Duquesne University

Memories are stashed away for a rainy day. Today -fancy that- it is raining in Madrid, European Union. And as I am feeling a bit under the weather ("I am not too Catholic today", is the equivalent expression in Spanish), I have winnowed old memories (to separate the chaff from the grain) mainly because I have read that Antioch College is closing down. And I was thinking how very close Pitt came to that, once upon a time, under Chancellor Litchfield (his signature is on my MA Diploma) and then, one thing leads to another, I was remembering my days, years, at Duquesne University (Spiritus est qui Vivificat), while reading Spinoza and thinking of the days that are no more, and wiping idle tears I know not what they mean... I guess that in more ways than one I am what I am because of Duquesne University. A great university indeed. I'll tell you more some other time.

At Odds with/over Language, Again.

In Levine Breaking News, June 7, 2007, I read the following:
"A broad immigration bill to legalize millions of people in the U.S. unlawfully failed a crucial test vote in the Senate Thursday..."
Le me ask:
to legalize millions of people unlawfully?
people in the US unlawfully?
the bill failed a crucial test vote unlawfully?
I'm all mixed up. Per usual.
The use of language is unpredictable and chaotic.

4 Traits about Myself.

I've been asked, urged, to write 8 things about myself... I'll just write down 4, half. Perhaps soon I can think of 4 additional ones, to complete the 8. Let's give it a try and see:
1. I'm an early-riser, an early bird, mainly because it's been said for centuries that "the early bird catches the worm" (I love worms!) and also that "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise". I am healthy, but poor and rather stupid. When I was about 13 I bought an alarm clock in order to wake up at 5 am. This habit may be because I am at my best in the morning, full of pep, energy and ideas... which flag as the day progresses.
2. Dr. Frances Collechia, Duquesne University, wrote a letter of character reference where she pointed out that my main and possibly only drawback, defect, weakness, was PROCRASTINATION. And she hit the nail on the head! This illness is a lifestyle for me. It is defined as self-destructive behaviour, like a drug, a sort of paralysis, and task aversion... and I suffer from it, and a lot. To do away with procrastination is one of my New Year's resolutions... every year! A consolation of sorts is that this malady has affected mankind for ages, as the old saw testifies: "Do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today".
3. My sense of humor is weird at best, a trait -good or bad, depending- I just cannot help confronting others with. Is it a defense mechanism? Is it a surrealist way of staring most daily situations in the face? Is it a way of stretching situations to a breaking point? I just don't know. But I cannot help it. Often I find myself in odd social dire straits because of my light attitude towards things and people. Always pulling a straight face. Humor and a straight face go together, like chickens and writers.
4. I lost my patience a while ago, and I've been trying to find it, but can't. At the slightest provocation, I jump at the throat of others. This is terrible and I hate myself for it. To allow others to control my emotions is a real sin. I am at their mercy, imagine! But I am still trying to find my patience and self-control. If at first you don't succeed try, try, try again!

Madrid Book Fair

Spanish publishers are whiners at heart. They are for ever lamenting the fact that Spaniards do not read, and buy, naturally, few books, in spite of the fact that over 70,000 new titles come out every year in this small country of only 44 million people. No small feat! Yet... yesterday I went to the Retiro Park to visit the Book Fair... throngs made it difficult to walk or see, let alone peruse the books that filled the booths (over 400, I think) of different publishers and bookstores. This should give the lie to all those whiners, I think!!
It was a joy, almost bliss, to walk among people of like tastes as mine!
I went to visit Fernando Sánchez Dragó (check his website and blog) and bought his latest title: Libertad, fraternidad, desigualdad. I had to wait in line in order to have the book signed.
I missed Lorraine there, but I knew she was lurking around in spirit, on a quick visit from Naples, Florida. And she whispered in my ear... words of yesteryear.
I just thought I would let you people in on this, just in case.