May. 20th, 2007 | 10:56 pm
location: My desk
mood: 
amused
music: Eagles
So who else is psyched for "The Long Road to Eden"? Should be coming out this year, according to Wikipedia. Between that and learning that Curb Your Enthusiasm is getting a sixth season later this year, it's been like Christmas. Anyhoo, I'm psyched to hear new material; the gang hasn't lost their touch, most likely because even though it's been a long, loooong time since The Long Run, the band members have been turning out great solo work and concert-centric albums like Hell Freezes Over and the Selected Works album with those nice, live versions of obscure songs from the Millenium Concert, on a fairly regular basis.
Which brings me to the subject of Frey's and Henley's solo endeavors; unlike the members of some bands who strike out on solo careers and prove themselves to be weaker than they were when working together with others from the band, I find Frey's and Henley's solo albums to be just as strong artistically as their Eagles work...just...different, in a pleasant way. I chalk it up to Glenn and Don both being excellent songwriters *and* singers; being able to craft clever lyrics is as important as belting out a tune. If you look at a lot of their Eagles work, it wasn't only co-sung, but co-written; I'm intrigued and glad to learn through the solo work that neither was carrying the writing weight all by himself, but rather that both were talented.
In efforts like "I Can't Stand Still" and "The Allnighter," we got to see more explicitly certain trends in songwriting and delivery unique to each Eagle. But if you look back at their work as Eagles, you'll see these trends at play as well...perhaps more clearly than you did before listening to the independent albums. Don's trademarks, for instance; the tendency toward political and social commentary, that wonderful sardonic wit, sarcastic and smart lyrical turns of phrase...a generally more wistful and mournful quality. Henley's lyrics consistently surprise. That's not to say Glenn doesn't show the same knowing sense of humor that makes the Eagles who they are, but he has boons all his own to offer on parade in his solo efforts, for one his ability to craft a song that flows smoothly and precisely from one lyric to the next; whereas Don delights by turning our expectations inside out when it comes to rhyme, Glenn's songs have such a relaxing quality because of their lyrical elegance. I also like Glenn's lighter, more carefree touch when it comes to content; sometimes you really do have a day when you "woke up this morning with an attitude, looked at the paper, put me in a real bad mood," to quote Henley (You Don't Know Me At All), and Don's songs jell perfectly with that frame of mind. But at the same time, Glenn's there for those carefree California days when life is genuinely *good*, maybe because "I got Love". When I think of Glenn's Eagles work, much of it tends to be lighthearted; his solo albums, however, show that he can be just as soulful and whistful as Henley, with offerings such as "Lover's Moon" and "Let's Go Home". I like how he proves he isn't always sunshine with "Somebody Else" and "Living in the Darkness," two songs directed at less than perfect lovers, one a cheater and the other a destructive old flame come back to haunt him. (I wonder if she's Don's "Miss Ghost"? ^_^)
I've said it before, but I'll say it again: The Eagles have something to offer lyrically when it comes to every situation.
And speaking of lyrics, there's one thing both these guys I'm comparing have in common in their lyrics: A total lack of pretension and a mastery of "telling it like it is," regardless of whether it be in Don's raw, sarcastic exposes of society and the foibles of human nature or Glenn's way of perfectly capturing a certain emotion or moment in time. Some people say, "Henley's been wildly successful, so why is he still complaining about society," and call it hypocrisy. I say, GOOD ON HIM for using his fame as a platform to discuss legimitate social issues and criticize the events of the day. Better than being part of the anti-establishment crowd only until you become wealthy, and then selling out. Each of us has responsibilities to maintain our democracy, whether we're famous or obscure.
Getting back to the songs, it's awesome how well their albums complement each other, too; let's put The Allnighter next to Henley's I Can't Stand Still. Lover's Moon and Talking to the Moon are perfect companion pieces, and the chords of Glenn's New Love appear in Nobody's Business but Mine. Better in the USA and Them or Us are great bookends on the Reagan years, Glenn humorously pointing out the shortcomings of Soviet Russia (And if you look at history, damn, was there ever a lot of suffering behind the Iron Curtain), and Don warning of the dangers of mutually assured destruction. I've seen people criticize "Better in the USA," but compared to the USSR...I have to agree, "It's better, baby!". Nothing's wrong with America itself; beautiful country, founded on sound principles, with opportunity for many. It's the current administration who's screwing up "everything divine" about our country to borrow a Henley phrase, or the Reagan presidency Henley lampooned so many times we should be criticizing.
