Go, litel bok, go..

*UPDATE 10 Nov 2008, 22:49: Commentary and a video added to photos for your reading/viewing pleasure*

Gentle Readers,

Partially because academia has begun to sink into my brain and partially because I am so totally surround by stacks of books, I have begun to remember how one of my favorite blogs gave a challenge to all its readers to post pictures of their libraries on the intarwebs.  Well, I found it to be a hilarious and interesting challenge, so I am repeating it here.

Go home right now (unless you are already at home or can't leave from where you are due to Zombie attack), and pull out the ol' camera (not too old, it needs to be digital).  Take a picture of your library (whatever that means to you).  Now post those pictures on the intarwebs and send me the link.  Or if you are in need of a posting location, send me the pictures and I will post them here.

Then come back here and see what everyone else's libraries look like.  Commentary is always appreciated.  My library is sadly primarily not in Canadia, but here is what I have here.  Notice the books in the closet - they are bained from everyday use because they are "fun". Pictures after the jump.

Have fun

Chris

So here, you will notice some big names.

On the left are my Medieval books and Toronto Guide books.  So basically- the left is my life right now. You see Chaucer, Gower, Langland, Kempe, Ancrene Wisse, some Middle English Romances, oh and issues of Speculum (The Journal of the Medieval Academy of America - YEs, I am a member). 

On the right, just a selection of my favs.  Spenser, Shakespeare, Issac Asimov on Shakespeare, Blake, Milton, Keats, Heaney, Longley, Nadeem Aslam, Dickens (Dombey and Son), Marlowe, Walter Scott.

These are the books that I hide in my closet because I have no room for them anywhere else.  They will most likely go home with me at Christmas.  Notice, Sons and Lovers - DH Lawrence, damn you, I will read your stuff one day.  also, Sybil...not sure if the book is good but the movie with Sally Field was acting at it's best.  Which reminds me...I love Sally Field.  Have you watched Brothers and Sisters because you should....

Perhaps my fav moment ever:

Oh where was I?  Damn, Brothers and Sisters interrupting my flow once again....well the show is worth it.  Ok back to the commentary:

On the right shelf are the fifty library books I have checked out.  YEs, ladies and germs, you heard right, fifty.  What can I say, I like the workout carrying them home.

Finally, Here are my course books.  See the Marvell...I loves him!

Thanks Picasa for making these photos easy to upload.

iGoogle

Lets Talk about how awesome the new iGoogle is...if you don't use it then...well...you are a looser. It is true.

Oh Canada - A moment for discussion

Ok so let's talk about Canada for a second.  And if any of my Canadian friends are reading along...please forgive/confront me if I am incorrect or offend.  For everyone, I would love to get a discussion going about my thoughts....respond!  Please!

I must admit that like most Americans, I happen to know nothing about the history of places outside of the US of A, heck I barely know my own history.  So being here in Canadia has been a bit awkward...I seriously know nothing about how this country came to be.  One would think I would though.  Sadness

So I have been doing some liberal browsing on Wiki, and found out that Canada's flag is only from 1965, and its official conditional separation from Britain was in 1982...WHAT!?!?!  Yes, in 1931, the country became independent, but until the 80s Westminster still the right to fiddle in Canadian law/government.  So weird.  Also, Elizabeth II is the queen of Canada, entirely separated from her role as queen of the UK.  I am not sure as of yet is she has power here, however, based off of Wiki, it seems that Americans general assumption that the monarchy has no legal power is questionable.  I am fairly certain she does not really excise this power, but it does seem she has it.

Which lead me to my point of quandary.  A point that I hope you all will join in the discussion about.  It seems that Canadian nationalism is very weak and by American standards nearly non-existent.  Canadians, as I have noticed, are more localized (provincially but also in more specific terms) in their identity formation.  Yes, in the US, you have those from the south, east coast, Boston, etc, but there is an over-arching American nationalism that is quite strong.  I don't seem to find that as much in Canada.  I did see it in the UK, albeit I would like to bracket that it is in a much different form than in the US (see below for elucidation).

Which brings me to a greater point...if we assume that Canadian nationalism is a bit less binding in a very strict sense, then is there a relation to this and politics.   Specifically, I wonder if overt rhetorical nationalism leads to more social conservatism.  In the US, is it possible that we have so many red states because conservatism allows for a nostalgic hope in a national unity?  Considering the crises of the last few decades in American world power and presence, doesn't it  make sense that we would become more conservative as a means of hoping to preserve American selfhood?  We push for sameness rather than diversity?

