Evil takes a holiday...

Evil. What is it? Is it something we can define? Can we put our fingers on the pulse of evil and say, "Aha! There it is!"? I'm not so sure. Tonight, when you are watching the leader of the free world address us as a nation and the rest of the people with TVs or radios around the world, I'd like you to listen for the word. How is it used? In what context? And really think...what is evil?

If you take a look at the common definition for the term, typically you will find one of two things: "morally bad or wrong" or "causing ruin, injury or pain". Both seem adequate at first, but then the obvious questions arise: What is the definition, not our definition of Morally? My morals or yours? And if we can not come to a happy conclusion for that, then we have to throw that definition out the window, But lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

The second part of the definition deals with injury, pain and ruin and the cause of it. Again, it sounds okay and I think it starts getting to what evil might be, but there are problems. It's a matter of both significance and intent. Examples: Causing ruin...when I first arrived in Roswell, my colleagues did many things to make me feel welcome. One thing they did was to give me a nice plant. That plant is dead now. Why? Because I went to Philly for the holidays and it didn't get watered. Ruined...definitely. Evil...hardly. I also ruined one of my brother's great etch-a-sketch masterpieces once when I was a kid. Evil?

How about injury? I stubbed my toe yesterday on my living room table. It was late. I was thirsty. Evil table? It caused my injury and pain? You might say, no Dan, your own negligence caused that pain. You could be right...does that make my negligence evil? Or is there some way to determine that I might be evil from this experience? No...the fact is that we cause ruin, pain and injury and are harmful all the time. It's not necessarily evil. It might just be stupid, ignorant or not compassionate. So we can throw the baby now.

So, if you can't trust the dictionary, who can you trust? Maybe Voltaire was on to something. When he wrote his definition of "Free-Will" in his "Philosophical Dictionary" he included this thought: "Either everything is the sequence of the necessity of the nature of things, or everything is the effect of the eternal order of an absolute master; in both cases we are only wheels in the machine of the world." If this is the case, how can anyone be evil?

I say, Evil just aint what it used to be. You might disagree, but in my estimation, Evil is the absence of intent. It is un-agenda. It is reasonless and meaningless...without motive. If you have motive or agenda, you might be wrong in someone's eyes, but you are probably right in your own. You might be causing some harm, but you probably think you are saving someone else's. Don't get me wrong, this is not a defense in any way shape or form of killing people or terrorism or any of that stuff, it's just a thought. Nobody looks in the mirror in the morning and says to themselves, "Ok...I'm evil. What evil things am I going to do today".

I'll leave it at that for now and await your responses. This was all egged on by a radio broadcast I heard this morning where the host asked her audience: Do we really want to live in a world where we 'humanize' our enemies?. I'm no tree hugging hippie here, but, uh, maybe a good deal of humanizing on a global scale might do some good for a change.

Happy Birthday Wolfgang!

250 Years old and still kicking! Well...at least his music is. Today, all around the world there will be a celebration. Many a concert, school children learning, and a whole lot of us just sitting back and listening to what we have.

You can check out some info on Mozart over at the BBC. They've got some audio you can sample and some interesting facts about the man and his music. For more of an academic look regarding anything Mozart, check out the Mozart Project.

Of course, if you're like me, you'll run out and buy the CD "Dead Winter Dead" by Savatage, which includes the awesome track, "Mozart and Madness". This is also the CD that originally had what later became Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24) which has boomed in the last few years. You know the one...it's played on every football game when they go to commercial at Christmas time and used in almost every commercial! Anyway...it's a great CD and it's not filled with Christmas music at all.

A funny thing happened while watching some theater...

Last night, my Drama class and I watched the 1957 film of a staged performance of "Oedipus Rex". It's a fascinating version of the play to see. The masks are eerie and beautiful and the acting is top notch.

But the film is interesting on other levels too. For one thing, although my students were upset that I made them watch the credits, they were shocked and amazed when they saw William Shatner listed (so was I). How old is this dude!? Well...with a bit of research (see link above) I found out that he was born in 1931 (in Quebec of all places). There was no way I thought that was him in the movie, but sure enough, it is listed in his credits. And...he was already 26!?!