Besides, Glenn makes his views on Reagan clear in the later "He Took Advantage," and they aren't flattering.
I suppose my point was that even when they're performing apart, we see the positive factors the band members have in common, as well as their dynamic tensions. Similarities and differences amongst the members alike have produced fruitful musical careers and years of enjoyment for all of us.
May. 16th, 2007 | 10:06 pm
mood: 
thoughtful
music: Glenn Frey
It occurs to me that I was a bit harsh yesterday; what can I say? I utterly despised Falwell's politics. However, I thought I'd ruminate on his personality a bit more, having had some time to think it over.
I have to admire Christopher Hitchens for speaking so boldly against Falwell; it's his opinion that the man was a huckster and a con artist. Now, ask me my opinion on, say, select leaders of the Roman Catholic Church throughtout history, and I'll give you examples of how they seemed to be motivated more by a keen interest in greed, gratification and manipulation of power than sincerely following the teachers of Jesus Christ, his early followers, and the Bible. But I'm not alone in this stance: There's a man you maybe might have heard of named Martin Luther who felt the same way.
That said! Anderson Cooper, after letting Hitchens have his say about the purported trickery of Falwell, invited on a reverend who knew Falwell quite well and who also happens to be gay intimated that instead of being a huckster, Falwell sincerely believed in what he preached. I'm...personally unsure whether I'd prefer Falwell to have been a trickster who'd say anything to cater to peoples' prejudices, or in fact firmly believe in his own rhetoric, which I strongly disagreed with. I find the possibility that he represented either pole to frankly be a bit disturbing...but then again, I'm against political extremism in general, since at one end you get facism, and at the other...anarchy?
The thing is, the huckster is typically driven by the profit or power motives, and thus can be made to back down if he's given a suitable incentive, whereas the fanatic, because he's a true believer, will go to any lengths to achieve his goals, meaning he'll only stop when he's taken out of the picture.
The fanatic in that regard is scarier to me; however, on the other hand, you could say that the fanatic has a certain code of beliefs that he will unyieldingly adhere to. Compared to the huckster who'll say nearly *anything* if it'll benefit himself...even if that huckster can be made to abandon his goals in favor of other profitable pursuits, he's still despicable. Guess I can't stand either extreme.
Thus...to be honest...I try to look for some goodness in people, and therefore I'd...*like* to think that Falwell was NEITHER: that he really believed what he said to some extent (Meaning he wasn't utterly shameless), but that he was willing to play to the worst sentiments of the people to score himself political and social points.
For the sake of argument, say for a moment that he really was a true believer, at least to some extent, if not 100 percent. If I recall correctly, the reverend who was interviewed remarked that Falwell honestly felt that what he was doing was the proper course of action to help America.
Now, since I disagree fiercely with Falwell's stances, I feel that instead of helping the nation, he was harming the country. But at least I'd like to think that he really DID love his country; that would at least be something that he and I had in common, even if we disgreed on what the most beneficial way to treat said country was.
I don't believe that there's a heaven or hell, so I have no choice but to say "rest in peace," since once you're gone and buried, that's pretty much your only option.
May. 15th, 2007 | 02:49 pm
mood: 
anxious
So Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority, the man who entered politics because he opposed abortion rights, and subsequently, after raising a horde of followers, aided in the election of Ronald Reagan, has passed away. Oh, of course, if I recall correctly, before he went, he managed to blame 9/11 on homosexuality and feminism. Sweet guy, real sweet...
Edit: Oh, I forgot. He also blamed the ACLU for 9/11. And the PAGANS. Seriously, Jer...PAGANS?! When was the last Pagan war of religion that slaughtered thousands upon millions of Europeans?
