Witches

October 27th, 2013 → 8:51 am

“Round about the cauldron go;
In the poisoned entrails throw. —
Toad, that under cold stone
Days and nights has thirty-one
Sweltered venom, sleeping got,
Boil thou first i’th’ charmed pot.
   Double, double toil and trouble:
   Fire, burn; and, cauldron, bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the cauldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing,…
Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf;
Witches’ mummy; maw and gulf,
Of the ravined salt-sea shark;
Root of hemlock, digged i’th’ dark;
Liver of blaspheming Jew;
Gall of goat, and slips of yew,
Slivered in the moon’s eclipse;
Nose of Turk, and Tartar’s lips;
Finger of birth-strangled babe,
Ditch-delivered by a drab,
Make the gruel thick and slab.” – Macbeth

I was a witch last night for a Halloween party.  Mostly I chose to be a witch so my son (who is quite intrigued with witches right now) could also play with the toy hat and broom.  And sure enough, ever since he found the accessories in my closet the other day, he’s barely let them out of his sight…

Filed under: Blog & Other

healthcare.gov

October 25th, 2013 → 6:23 am

“Confusion now hath made his masterpiece!” – Macbeth

What a disappointment.  I sure hope they figure it out soon, so that the website’s failure doesn’t torpedo the entire Affordable Care Act!

Filed under: Blog & Other & Politics/Politicians

A Good Quote

October 23rd, 2013 → 5:39 am

“‘Tis the mind that makes the body rich.” – Taming of the Shrew

I’m not sure what to write about today, so here’s just a good quote.  One of my favorites.

Filed under: Blog & Other

California Sea Serpents

October 21st, 2013 → 6:12 am

“This bodes some strange eruption to our state.” – Hamlet

Horatio spoke this line on the appearance of the ghost in Hamlet; it duly set off the rest of the Shakespearian tragedy.  I hope the strange oarfish (a.k.a. sea serpents) suddenly washing up on California’s shores don’t bode some similar sort of tragedy, like that our oceans are even more acidic, polluted, GHG infested than we even imagined.

Filed under: Blog & Other

A Moment to Savor

October 18th, 2013 → 8:29 am

“My crown in called content;
A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.” – Henry VI

The budget crisis has passed, my son is back to being sweet and charming, the weather is beautiful, and life seems good.  For now.  Let’s recognize and enjoy this moment of contentedness while it lasts.  For kings – or anyone else for that matter – it doesn’t usually last long.

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

Malala Yousafzai

October 16th, 2013 → 6:34 am

“Why should she live to fill the world with words?” – Henry VI

I’m sure the Taliban are asking this question every day they see Malala on the television again, giving another interview, raising more awareness for her cause.  Why?  Because she has something rather important to say.

Filed under: Blog & Other & Politics/Politicians

A Wilderness of Monkeys

October 14th, 2013 → 5:52 am

“It was my turquoise, I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor: 
I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys.” – Merchant of Venice

I have always liked that image: a wilderness of monkeys.  And I thought of it last night when I turned my back to get a napkin and my son grabbed my chocolate cupcake and stuffed it in his mouth.  What?!?!  I would not have willingly given up that sublime confection for a wilderness of monkeys.  Grrrr.

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life

The Republican Perspective

October 12th, 2013 → 6:31 am

“A wretched soul bruised with adversity,
We bid quiet when we hear it cry;
But were we burdened with like weight of pain,
As much, or more, we should ourselves complain.” – Comedy of Errors

This is an incredibly apt insight into how most Republicans seem to think.  They downplay the needs of the poor, women, the middle class, basically anybody they can’t relate to.  But the minute something actually happens to them, the minute their pet project loses funding or their son or daughter can’t get a student loan or decent health care, then suddenly they’re up in arms.  It’s as though to be a Republican you have to view the world with blinders on, only seeing your own straight ahead perspective, completely unable (or unwilling) to see anything from anyone else’s point of view.

Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians & Stupid/Evil People

New Fed Chair Janet Yellen

October 9th, 2013 → 5:43 am

“Thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise.” – Tempest

In all honesty, I’m not a macroeconomist.  So I can’t confidently proclaim Yellen to be the best choice for the next Federal Reserve chairwoman(?)ship.  But from everything I do know, and have read, she sounds pretty competent to me.  And Summers would have just been a stupid choice.  So congratulations Janet!  I look forward to having a woman in the top job.

Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians

Birthday Present to Myself

October 7th, 2013 → 6:23 am

“A peace above all earthly dignities,
A still and quiet conscience.” – Henry VIII

Yes, it is my birthday today.  And of all the presents I got myself this year (Godiva chocolates, a Baskin Robbins ice cream cake, a Zingerman’s cheese passport) the best has got to be a sense of peace and a quiet mind.  I’ve had a few tumultuous years in the recent past, but this year, at least, things are contented.  And calm.

Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life