Other interesting things for me in this version of the play was that it was translated by William Butler Yeats, one of my favorite poets! And, another actor in the play was Douglas Rain, who later was the voice of HAL 9000 in "2001: A Space Odyssey". Douglas Rain and William Shatner in the same production? Well...I...guess....that....doesn't.......surprise me........at....all. And before any of you Trekkie readers get on my ass about it, I know Shatner was a classically trained actor, and I am a big fan of his. Especially his latest album: Has Been. Seriously. A definite keeper! No, I mean it. Really.

The Omnigatherum...returns!!

Hey now,

Ed recently sent this out to all of The Omnigatherum readers out there, so I thought I would pass it on to you as well. For those of you who do not know what Ed and I(ok...mostly Ed) do over there, check it out! Also...please send the following messege to any who you feel might be interested in submitting or reading the journal. Thanks!

Readers,

After a far too long absence, the Bibliothecary blog returns, featuring links to the best and most interesting essays, articles and reviews of books and literary life. I cast a net into the depths of the internet and give you the links to the most enjoyable reading.

And the push is on to get The Omnigatherum web-journal off the ground. We're now welcoming submissions for the inaugural issue. We are looking for well-written prose, unencumbered by critical jargon. Basically, we enjoy reading essays that reflect the perceptions of intelligent readers. Our goal is to create an omnigatherum, so choice of subject matter is wide-open: essays about literature, about the reading experience, about literary history, about rare editions, about book culture. For further information, feel free to contact us. And tune in to the Bibliothecary Blog for updates on our progress.

Prosit,

Ed

In a Space...

Hello fellow stargazers and welcome to another installment of, "They're doing what in New Mexico!?!?" Yes this is the place to be to find out the latest news on what can only be described as the cutting edge, the finger on the pulse of the galaxy of events that is New Mexico.

If you are not impressed with the already comsicallatousness of this fair state, the nuclear testing sites, the myths and legends of alien landings and storage, or the Very Large Array of satellites lining the wild New Mexican frontier, then perhaps I can wow you with two, yes two new points of intrigue to sway your attention.

Yes, living in a town without professional sports can be a drag. Everybody has their own team and their is hardly any camaraderie to be found. But rest assured New Mexican sports fans, help is on the way! Just a few short days ago, a major announcement that will revolutionize sports in the state was made: The city of Las Cruces will be home to the Rocket Racing League World Headquarters!

We are not talking little kids making little rocket racers here folks. We're talking really super rich big kids spending millions of dollars on big rockets!! And the best part is, their really big rocket race will be held each year right in my backyard!

But wait...there's more! How about a 225 million dollar private space port in Southern New Mexico also. Sure...we can do that! You've got it right, New Mexico has made the arrangements for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic Spaceport to be right around the block. Now people in Southeast New Mexico will actually be able to see spaceships on a regular...well...every once in a while basis!

Oh you gotta love it. And, rumor has it that Roswell is planning a gigantic alien amusement park...or something!

Not to toot my own horn...

basically because I would be afraid where I would have to push, but I just had to share this with you folks. This semester, I was supposed to teach 3 sections of Rhetoric, One section of Types of Literature: Drama, and one section of Western Literature I. Well...Unfortunately, my Western Lit class didn't make it. It had one person signed up for it. Part of the problem was that both of my Lit classes were offered at night and neither of them count as anything more than an elective. We also offered way too many Lit classes this semester. So, the end result was I needed to take a class from an adjunct, which I did feel bad about, but hey, it happened to me so many times that I couldn't feel too bad.

Anyway, there were not many classes that were appealing to me to take. The obvious choice would be another Rhetoric, but I had it in my mind that I didn't want to teach four writing classes this semester after I did five last semester. So there was the dilemma. Some of you know that one of my goals here at ENMU-R is to start a theater program. One problem with starting the program is to convince the "powers that be" that there is a need and that it could be profitable. The profit, in their minds, stems form the interest and need.

The online theater arts class had filled to the max which is a good start, but the onliners don't come to campus too much and don't really count towards starting the program. Long story a bit longer, there was a beginning acting course that was being cancelled because only four people signed up for it. In my eyes, not being able to get 8 (the minimum) students to take the course would be a sure sign that it isn't needed. So, I made a deal with my boss: Give me two days before you cancel and I'll get you four more people to take it (and I would teach it). She said okay and also said she would let the class go through even if there were only six in it!

