Monday randoms

It's Monday. Sometimes I love Monday, and sometimes I detest it. Today I am glowingly happy and love Monday. I'm not sure where the difference comes in. Some days God just smiles on you...

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"... It should be emphasized that philosophy is an intellectual passion, not merely the abstract application of technique. To assume that logic will (or can) settle everything is to fall prey to what some philosophers have called the 'illusion of technique.' Philosophy is not about winning points or arguments or being clever, although you will inevitably encounter some of this. It is caring about truth and, as the word philosophy itself originally meant, 'loving wisdom.'"

(From my philosophy textbook--perhaps an extension of my last post on philosophy!)

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I finished Passage (by Connie Willis) last night. It was quite terrific. I must say that I was rather stunned by how it concluded; a gigantic plot twist in the last 150 pages made for an ending that was nothing like what I anticipated! It was, as Connie Willis always is, an emotional journey, with much laughter and this time many tears as well as I finished it. I still am uncertain as to whether or not she was trying to make any spiritual statement, as much of the central plot centers around the idea of the supernatural and particularly the "NDE" or "near-death experience." It got almost morbid at times (again, somewhat to be expected from the author of something like Doomsday Book [which, incidentally, as I have noted elsewhere, was also fantastic, even if it was horribly depressing]), but somehow there was enough light to keep it from being depressing in the end. I say bravo again, Ms. Willis!

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How have I only heard one song by Yiruma until just a few days ago? How did I not even know about this brilliant pianist? My Yiruma playlist has been on repeat at the office for the last four days. Love it!!!

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After a dear friend gave me the heads-up on some new Masterpiece Theatre releases, I have been watching the new adaptation of Emma. It's been quite delightful so far, though I haven't even finished the first episode yet. The only other version I've seen is the Gwyneth Paltrow/Jeremy Northam version, and so far this one is very different, but I am certainly enjoying it. I imagine I will be posting further thoughts after I finish it!