Killin' time being lazy: October 2012

29.10.12

Notable Quotes

Presence is a noun, not a verb; it is a state of being, not doing. States of being are not highly valued in a culture that places a high priority on doing. Yet, true presence or "being with" another person carries with it a silent power -- to bear witness to a passage, to help carry an emotional burden, or to begin a healing process. In it, there is an intimate connection with another that is perhaps too seldom felt in a society that strives for ever-faster "connectivity."

- Debbie Hall in This I Believe

20.10.12

Well, perhaps not your uncle. But he certainly was mine!

Growing up, he was my mother's oldest brother, my Uncle Bobby (not to be confused with his cousins who were also named "Bobby" - it's a family thing). We didn't see much of his family because he was a sociolinguist whose work took them to Addis Ababa (we didn't visit, but I do - somewhere in my parent's house - have a zebra-skin covered drum!), Palo Alto (where we did visit) and Jerusalem (another visit). There were several fleeting visits to the United States, but most of my memories are of staying with them in Jerusalem or on vacation in Zurich or Scotland.

About 15 years ago my aunt and uncle decided to buy an apartment in Brooklyn, so I got to see more of them. And somewhere in there I learned that "Uncle" was unnecessary. So Bobby it was. Then, a year or so ago, he said "I prefer 'Robert'" No problem - Robert's my uncle, but not Uncle Robert.

Robert had a great sense of humor - puns being a particular specialty. He loved ice cream (after one dinner we had, he kept pressing me to "eat my 'vegetables'", which to anyone else looked remarkably like ice cream, but to him were broccoli and carrots). He wrote books, including two I have on my shelves, Language Planning and Social Change and Around the World with Mark Twain. Despite his regular attendance in shul and study of Musar, he was an atheist. Shabbat dinners at his house were occasions for much discussion (and not a little wine!). It was truly wonderful having the opportunity to get to know Robert, the man, in addition to knowing Uncle Bobby.

He started a blog about his journey into old age but rarely gave in to the whining "organ recital"; his comments about his health were almost always linked to philosophical musings about age, change, death and life. Each post is inspiration to the rest of us to not whine but to find the deeper meaning in our lives. Recently he ended his blog journey - his health deteriorated to the extent that he couldn't keep up the work.

Today his life ended - Robert, my uncle, this pint's for you.

8.10.12

Notable Quotes

English professors are trained to limn, contest, and quibble. You should see us at faculty meetings -- it's like trying to herd cats. No issue's too major for a soapbox, no issue's too minor for long-winded hairsplitting.

Does This Church Make Me Look Fat? Rhoda Jenzen

7.10.12

Knowing Your Limits

I'm in my second half-century, so you'd think I'd know better when indulging, but no... not really. Last night, Thing One and I went to a nearby tapas restaurant. I'd had a difficult day that I won't go into yet, but let's just say I needed to relax. So we opened with a before-dinner drink (I had a caipirinha). Then we shared a nice rioja.

It was when the dessert menu came with its selection of post-prandial offerings that I made the mistake. Yes, I succumbed... to the lure of a cappuccino.

Wait, what? Yes, I had a cappuccino.

In my defense, I was tired. It was only 7:30. I thought that having all that alcohol would be ok, that the caffeine wouldn't affect me. Hah! I've been up since 3:06, having barely dozed all night. I should have gone with decaf, or just abstained.

I'm such a wuss.

1.10.12

Notes From Mt. Bookpile

I guess 106 books isn't bad, right? Chugging right along in my quest for 365 (as of today, I'm at 305!) and Mt. Bookpile is still well below 300. Reviews in the usual spot:

Biography/Memoir

Sutton, J.R. Moehringer

The Black Count, Tom Reiss

Children's/Young Adult

Kiss & Make-Up, Katie D. Anderson
Cold Light, Jenn Ashworth

Cash Out, Greg Bardsley

Iron Hearted Violet, Kelly Regan Barnhill

The Diviners, Libba Bray
The Dark Unwinding, Sharon Cameron

3 Below, Patrick Carman

Summer and Bird, Katherine Catmull

The Savage Fortress, Sarwat Chadda

Skinny, Donna D. Cooner