Downsizing

hermit-crab
Originally uploaded by DeaSuperba.

Hermit crabs do not form their own shells but instead use the cast off shells of other animals. On some beaches, where shells are scarce, a crab may be forced to live in a shell that is too small for him and his grotesque, bristling body protrudes from its crowded prison.

Like hermit crabs, people do not make their own organic reputations, but must conform to pre-made categories, which fit their real selves with varying snuggness. In our democratic society, there is an abundance of shells and we are all encouraged to dwell in the largest ones we can carry on our backs. This leads to discomfort, as we drag our inflated reputations behind us, or the loss of our shells, as they slide off our backs.

Slogans like "you can do anything" and "be all that you can be" are destructive. While we thankfully don't have to live in uniformly small shells, our culture creates new misery by pushing mediocre people to live in oversized shells. Stop and consider yourself--your natural abilities and your true desires--and find a shell that fits.

10 Reasons Why I Shouldn't Be a Man

rex harrison
Originally uploaded by DeaSuperba.

1. I would forget flowers and things and all women would hate me.

2. I would be a misogynist.

3. I would be like Henry Higgins.

4. I would be five inches taller with broader shoulders so all the guys would be jealous of me.

5. THEREFORE...I wouldn't have any friends.

6. I might have to live in Red Hill (ick).

7. My brother would have killed me by now.

8. I couldn't be a feminist without being weird.

9. I couldn't listen to Sinead O'Connor without being really weird.

10. I couldn't wear red scarves and flared pants without being gay.

From the Miasma of My Mind to Yours

It is 11:40 at night. Normally, being the sluggard I am, I'd be in bed. But I'm not. I'm writing a paper. Yes, the night before it is due. I have a minor stomach ache and a major buzz from the several servings of Starbuck's Java Chip icecream that I've consumed. A lot has happened. We've solved certain ladies' marital problems. We've eliminated Brianna's Armenian heresy. Emily's play has been a success the first night. And I learned a new word - MIASMA.

Yes, miasma, from the book I'm supposed to be reviewing, The Myth of Rome's Fall. The OED defines miasma as: Noxious vapour rising from putrescent organic matter, marshland, etc., which pollutes the atmosphere; a cloud of such vapour. How lovely! Hopefully the excitement will keep me awake for the next three hours....

The Omniscient OED

...where I can always find a new and useful word....

wanrufe - [f. WAN- + rufe var. RO n.]: disquiet, unrest

c1480 HENRYSON Robene & Makyne 28 Bot I haif mervell incertane Quhat makis the this wanrufe.

I was filled with wanrufe this morning after seeing the little apartment off campus with a miniature gas stove.

She's Back!

Allis Emily Me
Originally uploaded by DeaSuperba.

The only person who also likes Huxley, who will make a pact to go on a mescaline trip with me in ten years, the most tolerant, most gullible, most chic ALLIS WEBB!

Reason 27 why I hate politics: The Republicans sent Allis to Medina, Ohio so she's been gone all semester.

Leaves in a Stream

ems17
Originally uploaded by DeaSuperba.

Parts of our lives touch and cohere for a second until a whirlpool pulls us apart and reorganizes the relationship. There is an appearance of intentionality and permanency in the arrangement that is false. Some of us are delayed as we encounter a rock and the rest hurry down an eddy. We're still bright and waxy. We're not brown and soggy yet, not porous and slowly absorbing the water until we sink below the surface and become part of the muddy river bottom.