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December 21, 2004 9:24 AM- ode to idleness

I don't often (have I ever?) link to articles or essays that move me. Perhaps due to my slothful nature-- it simply is too much effort and would interrupt my dawdling.

Yet. When I read an essay that speaks to the very core of my belief system--an essay that is supremely intelligent and draws on a wide range of resources effortlessly--an essay that were I not a happily married woman would inspire me to hunt down the author (Mark Slouka) and stalk him--an essay with so many killer sentences to choose just one would be like plucking a single stem from a meadow of wild flowers-- I must rouse myself from the chaise lounge where I was just staring out the window and I must LINK to it. Found via kottke.<.

"I'm a student of the narrowing margins. And their victim, to some extent, though my capacity for sloth, my belief in it, may yet save me, Like some stub?born heretic in fifth-century Rome, still offering gifts to the spirit of the fields even as the priests sniff about the tempa for sin, I daily sacrifice my bit of time. The pagan gods may yet return. Constantine and Theodosius may die. But the prospects are bad.".<

got 2 cents?



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lizardek says:
*lays down pen* *enters a convent*
posted on: December 21

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Gale says:
Room in that convent for one more?
posted on: December 22

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bp says:
I don't understand. Why do we have to enter a convent. *shudders* I want to persue my idleness like an Edwardian dilettante surrounded by luxuries . . .
posted on: December 22

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Marilyn says:
I, too, shudder at the thought of a convent...(probably due to nun trauma earlier in my life). I really resonated with that essay (in spite of having read it bleary-eyes at 2 am). It made me realize that I have spent a LOT of my adult life pursuing idleness (vs. leisure which, of course, requires means). All those huge gaps in my resume...the one that zigs and zags and makes absolutely no sense? Idle. And I wouldn't have it any other way...
posted on: December 22

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Very Mom says:
I could totally do a convent. Libido missing and all. Sorry, VM ruins another holy moment.
posted on: December 22

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lizardek says:
It was more because 1) I'll never be able to write like that and 2) I always think of convents as being so completely peaceful, quiet, and lovely. Since I'm not at all religious however I'd probably last about 2 seconds :)
posted on: December 22

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Margaret says:
I just want to be slothful, but not in a convent unless I can brew beer like the monks.
posted on: December 22

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violetismycolor says:
convent? not on your life...I went to Catholic schools and that did me in for life...and I have a brother who is a priest, heaven help me...
posted on: December 22

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Erica says:
To the woods, maybe, to live deliberately? Or a bee-loud glade? Thanks for the link -- your timing, as always, is spot-on.
posted on: December 22

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Coquette says:
"A Frenchman might invite his soul." *hysterical laughing* Oh bp, does this article speak to me! Me, girl who secretly relishes air travel, if only because it means justifiable idle time.
posted on: December 23

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gimmy says:
Excellent, thanks for sharing the link. Happy Holidays, you!
posted on: December 23

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katherine says:
wow -that was amazing . . . that was a link worth linking to. plus it gives me even more permission to Lounge Against The Machine :)
posted on: December 24

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