on the second hand

second Death Starsecond world warsecond atomic bombsecond frontsecond blitzsecond tower second wonderSecond Templesecond sitesecond kingssecond princesecond armysecond populationsecond citizenssecond history second looksecond chancesecond surgerysecond opinionsecond principlesecond explanationsecond introductionsecond sightsecond beautysecond homesecond cropsecond firesecond stormsecond snowseconds to go second birthsecond thoughtsecond soundsecond tracksecond timesecond lifetimesecond attachmentsecond proposalsecond polesecond noonsecond startsecond sidesecond handsecond choicesecond bestsecond bestiesecond voice … Continue reading on the second hand →

Victor Frankenstein, scientist?

There’s a popular belief that Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is a warning about science “going too far”.  But she actually presents Victor Frankenstein as something of a pseudo-scientist, at least when left to his own devices.  In his resting state, or when working in isolation, Victor Frankenstein is a romantic more inclined to enjoy nature than to study it, and disinclined to the unglamorous work that scientists must do. 

Dreaming with classics

I dreamt about 9-11 early this morning, having watched Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” last night.  I don’t know why, because there’s nothing in the movie that obviously connects to such an event.  And I didn’t think or read about 9-11 yesterday, so I think in some way this movie did something. I'm not even a … Continue reading Dreaming with classics →

Rewatching the Lord of the Rings

Recently I rewatched the entire "Lord of the Rings" trilogy with my kids, in the extended editions. That's over 12 hours of movies, but my kids were not bored for a minute. After “Fellowship” my son was gushing about how clearly the story was told; and about how the music made him feel, particularly the … Continue reading Rewatching the Lord of the Rings →