When it comes to having a good day, or keeping a positive attitude whatever the circumstances bring, you can do a lot worse than Habakkuk 3:17-18
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Habakkuk Tay
If you are in the house when I leave in the morning, you may hear me wishing you a good day. On the other hand you may think that is what you hear, but the words that I actually say may be, just slightly, different.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Achilles
As much as I enjoyed reading Madeline Miller's book, The Song of Achilles, I cannot help feeling, on reflection, that Achilles is a poor role model to set before our young people.
Then as now, children need fathers, and Achilles behaviour in abandoning his wife, pregnant with their child, cannot be condoned, and does much to explain Pyrrhus delinquent behaviour.
Nor can Achilles be said to have served the Greek people well. That he should, for the sake of a petty quarrel with one of his fellow princes, sit idly by while his people were being slaughtered is incomprehensible.
Moreover his much vaunted fighting ability is seen to owe as much to his armour as any expertise on his part, as demonstrated by Patroclus' feats when he wore it.
But it is not fair to judge Achilles by today's standards. Surely his greatest failing was not protecting what he loved most. Had he chosen to fight at Patroclus side and defend him as he had promised, we would today be mingling with the descendents of Briseis and Patroclus. That is our loss and Achilles shame.
Then as now, children need fathers, and Achilles behaviour in abandoning his wife, pregnant with their child, cannot be condoned, and does much to explain Pyrrhus delinquent behaviour.
Nor can Achilles be said to have served the Greek people well. That he should, for the sake of a petty quarrel with one of his fellow princes, sit idly by while his people were being slaughtered is incomprehensible.
Moreover his much vaunted fighting ability is seen to owe as much to his armour as any expertise on his part, as demonstrated by Patroclus' feats when he wore it.
But it is not fair to judge Achilles by today's standards. Surely his greatest failing was not protecting what he loved most. Had he chosen to fight at Patroclus side and defend him as he had promised, we would today be mingling with the descendents of Briseis and Patroclus. That is our loss and Achilles shame.
Call Mr. Robeson
We were well entertained by Tayo Aluko last Saturday.
It was just as well. We were kept waiting in the foyer and stairway for over half an hour after, while they sorted out some technical details to do with the performance being recorded. We were feeling quite hot and bothered by the time it got started. Part way into the program, he gave a great rendition of old man river, which drew a good round of applause, and the wait was forgotten.
Paul Robeson was a singer, actor and entertainer, who used his fame to advance the lot of his fellow black Americans, and oppressed people around the world. He made friends with striking Welsh coal miners, and in Russia, where he first tasted the freedom of not being looked down on for his colour. Such friendships did not go down well in the McCarthy era, and he found himself isolated, impoverished and in poor health during much of the fifties.
All this was colourfully portrayed by by Tayo, who played the part of Robeson as an old man, telling the story of his loves, his passions and events from his life, and singing some of his songs. There was just one pianist accompanying him on the stage.
It is an inspiring story, well told, and a good evenings entertainment. At the end Tayo answered a few questions put to him by the audience at the Capstone Theatre, where he spoke about his admiration for the man.
It was just as well. We were kept waiting in the foyer and stairway for over half an hour after, while they sorted out some technical details to do with the performance being recorded. We were feeling quite hot and bothered by the time it got started. Part way into the program, he gave a great rendition of old man river, which drew a good round of applause, and the wait was forgotten.
Paul Robeson was a singer, actor and entertainer, who used his fame to advance the lot of his fellow black Americans, and oppressed people around the world. He made friends with striking Welsh coal miners, and in Russia, where he first tasted the freedom of not being looked down on for his colour. Such friendships did not go down well in the McCarthy era, and he found himself isolated, impoverished and in poor health during much of the fifties.
All this was colourfully portrayed by by Tayo, who played the part of Robeson as an old man, telling the story of his loves, his passions and events from his life, and singing some of his songs. There was just one pianist accompanying him on the stage.
It is an inspiring story, well told, and a good evenings entertainment. At the end Tayo answered a few questions put to him by the audience at the Capstone Theatre, where he spoke about his admiration for the man.
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