Monday, November 3, 2014

Sunday, November 2, 2014

androcles and the lion


The earliest form of the story is found in the fifth book of Aulus Gellius's 2nd century Attic Nights. The author relates there a story told by Apion in his lost work Aegyptiacorum ("Wonders of Egypt"), the events of which Apion claimed to have personally witnessed in Rome. In this version, Androcles is given the Latin name of Androclus, a runaway slave of a former Roman consul administering a part of Africa. He takes shelter in a cave, which turns out to be the den of a wounded lion. He removes a large thorn from the animal's foot pad, forces pus from the infected wound, and bandages it. As a result, the lion recovers and becomes tame toward him, acting like a domesticated dog, including wagging its tail and bringing home game that it shares with the slave.

After several years, the slave eventually craves a return to civilization, resulting in his imprisonment as a fugitive slave and condemnation to be devoured by wild animals in the Circus Maximus of Rome. In the presence of an unnamed emperor, presumably either Caligula or Claudius, the most imposing of these beasts turns out to be the same lion, which again displays its affection toward the slave. The emperor pardons the slave on the spot, in recognition of this testimony to the power of friendship, and he is left in possession of the lion. Apion then continues:

"Afterwards we used to see Androclus with the lion attached to a slender leash, making the rounds of the tabernae throughout the city; Androclus was given money, the lion was sprinkled with flowers, and everyone who met them anywhere exclaimed, This is the lion, a man's friend; this is the man, a lion's doctor." (read more)


Friday, October 31, 2014

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Break Time


Last night I dreamed I was abducted by aliens – little old grays, in fact. 

Lately, I've been been thinking a lot about how I sort of want to meet some aliens, and maybe talk with them about a diplomatic, friendly, and productive way to introduce them to the world. I think we could work out a way to live together, harmoniously and with respect for everyone’s free will, here on earth.  I think I'm the kind of person who should be involved in that movement, helping shape that type of partnership.  My mind was sort of whirling when I fell asleep.

It started with an impression, rather than an image. 

In the dark, perhaps somewhere in my house, I stand across from three aliens.  They look strange but feel familiar. I've seen this type of person before:  slightly shorter than me, wrinkled gray skin and big, imploring eyes.  They're grays.  The scientists.  I'm a little scared, but feel only an invitation and a warm welcome. I am relatively prepared for this.

In the next instant, I’m on a spaceship wearing a silver and white uniform. I sit at a long, comfortable, silver table in a classroom with a bunch of other humans. I don’t know any of them, but we’re all pleased to be there together. I feel like maybe we’re friends.  If not, I would like to become friends with them.  Each exude confidence, compassion, and a sense of leadership.

It’s break time. I head to the restroom, just for a chance to wander around. Instead, I reach a machine at the end of a hallway. It seamlessly protrudes from the wall over a neat little table. I peer into it and then become distracted: there’s a popcorn machine to my right! I love popcorn!

That’s going to make me thirsty. 

Oh! Here’s a strange fountain machine. Little screens demonstrate colors and hint at flavors I don’t recognize. Green . . . Gatorade thing?  The liquids all look like they come from plastic squeeze-bags, which grosses me out.

I want to taste them all before I decide. A squirt abruptly plops into a small cup, which is suddenly in my hand – why does this not startle me? and find that I don’t like any of the flavors. Finally, the word water appears, written in a barely legible black script. Perfect!

But there, on my left, is a coffee machine. Man, this is just what I want! There are two choices. One of the buttons actually has my name on it! Could it be that they somehow replicated exactly how I make my favorite cup of coffee? I have to try it. Dark and fragrant, it pours into my cup at a perfectly drinkable temperature. Fresh brewed. Mmm…

I look around for cream and sugar, but all I can see is a transparent square tube with a faintly blue button underneath. There is nothing printed on the button. I push it, and out plops a little brown bug! Right into my coffee cup! Ick!

On my left is a box of sugar. I think I glimpse heavy cream in the corner of my eye. 

I would like to remember this! I wonder what happens next! What were we talking about in that room? Everything is fuzzy, confusing, and sleepy. 

Late into the morning, I wake, slightly groggy. I stretch, feeling sore and tired. I close my eyes, breathing deeply and trying to remember my dreams.  Identifying symbols and interpreting them is habit I picked up years ago.   

My cat meows, sticks her fluffy little paw into my water glass, and splashes water onto my face.  It's time to get up. I head to the kitchen to ponder and plan how I will spend my day.

After drinking a glass of water, I open the cupboard and grab a bag of my favorite freshly ground organic coffee.

Only then do I remember my dream about aliens.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

die well



Then out spake brave Horatius,


The Captain of the gate:


"To every man upon this earth


Death cometh soon or late.


And how can man die better


Than facing fearful odds


For the ashes of his fathers


And the temples of his gods."


Monday, October 20, 2014

Zond 3: Frame 25


This is frame 25 from Zond 3 on a lunar flyby in 1964. It is one of the first photographs taken of the far side of the moon. Frame 25 captured this image of a 22 mile high structure on the limb of the moon.
(see more) (zond 3)

stranger at the pentagon

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Thursday, October 16, 2014

haiku




Worker bees can leave


Even drones can fly away


The queen is their slave

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

war on peace



the "war on drugs" got us more drugs


the "war on poverty" brings us more poverty


the "war on terror" brought us more terror


maybe we should have a "war on peace" !

...

Thursday, October 9, 2014