Wow...I am rambling on this...sorry... I'm always up for a challenge and surely never like being told, "I told you so", so I hit the campus on a two day campaign to recruit two students. I stood outside registration, went to all my friends that work on campus and hung out in front of the advising office. In short, I was pathetic...but also somehow strange and beautiful.

End result: 16 people signed up for beginning Acting, a promising start. Thanks for listening!

Kinda Kilngon

I was watching the documentary on Star Trek fan(natics) the other day called "Trekkies" and I have to tell you, it scared the dilithium crystal outta me! Don't get me wrong, I like the show and the movies. I've seen the original show and was hooked on "Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine". The other two shows lost me. My point is, I think the whole Trek thing is kinda cool.

But these people...they live their lives based on the show. They wear uniforms, Star Trek uniforms, to work and believe they are part of that world. Now I'll admit, when I was a kid, I'd read a comic book and imagine I was like Spiderman or Green Lantern (I still read the comics, but rarely do I pretend to be the heroes). But to live your life as if you were in some large movie?

The Klingon folks are the best. Not only do they pretend to be part of this fictional world, they pretend to be aliens in it! I found some interesting things on the net that shows what I am speaking about. For instance, did you know they actually created a Klingon language? It's real. You can learn to speak and read it. In one of the movies they made reference to not really reading Shakespeare until you have read it in the original Klingon. Well...now you can find the Klingon Language Version of the World English Bible. Yes...jump right up to that sight and read your favorite bible passage in Kilngon. If that doesn't cook you Gak, if you think that it's kind of neat, I offer this to you: Klingons For Christ Jesus. This web-site gives you an overview of why those loveable warriors would be Christian!

For my Philly Phriends out there, did you know the Klingons have invaded your neighborhoods? Yes, if you are lucky enough to catch them, there is the Klingon Klez - Out of this world Jewish jam! Jewish/Klingon music for the masses!

One of the best Saturday Night Live skits I remember is when William Shatner hosts and they have him at a Trekkie convention. He blasts the faithful by telling them all to get a life and asking if they have ever even kissed a girl. Well...here is a Klingon wedding to answer his question. You gotta love it. Now if you will excuse me, I am due in 10 forward for a date with a blue chick from the omega quadrant. I hope I don't drink too much Romulan ale!

Reading with eyes closed

Just was thinking about this yesterday and I was wondering if anybody else had some thoughts on the subject. I had a coupon for a few free downloads at a place called audible.com, so I surfed over there the other day to check it out. They have a super wide variety of books, magazines and newspapers available as audio for download. Since I had 3 freebees, I decided to download some books and put them on the old i-pod.

I have only had a few experiences with audio books and honestly they have not been too great. I guess I have a really low attention span. Both times I have tried listening to books were during long rides from Dallas to Philly (or viceversa I can't remember). I listened to Hemmingway's complete short stories and Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces". Please don't ask me any questions about either...I didn't retain a gosh darn thing. Not only that, but the experience did not have the desired effect I had hoped for: staying awake during a long 24 hour drive. Not to worry, I didn't fall asleep or anything, but I did have to turn the books off and listen to some loud music instead.

Anyway...I was wondering if anybody has had success with audio books and would share some of the secrets to their success with me.

Happy MLK Day.

Back in the saddle

Hallo Spaceboy!

Well...I am back in a city called Roswell, New Mexico. Yes, only two flights and a three hour drive from the civilized world of Philadelphia. I don't usually make New Year's resolutions as a rule, but I have decided to not make fun of Roswell too much this semester.

As I get to know more people in this town, and have friends to hang out with who are from the area, I have realized just how cruel I can be. For example:

I will try my best this year not to make fun of Walmart. I will not comment on the fact that the most crowded day of the month there is the day wellfare checks come out. I realize that is not nice (though really...you don't wanna go there the day those checks come out. People are on marked-down prices like Oprah on a ham). I will try also not to make fun of anybody while I am with them in a Walmart, by making snide comments about why I wouldn't buy things like a $2,500 TV at Wallmart, or why I would buy brand name paint for a dollar more opposed to the Wallmart brand. I realize that is just shallow and elitest. I'm sure that if you bought a TV at the Wallmart for $2,500 it would work just fine (but if you have that kinda scratch for a telly...why are ya shopping at the Wallmart?).

