Virtual Brush Box

This post is off topic but not Off Topic.

I have bad days. Everyone does. Then, I have a few in a row. Bleh. Then, the universe is rude to me and I am prostrate. I wallow. I nap during the day and have insomnia at night. I know I’m ungracious and ungrateful and oversensitive. Knowing this does not help me be less so. I am lethargic to the point of paralysis. I collapse into sobbing fits and surf for information on depression.

At about this point, I discover that I have a low-grade infection in my head. For a while it was the Tooth That Would Not Die [Hi There, Regular Programming]. For the last three summers, it’s been swimmer’s ear [Midwestern Mounts]. You would think by now I would recognize the signs. But no. The decline is gradual and perspective is the first casualty.

There is no pain until a) it flairs into Technicolor life and I spend the holidays screaming (this has happened twice), or b) I take the meds and notice the mild but chronic pain by its absence. Once the infection is gone, the world is no more inclined to bend to my will, but I am more inclined to cope.

Despite ancient Greek philosophy inherited by Western culture, I wonder if the mind/body dichotomy exists at all. Ill-health makes us cranky. Placebos have powerful effects.

Which is by way of apology to anyone who has had to interact with me recently.

Onwards!

(Stray thought. The phrase “western culture” is Atlantocentric, isn’t it? The world is round. The Far East is equally the Far West. Also, the idea of a country being “Far” carries its own assumptions. After a while, it become impossible to speak. Don’t get me started on the fig leaf that is BCE. But I digress.)

The American Village Citizenship Trust is a collection of purpose-built, repro 18th century buildings: “A nationally-pioneering classroom and American history and civics education center that engages and inspires 35,000-40,000 students annually from Alabama and Southeastern states in experience-based academic programs related to American history, civics and government.” Mission & Goals

A noble effort, but a bit of a giggle to anyone from the Northeast. I don’t mean to swan about their campus in a condescending fashion, but I’ve sheltered from the rain inside the Capitol Building in DC, walked the Freedom Trail in Boston, and gotten lost looking for the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. American Village is, what’s the word I’m looking for? Hmm, cute.

On a more philosophical note, what is the difference between the thing itself and faithful replica? Why does it matter? At least for broad educational or entertainment purposes? If we can’t distinguish a real 18th century tavern from a rebuild, why travel all the way to Colonial Williamsburg for dinner? Is there an experiencial difference or is it magical thinking? Of course, I come down on the side of the authentic, but is this a reasonable attitude or historical snobbery?

(Did you catch the BBT reference?)

Colonial Williamsburg posts
Foto Friday: Horses of Colonial Williamsburg
What Price Authenticity?
Why Bother? Worthy Cause I (WC II was not related to Wburg)
I’d go back in a heartbeat. Loved the place.

Update: experiencial difference – a difference in experiencing a thing. Been listening to Bryson’s book on Shakespeare. Decided to delve into neologisms. Instead managed to create a new spelling for experiential.