I have attempted a number of times to write this particular post as the kick-off and re-christening (I may continue to use nautical references from time to time based on my affinity for all things pirate) to this new and improved version of my blog. All those times have failed...until now.
When I first started this blog, I had big plans to really dig deep into the philosophy I was learning while attending The College of William & Mary (Go Tribe!). But the more time I spent learning about those social and political theories, the more I realized I was always going to be under-qualified to speak about them in any particularly deep or educationally meaningful manner. Especially on a blog.
You see, I am not some old Greek man with a long, flowing white robe and/or beard; neither am I a Renaissance scholar with my funny looking hat and Latin name that seem out of place for my time period.
What I am is a scholar of life, though not a particularly accomplished one having only been studying these thirty years. And yet, because of my life's classroom thus far, I have lived and learned. Perhaps most important are the people I've met along the way.
One of the most naturally gifted philosophical and intuitive people I've ever met, I met at W&M...while she was a student. A long white beard would not have done her justice. A little digital ink needs spilled on behalf of this friend.
She was two classes behind me in school, but a million classes ahead of us all in life. She was intimately familiar with pain and sorrow, both in her early life and far more recently, but unbounded, relentless joy and a nearly unwavering positivity in life were her constant companions. She probably understood life and people as well as anyone ever has, and she was courageous in challenging the status quo in a productive, thoughtful manner; she was no rebel, but certainly a skeptic. She was brilliant, she was sarcastic, she was beautiful, and amongst it all, she was humble.
And most unfortunately, she was with us for far too short a time.
But even living on only in our memories and hearts she still manages to find a way to keep us inspired, rational, positive, and loved. She always gave of herself first, before all else, sparing no thought to consequence or opinion or appearance. If it was the right thing to do, she did it. She was equally altruistic - never seeking reward, recognition, or reciprocity for the good deeds she performed, often unbeknownst to us - and hedonistic - always seeking life's pleasures (especially dessert, and extra especially cake), ethically and without impairing anyone else's pursuit.
This last lesson might be her most important. It is precisely why I intend to use what scant writings she's left behind to begin a sort of philosophical blog-school in her name and honor - so we can all benefit from her plain-spoken, common sense approach to life, love, and happiness. I suspect she would have agreed heartily with the words of Siduri, a character in the Epic of Gilgamesh:
She is the inspiration for the semi-serious aspect of this blog, but she will also bring the behind-the-scenes inspiration for a lot of the humor and levity. She always provided those in great supply.
And also plenty of cake.
When I first started this blog, I had big plans to really dig deep into the philosophy I was learning while attending The College of William & Mary (Go Tribe!). But the more time I spent learning about those social and political theories, the more I realized I was always going to be under-qualified to speak about them in any particularly deep or educationally meaningful manner. Especially on a blog.
You see, I am not some old Greek man with a long, flowing white robe and/or beard; neither am I a Renaissance scholar with my funny looking hat and Latin name that seem out of place for my time period.
 |
| Ridiculous hat, check. Unnecessarily Latinized name, check. Smugness is a bonus. |
What I am is a scholar of life, though not a particularly accomplished one having only been studying these thirty years. And yet, because of my life's classroom thus far, I have lived and learned. Perhaps most important are the people I've met along the way.
One of the most naturally gifted philosophical and intuitive people I've ever met, I met at W&M...while she was a student. A long white beard would not have done her justice. A little digital ink needs spilled on behalf of this friend.
She was two classes behind me in school, but a million classes ahead of us all in life. She was intimately familiar with pain and sorrow, both in her early life and far more recently, but unbounded, relentless joy and a nearly unwavering positivity in life were her constant companions. She probably understood life and people as well as anyone ever has, and she was courageous in challenging the status quo in a productive, thoughtful manner; she was no rebel, but certainly a skeptic. She was brilliant, she was sarcastic, she was beautiful, and amongst it all, she was humble.
And most unfortunately, she was with us for far too short a time.
But even living on only in our memories and hearts she still manages to find a way to keep us inspired, rational, positive, and loved. She always gave of herself first, before all else, sparing no thought to consequence or opinion or appearance. If it was the right thing to do, she did it. She was equally altruistic - never seeking reward, recognition, or reciprocity for the good deeds she performed, often unbeknownst to us - and hedonistic - always seeking life's pleasures (especially dessert, and extra especially cake), ethically and without impairing anyone else's pursuit.
This last lesson might be her most important. It is precisely why I intend to use what scant writings she's left behind to begin a sort of philosophical blog-school in her name and honor - so we can all benefit from her plain-spoken, common sense approach to life, love, and happiness. I suspect she would have agreed heartily with the words of Siduri, a character in the Epic of Gilgamesh:
"Fill your belly. Day and night make merry. Let days be full of joy. Dance and make music day and night [...] These things alone are the concern of men"
She is the inspiration for the semi-serious aspect of this blog, but she will also bring the behind-the-scenes inspiration for a lot of the humor and levity. She always provided those in great supply.
And also plenty of cake.