The Sword and the Swan

Pending on God's miraculous work, and the Trent University English Department, I have tentatively planned the following schedule of mayhem (and possibly learning) for my final bout at beloved Trent. If this was all I had to do I would be busy, but alas, God has determined to discipline me or kill me this coming scholastic year, having given me the responsibility of a wife and child alongside the care of a community of bible-studiers. I used to get those foreboding thoughts of the intensity of the year to come when I was shopping for books for my courses. Now it comes 2 months before classes even begin...

Full Year

English 205 - Form and Context (I refuse to call it 2000)
English 3150 - Studies in Shakespeare
Philosophy 320 - Metaphysics and Epistemology (for Jer)
Latin 100 (for Boyne)

Autumn

MODL 302H - Romance Linguistics
PHIL 275 - Philosophy of Religion

Winter

MODL 303H - Germanic Linguistics
MODL 202H - Historical Linguistics

Besides the madness of an overloaded year (there is a chance I might be able to satisfy the requirements for English 205 without retaking it, thereby avoiding the madness) I am excited about these selections. The Latin is partly to stay in touch with Martin Boyne, partly to satisfy the 'Linguistics Emphasis' requirements, and partly to prepare me for Masters work at TBS. The linguistics is for my own interest, to see if I want to explore that further when dealing with theology. It is always helpful to understand the background of languages and the culture they developed in when dealing with theology, because many arguments and conversations in this day fail to listen adequately, so as to properly refute or affirm what is being said. Understanding language is the root to this. Philosophy of Religion is for sharpening my apologetical skills, because there is ripe opportunity to deal with issues like 'the problem of evil', 'the existence of God', and 'the relationship between faith and reason'. The other philosophy is partly because I am interested in understanding 'ways of knowing', or how people understand knowledge, and partly because I want to spend some time with Jer in some scholastic fashion. The Shakespearean English is my attempt to go as deep as I can in one area of English while at Trent. I think Tromly made me love and hate Shakespeare, and I don't think I gave it as much time as I should have (too many talks with Noah in the O.C. about everything).

One thing I was excited about when choosing courses was the degree of intentionality I was able to suffuse through my selections. My first year resembled Russian Roulette, and my second year was an attempt to do as much English as possible. If everything goes well, this year's selections will mark a development in the purposeful part of my character. Can anyone smell Discipline?... Oh, its only my socks...

Peace,

Todd

Continuance

Snail-backed words slime
Whale-bone swords white

What is a snail-backed word?
a slowwwwwww
HarD expression,
which is difficult to grasp.

Fast! Whale-boned swords come lasT
In strength and speed.
A club of white wasted in battle.

Stream of consciousness is good for nothing.
nothing.
nothing,


but...

sustaining the muscle we call Creativity,
which ebbs with silence and inactivity.

Crimson flames tie my tongue

Finally its the end of a work-week! I don't have very much to say at the moment, but I blog in order to keep up the writing. My current project for the week has suffered from my work schedule, which is dissapointing, but hopefully reconcilable. Discussions with my work-mates have lead down many paths, but one which has crossed the threshold from passing comment to conversation is the philosophy of humour. I talked with one coworker about the motives of humour, and why it is human beings laugh at things. In our context, we thought it was interesting that men tend to cover over concern for the well-being of another with laughter. Thus, it is easier to laugh at someone than for that person to find out you care. What gets me is the relative vulgarity of humour. Jokes are relegated to the inferior category of 'wit' and 'pun' if they are not cutting and/or sexual. And really, it makes me sad. We were designed to build one another up, and to glorify a powerful and awesome God in the words we use. Oh how my own tongue makes me to be a flaming hypocrite! Do you find your workplace is a warzone of acid thoughts and dagger smiles? How do you protect your mind and heart?

God's word. Read in the Psalms what David has to say about God's words. Then take steps to confront sin.

Todd

blah...

