The Eldritch

Some time ago, on a different blog, I wrote:

A college campus can be a spooky place 10:30 at night. Last night it was very cold, but very clear at Chaffey College (where I teach).

It was the last class of the semester and I ended up chatting with a few students, for about an hour, after class ended.

The campus sits high, near the base of some mountains (or foot hills). As I stood alone in the parking lot (shivering), I could see from L.A. to Riverside (or what I took to be Riverside). It was quite beautiful. But there was a spooky quality to the experience.

The cold, the breeze, the visibility, and the solitude all made for an eerie experience. But what does that mean? What does it mean for the atmosphere to be eerie, or spooky? And why should human beings have such moments?

I had a similar experience last night.  The atmosphere about me was not quite right.  I was anxious and alive to something in the air.  Have you had such a moment?

But, again I ask, why should we have such moments?  I’m suggesting that there is more to them than meets the eye.  I am suggesting that they are not simply emotional reactions to our environment.

When all is well (physically and mentally) with oneself, and all is right with the world, one may awaken.  But awaken to what?

I liken such moments to our love of music.  Why should music affect us the way it does?  The paradigms of the world (Freudian, Marxist, Darwinist) do not help here.  There are no easy anwers here.

What is it in the air?  Have you had similar experiences?

My Students

Whether through providence or chance, I have had, in my short teaching career, some exceptional students.  I am not referring to academic performance alone.  I am referring to their gratitude, patience, kindness, and diligence.

Many of them lead very interesting lives, and are quite fun to be around.  It is these students that make teaching philosophy a joy.  They drive me to constantly revise, rework and rethink what I say and how I say it.  Some of these students have become friends.

Last night I said goobye to another great class.

One of our group, Ken, held a post-final get-together.  He invited the class to his place for, of course, pizza and drinks.  The food was ambrosial and the conversation delectable.  Maybe this will be the start of a tradition, the Parise post-final exam get-together.

Best gift of the night goes to Andrew who brought me a Galaxy t-shirt signed by this guy.  Andrew signed a contract with the Galaxy this Summer.  My students never cease to fascinate me.

Who Needs Sleep

For the past two years I think I’ve slept, on average, four to five hours a night.  Many nights I get between two and three hours of sleep. I have two children under the age of two and I’m a night owl.   The problem is a lack of sleep, it seems, is a bigger [...]

March 20th, 2008

The last day of Winter.  The first day of Spring.  My birthday.  The day my maternal grandfather, my last living grandparent, died.

NeatFREAK

I’m a neat (and clean) freak.  Anyone else share this affliction?   Well, now we have something useful to explain our neurosis: A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves. An excerpt: Excessive clutter and disorganization are often symptoms of a bigger health problem. People who have suffered an emotional trauma or a brain injury often find [...]

Friday

It’s friday. This is a significant fact for me, because it means I can relax – a week of outside demands and duties has come to an end. These obligations and responsibilities are enjoyable for the most part. In fact, part of becoming a mature (i.e. happy) adult is learning to love your duties and [...]

I died

I dreamt I died.  I rarely dream.  When I do dream, I’m usually being chased by tigers or jumping into the stratosphere.  Great heights.  Wild animals.  I don’t know what it means, if anything. Thursday night I died.  Most of the dream, which was vivid upon my awakening, has faded. I remember running and dodging, [...]