Assassination and Atonement

I typically don’t write about current events. However, it’s been refreshing to not have classes for a few weeks now. My social life is back, at least until January 2, when I will have to try and squeeze in a virtual class before the Spring semester starts on January 30. Eeek. I still plan on throwing up some papers from last semester, but for now I’ll occupy you all (all three of you) with some thoughts on the recent assassination of Benazir Bhutto and a movie review.

“Shocked.” “Stunned.” “Surprised.” These words appear repeatedly, splashed across news sources in story after story of Bhutto’s death. Seriously? Bhutto’s goal was not martyrdom, but she knew this was a very real, very likely probability. It was only a matter of time before an assassination attempt succeeded. I am surprised at how many reporters, politicians, officials and others who express such naiveté. Saddened, certainly. Disappointed and dismayed, sure. But shocked that threats from terrorist organizations with a history of carrying out their threats actually happened? No way. When will we learn that they mean what they say and do what they say? If they feel they have a chance to disrupt “democratic” elections, they will. Did we learn nothing from Madrid? And how many different accounts can Pakistan’s Interior Ministry give on her cause of death?

Entirely unrelated, I saw Atonement last night. This is the screenplay adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel and as the NYT review states, it’s not a bad adaptation; it just demonstrates how diminishing the alteration of literature into film can be. Mind you, I have not read the book. But the film’s expression of Briony’s attempt to atone for her one grave sin lacks moral plausibility. I walked out thinking, “Either that was a poor ending done to save time, or Briony’s really did not understand atonement. “

And, from a secular source, I suppose one cannot expect such. However, even from that view, her attempt at righting a terrible wrong felt self-satisfying, even self-righteous. This was not an act that the two characters wronged would have felt was due penance for her sin, but it certainly makes her feel better. What’s interesting is that Briony displays some understanding of this… and then it fades. In any case, the Times review is worth the read and the movie is worth seeing. I disagreed with the reviewer on his/her assessment of the war scenes as detached. I found them very moving and believable; the ending, however, was not.

Things that helped me get through finals

The key to getting through finals without complete loss of sanity is, of course, bribery. (aka, "rewards" systems that you all know you do!)

So aside from the occasional <>, alright, daily trip to the coffee purveyor of my choice, here's what kept me going.

1. Vivaldi's Four Seasons. This is actually the only music I can study to; anything with words and I just end up singing along. It also happens to be my favorite composition. Ever.
2. Easy Tiger, Ryan Adams. In all honesty, I haven't even listened to any Ryan Adams past Gold. And Gold is still my favorite solo project, but Easy Tiger is growing on me. There are hints of Adams' brilliance on "Two Hearts" and "Everybody Knows." I wanted to like "The Sun Also Sets," and it starts out so well, but he tries too hard with too many transitions and vocalizations. Redeeming track: "Pearls on a String."
3. The Washington Ballet's Nutcracker. Not as polished as Joffery or the American Ballet Theater, but the creative interpretation of an Americana-inspired Nutcracker was delightful. Amazing costume design. Favorite part: the Russian dance was done in a "frontiersman" theme... complete with Davy Crockett.
4. This song by the Swedish musician Loney, dear.
5. Thai Kitchen. I'm not a big fan of packaged food. But, after realizing that I was pretty much only consuming coffee/chai or Panera, I had to find a healthier way to eat in a rush while studying. They were actually cheaper in the store ($1.29) and vegan and gluten free. :)

What I'm looking forward to over break:

Reading The Once and Future King. And taking another class, of course.

A Poem for Finals

My roommate sent me this poem as an encouragment, since we both have our last finals tomorrow night. I liked it so much I decided to post it.

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheapf
or power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front by Wendell Berry

Christmas Reflections (again)

This seems to be a common search result that leads to my blog but I'm not sure how well I did stringing the series together the first time. So, I'll post all the links to the series below.

I am 3 days away from being done with finals and then I might have time to do some more Christmas reflecting this year. Hopefully.


Many blessings to you all this Christmas season.

• Anticipation


• Christmas Reflections I


• Preparation


• Christmas Reflections II


• Advent and Resurrection
  

Actually, I just realized I never finished the series. I'll work on that over break. :)