Coming soon...

Yay! I have a computer! Granted, it's not hooked up to the school network yet, but I have it and that's all that counts. More to follow on this later (I must go to English), but it is an HP NX6110 Notebook. It's not "the best computer ever!," but it is "a relatively decent computer that will last me several years." With student discounts and all, it ended up being about $1,140 (not bad for the specs I got...a comparable Dell would have been at least $1600).

Again, more to follow later about the grand adventure that was: "Me getting computer." Trust me, you won't want to miss this one!

In which I introduce you to the magic that is:

McSweeney's Internet Tendency. ( http://www.mcsweeneys.net )

Honestly, if you have not visited McSweeney's before, you just don't know what you're missing. It is a site that exhibits frequent genius. On today's plate for you, Klingon Fairy Tales, by Mike Richardson-Bryan.

"Goldilocks Dies With Honor at the Hands of the Three Bears"

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/lists/22MikeRichardson-Bryan.html

So please, enjoy and explore. You'll thank me for it later.

10 bonus points to those of you who find and read the list "Ten Precepts from The Art of War That Never Made It Past Sun Tzu's Editor." (Including the gem, 8. Demoralize your enemy by whispering and giggling and then suddenly going silent as he draws near. When he asks what you were talking about, say, "Oh, nothing." ).

On a completely unrelated side note, I am in the midst of the hellish process known in the vernacular as "computer shopping." It's hideous. BUT! (See, this is where you all say, "ack! That's a big but!"...who ever said I grew up?) But, I should have a computer of my own soon and the update rate on this puppy should increase considerably.

Until then, I must go learn. Sally forth, my darlings!

On great stone guardians...

A few short minutes before I log off to find some food:

We start the unit on Near Eastern Art in Art History tomorrow. While not my favorite period of art, I do have to admit a certain fondness for those sculptures known as "lamassus."

Lamassus are the Imperial Guardians and gatekeepers. They have the body of a lion, the head of a god (frequently with the horned helmet typical of deity imagery in this time and place), and spectacular wings. In a stunning bit of creative artistry, the sculptors of lamassus gave the creatures a total of five legs...in this way, when you look at the lamassu from the front, he appears to be standing still. If instead you look at the lamassu(s) from the side, he appears to be striding confidently and powerfully.

Ok, how totally darn cool is that? I love these guys. You know the movie "The Neverending Story"? The part with the Oracles always gave me the worst of nightmares, but there's something terribly profound in them and I get that same sense from these sturdy palace supports. (By the way, these cheery lads aren't in their natural environment in this image. They've obviously been relocated to a museum somewhere, though I'm not sure where. I know there is at least one exhibit of this sort at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York).

To keep the mood a bit lighter and less philosophical, please do check out the short story (very short...it really will only take you a couple of minutes to read) "Stray" at this website (it's this first story on the page): http://www.forteanbureau.com/aug2004/Schwartz/ It's really quite adorable...I want a lamassu(s) of my own!