The Socrates and Plato Predicament

Warning: There is an excellent chance you won't understand what this blog post is about, and if you don't, that is because my brain functions oddly, not because you are unintelligent.

Except you, Craig.

: )

This is Socrates. Socrates is the first known philosopher. He is a man of great intelligence. In my mind, until today, he was a real person, a human being who lived, breathed, thought, and had his philosophy written down by Plato. I accepted this, I didn't question it...

Last year I had a really bad philosophy professor. I would have appreciated coming out of that class with a mid understanding of what different philophers talk about. I mean, I paid him money to teach me, and he didn't. Capitalism in education failed me... anyways...

Then, today, Dr Faber, my English Prof who is teaching the course on Literary Theory, started the course off with two writings of Plato. For those of you who are not familiar with Plato, The Republic (one of his most well known works) is a dialogue between Socrates (who was Plato's teacher) and other various characters. The Republic is an analogy of the perfect society. Plato talks about many things. Mostly just ideals about how his republic would be (or Socrates' republic... it gets muddled there in my head.) including how he feels about poets. To Plato, the poet is an imitator, and the imitator takes the focus away from the Forms, because we humans are dumb and don't understand anything. And, because we humans are not philosopher-kings, we don't have a direct link to the Forms and therefore can't be trusted with imitations because we're just that stupid.

And then it occurred to me.

What if Socrates is nothing more than a figment of Plato's imagination? He was a character in an analogical writing to make a point.. After all, we don't have any writings that are specifically Socrates'. All his ideas are portrayed through other philosophers of later times, and his cause of death was this: he was killed because he was accused of corrupting the youth with ideas...

However, the most evidence we have on his life is through Plato...

And another thing, Socrates (through Plato) was super against written word (not to mention mass production) because we mere humans would focus on the word, therefore being corrupted and led far away from the Forms. Which would likely mean that, and I'm just throwing this out there, that Socrates would not have appreciated Plato publishing his thoughts and ideas about Life, the Universe, and Everything.

And if that's not enough, Rene Magritte taunts you with his 'pipe'.

Yay literary theory!

And for your viewing enjoyment...

Word of the Day: encomium (means speech or writing that praises someone formally)

Quote of the Day: "I'm reading Plato! That used to be, 'I'm eating Playdo!' " -Aaron Vedder

The Beginning and the Looming Sleep Cloud

Remember how I complained that I was bored?

Remember when I said that I was looking forward to my brain having something useful to think about?

Well, school started.

Last week was RA/HA training. This is one of the most intense weeks of the year. It is when all the RAs and HAs get fed with mountains of information on how to save lives, invest in the dorm spiritually, use a fire extinguisher, and deal with any up and coming problems that may arise during the year. Its all fine and dandy, until you are so overwhelmed by seeing all your friends that you have missed so much over the course of the summer, that it cuts so far into your hours of sleep that you suffer near exhaustion by the end of the week.

And then you move the girls in and realize that you have become old and incapable of keeping up with 18 year olds and their fast paced, witty, conversations.

And then you start with the classes, and the homework starts to pile on. And then you realize that there is no way to have sleep come back to you, even though you wish for it so dearly, and it hangs above you like a looming storm cloud that only wants to lightening but never rain.

Okay, its a bit of an exaggeration.

But seriously, I have done over 40 pages of reading this morning, and I have another 300 pages to do before tonight is over.

The semester begins.

OH! The final Marineland commerical count was 95.

Word of the Day: Cabbage

Quote of the Day: "My initials are MVP...I think that pretty much makes me awesome!" Meghan VanPelt

Yesterdays and Tomorrows

This summer, I worked the worst job I may ever have.

Housekeeping at Redeemer is no picnic. I have experienced one of the darkest sides of the school, and it is a side which I never hope to see the likes of again. If it has been nothing else, this summer has been a learning experience. It has been a summer of firsts.

First time paying rent.

First time paying utilties.

First time (in about 6 years) going to the Canada Day fireworks.

First time working a Sunday.

First time legitimately living on my own.

First time being angry at Redeemer.

First time letting boys sleep in the basement.

First time sending a package through the post office.

First time doing MY OWN groceries.

First time hating a job.

Ranting about Redeemer's Campus Services and the awful experiences I have had with the administrative side of the school could be worth a blog post - it could also be worth a Crown article. This entry will, however, be more of a reflection on my summer; a summer I didn't do a great job of documenting.

I have learned a lot this summer. I have learned that I do not like working behind the scenes. I like to be in charge, and I tend to be vocal when I don't agree with my supervisor's actions (ie. we work hard, and the supervisor watches shows on the computer...last time I checked, being a manager doesn't give you the trip to work less, but harder...) I have come to measure my own sanity in the number of dorms I can clean, or the days I can go without doing dishes...

