Archive for January, 2008

Rip Grieves About the Distraction Machine

Friday, January 18th, 2008

Hunkered by the fire within Rip’s highly mobile dream, lubricated with pain-killing cider, we have a preparedness mechanism of great value. Moving through many periods of time, I sit and doze while Rip explores previous and future lives of which there are many to choose.

Occasionally, when we’re both awake at the same time we peruse the process of the horse race, better known as the distraction machine or pre-op room. This cannot be done without painkillers like a fire (the TV is near the stove) and the aforementioned beverage.

Rip has been working with me on a policy statement for a Presidential candidate from any party that will identify the problems rotting out the Republic and propose specific repairs. It will be good but probably a little too late. In the meantime, after a field trip to the 1890s including a visit to the library of H.G. Wells, we’ve returned to virtual land in time for the latest mediated confection: (more…)

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An Anonymous Hero: the Hinge of King Lear

Thursday, January 3rd, 2008

The two previous essays have discussed themes arising from the character, conflicts and challenges of the major figures in Shakespeare’s King Lear, mighty players in the affairs of state. But at the climax of the play it is an anonymous bit character, someone like most of us in the sweep of history’s defining events that steps forward and changes the plans and hopes of the mighty, good and evil both. All the plotting and conflicts of the last two acts would be very different without the choice he made, expressed and put into deeds.

Who was he, what did he say and do, why did he act as he did and what was his reward? (more…)

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