Figs

September 21st, 2011 → 6:37 am

“I love long life better than figs.” – Antony and Cleopatra

This quote seems a little odd, until you realize that in ancient times “fig” had a sexual connotation.  Aristophanes, for example, in Peace wrote: “Pick your figs. May his be large and hard. May hers be sweet.”  On that note, the choice between a long life and figs can indeed seem like something of a toss-up.

Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Other

9/11 Anniversary

September 11th, 2011 → 7:55 am

“One for all or all for one we gage.” – Lucrece

On this 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy I feel a strong comradery with my fellow Americans.  One for all and all for one! – if we can just stick together, work together, and look out for each other, we can do anything.  I know it.

Filed under: Blog & Other

Hurricane Irene

August 27th, 2011 → 11:59 am

“The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.” – Julius Caesar

Good luck East Coast.  Here’s hoping Hurricane Irene doesn’t hit too hard, nor cause too much damage.

Filed under: Blog & Other

People

August 26th, 2011 → 8:31 am

“Love all, trust a few.” – All’s Well That Ends Well

This just felt particularly apt today.

Filed under: Blog & Other

The Environment

August 13th, 2011 → 7:01 am

“How hard it is to hide the sparks of Nature!” – Cymbeline

A few weeks ago I did an interview for HEC-TV on the environment, and the letter I sent to the EPA with Natalie Portman.  Well, here it is!  I’ve gotten a few emails from followers asking why I haven’t blogged about the environment yet, as I am an environmental economist in my day job, and I have no real excuse for the delay…  I will promise that this won’t be my last entry on environmental issues, and I’ll repeat it as many times as anyone will listen: we need to put a price on carbon already!!

Filed under: Blog & Other

Sports

August 11th, 2011 → 7:15 am

Henry:  “What treasure, uncle?”

Exeter:  “Tennis-balls, my liege.”  – King Henry V

My husband has woken up at crazy hours all this week to either play golf, or go flying.  He’s trying to get the fun in before the weather gets too hot by mid-afternoon, which I understand, but it’s amazing how on a non-sports day I can’t get him out of bed before noon.  Boys and their games!

Filed under: Blog & Other

War

August 10th, 2011 → 6:59 am

“Man’s life is cheap as beast’s.” – King Lear

My heart goes out to the families of the soldiers who were killed in the Chinook helicopter crash in Afghanistan on August 6.  It has been reported to be “the deadliest single incident in the history of the war.”  There is no way to say it except that, well, war is terrible.

Filed under: Blog & Other

Music

August 5th, 2011 → 7:13 am

“To know the cause why music was ordain’d!  Was it not to refresh the mind of man after his studies or his usual pain?” – The Taming of the Shrew

Recently I was given an H2O audio for my iPod shuffle.  It lets you listen to music underwater while you swim.  I notice the reviews of the product are hit or miss – some people give it a 5 star, some a 1 star, few a moderate rating in-between – but my H2O audio is great.  Listening to music (or, sometimes, podcasts) somehow makes swimming laps lighter, faster, and easier.  What is the magic of music that makes this happen?

Filed under: Blog & Other & Self/My Life

Interconnectedness of Life

July 30th, 2011 → 7:01 am

“A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.” – Hamlet

I just like this quote.  It reminds me that we are all connected.  It reminds me that even kings end up as fishbait.  It reminds me that nature is cyclical and our earth a wonder.  Happy start of the weekend, by the way!

Filed under: Blog & Other

Humility

July 28th, 2011 → 7:02 am

“The blessedness of being little.” – King Henry VIII

Anyone who knows me knows that I am small (less than 5′!), but this quote rang true for me for its applicability to mental ego as well as physical stature.  If only there was more humility in the world, then maybe the budget negotiations in Congress wouldn’t be so crazy, maybe the petty fights at work wouldn’t happen as often, and maybe the personal grudges amongst kin would disappear.  If only more people were little the world would be, if not a better place, I imagine maybe a smoother place?

Filed under: Blog & Other