Take the UK for an example.  If my history is correct (which mind you it is probably not), I seem to remember that the UK was some what more cautious and conservative during the empire and soon thereafter.  Current UK nationalism is very much about Britishness, an inclusive Britishness that attempts to not just unify traditional Anglo-Norman peoples but also immigrants.  This unity is less about sameness and more about diversity.  Whereas it seemed that Britishness in the 19th and 20th centuries was very much about whiteness and controlling of those who were not white.  Then again, I need someone who actually studies this period to help me here

So my point is, I tentatively put this forward, that perhaps political conservatism has lines of connection to a sense of nationalism that rests on sameness and very much a limitedness to diversity.  America is strictly within its borders and to a point is perceived as the same color (which I know is a highly problematic claim - one that I hope can be teased about a bit with further discussion). Whereas more liberal politics seems to lie in nation's whose world position and history has to a point brodened their nationalism, has in our own minds probably weakened it (although I hate that this statement sounds so normative).

Just an idea - what do you think?  IS this even a new argument?  Or am I just reframing here?

-Chris

Come on now!

But you were doing better. 

Wall street - you suck!

OMG I forgot to mention that my calf slaughtering post was in fact my 100th.  What a fine 100th post indeed.

"The tranquil-seeming world we inhabit

contains horrors, Paul, such as you could not dream of for yourself in a month of Sundays"

-Elizabeth Costello in Slowman by J.M. Coetzee, p. 96-7 (Secker & Warburg: London, 2005)

Gentlest of Readers,

Perhaps this wonderfully cited quote is not quite apt to the reasons for my post, but I feel it is somewhat relevant.  I must confess that I have committed a sin, at least by some people's 

standards.

Tonight, I had the most delicious meal.  It was in celebration of being in Toronto for over a month, and I cooked myself.  While the tender brussel sprouts and perfectly steamed baby artichokes were delectable, I would not pin on them my guilt.  Nor even the sensuous buttered mashed cauliflower was worthy of ridicule.  However, the Pièce de résistance was awe inspiring, but also just so wrong.

Tonight, I cooked myself a tender, juicy hunk of this....

Yes, readers, I cooked veal...a veal chop to be specific.  Much like the one here. only mine was thicker:

Oh it was amazing.  I had marinated it the night before in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary.  Yes this was, in fact, premeditated carnivorism.  For that, I am truly a monster.  And so I would like to apologize to any of my readers, who might find my actions appalling.  To the cute-animal lovers, the vegetarians, the vegans...I am sorry.  I am so sorry that I enjoyed every scrumptous bite, and I would like to make amends.  Perhaps I can reform?  Perhaps there is a chance for me?

Well good night...Keep my soul in your prayers,

Chris

P.S. while you are praying...a final thought:

Please sing thee to me something quite right

Gentlest Readers,

I have a new roommate. He is glossy, gorgeous, and has a 24" diagonal measurement. He always knows the right light, and he loves a good movie. His colors are spot on. His size does mean that he takes up a fair amount of space, but because of him, I can blog, check e-mail, listen to music, IM, and scan my google calendar. I would formally like to introduce you to Irwin.

Irwin has been getting along splendidly with Skippy, who has been a bit lonely since Susie Q moved in with my sister.  I think these two will make a wonderful duo, fighting academia one paper at a time!

Night,

Chris

Running like a fool

Hello,

In an atttempt to keep myself honest, I have decided to start posting my daily run details on this blog.  I realize that you may not care, but I hope that it will keep me on track.  Oh, and in case you did not know, I am starting - stress the starting - to train for a marathon.

Here is today:

- Time: 1:06

- Distance: 5.06

- Av. Pace: 13'08"/mi

- Calories: 728

So if you don't see this for a few days (i.e if I skip more than one day)...please, please, please bug me...hound me....make me run.

Oh, and I learned two important lessons today.

1. It is hard to run when it is cold.  I mean I still can't breathe right

2. People are hilarious - saw a man running this morning with a stroller.  Yes, he took his baby out on the run with him.  That may qualify as child abuse considering the temp this morn.  Ridic.

Peace,

Chris

OUT of the night that covers me

Dear gentle reader,

I must make an announcement.  Fall has officially settled upon Toronto.  It is almost 7AM in the morning - yes, I am up at the time.  Why do you ask?  - and it is dark outside.  Where is the sun?  Has it left us?  Will it come back?  My 21st century notion of planary orbitals and season just seems to not comfort me.  Damn science, completely useless I tell you.

