialist?

Updike

John Updike died today. RIP.
Here's an article he wrote in 2006, in support of books.
I can't make up my mind with this argument. I feel split in the middle, one side in favor of the Wiki-esque open digital library, the completely democratic flow of knowledge across the connected world, another side in favor of sitting in my living room that is lined with floor-to-ceiling shelves full of dusty books. Romanticism/enlightenment. Hmm.

Morgen

Es gibt so selten ein Morgen, der irgendwie perfekt ist. Immer gibt es Problemen- der Wecker stört, die Traumzeit will nicht aufhören, die gräßliche Realität des Tages kommt einfach zu schnell und ohne eine Warnung. Montag muß am schlimmstens sein-- die Friede des Wochenendes hört plötzlich auf und wir alle kehren zurück zu unserem täglichen Einerlei.
Heute war irgendwie anders. War schön, schmerzlos. Kalt, aber doch hoffnungsvoll. Ruhig. Das heißt nicht, dass mein Stress irgendwie verschwand-- es liegt wie immer überall, auf meinem Schreibtisch und tiefsitzend im Gehirn. Aber ich stand heut morgen außer meinem Ich und schaute mich an. Und ich war im Frieden.
Ich bin dankvoll dafür- bin nicht sicher, wem ich dafür danken soll, aber trotzdem sage ich danke.

10:30 runs, papers

Went for a run last night at 10:30... I'd spent the whole day cooped up in the library and just couldn't take it anymore. Reminds me of working at the Oriental Institute, an 8 hour shift of doing absolutely nothing. I'd check my phone every ten minutes, the day would just crawl by. Then I'd bust out of there, race over to Sam's and change into soccer clothes, and just run around like a 6 year old full of energy. Like the leg-engines (lengines) just sit there all day, spinning without going anywhere, no friction... Then I hit the ground and move without effort. It felt great- except for the end, running the slalom between the hordes of already drunk students. No worries though. I need to run more often. It clears my mind.

I am on paper number 2 now. I'm comparing the role of Artist and Author in the Romantic to the Hegelian conception of practical Freedom. Ballsy.

Liz is coming to visit soon, for my concert next week. I'm excited for both.

Hope all is well. Spring is coming, slowly.

missing lukas

When Luke came to visit, we jammed very well. Played alot of music, sang some songs (including Auld Lang Syne quite loudly at midnight 1/1/09...) and I realized, once again, how nice our voices are together. He's got some serious talent, and I really believe that if we recorded a demo (which we will do this summer when I'm back in Chicago), we could spread it around and maybe get some interest going. So this one goes to Lukas- you better not leave for college before August 3rd.