I have also been preparing for one of the most incredible experiences of my life - to be a Residence Advisor for six first year girls. I have been praying for them, and preparing myself for the responsibility, and getting excited about everything that is to come. I have stressed about a disagreement between myself and my Co-RA, and also been completely thrilled when her and I have agreed on basically all the big stuff. I am learning to step back and not be in complete control...and to take one day at a time.

This summer has been busy. It has been full of fun times and frustrating ones. It involved movie nights and pizza, girls nights with Kait, a trip to Webster's Falls, a hypothetical trip to the Toronto Zoo, many hours vacuuming, scrubbing showers, making beds. It has been a summer of weddings, professions of faith, baptisms, and Friends.

One of my favourite things to do this summer was to walk to church on Sunday morning in the sunshine, with my shoes off, down the sidewalk. I loved coming into the church which was lit by the sun, and letting the entire week fall at the door. I loved worshipping, listening, learning. God has been good.

This summer has brought some goodbyes, some hellos, and some see you laters. I said goodbye to one of my best friends at Redeemer as he travels to Halifax to do his Masters at Dalhousie. I said hello to all the girls I worked with this summer. And the see you laters, I hope, are for all the people whom have become such a vital part of my life this summer, but will probably never see me once essay season starts...

The upcoming year is going to be a challenging one. It will stretch every part of me. The girls will teach me, and I will teach them. My classes will challenge me, and the Crown will knock off any remaining energy I have. I will be sleep deprived, I will be crazy, and I will be hanging on by my faith in God.

So, yesterdays lead in to tomorrows.

A change of seasons.

MCC: 91

Word of the Day: Initiation

Quote of the Day: "It's the leaning tower of Cheese-a!" Emily Williams

Weddings.

It's weird when your best friends start getting married. Sharing their day with them is wonderful.

Charlene and David Westerveld, August 20, 2010

Lauren and Hilbert Koersen, August 14, 2010

Best Wishes to both couples.. (sadly, we couldn't find Hilbert for the second photo)

MCC: 78

Word of the Day: Packing

Quote of the Day: "Meals go bad when they are put in the fridge without cover." Geo Roome

Quick Update

I realize it has been a few weeks. I have been very busy. Work is work. The entire school is preparing for incoming students. I attended the wedding of one of my dorm-mates from this past year. There will be photos to follow.

I have another wedding to attend tomorrow. Yes, on a Friday. But the bride is one of my best friends from Redeemer, and I am incredibly excited. I will update on that one too.

MCC: 78

Word of the Day: Sore

Quote of the Day: "The awkardly mobile part of the Astro-family." A radio commercial

Facts of August

My apologies, dear readers. I have been posting sporadically over the summer months and it needs to be corrected. So, in honour of August's first post, I have a bunch of facts about August.

1) August was named after Caesar Augustus. The month was originally 29 days long, but 2 days got added because Caesars feel pretty good about themselves. (I would too, if I was the ruler of the Roman world.)

2) Cleopatra was born in August.

3) My little sister was born in August. She's turning 18 on August 11. It's kind of a big deal.

4) Apparently there were a whole bunch of really important battles fought in August. They must have been important, considering I did not recognize any of the names of these battles, nor the dates they were fought on.

5) Apparently, August 5th is Beer Day. A day to celebrate beer. Just what this world needs.

6) Everyone's favourite french dictator was born on August 15th, 1769. I want to say Europe would never look the same, but its geography hasn't changed much. Apparently Napoleon was pretty short. Though, he can't be too bitter, he did get ice cream named after himself. Exile paid off after all.

7) August is Cataracts Awareness Month, Happiness Happens Month, Get Ready for Kindergarten Month, and my favourite: Panini Month.

8) Hawaii became the 50th US state in August.

9) In common years, no other month starts on the same day of the week as August, except on leap years. Then, August has to trade its individuality in so that February can be extended.

10) August means "defined" or "imposing".

And there you go!

Now for something I like to call 'Alex Reads Twilight'.

MCC: 54

Word of the Day: Confused

Quote of the Day: ... Actually, today is quoteless. Instead I will leave you with these wise words. Bonus points if you can tell me who said it without looking it up. :D

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Sweet Weekend

For the first time in weeks, I have a weekend off work. So far I have:

- Had Cousin Katelyn up for a visit. We went out to dinner, the Jacob Outlet store (I got a sweet pair of pants for $5.oo) and saw Inception in theatres. Inception was unbelievably awesome. It may have trumped Toy Story 3 in my books for favourite summer movies. We took a trip to Limeridge during the day. I re-vamped my wardrobe entirely, deciding that it was time to permanently be rid of my old clothes. Those Garage tank tops from 2005 have to go.

