Join me at Vampire-Con!
I’m looking forward to this celebration of all things vampiric!
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
I’m a Jane Austen fan. Really. I think I’d read everything she’d written by the time I was 14. And let’s not forget the classic film adaptations, especially Pride and Prejudice (1940), starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier (still my personal favorite).
When I heard that a revisionist Pride and Prejudice was on its way, one that includes zombies no less, I didn’t know what to think. I mean, I love zombies as much as the next person (in fact, probably quite a bit more than the next person), but Jane Austen? And Pride and Prejudice at that?
I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is an absolute delight. Seth Grahame-Smith has written a thrill-a-minute book of martial arts and zombie mayhem that is a loving tribute to the original novel. Grahame-Smith is true to Austen’s voice, and the delicious satire of her original novel is enhanced by Hong Kong style martial arts action and some kickass zombie decapitations.
And for those book group types among you, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies even includes an appendix of discussion questions to get your conversation rolling like oh, so many recently decapitated zombie noggins!
Dr. Tiller In Memoriam
From a wonderful tribute to Dr. George Tiller by Dr. Warren Hern:
“George Tiller was kind, gentle, considerate and compassionate. He was funny. He was devoted to his family and friends. He was not vengeful in spite of the opprobrium, violence and hatred heaped upon him by opponents of abortion. He was generous in every way to his friends, community and good causes. He was an outstanding asset to our society, and he was a joy to those who knew him. He was a man of peace.”
Tasty Bite
Indulged earlier today in a “Heat & Serve” Indian meal made by Tasty Bite — Peas, Paneer, and Basmati, if you must know. I originally bought it for camping, but sometimes quick and easy is exactly what you’re looking for.
Sandwiched between two pouches was a hefty piece of cardboard with this message:
Slow Down…
Our bodies need an uplifting and settled environment in order to process and absorb the nutrients from our meals. If that is not available then we should at least be sitting down to eat — not standing, walking, or driving our way through a meal.
Perhaps I should post this piece of cardboard at work.
Into the Green
Jenny was killed around 1:30 a.m., April 5, 2007. It would have been 10:30 p.m. April 4, my time. So tonight, at 10:30, I lit candles in Jenny’s memory and prepared for my meditation.
Sometimes, before I begin meditating, I turn to my Chinese oracle sticks and the book Kuan Yin: Myths and Prophecies of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion. Tonight was one of those nights. I chose at random one of the sticks, and came up with the number 15. I turned to poem 15, and what I read made me cry:
Into the Green
Thirsty and footsore, as you walk in the heat of the day
Sudden disasters come out of the sky, out of nowhere –
Like a bird whose nest has plummeted out of a tree
To find yourself in peace, go deep into the wilderness.
I think I’d been circling the wilderness for quite some time, but Jenny’s death propelled me head on into the vast emotional unknown. It’s been two years now, and I am only now beginning to feel like I’m finding my way out of the wilderness, not just changed, but fully transformed, and — perhaps for the first time ever — at peace.
I am struck by the realization that it is through coming to terms with Jenny’s death that I have only really started to learn how to live.
I love you, Jenny, and I miss you so very much.
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