“What the Greeks endeavored to achieve in all things was arête, that quality of excellence that results from refinement and testing in all human endeavors. Arête was an all-encompassing physical, moral, and intellectual excellence requiring a balance in life and achieved through rigorous self-discipline.
“Nothing to excess” sums up the Greek view of life, and it was for this reason that Greeks had no time for specialists. A person of arête did all things well and kept in balance. To realize a well-ordered life, a person endeavored to exercise strength and power in restraint, to value quality before achievement, and personal honor over opulence.”
Nothing to excess. Never too much family, too much friends, too much sleep, too much partying. Never too much eating, too much dieting, too much exercise, too much loafing. Never too much drinking, too much sports, too much shopping, too much homework. Never too much church, too much myspace, too much texting, too much video game. Never too much reading, too much cuddling, too much ice cream, too much dancing. Never too much crying, too much laughing, too much makeup, too much gossip. Nothing to excess.
The past few days I’ve started trying to moderate my life in as many aspects as possible. I’m trying to be physically, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and socially balanced. I’m slightly obsessive compulsive in that everything I do is very organized and most of it planned, but I feel productive and successful this way. If anything is slightly sloppy or spontaneous, I keep it confined in a 2-foot bubble around me. It’s proving difficult to describe the way I’m living this Greek philosophy. I’m sure most of this is mental. Had someone been watching me for the past couple weeks they probably wouldn’t be able to tell a difference between last week and the last few days, but luckily no one has been, so I can exaggerate the difference I feel as much as I’d like.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Good Day
Would it be annoying to be forced to listen to music in another language whenever you were in your room? I agree. But I hate these earbuds :( Learn English dang it!
I rearranged my half of the room today. Ever since Elementary School when I'd change the layout of my books and papers and pencils and hidden box of sugar cubes and other odds and ends inside my desk, I've been a big fan of rearranging. Even with only 2 pieces of furniture and about a 9' x 9' area to work with, the rejuvinating cleanliness that comes along with changing the layout of my living space is exactly what I needed today to motivate myself back into life. Perfect.
The other day I was visiting my home in Centerville. I sat down with the newspaper to bring myself up to date in the world becaues I don't get the paper in college and haven't put forth the effort to do any reading online. These are some, not all, but some of the headlines I saw:
Rapist not sure freedom is best
Husband charged in hit-and-run death
A Sad Farewell
Police kill man after 2 stabbings
Clues are sought in girl's disappearance
2 Jail escapees indicted
Pot bust in Sandy
Jeppson in court to hear Kiplyn murder charge
Woman is found dead in her house
Teen gunman injures 4, kills self at Cleveland school
Injured rescuer sues family of boy left disabled after near drowning(this is ridiculous: a one-year-old who was found without a pulse in a pool was rescued by a rescue crew. The boy survived, but has severe brain damage and can't eat, swallow, talk, or walk. The day of the near-drowning, one of the rescuers slipped on a puddle of water somewhere in the family's house. She broke her knee cap and was out of service for about 2 months. Now she is trying to sue the family for the injury. Of course there will be water in the house, the kid nearly drowned. What a jerk.)
Offenders must post "No Candy" ("To discourage contact with children, some registered sex offenders in Maryland will be asked to post signs at their homes that say "No Candy at this Residence" on Halloween." Sad.)
It made me not feel so bad that I don't get the newspaper.
From my book "Understanding Architecture; Its Elements, History, and Meaning" I have for you a couple lines that I enjoyed:
"The method used to ascertain truth by the scholars of the thirteenth century was scholasticism, the application of Classical Aristotelian logic to explain and reconcile inconsistencies between early church writings, the civil law compiled by Justinian, and canon law. It was inevitable that such investigations would lead to doubt, but as Abelard, one of the principal philosophers in Paris, observed, doubt would lead to inquiry and inquiry to truth."
