Word of the Day - Profligate

prof·li·gate (prŏf'lĭ-gĭt, -gāt') pronunciation
adj.

1. Given over to dissipation; dissolute.
2. Recklessly wasteful; wildly extravagant.

n.
A profligate person; a wastrel.

[Latin prōflīgātus, past participle of prōflīgāre, to ruin, cast down : prō-, forward; see pro–1 + -flīgāre, intensive of flīgere, to strike down.]

Billy Collins

Something rather hilarious crossed by path not too long ago. And while I'm somewhat reluctant to post something I didn't really discover by myself, I think it's time to unwrap this delicious piece of art...

As a background, Billy Collins served two terms as Poet Laureate of the United States. His piece "Litany" is among the most entertaining things I've ever read. I thought to post it here but it's somewhat long so I will invite you to find it yourself, or spare yourself the trouble and simply click this link. And to make things even easier, I've embedded the video where he reads it aloud...but you might get more out of it from reading it first.

Wicker Park, Chicago IL

 

It's a wonderful life

The Times has an interesting piece this morning about the classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life." This is a movie I have never seen, and was recently encouraged to watch. As Wendell Jamieson explains, "Lots of people love this movie of course. But I’m convinced it’s for the wrong reasons. Because to me 'It’s a Wonderful Life' is anything but a cheery holiday tale."

As A.O. Scott explains "Everybody knows this movie as a uplifting, heartwarming holiday tale, but if you look at it again a very different picture emerges. It's a wonderful life is a dark disturbing fable about greed, exploitation, misery, and disappointment."

Here's the link: Wonderful? Sorry, George, It’s a Pitiful, Dreadful Life

I'll probably rent it tonight...

Addendum: And here's another article I just found, along similar lines. It's interesting, but I still haven't been able to rent the movie.

no rest for the weary....

In recent days there has been an explosion of response from my faithful readers. And I must say, somewhat aggressively have they demanded further posts. As one enthusiastic reader wrote:

(Quoted)

Dear Weekend Intellect,

My day begins and ends with your blog. The rhythm of my life relies on your blogging, and I despair sullenly when the sun goes down without a new dabbling, a new diatribe, a new flavor of your tempered brilliance penetrating across the internet. Today I cried into my milk (during morning cereal) and regretted with solemn contempt that a new post had not been sacrificed to the blogosphere. Currently my life is a whirlwind of depression; you have not posted anything in over three days. I feel the livelihood of my soul resting in your (lazy) hands. Please renew your dedication, strengthen your resolve, and ride to our rescue!

Yours truly,

Loyal Reader

(End quote)

But please allow me explain, that the genius required to post these gems into the blogosphere is somewhat spontaneous - you can't just sit down and write something without an ocean of inspiration backing it up. And thus the most epic dilemma; How do I continue the prodigious, prolific work that has begun without compromising the genius quality behind it?

I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, but in the form of a sneak preview I can explain that I will be archiving some postings, and then enrolling a blog-automation program to upload them systematically. Loyal Reader, please relax. I shall not rest, shall not retire, until this effort is fully completed.

Poetry Appreciation Day

The New Yorker once published a crafty poem every year-end, then stopped, and now have rekindled the tradition. Anyway, it's kind of a fun way to review the year. Greetings, Friends!

Daily Photo

From Just Because

About Alice - Calvin Trillion

While I should be studying for my approaching final in systems accounting, I managed to find an interesting book review. The book, "About Alice" is brilliantly reviewed, and seems perfectly interesting - especially at this hour when compared to data flow diagrams and COSO framework components and ERM evaluations and detective controls and risk assessments and differential backups and, well, you get the point. The book review is also over a year old; don't ask how I found it.
New York Times Book Review

you may know these...

"Sæglópur" (Icelandic for "lost at sea") is a song by Sigur Rós, released in 2006 as a single from the 2005 album Takk.... Parts of the song are in Icelandic, although a lengthy portion is in Hopelandic, a "language" of nonsense words selected by the band that sound similar to Icelandic. - Taken from Wiki.

This song is huge.



"First Breath After Coma" from an album entitled The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place. The band is called Explosions in the Sky. If you've never heard of this group, it's time you crawled out of your subterranean holding cell and have a listen.

This song, also, is huge.

295

O Jesus Christ, grow Thou in me,
And all things else recede;
My heart be daily nearer Thee,
From sin be daily freed.

Each day let Thy supporting might
My weakness still embrace;
My darkness vanish in Thy light,
Thy life my death efface.

In Thy bright beams which on me fall,
Fade every evil thought;
That I am nothing, Thou art all,
I would be daily taught.

More of Thy glory let me see,
Thou Holy, Wise, and True;
I would Thy living image be,
In joy and sorrow too.

Fill me with gladness from above,
Hold me by strength divine;
Lord, let the glow of Thy great love
Through all my being shine.

Make this poor self grow less and less,
Be Thou my life and aim;
Oh, make me daily through Thy grace
More meet to bear Thy name.