That's right.

This web-log just got more pretentious.

on dilettantes

Honestly, prior to reading this post, I had considered affecting the usage of "might could" because it seemed so lovely to me, though I've never lived in or even been in a region where it would be colloquial. I took it as a sign of rootless dilettantism [sic], an attempt at appropriating a culture not my own, rather than a true appreciation of the semantic subtleties of the linguistic construction. I don't even know what my own voice sounds like or should sound like. I've been reading a self-help book to sort this out. I think most of the things I say are affectations, since I was taught utterly "standard" American English with an utterly unmarked accent, except for a few rural colloquialisms picked up from who-knows-where, namely, sometimes saying "gorsh" instead of "gosh" when flustered and having "bag" rhyme with "vague", though I've unfortunately begun overcompensating by making "vague" sound like the "normal" pronunciation of "bag", as my comrades in youth made fun of my pronunciation (so I didn't learn it from them, and, oddly, I didn't consciously change it until now, when nobody seems to care). I've noticed that when I read in public or drink excessively, I stop some yod-dropping and start broadening A's. But this is all quite a digression. So, anyways, if anybody knows what I'm supposed to sound like, please do tell, I'll be glad to conform to something.

In principio creavit Deus cælum et terram

Previously I remarked that translating it otherwise (ie, "made" instead of the usual "created") probably wouldn't throw anybody off, but, I have reconsidered and would agree in light of the original Latin. Consider this a public retraction of a previous comment.

And the Antiochians agree with the Russian ranking of bishops and not the Greek.

Carry on.

looks like i'm already reaping the rewards

After this morning's liturgy for the Archangel Michael and his posse, I come to work to find out that I'm getting a new better job in the new year. I'm already enjoying the benisons of my study, it seems. Well, I can't count my chickens before they're hatched, we haven't yet discussed remuneration. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Of course, I'd say the same if I got canned today, though I might say I deserved it, too.

i shall not die but live

As I said before the test, and it was true. By the grace of God, I have managed to survive my exam and probably have a decent shot of passing. Further, God has not yet seen fit to destroy me for my wickedness. "By the grace of God I am a Christian, by my deeds a great sinner..." So starts the book, anyway, and I think about it from time to time. Someday, I may be delivered from this body of death.

NO SHAVE NOVEMBER

I shaved off my beard because I am too wicked to deserve a beard, but this post serves as a reminder about NO SHAVE NOVEMBER, which I will participate in.