Edit: Sunday May 20th: Oh, it turns out he was also a rapid anti-semite and segregationist. Man, he covered ALLLL the bases. >_<
Anyhoo, well, I'll make the same sarcastic crack I did when Ken Lay passed away: Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. ^_^ In other words, although I wouldn't have wished death upon him, I'll nonetheless spend exactly *point-zero* seconds mourning the loss of the bigot, since he stood for pretty much the polar opposite of everything I hold dear. Only the good die young. I'm sure his family (At least some) and his followers loved him, though, so although I'd probably disagree with them as well (They found reason to love him, after all.), I wish them well in this time of mourning. Still, when you're in your 70's and you go, you've lived a full life, so I suppose even relatives have fewer regrets than when they lose young family members. Still, that life is the problem, isn't it? Such a BUSY life, full of mischief.
See, the depressing problem is, the removal of such a hateful and polarizing figure from the political and social sphere doesn't negate the cultural and civic damage he's already inflicted through his organization and rhetoric, nor prevent the future attacks on civil liberties and the separation of church and state that might be committed by his adherents, including the generation of lawyers who've been trained at Falwell's Freedom University. I get the feeling that if there is an afterlife, Falwell's still out there smiling. Bleh.
May. 10th, 2007 | 11:08 am
location: My room
mood: 
angry
music: Eagles
Found this news story online:
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
An Ohio woman is steaming after reading an anti-God message published on the side of a Starbucks coffee cup.
The message that got Michelle Incanno's blood boiling reads:
"Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."
The quote was written by Bill Schell, a Starbucks customer from London, Ontario, Canada, and was included as part of an effort by the Seattle-based coffee giant to collect different viewpoints and spur discussion.
"As someone who loves God, I was so offended by that," Michelle Incanno, a married mother of three who is Catholic, told the Dayton Daily News. "I don't think there needs to be religious dialogue on it. I just want coffee."
Incanno of Springboro, Ohio, admits she had been a huge fan of Starbucks before discovering the message, always ordering a large, house-brewed coffee with nonfat milk and two Splenda.
"I wouldn't feel right going back," she said.
The paper says Incanno wasn't satisfied with a company disclaimer saying the quote is the author's opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks, which invites customers to respond on its website.
Starbucks spokeswoman Sanja Gould said the collection of thoughts and opinions is a "way to promote open, respectful conversation among a wide variety of individuals. "
Starbucks cup with a pro-homosexual message caused controversy in Waco, Texas, in 2005 (courtesy: Seattle Times)
This is not the first time a message on a Starbucks cup has caused controversy.
As WND reported in September 2005, officials at Baylor University told the Starbucks store on its Waco, Texas, campus to remove a cup said to promote homosexuality.
The offending cup featured the words of homosexual novelist Armistead Maupin.
It read:
"My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don't make that mistake yourself. Life's too damn short."
Baylor University, the world's largest Baptist school, refused to comment on the issue, said KCEN-TV in central Texas. Employees at the campus Starbucks said none of their customers had complained about the cup, but they removed it nonetheless.
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*facepalm headdesk*
You'd think that, considering the fact that the individual she worships, namely Christ, was willing to sacrifice his life in the face of people who wanted to stamp him out, and all for the sake of upholding his ideals and helping his followers survive as Christians, that this woman ought to be able to *suck it up *when a friggin' coffee cup presents her with a viewpoint contrary to her own, and one phrased pretty mildly at that. It's hardly as if they printed anti-Christian slurs on their cups. Heck, it wasn't even on the level of "God is dead".
....We're far, farrr from the days of Christian martyrs being burned at the stake rather than recant their beliefs, people; this seems more like a "martyr complex" to me.
Besides, there's actually a pro-Christian cup out there with a quote from the author of "The Purpose Driven Life," so Starbucks really is offering both viewpoints on religion.
Perhaps they should just can all of the thought provoking messages and take the safe route, with a message like, ohhh, I dunno: "Look, lady, gimme your money, shut up, drink your mochafrappalattechino, and get the hell out of my sight."
"Can I have refills?"
"MMMMMMM...No."
Ah, the Denis Leary school of diplomacy. Hey, I wonder if this Starbucks served Maple Nut Crunch? ^_-
Apr. 28th, 2007 | 07:05 pm
Zodiac of the Allspark, a brilliant and talented fella, wrote the following with regard to religion:
[quote name='Zodiac' post='591803' date='Apr 25 2007, 04:21 PM']
There's just no evidence that there's a god, and so the default position has to be the null hypothesis. There's no "belief" about it.
When new evidence comes in, it'll be evaluated accordingly, and if a higher power explains that data set better than the absence of a higher power, then I'll revise my position.
