torch song trilogy

This will be the third time I have commented our rather fancy and complicated home heating system. The corporate logo for the manufacturer is a silver rabbit, which I have called Torch Bunny for the whooshing, flame-on sound that comes from the compartment when a hot water tap is turned on anywhere in the building. I am a bit morose over Torch Bunny lately, however, as I understand that in Stockholm, the carcasses of culled urban rabbits are being incinerated to heat the city. With the cold weather coming, Torch Bunny is making a new sound, when the pipes are activated by remote-control or on the hopeless complex automatic timer, almost like the sound-effect that accompanies a Transformer's transformation.

writers' bloc

I have felt rather uninspired lately, but I have been banging out papers and essays for school like no one's business. I wonder if one is only apportioned a certain amount of creativity per diem. That seems like a gift that should not be squandered on sophistry. Perhaps deadlines have a way of stealing away what you would rather hold in trust.

signore superlatives

Since this summer, an Italian website has been hosting a year-long on-line vote to determine the most beautiful object in the world. Right now the front-runner is this exquisite minimalist fireplace. This competition is not strictly for best in design, however, but the winner will be representative of the best mankind can create--the fireplace is very nice but a little johnny-come-lately compared to a van Gogh or a Miro; I guess an object is not catagorically the smae as a work of art--and put in a time-capsule for prosperity. A diamond and a sleek coffee-maker are also in serious contention. Voters are also invited to send the website their messages to the future for inclusion in the time-capsule.

Mortimer I. Marker was a thinly veiled reference to Mortimer J. Adler

Claire and Rudi and Vanessa must be proud of Cliff Huxtable... So Obama won the Noble Peace Prize--and while I find it exciting despite countless unrecognized individuals that struggle quietly, the greater part of me wants this to turn out to be a joke. Since when were Nobles handed out for potential? Without mentioning his nomination was put in just weeks after the election when the Birthers were still trying to decide if Hawaii was part of the Union, Obama has little else going for him other than the potential to undo all the destructive policies of the previous regime. I am hopeful but Obama has not managed to accomplish that yet, nor restore America's relevance as a world-player. Is there now supposed to be a sophomoric Noble curse? It is a joke-honourarium like the cover of Time magazine for Man of the Year? I pray that he is able to live up that hope. It was ingracious of him to accept the prize, rather than respectfully turn it down. Even worse, Obama accepted it on behalf of all Americans--I am fairly certain that they won't rise to the occasion.

post cards from the edge

Just back from a gorgeous sabbatical, I plan to start posting again here, though I will dearly miss documenting my travels with H. Perhaps we should keep up with the journal-makers and start our little domestic blog or some such thing. During the long trip home, I was reminded just how sweet a place home is, and also how much fun it was to retrace an old beat with someone else. I might consider going back to all my old haunts. Ostensibly, travel is also seeing if something is worth the while to see again, though one rarely does that. Really. One should keep true to those rituals, like kissing a statue's foot or tossing a coin in a foutain that promise a return trip.