Fall Reflection

Artwork on coffee cup.

This morning I got out somewhat early (7 a.m.-ish) and walked the few blocks into the town center to our local outlet of the "great" coffee retailer. Actually, I'm not that crazy about their coffee because either my taste buds have significantly dulled over the years (truly) or their coffee has become blander in an effort to become more widely accepted (more likely).

Anyway, I was impressed with the artwork on the cup (see above). I realize it's not the best scan but I just wanted to get it done, Obviously, the art is in honor of the beginning of Fall aka Autumn (earlier this week). Did you get up at 4:30 a.m. to welcome it? Not me.

The only reason I went to this store is because I received a gift card for my birthday earlier this year from one of my sisters. I am trying to use it up before my next birthday. Got about one cup left on the card (Thank God).

At one time (once upon a time), it was a treat to get this coffee but now there are outlets just about everywhere. They even sell it at work (and you can buy it in the grocery store).  When I first encountered it, it reminded me of a unique-ish sort of French Roast. But whatever type I've bought from our local store always tastes bland. I wonder if they put different names out to just make you THINK you are getting something different (but only brew one type).

Anyway, Happy Autumn (Fall)!

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Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn
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Written Saturday 26 September 2015

Dive Into Culture

Library Poster

I attended this lecture earlier this week. Why? The short answer is because I want to grow my cultural awareness. I never read (or studied) this book in school. Of course, many of the stories are embedded in our culture. My closest exposure to the story was watching a video tape (borrowed from the library) of an episode of Wishbone ("Homer Sweet Homer"). I believe I noticed several references to Robert Fagles' translation somewhere in the blog, The Mathisen Corollary (but I can't find anything specific enough to link to at the time I am writing this).

The poster above succinctly explains what I experienced: a lecture/presentation by a college professor and an overview by the artistic director of the dance company that will be presenting their (her) interpretation at the beginning of October. Overall, it was worth the hour and a half.

Another objective that I had for attending this lecture/event was to, hopefully, meet people that share an interest in culture and fine arts. Apparently, this is no longer in vogue because once again I felt like I was the youngest there (and I'm no spring chicken). It felt to me like half the audience had been dropped off my a nursing home and the rest were homeless people taking a break from the outdoors.

For all the talk about The Odyssey being taught in high school and college (and Sonia said she fell in love with the story when she read it in Middle School!), there was no sign of anyone of that age or even 20s, 30s, or 40s. I suspect the couple in front of me might have been close to my generation. Sonia and Professor Nina were actually probably the youngest present.

1966 version
by Robert J. Milch of Brooklyn College
(1997 printing)

I have been mulling over the possibility of reading The Iliad and the The Odyssey for several months. The poster (above) at the library caught my attention and stirred up my motivation. Last week, I picked up a used Cliff Notes version (see above). In addition, I've been reading the SparkNotes summary online.

I haven't decided if I want to attend the dance version (it's only being performed one weekend). Modern dance is not really my thing but perhaps its worth a stretch. What do you think?

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Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAKZLV6a23Y
http://mathisencorollary.blogspot.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliad
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey

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Written Saturday 26 September 2015