It's that easy. My stance is based on the observation that people who believe in God, any god, are just making a series of assumptions, none of which are empirically proveable and none of which are convincing. The best anyone seems to be able to come up with is an appeal to emotion, anecdotal accounts, or incredulous belief that there just has to be something there, gosh, there just has to!
[/quote]
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My two cents: To be perfectly honest, I couldn't have put it better myself. Kudos!
To contribute my personal sociopolitical perspective on Christianity and dogmantic religions in general, as a student of history and observer of regular political and social fluctuations, I see that while the church is capable of bringing people a sense of comfort and fulfillment, and has surely played a positive role in society in terms of providing aid to the needy and (at times) questioning unethical practices or governments, just as often the leadership of the church have either been in the pocket of the wealthy and powerful (Investiture Conflict, anyone? Even prominent factions within the Roman Catholic Church violently protested the right of western European monarchies to appoint clergy) and thus beholden to them, or alternately have been those very monied, politically influential individuals themselves. (Remember, the Roman Catholic Church was one of the largest landowners in the Holy Roman Empire, and the clergy, specifically bishops and abbots, not only performed religious duties but were secular princes of church lands and bureaucratic state administrators.)
Had the clergy remained free of corruption, this might have been alright (Although I personally, as an atheist, believe in the separation of church and state.). However, instead, we have long, bloody wars erupting over royal invesiture, power-gaming Popes, bishops who diverted public funds collected for cathedral-building into their personal coffers...
...And don't even start me on the European wars of religion, where rivers of blood were shed over spiritual differences.
There's simply too much corruption and bloodshed in the history of the church, perpetrated at the hands of both its leaders and regular members, for me to feel comfortable belonging to it.
But you could say, "Ataru, the secular states you prefer are just as responsible for atrocities?" And I'd tell you that just as religious authority and belief run amuck can be terrible, so can a powerful secular state commit terrible atrocities (Soviet Union, guys?), which is why I believe governments need to be watched in a hawklike fashion by the people, and strictly held to account for and restricted in their conduct. It's also why although I feel fortunate to be an American and believe the country was founded on sound concepts that should be enacted in our modern governmental policies, I'm *miles away* from being a proponent of nationalism.
I suppose you could say that I'm against extremism in all forms; but then again, extremism has different definitions based on the perspectives people are coming from, and often, the agendas these people have. For instance, I'm a very liberal Democrat, but my group have been called 'left wing extremists' even though I know there are people to the left of *me*. (A whole lot of Communists and Socialists, for instance. Not that I object to socialism, mind you; my grandpa was an active socialist. However, I wouldn't consider myself one.)
Apr. 24th, 2007 | 03:49 pm
Okay, so now I KNOW I'm graduating. But it turns out that since I turned in my application to be readmitted to SFSU as an undergraduate history student BEFORE I turned in my graduation application and had it approved...I have to redo my undergrad application or I can't continue as a student in the fall. Fortunately, they made a special expection for me and let me apply online this morning despite the deadline having been March 15th...but still...
*Bangs head on desk repeatedly*
LOOK. I have one year left of college. JUST. LET. ME. FINISH!!!
Okay, better now.
Update: PHEWWWW, I was readmitted. I was worried that I'd have to wait awhile to find out, but it only took a couple days after submitting the nifty Internet application. Now I can sleep soundly.
Apr. 23rd, 2007 | 11:02 pm
mood: amused
music: Eagles
http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28247In the 1990s, Transformers toy commericals featured rather clever little rap ditties (Rap being quite the big thing at the time.). None, unfortunately, were profane, and you could rightly call them a shameless attempt to cash in on the popularity of rap music; however, I must admit that some of the wordsmithery in these commericals is pretty damned clever. Chalk it up to my love of rhyming lyrics. Heh. (Do I have to hand in my English Literature BA now that I've admitted to enjoying cheesy 90s rap about Bruticus and Superion?)
Moreover, the production values of the commericals were pretty freakin' high compared to those of modern Transformer ads; in fact, much as the 80s Transformers toy commericals featured gorgeous original cell-animation, the 90s ads boasted computer-generated animation that was quite impressive for brief childrens' toy commericals. Not Mainframe-level work, mind you, but strong enough for an era in which computer-animated childrens' programming was still a fledgling field. Considering modern ads usually just show kiddies playing with the toys, this was an impressive push on Hasbro's part.
