one last Tolstoy...

"Levin had been married three months. He was happy, but not at all in the way he had expected to be. At every step he found his former dreams disappointed, and new, unexpected surprises of happiness. He was happy; but on entering upon family life he saw at every step that it was utterly different from what he had imagined. At every step he experienced what a man would experience who, after admiring the smooth, happy course of a little boat on a lake, should get himself into that little boat. He saw that it was not all sitting still, floating smoothly; that one had to think too, not for an instant to forget where one was floating; and that there was water under one, and that one must row; and that his unaccustomed hands would be sore; and that it was only to look at it that was easy; but that doing it, though very delightful, was very difficult." -Anna Karenina, Part V Chapter XIV

dis-topic

I've been really interested in dystopian fiction lately; and for some time past. But i think i'm done with that pursuit. It is so depressing, and not exactly functional in getting out messages. or propagating foolish and unnecessary messages. Of course governments' want power, but they don't often oppress their own people, just those of other countries. plus, what's the point of a warning without a solution? just to be immortalized with an "i told you so".
the hunger games, in the first book was about obsession with entertainment, and disgustingness of reality t.v. Suzanne should have stuck with that theme. it was a lot more interesting.

on a philological note, the concept of language as a tool to control thought. very interesting. minimizing interpretations. clarity and brevity.

2 Kings 9

³⁰ When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. And she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out of the window. ³¹ And as Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Is it peace, you Zimri, murderer of your master?” ³² And he lifted up his face to the window and said, “Who is on my side? Who?” Two or three eunuchs looked out at him. ³³ He said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down. And some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled on her.³⁴ Then he went in and ate and drank. And he said, “See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter.”


Jehu is among my favourite kings. in fact he's # 4 or 5. It's important to know the order of things, clearly it was time for a snack and then see to the burial. it all worked out, right? Also note that mocking/sarcasm in verse 31 is not a good thing to use in the face of imminent death from a really good archer. It's too bad Jehu wasn't more well rounded, he seems only good at killing and being intense.