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Pina Bausch
I guess you either hate her or love her - We saw Ten Chi performed tonight at UCLA, part of the Dance series this year and one of my must see choreographers - I'm obviously in the second camp. I was surprised that so many people left during intermission, more surprised when people left in the middle of the second act. But those that stayed leapt to ( Read more... ) -
The Hedonist Project
As I've mentioned before I've been working my way through the Artists Way with a group of friends. The book itself would have been hurled across the room before the conclusion of chapter One, but the group of friends who assembled to take on this task have helped to filter out some of the gems of this program and put them to good use. Some of the ( Read more... ) -
What is Enlightened Hedonism?
Simple hedonism is easy to understand, the satisfaction of desire, and the pursuit of that satisfaction. In this simple state its drawbacks are easily revealed as well. When we pursue our pleasures on a whim, disappointment is often the result as we neglect something else we value or hold pleasurable, or fail to recognize the consequences of our ( Read more... ) -
Sexual Harassment
I'm currently in the middle of a 2-hour computer based training class on sexual harassment. So far I've learned that, no matter how provocatively dressed, I cannot grab my coworkers' genitals. Also, I cannot spank my coworkers even if I use a paddle or other device to prevent direct physical contact. I am both amused and horrified at the minutia of ( Read more... ) -
I am a cat person
And so it is with great difficulty that I am dealing with having a dog in our house. Mind you, the dog is infinitely adorable - a 17-year old Chihuahua, toothless, emaciated, and recently rescued by Lisa. His circumstances are heart wrenching. Found living under a car for two weeks, scavenging cat food from the local crazy cat lady (not Lisa). Lisa ( Read more... ) -
Enlightened Hedonism - The Subjectivity of Desire
A critique of hedonism is that it is a selfish act, and as such, concepts of altruism, or self-sacrifice that are normally expected of a moral system are absent. Morality seems to require that our desires be denied or sublimated for some common good. In practice though, these moral systems still must convince someone to accept and internalize the “ ( Read more... ) -
Enlightened Hedonism and the Will to Pleasure
In most discussions of ethics, hedonism is often called up as a negative example. It’s almost a given that the selfish act of increasing one’s pleasure is inherently flawed and contradicts numerous ethical principles, such as “providing for the greater good,” “the reduction of suffering,” or in some circles even “God’s will.” And yet, it is often ( Read more... ) -
Gogol Bordello
Saw them tonight - drinking vodka, dancing like I haven't since seeing punk bands in the early 80's, clapping, shouting, sweating till my clothes drip. Afterwords I topped it off with a bacon wrapped hot dog from a street vendor. I will certainly pay for the fun I had tonight, but damn it was worth it. -
Reading Deprivation
As some of you already know, I’m working my way through the Artists Way’s 12 week program with a group of people who collectively hope to unleash their creativity. We’re at week four, and the chief assignment for this week is “Reading Deprivation ( Read more... )