This isn't the only intersection between rap and Transformers, though; a number of rap songs feature lyrics that indicate the rappers are fans of and knowledable about Transformers. Incidentally, I'm a country, blues, jazz, soul and 70s/early 80s rock kinda guy myself, but I can appreciate the clever lyrics often found in rap, even if it's not necessarily the music I'd tune in to on the radio. Good writing is good writing.
Apr. 22nd, 2007 | 06:02 pm
mood: chipper
Although I own an iPod, I'm a staunch supporter of CDs, and love to listen to tunes on my whopping vintage 1986 boombox. However, for around $30, I was able to use iTunes to virtually complete my collection of "Eagles" songs, barring five or so live songs from the Millenium Concert (Their live performances are often known to closely mimic their standard "On-CD" performances, anyhow). I did pick up the Eagles' two performances of songs previously played by Don Henley and his band (Dirty Laundry and All She Wants to Do is Dance) from the Millenium Concert, though. So that's 30 songs worth of new material added to my collection for as many dollars, when it would have cost much more to get the separate CDs, many of which featured songs that I already have on my Eagles "Best Of" two-disk set, off of Amazon.com Just had to share the joy; since I listen to music a WHOLE lot, obtaining material from my favorite bands that's new to me is always a pleasure.
What else have I been doing? I've been watching my Mobile Suit Gundam movie trilogy DVDs. Essentially, the best bits of the '79 series were brought together virtually seamlessly, along with some new footage, and the whole shebang was rewritten/edited to emphasize the importance of "Newtypes," or humans with enhanced perception and reflexes, which was pivotal to the climax of the original TV run of MSG, and went on to be an important plot point throughout sequel Gundam series, particular Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. The animation is...dated, naturally...Gundam's 30th Anni. will be rolling around in a couple years. However, the writing and voice acting is as intelligent and poignant as some of the best serious modern anime series. Moreover, Gundam puts a pleasing "hard sci-fi" spin on a concept that seems inherently fantastical (Giant robots running around), even explaining that the giant robot hand to hand combat is necessary because the development of special technology capable of eliminating radar and other long-range sensor systems has rendered long-distance combat untenable. According to the now defunct site, Gundamproject.com, Gundam creator Yoshiuki Tomino in fact based a lot of his concepts on theoretical thinking of the time, much as Masamune Shirow did in the 80s through to today, with Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell and his other series. (The difference being, Shirow was tapping theoretical concepts that have since begun to be realized in our time, amazingly enough.) At heart, Gundam is really about the human trauma and horror of war, and the cynical political manipulation that catches up earnest true-believing good people on both sides of a civil conflict tearing the human race to pieces, themes the Gundam movies exemplify, and which resonate strongly with viewers in our current age of global strife.
Plus, all that good stuff aside, my favorite seiyuu, Toshio Furukawa (AKA Ataru Moroboshi, Piccolo, Leon McNichol, Asuma Shinohara) gets a great supporting role voicing the sarcastic Kai Shiden. ^_^
Apr. 17th, 2007 | 07:10 pm
music: Eagles
Hi folks! Alive, well, and quite happy, thank you very much. ^_^ I scored 40 points on a quiz, and got a nice two-paragraph compliment from a fella I don't even know over at the Allspark with regards to my posting style, so combined with the news that I'll be graduating with honors...things are working out just fine. Oh, and since I'm going to the special honors convocation graduation, my folks said they don't wanna bother going to the regular graduation ceremony...so I'm off the hook when it comes to going, too. (I just hate pomp and...uh, circumstance.)
There is one quirk, though.
...Ho'kay, it seems as if my university has a rule that students graduating in the spring aren't allowed to take summer courses immediately thereafter. However, I will be able to resume my studies in the Fall 07 semester, and can make up the three units I was planning to take this summer during the winter 07 intersession, so it isn't as if there's a roadblock impeding my progress toward receiving my second Bachelor's in Spring 08. Just a year away! SQUEEEEE!!! And ah'll be almos' ready t'enter th' PRO-FESHUNAL worl' 'n thangs. Ya'll.
