James's Comments

Well, I don't want to jump on the bandwagon for the democrats. However, besides unconstitutional policies (such as Arizona's legislation), what seems to be emerging with greater frequency among the conservatives is very reactionary at best.
Besides that, I think quite a bit of it relates to the fundamental irony that many average Joes and Janes in the Republican party are making decisions based purely on fabricated/ propaganda-type appeals that have very little validity. On the other hand, I hate coming across as condescending, but it really does seem like more propaganda filters through the Right than the Left currently. The deeper reasons for this are probably much more complex, and I am grossly over-simplifying.

Indeed, it has been sobering. I know Florida is already preparing a state of emergency for the wildlife that is going to be destroyed.

I cannot quite understand the Republican party at the moment. As you follow the news, in the last year or so, it seems that even pretenses to moderation are being dropped, and the mainstream is becoming increasingly more of a fringe group.

I don’t think there was a winner. Yeah, alcohol lowers inhibitions, so it can make arguments more livid. All the paracetemol in the world will not cure my current headache .

I agree on the details, but it is part of 'life.'

Feeling a bit down. Although I am no longer a keen drinker by anyone's standards, last night I got into a heavy argument about Arizona's recent legislation, and not feeling too good about it today. Damn details ;)

No, they had to be translated via LSAC, but they also had to be translated when I was working in the US, but in that case, I had to pick a service to do it.

I'm hoping to be stateside this summer. I'll see how it goes. I don't like to make definite plans until I have everything 100% in place.

That is good news. I hope it works out for you. Keep me updated.

I still run into trouble with trying to establish state residency and everything else because I have been out of the country so much. It's made the law school experience that much more fun ;) Does it affect you at all when moving back?

Take care.

Meh,I've really gotten my act together. I am more able to understand how I cope with stress, and more content to be internally at peace while the world rages outside. And you?

She realized it was no longer a question of being within or without, it was a matter of reaching out for the impossible and the unattainable. No longer living on the inertia of the momentum of the past or the present but on the pull of the future. Everyone learns in his own way and his own time. Cheers.

Thanks James. I want you to feel the same. There is always someone ready to listen.

I don't know what my creative outlet will be, which is really self- defeating because I know that if there really was a creative source within me, it would have already taken hold. I refuse, absolutely refuse to walk the same route that many women my age go which is to express themselves through art and painting. The only passion I have which is truly a passion is my reading, so I'll just read until I can't look at a word any more. Cheers.

I can see you James. Helloooooo! Actually, it really is that simple. Finding a creative outlet, but not just any creative outlet, but one that feeds the very essence of your being. An outlet where you can pour all your energy. It must be all-consuming. It must involve a squeezing of creative juices. What will that be? Go figure, I'm still trying to figure that out! LOL. Good luck, and do let me know what you come up with.Have a good day :) I would enjoy hearing from you from time to time, but that's totally up to you. I'm learning to let go of so many things.

"Love thy ego as thy self." Revel in your own genius. Stop tormenting yourself.

Love, love, love those comments that you left on my wall. They demonstrate exactly why a discriminating " value added" flavor has been added to YOUR voice, the one that went silent. "Your voice" challenges and pushes me to think harder and go beyond the mere lip service offered to the words I have "uttered."

I understand the urgency of silencing one's own voice, especially that grating inner one. If only one could be morally irresponsible and it was easy and possible to do so. My suggestion is to try to find a creative outlet that can lead you in a different direction.

Different voices? There are plenty of voices out there that wish to be heard. But, do we really want to hear a different voice? Or we rather an echo of our own?

The P. S finale : A comma, a semicolon, a reprieve and then ellipses. Loved it!

I hear you and do appreciate where you're coming from. It is true that as long as there exist those that wish to hear themselves speak and others that are willing to allow them to do so being that they are willing to listen to them speak, there will continue to be a supply of " different voices." The question of missed conversation implies that a discriminating value has been assigned to a particular voice, that one that no longer speaks. What it basically comes down to is that there are voices that speak to us while others drone away, there are topics that engage us as others bore us to tears. It is all relative. It does come down to choice. If you believed yourself to have a new preference for a different voice, then the time was right for you to have moved on. I understand what you're saying. Different voices or even silence. Some might say this was exactly what I needed to hear.

Anytime James. It was meant to be anecdotal and a reference to the puncuation you, Laura and I left on each other's walls some time back. When I saw your photo circulating above when you signed on this morning, I wanted to call out to you- Jamesssssss, but I allowed things to be, as you wanted them to be. It is sad though, the thought of so many missed opportunities for meaningful conversations. Take care of yourself. Cheers :)

'ello James. I must say I read this, remembered you and wanted to share it with you:

It’s typical of Ochsner’s characters to step back from language like this, in the postmodern fashion, and consider words and language as physical things, with their individual textures and secret affinities. Azade can “curse in Ossetian and bless in Kumyk, those fibrous languages of mud and straw.” As a girl, Olga “collected languages the same way people collected keys or buttons. At night she dreamt in other languages and she woke in the morning with spoonfuls of those foreign sounds still on her tongue.” When Yuri receives a beating, it’s as if by ­typography: “A pounding punctuated with sharp interjections. A dash, dash. Boxer’s blows to the face. Oh Mother. A comma, a semicolon, a reprieve and then ellipses. All the pieces of punctuation brilliantly effected by the closed fist, the knee to the groin. Yes, he was getting the message.” THE RUSSIAN DREAMBOOK OF COLOR AND FLIGHT Cheers :) hope you're doing well.

James, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. I do appreciate your feedback. The title of this book reminds me of Philip Roth's novel The Human Stain. I wonder if he drew inspiration from Arendt. I'll go order it now. Thanks. Be well. You are missed.

Arendt*

A quick question for when you check in here. I remember the time when I posted about Hannah Arnedt, and you said she was a favorite of yours. I want to read her, but I'm not sure which book to choose first. Would you have a recommendation? Hope all is well with you and yours.