Its about 9 pm at the moment, and this week has been ultra busy at work. I had a chance to play some guitar, but I basically strung together whatever of Derek's I felt like playing. Its funny which ones I rotate through. My choice seems to be whatever I have not played in a while, so tonight it was: I repent, I want a broken heart, faith my eyes, high countries(sandra), laden with guilt(sandra), and now and then(sandra). Its funny because I don't listen to a great deal of music. I have only heard demo stuff of Ringing Bells, but I don't really desire to listen to it now. I play stuff over and over, and then go back and find some earlier work, like 'piece of glass' or 'the truth', or 'can't lose you'. Its like my influences go backward too because I am diving more and more into Bob Dylan, working on 'every grain of sand', 'my back page', and 'when he returns'. Well enough musical ramblings for now. For the musician in all of you readers, keep those calluses in tact!

the bard

rip.

Today, I was asked to take a trip down to the basement of my house. Upon arriving at the last step, I glanced around, noticing hideous spiders, and creepy appliances. On the way back up the stairs, having just retrieved the garden hose, I chanced to look to the right of the bottom stair. There scrawled on a piece of cardboard in black 'sharpie' were the quaint words: "Here lies Frodo, R.I.P."...

thanks Shane.

-Composed by Todd and Heather Anderson (each using one hand)

Recent Happenings

Well folks, life moves quickly when you dig holes all day... Work has been full of long hours, which means money and exhaustion. It is strange to be so busy when I was at one time so free to use my time as I pleased. Heather and I were able to go on a date downtown, which itself is a blast, but with her is far better. I suppose that means it was something like a large explosion... Strange analogies for time spent together. We were checking out bookstores on Water street, and I need to revisit in order to stock up on some classics, but here is what we decided to add to the growing library on Aylmer street.

Heather - Do it Yourself Gifts (a make it at home gift book idea, which included sewing patterns, and the like. Three cheers for domestication! I love my wife)

Todd
-William Wordsworth biography by E. Hershey Sneath
-Major works of Wordsworth (Red spine classics edition)
-10 Colloquies of Erasmus.

I had my eye on a biography of Augustine, and some of Thomas Moore's works, but now that I think about it, I either have to learn to read like Spurgeon, or be content with the fate of having far to many books on my 'TO READ' list. In any case, it was a splendid day which included a trip to Gator Pita, as well as the splendid experience of getting kicked out of a new patio, which had a very open concept but was intended for customers of "Dancing Blueberries". We ought to observe that one on another outing. Its always good to alliterate. Do you ever get that hankering to Figure of Speech? You lean over to your buddy and say, "Lets go personify some glass!" It sounds like stealing...

We also had a chance to visit Giant Tiger and see Caleb out at HVDC. It was there that we bumped into Dan and Rachel Sargeant, hung out at their house eating Rhubarb muffins and drinking Arab tea, speaking about the most important kinds of things.

My project for the next week is to spend time critically writing about some of the musical issues at Braidwood Bible Chapel. I plan on coming up with some solutions, so as to take practical steps in solving the problems rather than merely critiquing them. As my thoughts coalesce, I look forward to spending time on this, and hope that it may be useful. In one sense it is very foreboding, because I don't really understand the complications invloved. I do know that there are many people who are fired up about change in this area, and I hope to make it a little bit more concrete. Please pray about these things. I am submitting my work to Stephen June 2nd.

In any case, have yourselves a wonderful weekend, and stop by the house. Thanks to Ben and Mel for their lovely note!

Todd

Blur

Things are fairly busy in the Anderson/Lawton household. We are getting close to the 'unpacked' stage, but somehow I feel like certain things will never be unpacked. We are about to sit down to another supper, but before that, I just want to post that I am alive, and working long hours, kicking myself for the excess time wasted when I had it, and enjoying the new chapter in this existence. My wife is beautiful, and starting to waddle, which is awesome.

Paul wanted me to post that he is the 'King'. Of what I am not sure... Uh oh! Dinner is on the table. Hopefully will post again soon,

Peace,

Todd