But really, can I complain that the school essentially wants to give me the summer off? ^_^
Besides, I still have plenty to occupy me this summer. My backbreaking sweaty manly job to do, comics to write, and bothering to finally get my driver's license a few months before I turn 26. Geeeee...think I waited long enough on that one? DunNOOOOO....
Now if only it hadn't been three long months since I went on anything vaguely resembling a date. Oh well...it's like Henley says, "What in the world were you thinkin' of, boy? You can't make love." ^_^
On a final note, wasn't that school shooting incident absolutely terrible? My deepest condolences go out to all.
...Hearing about these kind of haunting and awful events really make you revise your priorities. For a moment, we're forced to see the bigger picture outside of our own specific lives ( Tragedy puts things in perspective, in other words). Moreover, it makes us want to draw our loved ones close.
Apr. 14th, 2007 | 10:11 am
location: Home
mood: cheerful
Hi folks! As I might have mentioned, I'll be graduating from college next month with a degree in English Literature! However, what I didn't realize until I received a letter from school yesterday was that I've, moreover, been selected to attend a special "Honors Convocation" for students who've demonstrated academic excellence at SFSU. My GPA at SFSU was 4.0 for awhile, and since then it's floated around 3.75 or so for about four years. Anyhoo, WHEE! I'm really excited, as it's, hey, neat stuff I can put on my resume! ^_^ Hard work pays off, I 'spose....even if it's motivated by intense fear of failure. =)
Update: Yay, since I get to go to the Honors Convocation, my folks aren't really interested in going to the larger graduation ceremony, which means I'm off the hook when it comes to having to go, too. Heh heh...them big shindigs ain't 'zactly mah style, knowwhutuhmean? ^_^ Didn't even know to my high school graduation...'course, that was more an act of protest against my high school's inefficient administrative management. (I was political even back then.)
Now here's hoping the school will actually let me PAY my summer tuition, so I can keep on track to finish my second degree in exactly one year from now. I tried to pay it today, but I think the office might have been shut down for spring break. Tomorrow's the day I register, though, so we'll be cutting it a wee bit close.
Summer plans? Well, summer school, as I alluded to, although this year I'm taking the third session (July 17th to August 17th, Mondays and Wednesdays) instead of the first or second session. Why? Well, I REALLY need to learn to drive during the first half of the summer (I'll be 26 this year, yet I never bothered to get a license because of the ease of walking around Berkeley and taking public transportation to/in SF.), I have a trip in early July, and I just plain need time off. It's actually better to take summer school right before the fall classes rolls around, because that way I'm still in "school mode" when it's time to begin the full semester. Otherwise, if I take the summer classes right after I get out in the spring, then don't take any classes from about July 5th to August 30th or so, my mind has time to return to its natural vegetative state. ^_^
Apr. 11th, 2007 | 01:53 am
Hi folks! I'm a veteran of the message board scene, particularly the Transformers board the Allspark; I've been online bouncing from board to board for the last 9 years. I was Skidz on Beast Wars Anonymous, Skids on Axalon Underground, Forgottten Skids on Transfans.com, and Infected Skids/Ataru Moroboshi/Asuma Shinohara on the Allspark. (My current online "home" and with luck the one I'll stick at for a long time to come. I've already been posting on there since summer 03, a real record for me.
But blogs, however, are a bit new to me. Ah well, I'll try to give you all (Whoever may be out there) interesting items to read from time to time.
So what's going on in my life right now? Welllll, I'm finally graduating from San Francisco State University with my degree in English Literature in late May. I've been a student at SFSU since summer 01, so it's been a long, if not necessarily terrible rough (Barring a few tiny bumpy patches) road. And I'm still not quite finished there, even after I receive my degree this May. 'Cuz, ya see, I'm a double major; my second degree, which I'll be earning for exactly one more year, is in History. English and History have always been my two biggest interests; I suppose my affinity for both springs out of my love for a good story. For the same reasons, I'm always curious to hear what's happened in other peoples' lives, and like keeping up to date. In any event, English Literature and History interlace time and again; being aware of, and understanding, the historical context in which novels and essays are written can be extremely important in analyzing their content, since works of literature often occupy an interactive position relative to the events of the day.
Since I'm interested in history, I'm also a nut for following modern-day political news, because hey, it's history in the making, isn't it?
-Talk to you soon!
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