Seán Nestor

Updated my minister's license in Ohio to reflect my status as an ordained Dudeist priest

Finished reading: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

I've been wanting to explore Le Guin more and found this handy collection. The first book, A Wizard of Earthsea, did not disappoint, as I found myself immersed in the universe and drawn to the characters. Looking forward to the rest!

Finished reading: A Very Short History of the Israel-Palestine Conflict by Ilan Pappe

An excellent high-level overview in accessible language, I highly recommend this for people who want to understand the conflict but aren't sure where to start. A new release, this book also covers recent events.

Finished reading: Civic Self-Respect by Ralph Nader

Nader's new book sadly lacks the wisdom exhibited in his recent Internet essays. I learned about some interesting efforts, but also read some out-of-touch suggestions. I also noticed some typos and repetitive anecdotes.

Finished reading: The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

Continuing my exploration of Russian literature with another short novel by Dostoevsky, I'm noting that as in Notes From Underground, the protagonist is a painfully insecure social outcast.

Finished reading: The Flowers of Buffoonery by Osamu Dazai

Another compelling Dazai read filled with many of his hallmarks - blurring of fiction and biography, insecure musings about his talent as a writer and worth as a person, and characters enduring shameful situations with little or no grace.

Finished reading: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories by Robert Louis Stevenson

I've always known the Jekyll and Hyde story, but never actually read it until now. Beautiful writing full of atmosphere and moral conflict, as are the other two great stories, The Body Snatcher and The Bottle Imp.

Finished reading: The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton

I've enjoyed many Chesterton quotes over the years and finally found a novel of his to try. While not as compelling as I hoped, I still found it a good read with some clever (and odd) quotes and colorful descriptions.

Finished reading: Trouble Is My Business, by Raymond Chandler

I've wanted to check out Chandler since hearing that the Coen Brothers used his style to shape The Big Lebowski. My first venture into hardboiled detective novels, I found these four short stories enjoyable and plan to read more.

Finished reading: The Sword of the Dawn, by Michael Moorcock

I read the first two books in this series last year and found them immediately captivating, even as someone who doesn't normally read fantasy novels. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Dorian Hawkmoon novels by Moorcock.

Finished reading: "They Take Our Jobs!" and 20 Other Myths About Immigration (Expanded Edition) by Aviva Chomsky

Excellent, well-researched leftist responses to common talking points against immigrants which explains the history of racism underlying our current immigration policies.

Toledo City Council celebrates annual Democracy Day About 50 people filed into Toledo City Council chambers in One Government Center to voice concerns about the current political climate, ask questions about ...

“When we talk about democracy, we have to remember that the presence of elections is not enough to say, ‘We have democracy,’” Mr. Nestor said. “Democracy has always been about the quality of your politics and the ability for those who are elected to represent, to actually represent, people.”

Finished reading: The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer, by Jennifer Lynch

Knowing that this was published between seasons 1 and 2 of Twin Peaks tells me that Jennifer Lynch either knew about the backstory that would become Fire Walk With Me, or essentially created it herself with this book.

Student debt officially paid off.

This morning at the Blarney Irish Pub here in Toledo

Thanks!

Passed my amateur ("ham") radio technician license exam today

Finished reading: The Coming Insurrection by the Invisible Committee

A radical analysis and set of strategies by French activists - a good counter to the political optimism of Piketty. Many incisive observations about modernity expressed in a captivating, articulate philosophical prose. Good read.

YouTube video by Dig it! Dusty Grooves RASPUTINA - 02 Over at the Frankenstein Place

"In the velvet darkness
Of the blackest night
Burning bright
There's a guiding star
No matter what or who you are"

Finished reading: Capital & Ideology: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Claire Alet and Benjamin Adam (based on the book by Thomas Piketty)

Loved, loved, LOVED this exploration of economic & political ideas from the last few centuries as seen through the lens of several generations of a French family.

Finished reading: No One Knows, by Osamu Dazai

A collection of short stories by Dazai with women narrators. As always with Dazai, I like the realism and honesty of his characters, who are often quick to admit their flaws and acknowledge their failings in a way you rarely see in literature.

YouTube video by The Wicked North Dmitri Shostakovich - Waltz No. 2

Current mood

Watched The Substance tonight. Excellent body horror with poignant social commentary. A wonderful mix of Picture of Dorian Gray, Death Becomes Her, and some Carrie for good measure.

I agree with the reviews - one of the best films of recent years, up there with Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Finished reading: Tears and Laughter by Khalil Gibran

Beautiful and healing poetry. I love the way Gibran thinks and speaks here, writing with celestial words fit for scripture yet perfect for the troubles of the modern world. It's also a fairly quick read at under 100 pages.

Utility regulator's staff recommends FirstEnergy rate decrease COLUMBUS — Independent auditors are recommending a decrease in FirstEnergy’s electric distribution rates, saying the proposed rate increase filed by Toledo ...

"...an independent audit commissioned by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio says Toledo Edison’s revenue should decrease by about $27 million, not increase by $8 million. The staff’s recommendation, if implemented, would reduce the average consumer’s electric bill by $5.17."

The Siddhartha of the story is a different Siddartha from Gautama. The protagonist Siddartha lives at the same time as the Buddha Siddhartha, and even gets to meet him as part of the story; but he opts not to follow him believing that wisdom can only be obtained through experience, not teachings.

Finished reading: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, translated by Rika Lesser

The title character searches for true enlightenment, taking many different paths in life and coming up short (until the end). A short, compelling, and thought-provoking read for those of us who wrestle with existential dread.

Finished reading: Faust (Part I) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, translated by Alice Raphael and illustrated by Eugene Delacroix

Finally reading the original story. I was inspired to read it after remembering that Spengler characterized "Western" society as Faustian in nature, which is so true.

Two artists, one catastrophic war … Joe Sacco and Art Spiegelman on Israel-Gaza and the ceasefire – cartoon What happens when two comics artists ‘meet on the page’ to explore the tragedies of the Israel-Gaza war? Art Spiegelman, best known for his Pulitzer prize-winning Holocaust memoir Maus, and Joe Sacco,...

"What happens when two comics artists ‘meet on the page’ to explore the tragedies of the Israel-Gaza war? Art Spiegelman, best known for his Pulitzer prize-winning Holocaust memoir Maus, and Joe Sacco, author of bestselling graphic reportage Palestine, grapple with the ongoing crisis."

Finished reading: The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams with illustrations by William Nicholson