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

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2014 Looms

One heck of a frigid week in the offing . It's below freezing now and will get colder. Times Square is already gathering the crowds who want to stand for hours to watch a stupid ball fall down. About six PM, I think, they close the gates and no more people are admitted. There's nowhere to sit or eat -- I think they may have port a potties. I hope so!  Even with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor having the honor dropping of the ball, you would have to pay me thousands of dollars as persuasion to get me there.

Currently we have snow flurries in progress. Last winter was long and not pleasant. This one seems already to have been degrees more so.  We declined the party invitations with grateful thanks for being thought of, but have decided to stay in tonight. We are so looking forward to tomorrow's company and feast, as well as visiting with friends Thursday afternoon, and then heading up to the Jazz Standard. So we believe it better to do this with a clear conscience by working tonight. We'll eating hot and sour soup and whatever else at Uncle Sam's Chinese Dining Room and come back here.


I have unrolled the Porto Rico Importing Co. 2014 calendars out of their tight scroll. They are in the process of being made flat under the weight of books, of which we have a fair number stacked about. I'll put them up at midnight when we toast the New Year with prosecco.


Which I'd better go out and get some of.

Happy New Year!

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