Random Histories

So, a couple years ago I picked up a really old book of poetry from a used book store in Texas. I like poetry, I like old books. And this one was about two dollars. How could I pass it up? (and this is pretty old. Copyrighted in 1920).

On the inside cover was written a name and an address:
Robert L. Gilbert
1632 Ky. St.
Lawrence, Kan.

and at the bottom of that page was written: Beirut, Syria.

Naturally I became curious, started to do a google search. And on a Kansas territorial history website I found several documents that belonged to this very man. Apparently he was English studying in Yoxford Academy (i'm still trying to figure out if that is a typo or not). There is a copy of a letter he wrote his parents about how school was going. Apparently Geometry is an amusing science. The next year he immigrated to the USA and settled down in Kansas, volunteered for the state militia and defended the Kansas territories only weeks after arriving.

I'm somewhat fascinated by this man and wished there was a way I could learn more about him.

And my next goal is to figure out what he has to do with Beirut, Syria.

This really goes to show that everyone has their own story. The people around us are not blank faces in our world. The are the center of their own fascinating world, with just as much life and love as we have.

All this from a book of poems that somehow ended up in Texas.

Oh, in case anyone else is interested, the website is:
http://www.territorialkansasonline.org/~imlskto/cgi-bin/index.php?SCREEN=keyword&submit=&search=&startsearchat=0&searchfor=&printerfriendly=&county_id=&topic_id=&document_id=101591&selected_keyword=Gilbert,%20Robert%20L.

"Without it, breath is just a clock, ticking."

Without what?
Emotion.

So, I hate the favorite movie question. It's freaking impossible to answer. But if I were to have to pick one favorite movie I have to go with Equilibrium. It seems to me not many people have heard of it. But those who have, love it. And why wouldn't you love it? It has Christian Bale. It's an awesome action flick (My all time favorite fight scene is in this movie). And you leave the movie very appreciative of what you have. It makes you take notice of the world around you. It reminds you that you can feel.
Oh, the premise of the show: In order to stop war and violence, society now shoots up with this drug twice a day that blocks all emotion. But of course some go off the dose, which is a crime punishable by incineration. Christian Bale is one of these enforcers who accidentally misses a dose... and begins to feel. And once you're off the dose, would you really be able to make yourself start again? So he's going through his normal work day, trying to pretend like everything is normal, while experience he whole rainbow of emotions for the first time.
Through his experiences I realize how much the tiniest things effect us emotionally. I can't imagine what it would feel like to hear music for the first time. Listening to a Beethoven symphony... Or even smaller, for the first time in your life to touch something just because you wanted to know what it felt like.
Besides the plan of salvation and all that, Emotion is why we live. It's our gift from God. It goes hand-in-hand with agency.
Of course, it always requires control. about half of the emotions are not healthy, and just about all of them should be in moderation. Except maybe charity. But that's one we generally have to work at experiencing in the first place.

So spend a day thinking about it. Notice all the little things you do that have no meaning whatsoever... the things you do because they bring a little smile to your face. And if you realize that you don't do anything without meaning, then I suggest you stop it that... and climb the next tree you come to, just for kicks. Just for the feelings you get "Because without it, without love, without anger, without sorrow, breath is just a clock... ticking."

"Who in Hades do you think you are? Vestal Virgins?"

This quote (from a BBC series about Emperor Claudius [but it is Augustus speaking]) is freaking hilarious. But you'd probably have to be a Classics Major (or at least Miner) to get it. I would explain it, but it's unlikely you'd think funny.

It's 3 in the morning. I have my first final in four hours. I'm somewhat hopped up on caffeine... and my left hand is shaking so bad I can barely type. It's really weird.
Wanna know what I've been doing all day? Of course you don't. But no one is reading this yet anyways, which is fine with me, considering I havn't said anything of worth.
I digress. I have been translating Latin and studying ancient Rome. And in every honesty, i have enjoyed myself doing it (so long as I forget that I'm going to be tested on it in 4 hours).

BTW, Caesar is a freaking Bad A**. I will do a post on him later. One that is more worthy of him than this. But he is definately my favorite emperor. It's not an easy feat, overcoming the Mos Maiorum. He did it single-handed. He totally owned Rome. I mean, he cared about it. But it was his. Total pwnage. And yeah, he thought a lot about himself. Who wouldn't? He was an amazing General, and great Emperor.

I know, o one cares about Caesar. Sad, but true. You poor poor people don't know what you are missing :'(

So. Blogging.

So. This is my first blog.
Blog is a funny word. I learned from Battle of the Sexes that it is short for "Web log" Isn't that just nifty?

What do I plan to blog about? Absolutely no clue. I do know that I'm going to try and NOT turn it into a whiners board. Maybe I'll just post the crap that tends to spin around in my brain, that I usually just scibble down on a piece of paper (only to lose it within 24 hours.) Sometimes it's profound. Most times it's just confusing. Don't worry. It confuses me too. And I'm the one that thought it up. Crazy crazy world, eh?

Also, Heads or Tails? And is the Grass Greener on the other side? Rock, Paper, Scisors (lizard, Spock)? Summer is almost here. Choices must be made. I'm to whiney to make any of them right now.

And I should go study. Latin and all. woot.

Peace Out