Writer’s Envy, Or, an Inch of Influence.

In recent weeks I’ve had more time to read. I used to be an avid reader, especially of the classics, but college will do things to you. After reading a social science textbook for three hours straight, trying to make sense of abstract concepts and miles of charts…sitting down and reading a book afterward isn’t … Continue reading Writer’s Envy, Or, an Inch of Influence.

Classical Crash Course, conclusion: Requiem for a Requiem

Dying is kind of a scary thing to think about. Whether or not you believe in something after death, it’s the fear of the unknown that causes discomfort when we come face-to-face with the reality. Although it is scary to think about sometimes, we have Hope that we might find eternal rest after our struggles here on … Continue reading Classical Crash Course, conclusion: Requiem for a Requiem

Classical Crash Course, part six: Like if You Cry Everytime

If you’re sick of French people, you should stop reading this right now. Because French people have been important to classical music, and I’m going to be talking about them a lot. French people are, by nature, sad. And that plays into a) classical music in general and b) what I’m going to talk about … Continue reading Classical Crash Course, part six: Like if You Cry Everytime

Classical Crash Course, part two: None But the Lonely Heart

If you try to google how many songs about broken hearts exist, you won’t find an answer easily. Believe me, I tried as I was researching my next victim for Classical Music Crash Course. That probably means there’s an infinite amount, and they’ve been written since the beginning of time. There are some questions Google … Continue reading Classical Crash Course, part two: None But the Lonely Heart

the Hope that You Have.

“Back when the Bible was written, then edited, then rewritten, then rewritten, then re-edited, then translated from dead languages, then re-translated, then edited, then rewritten, then given to kings for them to take their favorite parts, then rewritten, then re-rewritten, then translated again, then given to the pope for him to approve, then rewritten, then … Continue reading the Hope that You Have.

Deep Roots, Small Wings

I walked arm-in-arm with an 80-something Slovak woman in the dead of night through the streets of Vrbovce. I had known her for all of ten minutes and she didn’t speak a word of English. We were united only by mutual curiosity, and a desire to go to sleep. The town was dead quiet. No … Continue reading Deep Roots, Small Wings

Don’t Feel Bad for Being Booksmart.

It is the cry of all products of the American school system, after sitting through seven hours worth of coursework followed by the after-dinner ritual of checking off assignments until who-knows-what hour of the night (or morning.) High schoolers, liberal arts college students, human beings who have ever had to sit in a biology class … Continue reading Don’t Feel Bad for Being Booksmart.