The official first day of the Fling. There was the buzz of excitement in the air. By 09:00 one was supposed to have registered and received a Greek card with ones name on it! Mr. H then gave all in attendance a full run down of the rules and regulations to be upheld during the Fling. Next was the traditional walk around the property to clearly demonstrate the boundaries. Lastly Mr. H presented his prowess as a model plane pilot by promptly crashing the model Cessna after a failed Loop-De-Loop.
Ms Jessie S I met about two and half years ago in Italy. Its been a great pleasure and honor getting to know her since and be able to be numbered among her friends. She presented her final paper at 11:00. It was entitled "When There Is No Answer". She did a marvelous job in presenting as well as defending the topic she chose.
Midday marked lunch break for us all. Before anyone can eat, we were required to say one of the Greek phrases on the card given to us earlier. I however had volunteered to be a part of the annual play. The Thesbians were given carte-blanche that we might prepare ourselves and eat in a timely manner so that we could get as much practicing in in the 2 hours allotted to us to do so. After Lunch was the official baking contest in which Kathleen D. entered an "Eye of Sauron" cake, despite her valiant efforts and impressive design skills which rival those of Peeta Mellark, she was awarded no place (*ding*).
Though Academia is a key part of the Fling so too is Song. From 14:00 to 15:00 we tuned our voices to that of the old piano and sang from the likes of Mozart, Handel, Vivaldi and Bach. We then returned to the world of academia in the "Informal Debate". The topic: "Whether or not Creon's actions regarding the body of Polynices were wholly unjust and indicative of the tyrannical abuse of his office". (As recorded in the Theban play "Antigone" by Sophocles). As V-ers we were to act as jury as both sides of the argument were pleaded by the I-ers and III-ers. This topic has however in my opinion been thoroughly exhausted by generations previous to us, and made the whole ordeal a labor of love. I personally felt, as did many others that the Con side of the argument (that Creon's actions were not wholly unjust nor indicative of tyrannical abuse of his office) made the better presentation and points. After breaking the record for longest deliberating jury we finally came to a semi concise consensus in the interest of time and other plans.
The 18th of June is the birthday of one of the V-ers. Anne W., whom I also met in Italy, turned 18. We had planned for her a surprise party in a near by park. The surprise was a great success! We had pizza, lemonade and lemon cake. (Anne has a strange and inexplicable fixation on lemons)
Finally we returned to the Hall to the dance practice in anticipation for the great Ball on Friday night. Dancing is also an integral part of the GBT Experience. My favorite dance remains the Virginia Reel! Wesley again was in need of a lift home which I afforded him free of charge. We ended up have a lengthy and rather deep discussion till the early morning. Exhausted I returned to my family and fell into bed.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Das Flingen (Part 1)
Tuesday the 19th of June.... well first off, a lot of important events seem to happen on Tuesdays, this one notwithstanding. Tuesday morning we all got up and made sure we had everything packed. I had planned on going to French class but thought better of it. My father and I then proceeded to drive down to the Welk Resort in Escondido. It was good to have some one on one time with him. We got checked in and began to unpack. My mother was to follow us a half hour later , and yet after having been in the room for almost an hour no sign off my mother. After some minor confusion we met at one of the restaurants on the property, to find my mother had brought my grandparents down too!
Ah! I almost quite forgot to describe the occasion which warrants our travels. The 19th through 23rd of June was the ETS Spring Fling (though June is summer if you ask me). ETS (Escondido Tutorial Service) is the over arching "incorporation" through which I have studied the Great Books (GBT) these past 7 odd years. As a 5th year student (I took a 2 year break in between years II and III), we are required to write, present and defend our final 2 papers. The first of which I presented in January. I wrote on the nature of governments and a brief history of western government. My most recent paper was a case for history, why studying history is important.
After a brief lunch, I returned to the room and took a much needed shower and began to "suit up" as I was scheduled to present and defend at 16:00. As a side note, no matter how much I enjoy wearing naught but cargo shorts and graphic tees, I do love dressing up nice and proper.
At 14:15 I arrived at the great hall where the presentations take place. Now at 14:00 my dear friend Wesley N began his presentation on "The Means to Believe". Wesley and I have been friends for a little over 2.5 years now and see eye to eye on many a thing. In any case he had expressed to me a certain uncertainty and nervousness about presenting his paper before so many people and his peers. I then and there promised him I would be there for his presentation, a plant in the audience per se.
