I see myself in George Bernard Shaw's plays (born 1856). I see myself in Trollope novels (born 1815), for pity's sake.

If adult women are barely present in Tolkien and most of Lewis, it's because of choices they made to reject the modern world. They aren't passive victims of their times; they are men who made a deliberate choice to embrace a certain image of the world.

Awww, thanks for indulging my crazy wordfulness (I am unsurprised to discover yet again that Susan W. and I are as one in a literary opinion; we need matching T-shirts that say, "What she said") -- and Burrell, congratulations on the start of maternity leave! msbelle, go forth, have fun and be shiny.

Also, I've been too blabby and opinionated. Someone else tell me what to have for lunch (soft-shell taco with black beans and fresh salsa, Italian panino sandwich, prolly involving portobello mushrooms, pizza slice, or take my chances with the cafeteria downstairs since it's the cheapest option).

(There is also a Panda Express on campus, but I try to pretend there isn't)

How close to now does someone have to be before they are responsible for their own views, instead of being excused by their age?

It's complicated by the fact that a lot of ideas are going to be flying around in any particular age. Who's the stanard of our age? (Note: If it's Antonin Scalia -- and you could probably raise at least a half-sound argument that it is -- you're starting from a very different base than if it's Howard Dean.)

My view -- and I won't apply it to Lewis because I haven't read his work -- is that I won't let incidental examples of the views of an age spoil my enjoyment of something. For example, I won't turn against a 1930s movie just because the only black character is a maid or the porter on a train. Now, if the character's part involves being a living embodiment of racist stereotypes, it's a very different story.

I was wondernig why the web recap of the game wasn't updating.

But I like it when you're blabby and opinionated. I learn stuff.

That is one of the reasons why Wrigley Field is so beloved, DXM--they've done an excellent job of keeping the advertising to a bare minimum.

Note: If it's Antonin Scalia -- and you could probably raise at least a half-sound argument that it is -- you're starting from a very different base than if it's Howard Dean.

Yes, this. Exactly.

[eta: And you know, I'm not even going to bother pointing out that I am, in fact, a huge Tolkien fan. Doesn't mean I have to like/enjoy/identify with/forgive everything about either the man or his works.]

Also, I've been too blabby and opinionated.

No such thing!

My view -- and I won't apply it to Lewis because I haven't read his work -- is that I won't let incidental examples of the views of an age spoil my enjoyment of something. For example, I won't turn against a 1930s movie just because the only black character is a maid or the porter on a train. Now, if the character's part involves being a living embodiment of racist stereotypes, it's a very different story.

What he said. Except I can even get past characters being living embodiments of stereotypes, sometimes, depending.

My cafeteria lunch had yummy yummy Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and I am NOT going to eat any more of my much too generous serving.

Who's the standard of our age? (Note: If it's Antonin Scalia -- and you could probably raise at least a half-sound argument that it is --

Hope not. For one thing, I hope my age is not characterized by pointless crabbiness.

In ballpark news, the Red Sox game is under way. In the introduction of the players, all the Yankees got booed as expected, except Mariano Rivera, who got cheered wildly for giving up the hits that let us win last week. He laughed about it, tipped his cap.

I have skipped lunch. This is assuredly a mistake. What lunch can be achieved at 3pm, I wonder?