Moby Dick

I started reading Moby Dick again. During my first attempt, where much of the reading happened on the trains in NYC, I felt that a more careful focus was needed to grasp the delicate philosophical points, and so I postponed reading until I had the time to devote to a more thorough analysis of each chapter. Realizing that such a time might never soon come, I downloaded the book on my iPod touch and started over again. The reading has been going pretty slow, but this time I can make electronic notes and comments on interesting parts of the book.

One of the interesting, poetic ramblings so far is captured in this phrase:

“Then there you lie like the one warm spark in the heart of an arctic crystal.”

This ends Ishmael’s thoughts of being in bed in a cold room wrapped in a snuggly blanket with nothing but bodily heat for warmth. The cold air on the face contrasts and increases the wonderful warmth felt elsewhere. This is a microcosm of viewing the storm-ridden world from the comfort of a home. A warm room – “a luxurious discomfort of the rich” – prevents this “deliciousness” from being enjoyed. Two lessons are to be learned here.

First: Winter is the season of love! What is better than being with the one you love under a warm and comforting cover, shielded from the icy-cold and tormenting world? What is better than the secure, soul-calming embrace which shuts out the worries without? What is better than outside a frozen hell while a warm paradise within?

Second: To better enjoy a luxury, we must feel and be immediately reminded of what it was like to be without it. After a long and famished ordeal, a simple meal is more satisfying than the most wonderful creations by the greatest of chefs. After an arduous and exhausting journey, a comfortable sleep on a plain bed is better lying in a king’s chamber on the finest sheets. After a bout of terrifying loneliness, seeing one friendly face is more exciting than being surrounded and admired by a sea of strangers.

Eadweard Muybridge @ Corcoran Gallery of Art

Went to see the Eadweard Muybridge exhibition at the Cocoran Gallery of Art this past Saturday with Cristina. It was nice and certainly worth seeing. Unfortunately, the Gallery started closing before we finished getting through the exhibit, so we weren’t able see Muybridge’s famous motion photography which was presented at the end. There seems to be other interesting exhibits there, so it may be worth going again in the near future.

DC, of course, has a wonderful artsy side that should be experienced as much as possible. However, art galleries and museums are often very exhausting for me. Usually, after visiting the first view rooms of an exhibit, I find it hard to focus and concentrate. At this point, I am usually looking for an exit, or a cafe where I can sit and relax for a little. This means I need more time to understand and appreciate the art culture in DC. Good things I live here.

Bizet’s “Carmen” was on PBS Saturday night and to my surprise, I found myself watching it till nearly 4am. I was waiting to hear the famous “Habenara,” and luckily I caught the opera just when it was starting. Later, I found the very funny Muppets version of this aria.