Paradox

The school semester has begun and I'm glad, and somewhat proud to inform you that I've enrolled myself in a "Religion in Western Society" course as part of a general elective obligation. Obviously, I could have chosen from a range of various programmes that fit my agenda but, knowing me, I prefer a challenge and I'm glad to say that it may well pay off. It's a packed lecture hall with little sign of Kippuhs or the oppressive Burkha. More fortuitously though, we will be focusing on the history of the big three rather than their teachings (however similar - they are fairly poor plagiarisms of one another). My heart did skip a beat once or twice I have to say when the professor claimed that the sap secreted by bushes in the dessert while Moses led the freed slaves was an indication of "God being close to them": made all the more remarkable - the lecturer is a devout Christian. I shall keep you well up to date on how things progress. Maybe even more surprising though was my disgust at another elective class: "Planetary Evolution and Human Development". How can a subject so profoundly interesting, with a wealth of fascinating science behind it, be taught by the most miserable, archaic, loathsome individual one could care to meet? Science will never prevail over superstition if it's educational forerunners are charismatically outdone by those of scripture's. It just goes to show how one's entire social map, and indeed, their future, can be formed or destroyed by the uselessness of their teachers. I took great pleasure in striking that class from my schedule.

Special Edition

Narrowly dodging a lighting bolt, not to be mistaken with Insane Bolt, I have found my computer amidst the flood-water. As I type, thunder is, literally, shaking my apartment. Again however, I'm provided with ample chillax time to comment on Time magazine's choice of front-cover from the past two weeks. Last week they adorned the cover with an eerily iconic, darkened profile shot of Barack Obama, entitled The Democrats: Special Edition. There I was tutting, as if to think that Time had forgotten all notions of journalistic integrity and had firmly taken sides. I was mistaken, as this week they had an equally artsy picture of John McCain emblazoned on the front, aptly entitled The Republicans: Special Edition. What I would point out, however, is that the Republican issue is noticeably lighter than the Democrats; perhaps suggesting some kind of party flimsiness, lacking in substance. I have yet to read either edition as I'm now completely inept. I have forgotten how to read, but I will do, and I will report.

Ramble Ramble

As monsoon season makes itself known here in Tucson, I'm forced indoors and, dutifully, I'll post; although, I haven't the faintest idea what about. Well, the Arizona swimming team is being introduced to the crowd tonight during the half-time at the football game. (By the way, if you ponder my opinion on American Football, fear not: it is a pitiful frolic, lamely disguised as a sport with all the veneer of relevance and excitement, when in fact, the games are tedious, indulgent, and, worst of all, far too long.) Allow me my take on the now-altered state of American politics. Whereas before I would gladly maintain my air of overlordship and quibble with the faults and favours of the election fore-runners, I have left my seat on the fence and concluded that Obama must win for the sake of this country. Obama is not necessarily any more fruitful when it comes to agreeable policy (indeed, he seems slightly too lenient when it comes to foreign affairs), but with the future of the United States in mind, in terms of their global reputation, dealing with their antique sense of social superiority, their broadmindedness, and undermining their overall system of backwardness, they would be doing themselves a huge injustice to vote McCain into power. Regardless of whether you fall for Obama's charms, you cannot denounce his ability to lull others into his vision and, in doing so, coax some sense of worthwhile national pride, above and beyond the superficial and overzealous national pride one finds at present. More to follow.

Blowing my own trumpet

If I wanted to, I never need post again after the flurry of excitement that inevitably surrounds yesterday's video. However, this blog runs on time, every time. Had I any money, I would employ somebody to update on my behalf. I have still to come across anyone quite so superior as myself, but my search will not be in vain, particularly as long as Christopher Hitchens is alive. Coincidentally, I read a rather warm quote from Joseph Heller regarding our academic hero. He writes, "I regret he has only one life, one mind, and one reputation to put at the service of my country." By the way, if you haven't read Catch-22 at least once you have thus-far wasted your life. Anyway, I shall digress for one meagre sentence and inform you that I have recently completed Halo 3 on the hardest setting. My younger readers will now be bowing, or perhap slowly dropping to one knee in beleaguered admiration. I shall respect the ignorance of my older readers by directing them to this video, which will introduce the notion of what I have just accomplished. And, to demonstrate that my time was not wholly irrelevantly fruitful, Bryan has written an article, as he does, for the Sunday Times about a particular diet that seems to be grabbing everyone's attention...

A Master of Escapism

Every word, every letter, individually checked and rechecked, written and rewritten, muddied through disuse. My word, dear reader, how long it has been! And yet, a reluctant few of you made the unacknowledged effort of checking back daily on the off chance that I may have sprouted from my cocoon sporting symmetrical wings of poetic beauty. How I have let you down through my own indulgence. I'm afraid, proud pilgrim, that my time at home caused me so much joy and prosperity that the potential to become angry all-but vanished completely. It would have been wrong to swim against the current that has made this blog internationally renowned and post when smiling gleefully in my nest of warm contentment. For this my beloved is solely to blame, though I'm sure you wouldn't wish to deny me the chance of recharging my batteries with a few weeks in the midst of rainy England. Indeed, I have once again returned to sunny Arizona with renewed enthusiasm for my blogging campaign, but I cannot shake the shame of leaving you for so long. Never fear, for just fifteen minutes into my routine catch-up on all things Hitchens (now referred to as my "Hitch-up") I have discovered this absolute gem for you. Who is to say your faith would go unrewarded? Enough self-indulgence. Time for the opposite.