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You’re cold. You’re dark. You’re grim. You have the stupidest commercial holiday ever. Flying diaper baby meet Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun. Aim for the big red cinnamon heart. Two people I love dearly died between your borders. Black History deserves far better. Leap year sucks the big wambini and the fact that you’re the shortest month of the year doesn’t even come close to forgiving the suckitude you bring to the northern hemisphere. Fuck you to fucking fuckville you fucking fuckface month. —Ivan
This article appears in Jan 15-21, 2015.
Poor Ivan, forever alone in the cold month of Febawary.
Dis will warm you up!
http://fun2pics.com/wp-content/uploads/201…
LOL – that one gets a like >: )
Because of the startling likeness, uncle vanya?
Awww, yiss. It is de East an’ Ivan be da muhfuggin’ sun, yo.
But with February comes the Dal Dog & Monkey Show! Sit back with an Irish hot chocolate and watch the antics of the clowns and trapeze boys. Watch the lions tear into their tamer…
Eh! Too early for witty metaphors… but I think the next five weeks will provide enough fodder to get us through.
I wonder if the boys and girls will be exchanging Valentine’s Day cards at school?
“Rachel, Tiffany, does this box of Moir’s Pot O’ Gold smell like chloro…”
THE EPISTEMOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF CONTRAST
Some time ago a friend told me about his acquaintance who had moved to California from Nova Scotia. He was going crazy with all the sunshine. He yearned for some rain. He yearned for some contrast.
It is the same with philosophy. There is, of course, the “contrast theory of meaning” which maintains that an apple is an apple because it isn’t an orange. It is true that the contrast theory of meaning provides little if any substantive content in terms of just what the apple might be on its own terms but it is a first step as I’m sure you will agree.
Interestingly, I have just finished proofing the galleys of my article for “Educational Theory” which throws another aspect of the benefits of contrast into bold relief. This is its philosophical or, more properly. its epistemological function. I am taking issue with a professor who claims that his “correct foundational understanding” is sufficient to achieve personal autonomy. But what does he mean by “personal autonomy?” His “correct foundational autonomy” commits him to the circular view that such autonomy is secured by thinking in conformity with his own “correct foundational understanding.” He rejects the view of “liberal education,” that a sympathetic exposure of one’s students to views not in conformity with his “correct foundational understanding” is not only not conducive to personal autonomy but indeed precludes it. What is lacking, of course, is contrast, the very thing which renders understanding coherent and in the absence of which only indoctrination remains.
A pleasure as always,
Cheerio!
“What is lacking, of course, is contrast, the very thing which renders understanding coherent and in the absence of which only indoctrination remains. “
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the “concept” of free speech. I use the term concept because, of course, absolute free speech doesn’t exist in any society that I know of. If you say the wrong thing at an innapropriate time you will suffer consequences no matter where you live. And, indeed, there are many things that people say that most of us find challenging, upsetting, or even totally unacceptable. However, this “contrast” (if I can borrow mm’s term) with our current beliefs not only challenges us and provokes a strong response, but, in a way, provides us with an opportunity to refine our own personal beliefs (sometimes by reinforcing them or sometimes by breaking them down) and to develop a personal autonomy of beliefs. That is why anonymous forums such as this are useful. They allow us to say things that we might not otherwise – for fear of offending – and to read dissenting viewpoints. It’s also why we need to be very careful as to what further restrictions we put on free speech in our society – even things that are painful to hear and “contrast” with our current beliefs – because it’s often healthier for us to have the discussion as to why those viewpoints are objectionable rather than pretend they don’t exist.
I used to dread February, now I look forward to it… isn’t it funny how vacation in a sunny clime that you’ve saved toward all year , can brighten up even February . Your February/mid winter Blah’s is a recognized disorder, so fight back . Plan ahead & save for a holiday away from here.
So if being ‘trapped in a Canadian winter is getting you down , its up to you to make the change
What’s that saying
“if fate throws you lemon’s make lemonade. If fate throws shit on you…compost it & start a garden ” ~;p
I don’t mind February, its the start of spring. no really, get off the floor. February is the changeable month, we get the odd sweat shirt day, then an ice storm, but you can see winter retreating.
also the days are getting longer (December was a long slide into darkness) and morning comes earlier so I can finally get back to a hike with the dogs before work.
