The Trees of Pride by G. K. Chesterton
This is not my first G. K. Chesterton, but this is my first mystery story by him. Like Chesterton's works, this story is embellished with his humor and the theme, rather than about the mystery, I think is about the conflict between science and religion, which is also a recurring topic in Chesterton's works.
I didn't find Dr. Brown suspicious until the end. Nevertheless, I did suspect that Squire Vane was not dead at all as, in my opinion, a dead body would hardly turn into dry bones (and no other remains except the hat) just in that short period of time.
After reading the story, I could not help but wonder who is the real proud person, the Squire, the lady, the poet, the doctor, the lawyer, or the art critic? Perhaps they are all arrogant in their particular ways, even the seemingly aloof Treherne and Barbara, although their marriage might signify the union, and thus the compromise, between the major British culture and the local Celtic one.
With the orchestra, Owen Pallett's music is like a festival, carnival-like, jolly, but sometimes the passion turns violent......
I particularly like Lewis Takes Action and
This is The Dream of Win+Regine (This is The Dream of Emma and Cam).
I am not a person that could appreciate much classic music. However, when music instruments like piano, violin, or cello appear in pop rock or alternative rock music, most of the time I cannot resist, either. Perhaps it's because these instruments adds fresh sensation.
My first OneRepublic song is "Secrets" from The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Then I heard "Stop and Stare" from the first season #1 of Castle. The cello grabs my attention instantly. So I found the two albums and listen from the first track to the last one. Most of OneRepublic's songs are nostalgic, (maybe) a little sentimental, but would linger long in the memory like those dreams passing in the early morning......And the live sessions (especially the unplugged ones) on YouTube are really awesome!
In the last few years, I have completed translation of three books on presentation with Jedi: 高橋メソッド, Confessions of a Public Speaker, and Slide:ology. The first two books are published, while the last one will be published soon.
Although all three books discuss the same subject, the authors do so in different ways. If Confessions of a Public Speaker talks about what to write in your slide, then the other two books demonstrate how to write the content, again in different styles. 高橋メソッド is applicable to the Chinese character-based presentations while Slide:ology will help those who would like to stylize their slides with a sense of design. Confessions of a Public Speaker is interesting, a little philosophical, and pleasant to read; the other two books are practical and with a lot of examples. Nevertheless, as the authors emphasize again and again, you won't produce great presentation by reading the books alone; what great presentations rely on is practice and rehearse. The books just tell you the knack of it.
Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
An entry after one year! It's not that I forgot this place or stopped reading. It's just that I am experiencing another phase of life--moving to a country little town that in the first twenty years of my life I didn't even know it exists and trying to settle down.
Oh, I have to say sorry to those who left a comment in this blog that I couldn't manage to reply in time (and probably don't need to as most of the commentators seek urgent help and it's too late now? :-P).
Anyway, I read Sonnets form the Portuguese some time ago and read it again several days ago as my seventh anniversary with my husband arrived. In my reading second time, I was very moved (and might be over moved) by the poetess's passion and imagination, though the wording might be a little archaic. But this poetry, in my opinion, suits every person that is in love, be the love passionate or serene.
Sonnets from the Portuguese
XLIII
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
(my italic)