Happy vernal equinox! Here’s hoping for a shift toward more spring-like weather. Rachel and I have lots of outside work we’re impatiently waiting to start.
I’ve been grinding through some numbers over the last few days so I’ve been half-watching the four Christopher Reeve Superman movies as I work. Things I’ve noticed:
- They are way less serious than the modern MCU, much less the DC movies. They were clearly meant primarily for kids.
- Effects are, of course, ridiculous by today’s standards and so are the plots. But the music is fantastic.
- They were much less concerned with consistency. For example, the writers seem to get a bit confused about whether Superman is superhuman or simply magical.
And I find they are enjoyable in a simpler way than today’s MCU. Now, I’m not one of the MCU haters. I’ve watched and enjoyed nearly all of the movies. I’m probably what you’d call a casual fan. But, at this point, the MCU is starting to feel like too much work. Too complicated. Too many things you need to have already watched. My interest is waning fast.
The cultivation of taste, in morals as well as in art, is neither snobbish nor elitist; it is, rather, the key means by which we emancipate ourselves from the tyranny of passions that the people who make our smartphone apps would like to see dominate us.
The bookcase is finally completed and set in its corner of the dining room where I work. I’ve placed on it a mix of things I need every day and things I need to see every day. On the bottom shelf is a blanket made for me by Rachel. Also, my ten key that’s been my accounting companion for over twenty years.
Build things, not content.
Woodworking notes 3/14/2023
I’m nearing completion on the bookcase. (So, so slow.) At this point I just need to apply some wood filler in a couple of spots and then stain it. Things I’ve learned: It’s hard to align and glue large pieces together by yourself, so it’s really handy when you have a kind and patient wife to help you out. Also, to talk you down because it happened at the end of a long day and I was convinced the whole thing was a pile of crap fit only for burning.
I’ve found myself dipping into this Red Pine translation of the Tao Te Ching this week. I particularly enjoy the small excerpts from commentators. Also, it appears that Red Pine has not translated Chuang Tzu, which surprises me.
Amazing documentary about a would-be terrorist.
JeffersCast Episode Three: “The Treasure”
This episode includes a reading of “The Treasure,” followed by a few comments.
Newbie question here: any chance this is eastern red cedar? Definitely aromatic. Reddish brown. Maybe @dwalbert or @patrickrhone or @aa would know?
