Blog Comments

  1. Virgil's Avatar
    Like I said on Themis's blog, if there is some reasonable gun law that would prevent this, I'm for it. But I think you under estimate how many of these shootings are by people with mental illness, especially young men with mental illness. Guns have always been readily available in this country going back before its founding, and even more readily than today. Something deeper is going on. Perhaps you're right to focus on community. Other than a few neighbors I hardly know anyone on my block, and I've been living here over twenty years. Church used to be a central part of life for communities. With decline of church attendance and this world of television, electronic games, and internet that prevents interaction, people hardly know people on a personal level any more.

    By the way, your font color on that background is nearly impossible to read. You might want to change your font to black.
  2. Monamy's Avatar
    Sorry it took me actually a lot of courage, self-control and 5 days after reading this blog to write this reply. It just that the heaviness of life was something I didn't understand until I, in my turn, lost someone and experienced life without one daily element that didn't look much when it was around, but feels like a big part of me is lost once it no longer existed.

    Qimi, been a long time. I wanted to say "hope you're doing well" and "hope Life has it better for you" but I could almost 'see' you smirking in a painful playful attitude. But I really hope you're doing well.

    Life isn't something we think about everyday. Sure, we have our ups and downs, but we always think we could 'live' through it. We never seem to debate the possibility of never getting the chance to see if we can or can't 'live' through things. And when we move on and look back at life, we always seem to belittle the things that cuased us unbelievable frit and stole the sleep off our eyes. I can't compare the shock I encountered with yours, but I think I can say I empathize with you.

    Argument over a girl, led to crime.
    Where is the future of this world heading? To snuff a life because of selfishness. I honestly can't blame pessimistic people now.

    I'd hate my life to end because I fight with someone over something like that. Poor Victor didn't deserve this.

    May his soul find a better place.
  3. The Comedian's Avatar
    I'm just getting caught up with my blog reading. I really enjoyed this list and your praise of Dubliners. I've read that book, but a while ago. In high school, I think.

    As a teacher, I loved your assignment that you made -- very interactive and "multiple intelligence" based.
  4. qimissung's Avatar
    Thank you, Max, I don't think I could have expressed my sadness at his passing better than you have.

    Thank you, Buh4Bee.

    Thank You, Virgil. I like the idea that he is in God's bosom now.

    Thank you all for reading and responding, for being the loving people you are. I appreciate it more than I can say.
  5. Virgil's Avatar
    Sad story Qimi. Reminds me of growing up. Actually it feels like a flashback. Not that I was involved in anything like that, but one heard stories, especially during the 1970s when crime was rampant. Actually it sounds like Victor was just a by stander. Poor young man. May he be in God's bosom now.
  6. Buh4Bee's Avatar
    God bless the work you do. No community is too big to be affected by something so great!
  7. Maximilianus's Avatar
    It's a caring touch of yours to remember the departed, qimi. It's not much for consolation when a life that was (and could keep being) valuable has been shut off without standing a chance to give a fair fightback, but at least he has someone to remember him, and not everyone is actually remembered once gone.
    As a side note, I find it kinda curious how great teachers share similar features apparently everywhere. My grammar teacher often keeps a few lollipops in her purse for the time a student gives a correct answer, as a prize. She also shows up with a bag of lollipops every time we have a test. I think it's a therapeutic activity while one is writing the answers, at least for those who reasonably know the answers to a grammar test. It's good to be a student when you have a great teacher. It's the sort of possession I feel we take with us to the other side at the time of the departure.
  8. qimissung's Avatar
    Thank you, Fifth.
  9. TheFifthElement's Avatar
    What a terrible story Qimi, I'm sorry this happened. No matter what there can be no explanation, no understanding. He was simply a boy of whom you were fond who was there and now is gone with no reason whatsoever. I'm sorry for your pain, but glad for your fond memories. I hope they can give you some small measure of comfort.
    Thinking of you. Fifth xxx
  10. qimissung's Avatar
    Thanks, Rich and Neo, LadyLuck and Prince.

    I hate guns-and this is exactly why.

    I thank you all for grieving with me the loss of a sweet boy and what might have been.
  11. PrinceMyshkin's Avatar
    I'm so sorry to hear this, Qim, and cannot help wondering, again, what is it about the gun culture in the US. I had in mind to compose a bumper-sticker once: "GUNS DON'T KILL. THE NRA DOES!"
  12. LadyLuck's Avatar
    I'm so sorry Qimi. It is always hear wrenching when someone who should be here is gone.
  13. Neo_Sephiroth's Avatar
    My condolences are with the young man and his love ones. I'm glad you took a little bit of time to pay this humble tribute.
  14. mtpspur's Avatar
    I am sorry for the loss -- any loss leaves an empty irreplaceable gap in a life. Grieve well--your tribute was very nice and personal--the best kind.
  15. Maximilianus's Avatar
    I agree with the above comments. It's truly sharp, characteristic of a sharp writer
  16. Maximilianus's Avatar
    Very beautiful!

    burgeoning, bumbling, burbling,
    Appealing alliterated trio, qimi!
  17. Jack of Hearts's Avatar
    Just two things. We like the same stories from Dubliners. That's a very fine poem.








    J
  18. qimissung's Avatar
    Yeah, that's why I would like to read it...someday
  19. Virgil's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by TheFifthElement
    Virgil, does it help if you've read The Odyssey? Sigh; everything people say just puts me off reading Joyce.
    If you're asking then you must be aware that each chapter of Ulysses follows a chapter in The Odyssey. Actually I think Joyce consolidates a few of the later chapters of the Oddyssey since the Oddyssey has 24 chapters and Ulysses has 18. And I guess you know that Leopold Bloom is Odysseus, and Bloom's day (the novel takes place all in a single day) is a re-enactment of the odyssey. It's not critical that you read The Oddyssey first. Actually one doesn't realize the patterns anyway, except for the chapter titles. But if you're to make sense of it, you should be aware of the events in The Oddyssey. That's why a guide book is helpful.

    There are other parallels in Ulysses as well. I had not realized until mid way into my second reading that each chapter is identified with a body part. And there are more such parallels. It's Joyce's way of making Bloom possibly the most three dimensional character in literary history. That's the greatness of the work. Bloom is flesh and blood. The story itself is not all that interesting if you ask me. In fact Nabokov did not think this a great novel at all. But it is. The theme of modern flesh and blood contrasted against an ancient heroic figure is brilliant.
  20. TheFifthElement's Avatar
    Virgil, does it help if you've read The Odyssey? Sigh; everything people say just puts me off reading Joyce.
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