I will try not to make fun of the lack of cuisine offered in this megacity. Mexican food is great. I love Mexican food. Green Chiles are the food of the gods. Everything should have green chiles on it not matter if you are at a Mexican, Italian or even Thai restaurant.

I will try to keep my snobbery about what constitutes 'expensive' restaurants to myself. I realize now that $4.99 for dinner is not cheap. It's reasonable. And those unreasonable places that have meals priced in the $9.99-$18.99 range are just out of their minds. Sorry Pasta Cafe. Do you know how many tacos you can buy for $18.99!?!?!?

I will try not to whistle old Speghetti Western sounds when a tumbleweed rolls across the road in front of me. I realize now that that could be viewed as obnoxious and that the tumbleweed is a national treasure that we should treasure (although...when I drove in from Albuquerque, it was so windy in Roswell that the dust made it very difficult to see and the tumble weed were out of control. I literally got hit by at least ten of those things from my car to my door. Mad Max...you got nothin on us!).

I will try not to stress out about creatures that shoul only be found in nightmares and on hallow's eve but can be found in your bathtub. If the children of this town are not affraid, why should I be? Of course the children of this town seem to already versed in how to make a flamethrower in the likely event they do see one of these nastys in their tub. I will try to make friends with the local inhabitants of the land...the tarantulas, scorpions and snakes. Because let's face it, why shouldn't we be friends with things you need an antidote for?

Oh, I could go on forever making resolutions, but I don't want to make any promises I won't keep (and I need more ammo for next year), so I will stop there. I should mention that when I got home I found no such creature walking around my place, though I suspect they will be back. That is why I have been practicing the Hulk stomp pictured.

Happy New Year to all and to all a good fright.

As Doctor Claw always says...

GADGET!!!

Yes. I will admit it. I am a huge gadget fan. I just can't seem to help it. I always want the latest computers and any cool gizmos that whoever might be pushing. I bought the PSP (Playstation Portable) a while back and never really used it too much until just recently. Now I am addicted. I upgraded my phone to a Treo 650, wich does just about anything that you could ask from a phone/pda/web-browser/camera.

But by far the coolests of gadgetry so far for me is my i-pod. Originally, I didn't see the big deal. But now that I have one and have realized the full extent of it's power, I bow to the greatness of the i-pod. A machine smaller then my cell phone which has the capacity of storing up to 60 gigs! That's roughly 15,000 songs! 181 hours of video! A gazzilion pictures! Now that's what I call power.

For the next few weeks, I will be importing every CD I own into this cigarette case sized machine in hopes to never have to play a disc again. To date, I have put about 250 tunes on it, but I have a ways to go. The best part is, it goes anywhere I want to use it. Sure on a plane ride I can pop in those ear buds and escape, but I can also plug it through my stereo, computer speakers and probably the best part...in my car. Wow.

So in review...i-pod: very cool.
(this messege brought to you in part by Apple Computers, makers of the i-pod)
*product warning: possible side effects of using i-pod technology might include shameless promotion of apple products, memory loss of what it was like before i-pod. People with a history of 8-tracks, cassettes and cd listening should consult a professional regarding if i-pod is right for you.

Only one thing better then no Eagles in the playoffs...

And that's those no good, stinky, drug dealing, women raping, coke sniffing weasels in Dallas.

I have never before in my life rooted against the Eagles before. But yesterday was a new experience. Not only did I root for them to lose, but I rooted for a division rival, the Redskins, to beat them!

Why, you ask? No...not for a better draft pick. Instead, after seeing Carolina destroy the prentenders known as the Falcons, I knew the only way to keep the 'boys out of the playoffs would be for the Eagles to lose. So there I was, cheering every Eagles sack, cringing at every Eagles score and cheering each and every one of their turnovers.

Yes. I hate Dallas. Nothing is more clear to me then that. Now all I need is a Penn State win, a Notre Dame lass and any team with a Vick on it to lose and it'll be a happy new year!