Reverberation

Years ago I heard a federal agent describe his mistake in a major crime investigation in a way that broke my heart because that mistake had obviously broken his own heart. I also felt deep sympathy with the victims of the crimes committed, and I still do, as the agent did.   Compassion and pity and anguish for all involved.

I wasn't there in that original hell, but listening to such testimonies puts a burden on the listener.

I still haven't figured out how to share that story with my own students, though I ought to--and I mean that in the best ways.

Study Break

Lunch View 2

Byron: "My Soul Is Dark"

I

My soul is dark -- Oh! quickly string
          The harp I yet can brook to hear;
And let thy gentle fingers fling
          Its melting murmurs o'er mine ear.
If in this heart a hope be dear,
          That sound shall charm it forth again:
If in these eyes there luck a tear
          'Twill flow, and cease to burn my brain.

II

But bid the strain be wild and deep,
          Nor let they notes of joy be first:
I tell thee, minstrel, I must weep,
          Or else this heavy heart will burst;
For it hath been by sorrow nursed,
          And ached in sleepless silence long;
And now 'tis doomed to know the worst,
          And break at once -- or yield to song.

--Lord Byron

B-SIDE

Lyrics from an Old Notebook (mid-80's vintage):

You need to imagine Early Elvis Costello crossed with The Smithereens here, if you want to be kind.  Oh, and you have to recall vinyl records, especially singles, with A-sides and B-sides.


B-SIDE
I'm here breaking records
While he's out stealing shows
The anger doesn't bother me
It's just how much she knows
I've been hanging around now
Till I feel like packing it in
It's not a case of do-or-die
But more like where-and-when


These things I discover
Make it easier to decide
He's her A #1 Lover
I'm just lying on the b-side


I need to break her records
I need to break her heart
But like a fool I'm waiting
Because I loved her at the start


These things I discover 
Make it easier to decide
He's her A #1 Lover
I'm just lying on the b-side

--MD



(Until a few minutes ago, the second verse had a full eight lines too.   Here is the part I just cut:

I give her all my money

I give her all my love

Still she goes out shopping

Hopping in--I know--his hot tub

Pretty lame, that hot tub line, but I wanted . . . well, who knows now what I wanted then?  I do think the lyrics still work, after all these years, as a rock and roll song, particularly with those four lines excised.  Now, if I could remember the tune in my head at the time too . . . .)

Regarding Rules?

Rules and personality types: followers, breakers, makers, and unmakers.

I'm a weird mix of all four, especially the last two.

How about you?

F: Well, I don't know about the last two, but I'm a fairly strict rule-follower… until the rules make no sense.

M: Then you become a rule unmaker, right?

F: I don't know; how do you make the distinction between breaking and unmaking?

M: Attitude.