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?
July 26th, 2011 → 7:25 am
“Sorrow concealed, like an oven stopp’d, doth burn the heart to cinders where it is.” – Titus Andronicus
My husband and I watched the film Antwone Fisher last night (we both ended up in tears). One of the things it reminded me of was the power of catharsis, often helped along through the aid of a good psychologist (my mother was a psychologist, and the movie also reminded me very much of her). I had a sound disagreement with my Aunt once, who told me that a person should never voice their hurts and their feelings because it’ll just make other people feel bad. I have never disagreed with anything more. As the quote above eloquently states, sorrow concealed only does damage in the end.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art & Other
July 25th, 2011 → 7:36 am
“Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself.” – Macbeth
I keep reading news reports comparing the Rupert Murdoch phone hacking scandal to a Shakespearean tragedy. Actually, some say it IS like a Shakespearean tragedy because it involves both familial and political interconnections, while others say it is NOT like a Shakespearean tragedy because Murdoch isn’t sympathetic at all, and some even say the scandal is like Shakespeare, Harry Potter, Charles Dickens, and J.R. Tolkien all at once! Phew! I’ve included some of the links so you can decide for yourself.
Filed under: Blog & Stupid/Evil People
July 24th, 2011 → 7:33 am
“Distribution should undo excess, and each man have enough.”
I’m not a socialist. For god’s sake, I’m a professor of economics at the University of Missouri, but I am starting to worry about inequality in the U.S. We haven’t had such skewed levels of wealth distribution since the 1920s. And skewed levels of wealth don’t just seem unfair, they are actually harmful by exhibiting downward pressure on consumer demand, which hurts the economy for everyone. Those who are worried about the tax aspects of the current budget negotiations shouldn’t be; redistribution to maintain a basic quality of life for the majority of the population is not just decent, it’s good economics.
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money
July 23rd, 2011 → 7:08 am
“Why, this is very midsummer madness.” – Twelfth Night
I couldn’t decide this morning whether I wanted to write about the Midwest’s record-breaking heat wave, or the incomprehensible budget talks in Washington. And then, I came across this quote that applied equally well to both! I can’t believe this unyielding 100+ degree heat, and as well, I can’t believe the infantile behavior of our politicians in Washington. Sigh. I pray both trends break soon…
Filed under: Blog & Other & Politics/Politicians
July 22nd, 2011 → 7:38 am
I just found out that Transformers movie star Megan Fox has this Shakespeare quote on her right shoulder. Actually, she has “We will all laugh at gilded butterflies” tattoed on her shoulder, which is a bit different, but still. Apparently it is to remind her not to become caught up in the Hollywood scene, not to become a “gilded butterfly,” pretty, but weighed down and unable to fly. Not a bad tattoo!
July 20th, 2011 → 7:23 am
“The true beginning of our end.” – Midsummer Night’s Dream
Borders has announced that it is going out of business and liquidating all its stores. I feel as though this is the beginning of the end of the hard-copy book. I know there are e-books and kindles and nooks and what-not, but I’m a bit old fashioned when it comes to sitting down and reading a fresh novel. I just like having the feel of it in my hands. I know e-books are the wave of the future, and I’m sure I’ll adjust, but I am just a little sad that the traditional hard-copy book seems to be losing its place at the pinnacle of a well-stocked library.
Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art
July 19th, 2011 → 7:28 am
Elizabeth Warren was passed over to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. That is a shame. Warren would have fought, and hard, to protect U.S. consumers from abusive financial practices. Here’s hoping former Ohio attorney general Richard Cordray has the fight in him as well.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians
July 18th, 2011 → 8:11 am
“To business that we love we rise betime, And go to’t with delight.” – Antony & Cleopatra
It’s Monday. I’m tired from the weekend. I’d rather turn around and crawl back into bed. If you feel like I do, here’s hoping you at least like your job, so rising on Monday morning and getting to it, if not a “delight,” at least isn’t half bad. 😉
July 17th, 2011 → 7:22 am
Shakespeare wrote this about Elizabeth I, but I hold the same sentiment for my baby, whose first birthday party is today. Happy First Birthday Party Vincent! I hope all the decorations, people, laughter and noise aren’t too much for you. Mummy loves you…
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life