Here 2 Indiana

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Fall

There are a lot of leaves on the ground.
They fall like rain from the sky, but golden and soft.
I have sleeping eyes... is it time to hole up for winter?

I was picturing selling all the furniture, packing all the books into storage, buying a boat and taking a year off to sail around the world with J and two cats. No, I have never sailed, but this seems a minor set-back. Yes, I have an Internet addiction, but this too could be overcome. Where would I go? I don't care. Miles of horizon, nose-running wind, and untainted quiet are calling to me. What would I do? I don't care. Read. Write beautiful little poems. Count the waves. Perhaps I would practice not speaking for a month. Could you imagine? What kinds of things would I start to think? What kind of art would I make?

October 13

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Snowball full of turds

A tragedy occurred on our campus recently, and it has affected segments of our community in a variety of ways. Some feel their mortality, the fragility of their perceived youthful power and vitality. Some feel ambivalent, as the victim seems to have been a loner, an angry person, a self-destructive lost soul (all rumors). Many are afraid. Fingers are being pointed by everyone, at everyone. Who's fault is it? Who will take the fall? Is it because of this tradition or that precedent? This can be changed, but that cannot because it will infuriate the donors/alumni. It seems all of the outcomes involve innocent people getting hurt and blamed.

All of it is very frustrating. I have my own opinions too, of course, but what good are they? I remember my own college experience as being safer, more open minded, more intelligent, more diverse, but it cannot be replicated here.

There is also the economy (another terrible debacle of 'what happened' and 'who's fault is it') and the upcoming presidential election (that seems to have brought out the very worst in everyone).

These are the three most common conversations right now. At the same time, we have just finished the theatrical production of "The Inspector General," a story of greed, corruption, selfishness, and finger pointing, as well as alcohol abuse. I don't know if I am the only one who saw it as hitting too close to home in the current climate.