Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May

I was watching a film last night with a friend, "The Nun's Story" starring Audrey Hepburn as a young woman who decides to become a nun, her subsequent training in the spiritual and physical life of a nun, and her eventual decision to leave the order.

It was an good film, spiritual in nature, and raised some interesting questions.

What is it that makes a person able to totally deny the self as nuns do?

They are almost totally stripped of any individuality. They are not supposed to stand out in any way, are discouraged from reaching real achievement, "singularizing" themselves as it was put forth in the film. Any one nun is supposed to be like any other, sort of like black-clad Happy Meals.

They are not to take pride in any accomplishment, and in fact Sister Luke, our protagonist, is asked by a mother superior to deliberately fail a subject in which she excels, as a test of humility. She is unable to do so, as she still retains a pride in her intellect.

My friend sat there next to me and told me that he would never be able to do that, and couldn't fathom what would compel a person to such a life.

However, I can quite easily see the attraction. Although it's a constant inner struggle to perfect themselves in the ways of the nun, the spiritual struggle, it makes a lot of the external struggle much easier. They are released from any expectations of how they are supposed to look, dress, behave, think. They don't have to worry about where the next meal is coming from, they don't have to compete in anything, try to excel in anything (except excelling in not excelling). They are turned into neat little drones, and life becomes so simple. Their biggest worry is not being late for the next prayer session. Life becomes a series of little moments, day by day doing the same thing, and not making any longer term plans.

It's also the desire to do good. Nuns do a lot of good, and I can certainly understand the desire to dedicate yourself to your fellow man. Although few of us can let go of ourselves enough to be able to do so, almost all of us admire those who do.

Sister Luke however was unable to function in the long run. She still took pride in her accomplishments, she was unable to achieve true humility by debasing herself and eventually left the order.

I was happy when she did.

I admire Mother Theresa from the bottom of my heart for her selflessness and willingness to work with lepers and others nobody else wanted to get close to.

However, one of these days, an exceptional person or a group of exceptional people will find the cure for leprosy.

We live in an age that celebrates mediocrity. When everybody gets a medal for participating, it diminishes the accomplishment of the one who won the race. When everyone is special, nobody is, as the Incredibles put it succintly. Let's celebrate those who truly are exceptional. Those who push the rest of us to greater hights by showing us what is possible.

“In all nations an exceptional man exists that compensates the deficiencies of the remainder. In those moments, when humanity is found collectively in a state of decadence, there always remain those exceptional beings as point of reference.”
- Augusto Roa Bastos

And summer's lease hath all too short a date.

The man locked the door quietly so as not to wake his wife. He walked to his car and drove to work. It was about 6 o'clock in the morning, and there was no-one in sight. He had the road all to himself. It was not often that he enjoyed driving. Usually, the traffic and the lights and the anxiety of other drivers robbed him of any potential pleasure.

This morning though was different. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the city was decked in her finest summer clothes and there was no-one on the road to ruin it. Joy was in his heart and Wordsworth on his mind.

"For oft when on my couch I lie,
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye,
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils."

He whistled as he parked the car.

Wow, nice to see you again!

I haven't posted in more than 6 months. "Why??" the hapless visitor asks, "your blog is superlative and read by thousands". "True that, double true", I respond non-chalantly, "however, I'm lazy, disorganized and forgetful. Mostly I forgot it was there."

What has happened in the blessed life of Thricedamned since last he spake?

Well, I've been abroad a few times. I'll begin by telling a little bit about that.

Went to New York in October/November for a couple of weeks, which was unbelievably great. My first time in the States. Had a total blast. New York, shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Beautiful city, so alive. Great food, great people. Best pizza I ever tasted in my life was to be found in abundance at John's on Bleeker St.
Jeebus weeps but that was something to remember.

Milan in February. My second visit there. Gorgeous old-european, sumptious city. Right next to the Duomo (main Cathederal) is an alleyway, where a bakary called "Luini's" is situated. Been there since 1850 or so. They serve something called "panzerotti", which is probably the best thing I've ever tasted in my whole entire life. I dream about it at night and wake up crying.

And last, but definitely not least, Shanghai in march/april for about 2 weeks. Had an unbeliavably good time there. Most Blade Runner-esque place you can imagine. Futuristic, bustling megapolis of 18 million people. Just splitting in half with energy and synergy and every sort of -gy you can imagine.
Sitting on top of the Jin Mao tower, on the 87th floor, in the Cloud 9 club, drinking a really bad White Russian and looking over the lights of Shanghai is something that I'll never forget.
Unbelievable food. Ate snake, turtle, lotus, jellyfish, donkey, cow stomach, pig's ears, cactus, all sorts of things. Funny thing is, it all tasted great. Well, not the jellyfish.

I suddenly notice how much I judge places by how good the food is. Goddamn gluttonous nature of mine!

So, yeah. Been seeing the world a little bit. Had a bit of a change in the workplace, which was definitely for the better. Been loving my woman, my friends and my life. I'm as happy as a clam, if clams can happy be.

Envy away, as it rules to be me. Updates to follow.