stertorous

stertorous - adj - characterized by heavy snoring

After a long week of work, I nearly feel as if I'd been running a marathon, so my sleep must be characterized by this type of breathing. We had the unfortunate event of letting go of one of the contractors, so I have had to pick up his work. Hence my absence on this list recently. I hope to return in full force next week.

syncretism

syncretism – n - The attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion.

I suppose a religious example might be the Anglican religion, which was at one time the 'via media' ('middle way' as C S Lewis described it) between Catholicism and most Protestant churches. In philosophy, Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason attempted to reconcile rationalism and empiricism.

Today's tangent is directed at Jeff, although it interested me as much as I hope it will interest Natalie too. The London Times has a review by Antonia Fraser of a new translation of Alexander Dumas's classic, The Three Musketeers; she's inspired me to give the novel a long overdue re-reading. Here's a sample:

"Why is Dumas’ tale imperishable? First The Three Musketeers has strong elements of a fairytale: one founded on a quest. D’Artagnan is the provincial youth who sets out on a despicable yellow nag, armed with nothing but a letter of introduction to M de Tréville, head of the King’s Musketeers – a letter that is almost immediately stolen. He is handsome, naive and aggressive. It goes without saying that the three musketeers, Athos, Aramis and Porthos, are expert swordsmen, and extremely quick on the draw. D’Artagnan, no slouch himself — “you walking sword blade” is a not inappropriate comment — has scarcely encountered them when he has challenged all three to a series of duels. He finally wins through to his heart’s desire and becomes a musketeer.

"Secondly, the plotting is good and the pace terrific. Although we know from the history books that the Duke of Buckingham will be assassinated by a man named John Felton, we still thrill to the tale of Felton’s seduction by the wicked Milady and hope that she will somehow be frustrated."

Check out the whole thing at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,923-2400897,00.html.