Harry Dresden

Just read the first four Harry Dresden novels. They are quite addictive. I even looked up how much it would be to get a duster and hat. I probably shouldn't admit to things like that on the internet.

Waiting

"Here's to Waiting"

The 1998 Guinness Ad.

Gorilla

I thought I would collect together some of my favourite commercials from Youtube.

This one was used at a Scottish HE Enhancement Themes talk by Paul Redmond a few years ago to illustrate the concept of subconscious marketing - in Cadbury's case, the colour purple.

Current Favourite Podcast - "A History of Philosophy without any Gaps"

Brandon Watson over at Siris has been writing a series of posts on the Platonic dialogues and this has prompted me to write about my current favourite podcast, Peter Adamson's "A History of Philosophy without any Gaps". I came late to this series but it has been a real joy to slowly meander through classical philosophy starting at Thales. So far, I am up to Plotinus but, as the holiday season approaches, I am confident of reaching the latest episodes which are just about to launch into the medieval Christian philosophers.

Adamson himself is a very disarming presenter and I like his style of narration, especially the illustrative stories about Buster Keaton and Hiawatha the Giraffe.

Plus ça change,...

British Establishment honours author for services to anti-Catholic bigotry and revisionist history.

Remembering Tiananmen Square - 25 Years On

We are a fallen race, often actively pursuing evil or simply following the orders of others as they trample on the rights of our fellow human beings. This is clearly demonstrated by the death and destruction meted out to the protesters in Tiananmen Square by the totalitarian regime in China.

And yet, by the grace of God (whether acknowledged or not), there is sometimes a nobility of spirit that emerges from the soul of Man that allows us to catch a glimpse of our own original image as a reflection of His likeness.

Wise Words from the Maverick Philosopher

It's been a while since the last post but I wanted to capture this gem from the Maverick Philosopher. It is a popular meme among the ungodly that the expression of doubts near to the time of one's death somehow negates a lifetime of faithful service. It may, of course, in some circumstances but it seems to me that the Adversary is fairly consistent at choosing this time. One of Bill Vallicella's readers recounts an incident where his grandmother was on her deathbed.

"My grandmother’s reply [to the question of why she was fighting so hard to stay alive], “I fear that there is nothing on the other side.”  Here is a woman who has spent eighty nine years of her life devoting herself to the [Catholic] church and her family.  Now, when it comes down to death she is clinging on because her entire life is behind her and the only thing that she faces in front of her is the uncertainty of whether there is a heaven awaiting her in the coming days."

to which Vallicella replies:

"You have lived your long life faithfully and devotedly in the embrace of Holy Mother the Church.  She has presided over central events in your life, your baptism, first communion, confirmation, and your marriage.  She has provided guidance, moral instruction, comfort, and community as you have navigated life's difficulties and disappointments.  She provided meaning and solace when your parents died, and your husband, and your many friends and relatives.  If your faith was a living faith and not a convenience or a matter of social conformity, then from time to time you had your doubts.  But through prayer and reflection you have repeatedly reaffirmed your faith.  You faith was made deeper and truer by those doubts and their overcoming." 

"I ask you now to recall those moments of calm reflection and existential lucidity, those moments when you were at your best physically, mentally, and spiritually.  I ask you to recall them, and above all I ask you not to betray them now when you are weak. Do not allow the decisions and resolutions of your finest and and clearest hours to be taken hostage by doubts and fears born of weakness.  Your weakness has called forth the most vicious attacks of the Adversary and his agents.  You have lived in the faith and now you must remain true to a course of life judged right at the height of your powers.  Your doubts are of the devil and they must be put aside.  Pray, and remain true to a course judged right."  

Amen.