It is times like this that I am reminded of one famous line from a short chapter of Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked this Way Comes.” I think it captures the essence of my past few weeks in Tchad. It goes something like this:
Nothing much happened the rest of the night.
Now, to you North-Americaners, this may be an untrue statement. I overhauled my bicycle, passed out at the doctor’s office when he took blood (and was caught before I hit the floor by a certain Canadian bystander), recieved visitors from the capitol city, experienced a sun-blotting dust storm, and bought a giant sack of fried bean pastries from a woman by the bike repair man.
I assure you, all of this seems mere habit by now and no one should be excited or concerned by it. Or maybe you should. One of the headlines on BBC news is “Math genius urged to take prize.” Really, if he does not want the prize, don’t force him to take it. It’s not like he’ll have contributed any more or less to mathematics without it.
We have been giving final exams at school this week. I’m thinking about nominating one of my students for an English prize to see if she will accept it.
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March 25, 2010 at 1:21 pm
David
This is a good post, Dan. My favorite so far.
March 25, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Ariela Vader
really Dan, you should at least warn the dr. that you are a fainter – like your father before you. Loved the post. And the Bradbury quote, well, it seems as though it always applies to our own lives and not to those on the outside. To me, your weeks seemed very eventful. Keep seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary – you’ve always been gifted with that.
March 26, 2010 at 7:01 am
isaac
That post threw me off..
How exactly do you say “Tchad” anyway?
March 30, 2010 at 10:04 am
danieltvader
Just like you say “Chad,” but with more pizaaz.
March 31, 2010 at 1:02 am
Gramma and Grandad Vader
It’s great to here from you again, Dan! Your Aunt Stephanie was not so lucky to have someone to catch her when fainting. Grandad is another one to watch. Such is life when you have low blood pressure. Thanks for another descriptive post. What great images of your life this past year.