Miss me?
Transitioning is expensive! So many "major" items that I knew I would need, and so many little things that add up as well. But I've enjoyed the time to figure out my own sense of style and settle into a new home. But that's not what I wanted to write about . . . .
Going out on a limb here, but I just got back from seeing a terribly cliched, moderately delightful movie - "Must Love Dogs." (For the record, I do not identify with the title - I'm more of a penguin lover myself, and they make for very poor apartment mates.) Two things stood out in this film (no, they weren't John Cusack and Dermot Mulroney).
First, while I appreciate more films being made about 40-something women finding love, can we please, please, please find a few plots that don't contain one cliched plot line after another. The entire movie was predictable even in its charming spots. So here's to good plots, witty writing, and creative storylines.
My second complaint lies in the (now, unfortunately also cliched) element wherein the romantic couples jump into bed (or at least attempt to) after spending about as much time together as it takes to watch
Dr. Zhivago. Why can't we have a good old-fashioned romance without the sex? Why can't two people engage in meaningful discussions, live their real lives, and get to know more about each other than the fact that neither has any self-control? I know movies, of necessity, must condense time frames, but there really must be a limit. At least give the illusion of the individuals having spent more time together than you've been able to portray on screen.
I know I'm speaking from a voice of inexperience and idealism, but let's get real folks. Most people - regardless of their religious traditions, age, or other particular characteristic - don't act like that. And most individuals would consider it reckless to do so.
All this to plead for better storytelling, a bit of common sense, and some good old-fashioned romance and courtship - please!
Silence is Golden
Busy week, even with the Chief Justice's announcement that he won't be retiring until he absolutely must. After such a long and dignified tenure on the Court, it's sad to think that he had to issue such a statement in order to quash the rampant media speculation of his imminent departure (from the Court or earth, I'm not quite sure which alternative they desired more).
All this to say, I've been in silent mode for the past few days, and with moving over the course of the next three weeks, I'll probably be rather sporadic in my posts. Don't fear that I have gotten over the novelty of blogging though. I'll be back in full force soon!
In the meantime, words to live by and ponder:
"Don't meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup."
Strange Bedfellows: Or the Aftermath of Kelo
In between speculating on Justice O'Connor's replacement and Chief Justice Rehnquist's "imminent" resignation, court watchers and commentators have been covering the aftermath of the Court's eminent disaster of the last term -
Kelo v. New London.
The case tolled the final death knell for a textual understanding of the Constitution's Takings Clause, and held that the government could exercise its power of eminent domain (ability to seize private property) for almost
any reason - public or private - as long as the government had thought about it for a while.
In so doing, the majority of the Court decided that the Framers of the Constitution didn't really understand the definition of the words they used - namely, that the government could take private property for "public
use" - and that the Constitution really meant to say "public
purpose." After all, it's the spirit of the law, not its text that is most important, right? Or, as Justice Thomas said in his dissent: "Obliterating a provision of the Constitution guarantees, of course, that it will not be misapplied." All told, as Thomas concludes, "Something has gone seriously awry with this Court's interpretation of the Constitution."
O'Connor's last shining moment on the Court is her dissenting opinion in this case. She describes the repercussions best: "The specter of condemnation hangs over all property. Nothing is to prevent the State from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory."
It is this very observation that has led to the post-
Kelo strange bedfellows effect. Liberals and Conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, Political activists and the most apolitical of us can all rally around (no not the flag anymore, but) property that belong to
them. Private property - that most basic of rights in a free society (see generally Locke; contrast with Marx, Lenin, and Stalin) - is something we can all believe in because it is ours.
When embroiled in politically sensitive and brutish fighting, it is nice to know there are still some basic "first principles" that can unite even the most unusual of allies.
"We are all English Today"
Russell Square . . . Aldgate . . . King's Cross
The pictures capture the mind, but cannot wholly express the surprise, fear, and horror felt by those impacted by yesterday's terror attacks in London. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the attack, the medical personnel who flooded the area to assist, and everyone else affected by yesterday's events.
May our resolve never waver.
For the writers out there.
Have you ever sat there staring at a sheet of paper (okay, or the computer screen), reading over the sentence and grasping desparately for the "right word" to put next? You mull over various words, deciding that certain ones hint at what you mean, but do not fully encompass what you desire to say? I cannot tell you how many times this scenario has happened to me.
I ran across this quote some weeks ago and it explains more beautifully and simply than I could why such moments occur:
"The right word is as important to the writer as the right note to the composer or the right line to the painter. . . . A writer needs an 'ear' as much as a musician does. And without this ear, he is lost and groping in a forest of words, where all the trees look much alike."
Sydney J. Harris, Last Things First 266 (1961).
Here's to all the writers in the world, madly grasping for just the right combination of words, misunderstood by others who argue that one word "will do" just as well as another . . . we know better!
A little legal humor . . .
I've avoided talking about one of my favorite topics - the Supreme Court - because speculation is abuzz over the nominee for Associate Justice, and I really cannot comment on my personal views at present (seriously trying to avoid ethical violations here!). But, for the interim, here are links to two fantastic sites that should amuse:
http://www.legaltease.com - hosts various t-shirts and mugs quoting some classic Supreme Court lines. Who knew that Justice Thomas could be so cool to wear?
http://www.barandgrillsingers.com - site for the legal singing group. Friends will be familiar with their rendition of "Appointed Forever," and there are some great satirical lyrics in their collection.
As for nomination speculation, I recommend SCOTUS blog and Red State, both linked at the bar to the right. Someone has the inside track over there, and they definitely have some insightful commentary. Changing the forum for the debate is half the fun, and they're doing it!
"It is a truth universally acknowledged
that a single man, in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Thus begins one of the greatest literary works ever written. I started re-reading
Pride and Prejudice two nights ago and had forgotten just how witty and entertaining it is. Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy's circuitous courtship leads readers through an interesting study (imagined, perhaps, but just as insightful) of 19th Century customs, the female psyche, and universal truths observed in supporting characters vaguely reminiscent of people that we all know and cherish . . . in their own ways.
Nothing terribly insightful in this commentary, just an observation and encouragement not to forget treasured classics simply because you've already read them dozens of times. You never know what new insights you'll learn from your present-day perspective!
Joining the Revolution...
and getting a blog of my own. No guarantees how successful I'll be at this endeavor.
I
love journaling, but don't have a lot of time these days to update my website; as such, I am trying this method and will use it as a place to wax poetic, discuss my favorite subjects (law, literature, theatre, and Christianity - not necessarily in that order!). I'll also be able to link my favorite sites so they are readily accessible no matter what computer I am using. (See it's all about my convenience, quite frankly!)
Happy 4th of July!
As we celebrate Independence Day, let's not forget the ones who have fought and are currently fighting to protect us. Picture of my grandfather, a WWII veteran, at the WWII Memorial last year.
