Columbia and related matters (with a brief excursis on Straussianism)--oh, I make myself laugh

Used to hang at a Columbian hipster bar (you can find anything in NY).
Very good place. Had the wildest thing--a little terrace that hung
over the bar. Bands would play on it.

Went to a Halloween party there. My costume was Obe Won--the Ewen
McGreggor one. One day Sir Alec Guiness. He's my favorite.

Of course, the best one is Empire. Love the "you're not my father" bit.

And who doesn't like the incest aspect.

First day of class, if I make it. Have an afternoon appointment, and
school is 60 miles by train.

Well, if not today Thursday, which is the class i really want to take.
E. Ann Caplan--not that that means anything to you, but she's a kick
ass scholar. Real gem (and I don't mean the rock-star cartoon, though
she is that). She sent me to theory camp. One day I'll go again. Can't
get enough Dominic LaCapra. Who can?

What can I say, I was raised by a historicist (academically speaking).
Though, he misrepresented himself. Claimed to be a 19th century-style
german historicist. Which he was, in a way. But his training was as a
Straussian.

You might remember them. Very influential in the early Bush
administration. I believe Rumsfeld was one. Among others.

Scary stuff. Strauss believed in what's called the ``Straussian eye.''
Believed certain people could read right. Others only believed myth.
Undemocratic. But loved Gunsmoke.

Have you read the 9/11 commission report? Makes the Tower commission
report look like Aristotle's Nichomachian Ethics (yes, i've spent too
much time in school. studied greek and latin, no less. Read with David
Green, of the Committee on Social Thought (``we think in groups'').
I've studied too many things--classics, history, art history, writing,
20th century novel, 20th century poetry, briefly film (though i have a
kick-ass paper--terminator and aliens, both films about abortion),
critical theory, textuality, german idealism... the list goes on and
on).

Well, gotta let you go.

Enjoy Columbia. Good drugs there, though don't get caught up with the
Cali cartel.

Bogeta-- good avenues. Caracas--good beaches. The mountains to die for.

Gets chilly.