LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Joy and Delight at Absurd Levels

The arrival of an order of Post It Pads always provokes wide smiles, exclamations (sotto voce) and jumping for joy (restrained to tiny hops in respect for my neighbors).


My supply of of the vital Yellow Sticky Pads had fallen to -- two.  I can go through those in a single day of work when cooking with my research materials.

There is a comfy sense of security in having a few dozen pads, in unopened packets among the supplies. Sort of like for food, a filled freezer, bags of rice and beans, sacks of potatoes, a half dozen parcels of pasta from Raffettos (est. 1906!), some boxes and cans of tomato products and several unopened bottles of olive oil. You know no matter what you can get along for a while. :)

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