Humanities

I'm a firm believer in the humanities. I think the world would be a better place if everyone was well versed in the classics. I think people should know a little of a foreign language, and appreciate art and music. I'm not talking about shitty ass music either, like Britney Spears. Real music. I think this is one of the reasons I feel distanced from certain people, is this notion of what it means to be human. I don't know, lately I've been thinking about what it means to be a student, to be wrapped up in this world of academia. I've been thinking about what a glorious opportunity this time of life is, to be able to devote oneself towards the pursuit of knowledge and learning. Man that's cool. And I don't think I've fully realized that opportunity yet. I've taken time to start learning the art of the trombone, but I haven't applied myself with the same vigor to learning. I mean, I get good grades, but I haven't really read a whole lot just for the sheer joy of learning, you know? I'd like to do that. Last night, I bought The Prince, by Machiavelli, The Symposium, by Plato, and Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis. I really liked Plato's stuff from my philosophy class, and I didn't want to get into anything unfamiliar like Nietzche or Kant just yet. I've always wanted to read The Prince because of the role it played in European history. And Mere Christianity, I just heard it was good. I'm sort of undergoing a time in my life where I am establishing what my faith consists of. Christian faith. But the Christian faith that you just get taught doesn't satisfy me. It's time to take my faith into my own hands, and figure out just what I believe. Reading Plato and Aristotle really helped spur thoughts like that this fall, so I'm looking forward towards digging into some more philosophy. I'm also on a mission to build up a jazz library. I got to fulfill a summer-long ambition on Sunday, and listen to some music at the Dakota jazz club in Minneapolis. Man, it was so much fun. I enjoyed myself immensely. Man, there is nothing like swinging live jazz to make you feel good. I mean swinging in the metaphysical jazz language sense, because the group I saw was sort of an Afro-Brazillian fusion group. But they were sweet. Anyways, time to go to work soon. Hope everyone is well.