At 15:00 everyone moved from the Hall to the lawn outside. Miss Jenny R then presented quite a moving and confident presentation entitled "Confident in Christ". As Jenny defended her paper, I went to the parking lot and my car to get my suit jacket and go over my paper one last time. Finally H-hour had arrived, as had my parents and grand-parents. My presentation went well, though I am positive I spoke too fast at some areas. I then was subject to the questions of my professor and all those present. All went well though and it was over before I knew it.
Next on the docket was the GBT V Graduation picture in which we all brought with us an item that represented to an extent our lives outside of GBT, though my item of choice would have been a Guinness bottle, it was wholly unsuited for the occasion. The next best solution was my Robert August Longboard. After much hemming, hawing and posing the pictures were finally taken and we made our way back into the hall which had been set up for the GBT V graduation feast. We were served by the GBT III-ers and I-ers. Dinner was exquisite and the five course meal was not only tasty be quite healthy was well. It began with Appetizers. The normal fare to be found at most dinners of this sort, namely "Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Cherries and Rosemary", "Assorted Cheeses" and "Handcrafted Rosemary Crackers". The Salad was a refreshing "Mixed Greens with Fresh Blueberries, Feta, Praline Pecans, Mint and Balsamic Vinaigrette". The Main Course blew us away. It consisted of "Sautéed Vegetables locally grown", "Potatoes with Pesto" and the Pièce de la Résistance: "Burgundy-Pepper Tri-Tip". The Palette Cleanser was a delicious "Blackberry Sorbet" that hinted vaguely at a red wine. Dessert consist of Tiramisu adorned with frozen dark chocolate "V" (Roman Numeral 5) and Coffee. (No matter how often I try it, I still can't seem to appreciate or enjoy the taste of coffee) While we dined there were speeches, quotes and gifts given. Memories were forged as we approached the beginning of the end of this great marathon we had all ran and finished together. After this fantastic feast we returned to the lawn and sat around a fire to fill the night air with music and friendly debate.
At 22:00 when we were encouraged to leave the premises, Wesley was in need of a ride, as he hails from NorCal, and was staying with the H family (not Mr H as seen above), who coincidentally live off the same freeway exit as the Welk Resort. We decided to seize the moment and make a brief stop off at the local In N Out. Shakes and burgers in hand we sat down at a booth and talked about life the universe and everything. That day, was the first time we had met each other in person and we had much to discuss. As we drove to his lodgings we wound up just sitting in the drive way entrenched in conversation until the early morning. All in All a great first day!
Ah! I almost quite forgot to describe the occasion which warrants our travels. The 19th through 23rd of June was the ETS Spring Fling (though June is summer if you ask me). ETS (Escondido Tutorial Service) is the over arching "incorporation" through which I have studied the Great Books (GBT) these past 7 odd years. As a 5th year student (I took a 2 year break in between years II and III), we are required to write, present and defend our final 2 papers. The first of which I presented in January. I wrote on the nature of governments and a brief history of western government. My most recent paper was a case for history, why studying history is important.
After a brief lunch, I returned to the room and took a much needed shower and began to "suit up" as I was scheduled to present and defend at 16:00. As a side note, no matter how much I enjoy wearing naught but cargo shorts and graphic tees, I do love dressing up nice and proper.
At 14:15 I arrived at the great hall where the presentations take place. Now at 14:00 my dear friend Wesley N began his presentation on "The Means to Believe". Wesley and I have been friends for a little over 2.5 years now and see eye to eye on many a thing. In any case he had expressed to me a certain uncertainty and nervousness about presenting his paper before so many people and his peers. I then and there promised him I would be there for his presentation, a plant in the audience per se.
At 15:00 everyone moved from the Hall to the lawn outside. Miss Jenny R then presented quite a moving and confident presentation entitled "Confident in Christ". As Jenny defended her paper, I went to the parking lot and my car to get my suit jacket and go over my paper one last time. Finally H-hour had arrived, as had my parents and grand-parents. My presentation went well, though I am positive I spoke too fast at some areas. I then was subject to the questions of my professor and all those present. All went well though and it was over before I knew it.
