Wandering and Climbing

There is a live band playing at the Green Templeton Ball tonight. I have my window open to let the fresh night air in and I hear them pretty clearly. The sounds of the night offer a soft undercurrent to Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." I wandered around town a bit today, read a book and did some thinking. Also, I watched the new Superman movie. It was replete with Saviour images, American-isms, and, my favourite, the most pro-Kansas movie since the Wizard of Oz. Or at least the most recent one. I felt very proud sitting in my seat, surrounded by British citizens, that Superman was from Kansas.

Recently, I've been thinking about the "Great Man" theory of history. Its the idea that Heroes move history or make history. The critics and advocates of this theory get very technical and academic but one of the questions they keep coming back to is what is the role of the individual in history? We long to make a difference, to have someone remember us, or to prove our worth in some way or another. It was interesting to watch Superman with some of those thoughts in mind.

(There was just a fireworks show outside my window. It felt like the 4th of July. They were only a few weeks off. Not too bad. The band is also playing Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" I do believe they are trying to make me feel at home.)

The other thing I got to do in the last week was climb several mountains. Yes, several, as in three. I climbed three mountains in about 36 hours. A group of Rotary students from around the UK gathered together in Edinburgh and, with two drivers, we proceeded to the Highlands of Scotland to climb Ben Nevis, to the Lake District of England for Scarfell Pike and we finished in Wales to climb Snowdon. My legs are still in pain. But, oh, it was a great adventure. Enjoy some pictures.

Its Moving Quickly

The Costume Designer and the Bassanio, the main male
character. 

In two weeks my parents and little brother are coming to visit. I'm counting down the minutes until I can give them a hug. My little brother is growing so fast he isn't going to be little for very much longer. Once I handed in my dissertation I thought I would have some time to stop and think but life has continued to come quickly. Decisions must be made, research is still to be done and there are always questions to be answered.

The Prince of Morroco, one of the suitors, and comedic relief. 

I took part in a production of The Merchant of Venice last week at Worcester College. There was a need for a percussionist and I was willing to help out. Meaning, I was absolutely overjoyed at the opportunity to take part in a Shakespeare production at Oxford University. It was incredible, I can't describe how amazing it was. The performance was amazing, great actors, a fantastic director. Since it was set in Venice, several of the entrances and exits took place on boats on the Worcester lake. Once the sun went down the lights on the boats took on a fairy-tale aspect.

Shylock and Antonio

Backstage we were immersed in conversations about philosophy and worldviews, discussing the ideal civilization and opinions about current events. I met young men and women who were really engaging with their world, who were interested in thinking and thinking well and who welcomed me to ask questions.

The musicians, playing the jig.

The Merchant of Venice is a very interesting play. In many ways it is a disturbing play, with a scene at the end that is highly anti-Semetic. At the same time, individual speeches in the play, the main character gives a lesson on mercy how it doubly blesses, both the giver and receiver, and the antagonist, Shylock the Jew, angrily and despairingly states "Hath not a Jew hands, organs, senses, passions, affections, dimensions?" Read the play sometime if you have a moment. It is beautiful in its emotions, delightful in its lessons and I walked away each time with a feeling of unease when Shylock was beaten.

I'm so sorry for my tardiness, I shall amend and give you several more snippets of fun for the next few weeks. Adieu mon amis.

The cast of The Merchant of Venice.