To make matters a bit worse, apparently in Toronto, fall means that it is always just slightly above freezing at night.  So basically, Fall is like early winter - as in it went from being a beautiful 65 each day to 45.  WTF, mate.  Where am I....DC?

Ok, I am being a bit dramatic...I mean it is supposed to be 64 tomorrow.  But still, I want the sun back.

Hence the flowers.  What flowers you ask?  Oh and why do you keep assuming what I am asking?  Perhaps, Chris, I don't care.  Did you ever think about that?

Yes, gentle reader, I did.  But I figure if you keep showing up, you must at least feel guilty enough to read this.  But for your sake, I will end now.

Good day,

Chris

P.S. title from Invictus, William Ernest Henley

Let me think about it

So I was reading my google reader this morn, and Laura shared this wonderfully hilarious article.  It probably made my morning.  Thanks, Laura!

More importantly, however, I now want to host a game show.  I want to be one of the greats: Marc Summers, Bob Saget (I never knew), Pat Sajak, Bob Barker, Alex Trebek (who is Canadian, PS), and, of course, Drew Carey!  Can you imagine it?  Can you see it?  Me hosting.  I would be big.

The problem comes when trying to decide what type of game show host one should be.  I mean am I the intellectual stoic like ol' Alex?  Maybe the drunken fondler (Richard Dawson)?  The awkward Turtle (Drew)?  There are so many choices.  And it is such an important choice: it can cost you a game show hosting career.

Oh and then there is the problem of picking a show.  I mean no one wants to be stuck on some stupid Game Show Network made-up show that has no history (and as such no future).  I mean seriously, who wants to host Bingo America...yack!  Nope, you need one of the great shows.  And then you have to be better than the old man who became a legend before you.  Maybe, Hollywood squares would be a good start, no one ever knows the host of it.  I could be the first important host.  I would tell Whoopie where she can go, and wait until I get Oprah on the Squares...hold me back!

Yes, this is my new goal.  Who cares about grad school when you get to sling out questions, field answers, and make people look dumb, all while you put on the of-course-I-knew-that face (Damn Alex Trebek).

Well kids, Remember to always Spray and Neuter your cats and dogs,

Chris

P.S Thank you to wikipedia for helping me spell Alex Trebek's name and remember Richard Dawson's name.

Oh and the title is a song by Ida Corr vs Fredde Le Grand.

Run, Forest, Run

Yes, I just titled this post from Forest Gump...please don't judge me. Of course, if you did, I would just mean that you have terrible taste in movies. Because Forest Gump was by far one of Tom Hanks's best performances.

So why Forest Gump? Well, I ran my first official 5k today in the CIBC Run for the Cure (Breast Cancer). So I got to workout, raised a few dollars, and helped fight cancer. Sweet!

The experience was something I had never quite felt before. It was so exhilarating to have so many people around me, all doing the same thing. And Toronto is such a beautiful city to run in. I actually feel like I accomplished something today. And even though my body wants sleep, mentally I have been riding this rush since I finished at 10:30. I hope it keeps up so that I can get some work done!

Now I just have to work on my running mix - it sucks! I need something with more beat. Anyone with suggestions?

Well now I have to compete in the mental marathon that is my reading list for the week.

Life truly is like a box of chocolates.

Cheers,
Chris

Please Tell Me You are Registered

Just watched Google's new voter registration campaign, and I got to thinking....Is everyone I know registered to vote? I sure hope so. If not, get registered, and now. You may only have a few days. Go to maps.google.com/vote to learn how. And don't talk to me until you have.

Here is the video - it is good.

Google steps up. Perhaps it is time to stop sitting on the sidelines

First of all, read this - Official Google Blog: Our position on California's No on 8 campaign

I am not exactly sure of the wording of Prop. 8, but its title is enough to be ridiculous. Finally, someone is willing to say fuck no! This shit is getting out of hand. I don't care about your sexual preference, at then end of the day, people should have a right to do what they want with their lives. And to be quite honest, I am tired of "the marriage is a religious institution" b.s. - I used to argue that too, when I was dumb and did not know better. It is a basic concept - as it stands in the status quo, there are two types of marriage: one secular and one religious. One the government controls and one the church (or synagogue or mosque or temple or what have you). The state has no right to say that not everyone deserves the same rights. It is quite frankly a breech of contract. And I am questioning more and more, my alignment with a country where this would even be debated, not to mention the myriad of other civil rights issues that seem to just be ignored.

Maybe I am wrong, but I have yet to hear an intelligent counter offer. Any care to provide it?

Enough soapbox,
Chris