 |
| Defending my paper |
Next on the docket was the GBT V Graduation picture in which we all brought with us an item that represented to an extent our lives outside of GBT, though my item of choice would have been a Guinness bottle, it was wholly unsuited for the occasion. The next best solution was my Robert August Longboard. After much hemming, hawing and posing the pictures were finally taken and we made our way back into the hall which had been set up for the GBT V graduation feast. We were served by the GBT III-ers and I-ers. Dinner was exquisite and the five course meal was not only tasty be quite healthy was well. It began with Appetizers. The normal fare to be found at most dinners of this sort, namely "Baked Brie in Puff Pastry with Cherries and Rosemary", "Assorted Cheeses" and "Handcrafted Rosemary Crackers". The Salad was a refreshing "Mixed Greens with Fresh Blueberries, Feta, Praline Pecans, Mint and Balsamic Vinaigrette". The Main Course blew us away. It consisted of "Sautéed Vegetables locally grown", "Potatoes with Pesto" and the Pièce de la Résistance: "Burgundy-Pepper Tri-Tip". The Palette Cleanser was a delicious "Blackberry Sorbet" that hinted vaguely at a red wine. Dessert consist of Tiramisu adorned with frozen dark chocolate "V" (Roman Numeral 5) and Coffee. (No matter how often I try it, I still can't seem to appreciate or enjoy the taste of coffee) While we dined there were speeches, quotes and gifts given. Memories were forged as we approached the beginning of the end of this great marathon we had all ran and finished together. After this fantastic feast we returned to the lawn and sat around a fire to fill the night air with music and friendly debate.
 |
| Myself and Mr H, my professor |
Monday, July 16, 2012
"...And I'll Die with a Hammer in my Hand"
Friday the 13th of June, lucky or unlucky as some seem to believe, was neither of these for me. I was afforded the opportunity to drive out to Lancaster to help with the remodeling of a house. Now I have recounted of Chloe R and her family before. It was the R family that afforded me this opportunity. I know not in what manner or fashion that the R's had acquired the quaint green abode in Lancaster, they have however for two and half years now made it their labor to refurbish and remodel this dwelling.
Mr R was busy beneath the floors rewiring much of the circuitry. Mrs R was occupied repainting and refurbishing cabinets doors and the like. That left Chloe and I to her room which was in desperate need of some demolition work. With sledgehammer in hand, I went to work. I removed two whole cabinet fixtures and a built in counter installation.
Work went quickly, despite the heat that is to be expected with being in the Antelope Valley. After a 1.5 break for lunch and a power nap, we began to tear out the dry wall and insulation as well as continue to clear the floor of residual tile. After a shower the R's invited me out to the movies to see the new "Amazing Spiderman". I enjoyed the film, though I had had some doubts and prejudices going in as I had heard mixed reports. Andrew Garfield does a good job of portraying Peter Parker and the Spiderman origin story. He will, I feel, bring an interesting dynamic to the Avengers, (provided that is the route they plan on taking) I anticipate the next installment as there clearly will be another one given various elements in the movie and the Easter egg half way through the credits at the end. We then did some shopping, got dinner, went home, ate and were off to bed in a jiffy. I slept poorly much of he night as my hands and arms were quite sore from the demolition all that day.
In the morning we ate breakfast and worked some more. At 12 we stopped for lunch. I packed up all my gear and made my way back to my beloved home.
All in all I had a great time being a part of this grand project and having lovely conversations and time spent with the lovely R family.
"Well John Henry said to the captain,
Oh a man ain't nothin' but a man
'Fore I'd let your steam drill beat me down,
I'd die with my hammer in my hand"
Mr R was busy beneath the floors rewiring much of the circuitry. Mrs R was occupied repainting and refurbishing cabinets doors and the like. That left Chloe and I to her room which was in desperate need of some demolition work. With sledgehammer in hand, I went to work. I removed two whole cabinet fixtures and a built in counter installation.
Work went quickly, despite the heat that is to be expected with being in the Antelope Valley. After a 1.5 break for lunch and a power nap, we began to tear out the dry wall and insulation as well as continue to clear the floor of residual tile. After a shower the R's invited me out to the movies to see the new "Amazing Spiderman". I enjoyed the film, though I had had some doubts and prejudices going in as I had heard mixed reports. Andrew Garfield does a good job of portraying Peter Parker and the Spiderman origin story. He will, I feel, bring an interesting dynamic to the Avengers, (provided that is the route they plan on taking) I anticipate the next installment as there clearly will be another one given various elements in the movie and the Easter egg half way through the credits at the end. We then did some shopping, got dinner, went home, ate and were off to bed in a jiffy. I slept poorly much of he night as my hands and arms were quite sore from the demolition all that day.
In the morning we ate breakfast and worked some more. At 12 we stopped for lunch. I packed up all my gear and made my way back to my beloved home.
All in all I had a great time being a part of this grand project and having lovely conversations and time spent with the lovely R family.
 |
| Chloe and I after work |
"Well John Henry said to the captain,
Oh a man ain't nothin' but a man
'Fore I'd let your steam drill beat me down,
I'd die with my hammer in my hand"
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