Week 14: Reading Diary B

This epic as Buck tells it is really a story within a story. I love the tale is simply passed down verbally and there is no mention of the epic being recorded except in the minds of those who listen. I like how Yudhishthira is guilty about all the death caused on his behalf. I thought he dream was very strange, considering Duryodhana was in heaven and the rest of the Pandavas were in hell. I laughed when Krishna was upset with the new chariot because he didn't want something flashy. I was relieved at the end when it was explained the Yudhishthira's earlier dream was also a test, and he and his family ascended to heaven.

Week 13: Google Translate Tech Tip

Italian Story:

La favola è un breve racconto caratteristico tanto della cultura occidentale quanto di quella orientale; in essa agiscono per lo più personaggi animali, dietro i quali è agevole individuare altrettante tipologie di comportamento umano. Attraverso la piacevolezza della narrazione l’apologo persegue una finalità gnomica, suggerendo una condotta di vita all’insegna della prudenza, della laboriosità, della coscienza dei propri limiti.

Nella tradizione occidentale la favola si lega indissolubilmente al nome di Esopo, enigmatico personaggio vissuto tra il VII ed il VI sec. a.C. al quale viene attribuita la codificazione del genere, nonché la sua autonoma affermazione nel panorama letterario. Il nutrito corpus di racconti ascritti a questa figura leggendaria viene successivamente rielaborato ed ampliato da autori più tardi (Fedro, I sec.d. C; Babrio, II sec. d.C.; Aviano, IV sec. d.C); grammatici e retori se ne servono, inoltre, per l’insegnamento delle basilari nozioni linguistiche e per i rudimenti della prassi compositiva.

La tradizione iconografica connesa al nome di Esopo procede, tanto nel mondo antico quanto in quello moderno, lungo due filoni paralleli: da una parte ci si confronta con reperti incentrati sul personaggio del favolista e sugli aneddoti della sua vita, tutti all’insegna di un’irriverente saggezza; dall’altra con testimonianze relative alle favole. Queste ultime conoscono una maggiore fortuna nell’ambito dell’età medievale, che ne apprezza il carattere fantasioso, allegorico ed edificante; sono oggetto di rinnovato interesse, infine, nel mondo rinascimentale, allorchè, accanto alla drastica selezione di racconti sopravvissuti durante l’età di mezzo, si fa progressivamente strada il recupero dell’originario repertorio in lingua greca.

Google Translation:

The fable is a short story so characteristic of Western culture than to the east; acting in it mostly animal characters, behind which is easy to identify as many types of human behavior. Through the pleasantness of the narrative of the fable pursues an aim genomics, suggesting a way of life in the name of prudence, diligence, awareness of his own limitations.

In the Western tradition the story is inextricably linked to the name of Aesop, enigmatic character who lived in the seventh and sixth centuries. B.C. which is attributed to the codification of the genre, as well as its self-affirmation in the literary scene. The rich literary stories attributed to this legendary figure was later revised and enlarged by later authors (Phaedrus, I sec.d. C Babrius, second century AD., Aviano, IV cent. AD); grammarians and rhetoricians use it also for the teaching of basic language skills and the rudiments of compositional practice.

The iconographic tradition connesa the name of Aesop proceeds, both in ancient as in the modern world, along two parallel tracks: on one hand we are confronted with exhibits focusing on the character of the writer of fables and anecdotes of his life, all in the name of a 'irreverent wisdom; with the other evidence relating to fables. The latter know more luck in the context of the Middle Ages, who appreciate the character imaginative, allegorical and uplifting; are the subject of renewed interest, finally, in the Renaissance world, when, in addition to the drastic selection of stories survivors during the middle ages, the road becomes progressively recover the original footage in Greek.


Author's note: I took three semesters of Italian, and I used google translate all the time to help me get the general idea of stories I was reading. This tech tip took me back to my days as an Italian student, and I would recommend google translate to a student of any language looking for a better understanding of a translation they don't quite have a grasp of. 