- Cleaned the House. Anticipating a group of friends coming over tonight, I had to clean the main floor and bathrooms of the house. Kait and I get pretty lazy when we come home from work. We clean all day, and so we really don't feel an overwhelming need or desire to clean when we come home. This afternoon, following Cousin Katelyn's departure, I took an hour and a half and cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom, the bathrooms on the main floor and upstairs, and the living room.

- Bought 3 new books. I know I said I wouldn't. But I recently finished the Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The problem was, in his well-readness, characters had names of other literary figures that I had heard of, but not interacted with, so I picked up a Charles Dickens novel in the hopes that it would fill in some of the blanks.

- Did laundry. I figured that before I started packing the old clothing up, I should wash it, so that when I send it to the second-hand store, it would clean. Next, I will need to start making piles in my room of new, old, Salvation Army, and Garbage. Time to clean out my drawers.

MCC: 51

Word of the Day: Sweet

Quote of the Day: "It's okay, I'm lumpyshmooface3." The guy at the Bluenotes. He was making fun of my email address.

Matters of July

Time to post.

Kait and I are currently in the process of baking. She has taken on the impressive task of butter tarts, and cupcakes. I am making apple-blueberry crumble. I don't know why, but we just felt the need to bake.

My movie collection is getting larger again. I want to own as many Disney movies as I possibly can. I realize that by the time I have kids that will watch them, DVDs will probably be non-existant, and I will have wasted money, but the use they will be this upcoming year as an RA...oh, they shall be loved.

So, this weekend, HMV had a sale. And I picked up 3 movies for $30 ($20 of that was Disney).

1) Pretty in Pink: Did you know that they were originally going to cast Charlie Sheen as the male lead, where Jon Cryer plays Duckie? Would the dynamics of Two and a Half Men be the same had that been the case?

2) [500] Days of Summer: A very well done break-up story told out of order. Loved this movie. Kait and I laughed our heads off when we watched it, and I feel like I will need to watch it again a few times to pick up all the clever lines.

3) Finding Nemo: a Disney-Pixar classic. Just keep swimming. It sits on the shelf beside Tarzan, Hercules and The Incredibles. I also have The Rescuers, but Mom is borrowing that one.

Now, for the Disney movies I am waiting for to come out of the vault (so I can buy them, obviously):

- Aladdin

- Mulan

- The Lion King

- The Hunchback of Notre Dame

- Pocohontas

- The Little Mermaid

- The Rescuers Down Under

- Wall-E

- The Princess and The Frog

- The Sword and the Stone

- Peter Pan

- Robin Hood

I can live without Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Black Cauldron and a few others...

But oh, I love Disney.

MCC: 51

Word of the Day: economical

Quote of the Day: "And later in the show, we'll find out why Toronto is angry at Niagara Falls..." Chum FM morning radio host

Northrop

So, I guess its been a while since I've updated the good ole BK spot here, eh?

I bought a fish. I wanted a guitar, I still want a guitar, but instead I bought a fish.

He is a Betta. His body is pink and purple, his fins start off blue and transition into a deep crimson red. I named him Northrop.

Believe me, there was much debate about the name. Suggestions were flying: it could be a Sheldon, it could be a Merlin, it could be a Steve. I think I even tossed around the name Alfred for a while. Then I remembered that I named the dead chipmunk Alfred, so I couldn't name my beautiful fish that. I finally settled for Northrop. I did, in fact, name my fish after Northrop Frye - everyone's favourite Canadian literary critic. His red fins also kind of reminded me of Winthrop from The Music Man (that, and I had the Wells Fargo Wagon song stuck in my head at the time).

Now, let me tell you a little about Bettas. They are supposed to be brightly coloured, and very mellow, and not very big on the whole swimming thing. To which I think: "Yay! Low maintenance!" Bettas are supposed to eat once daily. They don't have large appetites because, well, they aren't very large fish. They need to be able to breathe at the surface because they actually breathe oxygen from the air, not from the water itself (cool fact). They are native to small ponds and puddles in Japan. Males are very territorial and don't like seeing other male betta fish on their turf.

Northrop, however, is not your average Betta. He does the whole breathing at the surface thing really well, but everything else seems to be an issue. Northrop is smart. He knows when I feed him. He knows how to swim into the cup when the water needs to be changed. He also figured out that the little purple beads I have on the bottom of the bowl will float if he rams into them hard enough. Northrop is the least lazy Betta I have ever seen. He also has no interest in his reflection. Most Bettas will flare up if they see their reflection. He looks at it, and then decides he is hungry and stares at me (actually stares at me) until I give him some pellets.

On a completely unrelated note, isn't it good to know that Matthew Broderick went from this

to this?

MCC: 31

Word of the Day: Maid Service

Quote of the Day: "Get your butt out of my hands!" Angie to Deanna