Di’s b-day is in February so we used to book a cabin for a long weekend by the sea on Vancouver island at tigh na mara.
can you get a couple days off op? make a mini vacation that involves some outdoor activity followed by indoor slothfulness.
I like the Danish concept “hygge” or coziness. It’s about taking the time to slow down, to relax and enjoy good company and simple pleasures, It works any time of the year but especially in the winter when we tend to be indoors more.
http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activitie…
RSVP
The Cat (01/22. 11:23AM)
“I’ve been thinking a lot about the ‘concept’ of free speech.”
Well, that’s right because when we think of anything we necessarily think in concepts. We can never think of free speech” per se since that is an impossibility. All understanding is structured in terms of concepts. But what is a concept? A concept is that in terms of which experience is brought under an aspect which is to say it is that by which experience is rendered meaningful. So in one sense your statement is incoherent since it asserts that you have been structuring the structure of “free speech” which is meaningless.
But I know what you mean. I found the rest of your comment – the part about contrast – meaningful. Unlike many others on this site – they know who they are or if they don’t they should – you sound like you have taken the first step in philosophy. Congratulations.
A pleasure as always,
Cheerio!
love the hygge concept as well. simple pleasures do take some effort. one has to look for small bits of happy throughout the day. if you expect it to come ‘from’ something you bought, from someone else, from somewhere you go it won’t last. if you look for bits of happy often enough it gets easier and more effortless.
watch the birds, ice patterns on the water, the warmth of your hands around a cup of coffee, the incredible blue the sky, or the stars, or cloud patterns. all that stuff is free for the taking. anyone can have it. anytime.
“Hygge” – this lady gets it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFhvQERkI4…
Thanks all. Mr. More is quite correct; it is The Seasonal D and she and I are old companions.
Like watching a kick to the goolies coming at you in slow motion and being unable to stop it or move, I know what to expect from this time of year. Sometimes a man just has to bay at the moon. I had also submitted a Love at the same time as sort of companion piece but it has yet to be posted.
^^ I think your love’ was already posted…no???? titled silky fuzz fuzz mountain puppy?
I was CERTAIN that had your name all over it.
Not mine, although I did appreciate it. Nothing like a random encounter with a floppy little puppy, all ears and paws. Or a house full of grown ‘uns for that matter. >: )
Goods things about February, fine sir, it’s the shortest month of the year, you have a new holiday, you have another day to overeat any or all sweets wrapped with red/white tinfoil, and best of all, it’ll be light until 5:45 p.m.
Ivan, you need to buy a couple of bottles of plonk and watch the 70s series ‘Doctor in the House’ on You Tube followed by a couple of episodes of ‘The Avengers’ (Steed and Mrs Peel only) while pouring a half a bottle of Irish whiskey down your neck. Make sure it is served in a commemorative china tea cup.
Winter wonkiness has me watching old ‘Up Pompeii’ with Frankie Howerd.
Titter ye not.
Ahh Frankie Howerd – the original King Leer.
Thanks Pete.
Here’s Diana Rigg as The Queen of Sin, kicking the crap out of a ballet dancer from “A Touch of Brimstone” which remains , to this day, the most watched episode of The Avengers
http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/704019tum…
too right, and the days grow longer. february is spelled stupidly anyway, i fart in february’s general direction
Ah, Diana Rigg in leather, the cause of many a pup tent back in the day.
Beware of overviewing Brit sitcoms, Ivan. You’ll know you’ve crossed the line when you start watching ‘On the Buses’. If possible, pull the plug, curl up in a fetal position and wait until the first leaf of spring pops.
I’m feeling peckish.
I agree OP….I’ve always hated the months that start with the letter Winter.
Ha Ha – Dr. Rasputin prescribes an intensive course of wood stove and Irish Cream>: )
lol, and I was being facetious about the puppy post. I think it was our surfer
Nice.
And my love didn’t get posted again today.
Perhaps the mod thought it was a suicide note?
heh heh, mouse ears
Truly, such a month is dreadful! When doors seem to moan on their hinges and when creaking floors ache in pain, almost saying ‘When will this awful season end?!?’
things to be grateful for – donairs. http://www.cbc.ca/22minutes/videos/clips-s…