Week 13: Famous Last Words

Last year during the fall semester I had bone cancer and had to take narcotic pain medications everyday to deal with the pain caused by the disease. I had been a very successful student in the past, and I thought I would be able to deal with what was going on and finish my school for the semester without a problem. As the semester progressed, I started to become overwhelmed with having to deal with both school and my other issues. I can be a very stubborn person, and I decided not to withdraw from classes based on the fact that I had been a very capable student in the past. In retrospect, this was a poor decision. I want to attend medical school, so my grades are very important. Due to medical treatment regarding my condition, I was unable to take some of my finals. As a result, I had to take an incomplete in a few of my classes. Receiving an incomplete allows a student one year to finish the remaining work left in the class, which in my case was just taking the finals. I ended up missing the spring and summer semester due to ongoing treatment for the disease. This week I had a meeting with one of my professors to discuss the plan for taking the final and completing the class. It turns out that my professor had incorrectly calculated my grade when filling out the incomplete form, and my grade in the class was much higher than I thought it was. This has taken a huge weight off my shoulders, as I no longer have to make an A on the final to earn an A in the class. Even though I haven't attended this class in a year, I think I will be able to study for the final and make the grade I desire. I have been worrying about the outcome of this class since last year and I'm so relieved to be in a position where I can still realistically achieve my goals. I'll be studying pretty much all day everyday until finals to make sure I'm ready, but I no longer feel like the odds are stacked against me. 

Me for the rest of the semester. Source: Wikipedia

Week 13: Reading Diary B

The whole gender switching thing going on with Sikhandini is kind of hard to wrap my mind around. I guess female warriors just weren't allowed, so Sikhandini had to become a man to fight in the battle. If I was Yudhishthira there is no way I would meet my opponents before battle, considering how many times they have tried to kill me. I was surprised that none of Duryodhana's forces made an attempt on his life before the battle. Also, if I was Bhisma I would not want to live with a body full of arrows any longer than needed. That sounds incredibly painful. Through the rest of the battle, it seems clear that Karma is on the Panadavas side.

Week 13: Reading Diary A

After the whole gambling incident I wouldn't want to trust Yudhisratha with my life, but the rest of the Pandavas didn't have a choice. They were also unconscious so it was him or nobody. I think that a graveyard is a great hiding place for such powerful weapons, who is going to look there? The thirteenth year of their exile seems pretty boring, and they all have to take on jobs that are beneath them. If I was Karna there is no way I'm giving up my armor for a throwing dart, even if it is infallible. Without his armor he may never get the chance to use the dart. Draupadi is not a woman to be messed with, and she shows this again by having Kichaka killed for his repeated and unwanted advances.

Famous Last Words: Week 12

So I saw "Nightcrawler" and thought it was really good. I think Jake Gyllenhall did such a great job with his character. At the beginning of the movie it is clearly established that his character is not a good person. He then goes on a journey to become the best at what he loves doing, no matter what happens to others along the way. The ending sort of reminded me of "No Country for Old Men" in the way he can't be stopped. I would love to say more, but I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone. I really like seeing movies at The Warren. The theater is so nice, and the balcony/directors seating is even nicer. You can order drinks while you watch a movie at the theatre.

Nightcrawler poster

I'm really glad the Thunder picked up their second win of the season tonight. I would argue that the Thunder are the best 2-5 team in the history of the NBA. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook being out are obviously terrible for the team, but the Thunder were also dealing with injuries to other players throughout the week. The fact that they aren't getting blown out every game bodes very well for the Thunder. My fantasy basketball team also won this week, so I'm pretty excited about that.

I couldn't finish school last fall for medical reasons and had to take an incomplete in a few of my classes. When you get an I, you have one calendar year to finish the course or receive an F. I just have to take a final in two classes, but it has been so long since I learned the material. I am going to have to start studying pretty much all day everyday soon for these classes so I can do well on the finals and finish the classes.

Week 12: Reading Diary B

At least Arjuna got to have some positive experiences at the end of his exile. Also, the ability to use divine weapons will surely come in handy for him later. The story of Mankanaka seems very silly to me. I can think of many dangers of eating just grass and weeds, but dancing as a result of bleeding grass juice was not one of them. I can't believe that the Pandavas saved Duryodhana, and then let him go. So much trouble could have been avoided if they just dealt with him then.

Week 12: Reading Diary A

It seems strange to me Yudhishthira is able to gamble things that aren't his to gamble. I understand him gambling jewelry and elephants, but I cannot understand him gambling his brothers. These aren't his servants, they are his family members. They seem to be cool with the whole thing though, which is also very strange. After Draupadi secures their freedom, I don't understand why Yudhishthira would accept Duryodhana's final offer. They were obviously going to lose. After all this, I feel like Yudhishthira needed to hear from Vyasa to let him know that it can be much worse.