"Small wonder that the Athenian philosopher Protagoras of Abdera, a friend of Perikles, should write in his essay Truth, "Man is the measure of all things, of those which are that they are, and of those which are not that they are not." In the Greek, this can also be taken to mean "man is the measure of all things," meaning that truth is relative to human perception and interpretation."
I recently had my hair cut and colored, and for a few days there were some blonde highlights which are now more brown. One day, when the highlights were still blonde, my 5 year old niece said to me, in all seriousness, "I didn't recognize you because of your gold hair. I have gold hair from the sun. I have gold hair from the sun because I play hard." Cutie.
That's all for now.
(10.15.7)
I rearranged my half of the room today. Ever since Elementary School when I'd change the layout of my books and papers and pencils and hidden box of sugar cubes and other odds and ends inside my desk, I've been a big fan of rearranging. Even with only 2 pieces of furniture and about a 9' x 9' area to work with, the rejuvinating cleanliness that comes along with changing the layout of my living space is exactly what I needed today to motivate myself back into life. Perfect.
The other day I was visiting my home in Centerville. I sat down with the newspaper to bring myself up to date in the world becaues I don't get the paper in college and haven't put forth the effort to do any reading online. These are some, not all, but some of the headlines I saw:
Rapist not sure freedom is best
Husband charged in hit-and-run death
A Sad Farewell
Police kill man after 2 stabbings
Clues are sought in girl's disappearance
2 Jail escapees indicted
Pot bust in Sandy
Jeppson in court to hear Kiplyn murder charge
Woman is found dead in her house
Teen gunman injures 4, kills self at Cleveland school
Injured rescuer sues family of boy left disabled after near drowning(this is ridiculous: a one-year-old who was found without a pulse in a pool was rescued by a rescue crew. The boy survived, but has severe brain damage and can't eat, swallow, talk, or walk. The day of the near-drowning, one of the rescuers slipped on a puddle of water somewhere in the family's house. She broke her knee cap and was out of service for about 2 months. Now she is trying to sue the family for the injury. Of course there will be water in the house, the kid nearly drowned. What a jerk.)
Offenders must post "No Candy" ("To discourage contact with children, some registered sex offenders in Maryland will be asked to post signs at their homes that say "No Candy at this Residence" on Halloween." Sad.)
It made me not feel so bad that I don't get the newspaper.
From my book "Understanding Architecture; Its Elements, History, and Meaning" I have for you a couple lines that I enjoyed:
"The method used to ascertain truth by the scholars of the thirteenth century was scholasticism, the application of Classical Aristotelian logic to explain and reconcile inconsistencies between early church writings, the civil law compiled by Justinian, and canon law. It was inevitable that such investigations would lead to doubt, but as Abelard, one of the principal philosophers in Paris, observed, doubt would lead to inquiry and inquiry to truth."
"Small wonder that the Athenian philosopher Protagoras of Abdera, a friend of Perikles, should write in his essay Truth, "Man is the measure of all things, of those which are that they are, and of those which are not that they are not." In the Greek, this can also be taken to mean "man is the measure of all things," meaning that truth is relative to human perception and interpretation."
I recently had my hair cut and colored, and for a few days there were some blonde highlights which are now more brown. One day, when the highlights were still blonde, my 5 year old niece said to me, in all seriousness, "I didn't recognize you because of your gold hair. I have gold hair from the sun. I have gold hair from the sun because I play hard." Cutie.
That's all for now.
(10.15.7)
AIDS
I just heard about the death of a man I was associated with for a short time who died on Saturday of AIDS. I've never known someone with AIDS, let alone had them die from it. AIDS has always seemed far away and only spoken of, not actually experienced. For some reason it's just a little hard for me to understand.
Scott Douglas Morgan "Our Scrooge"
Scott Douglas Morgan passed away Oct. 6, 2007. He loved music and acting and performed in theatres throughout the valley for over 30 years. His favorite role was of Ebenezer Scrooge-a role that changed his life. After graduating from Granger High School and serving an LDS mission in Paris, France, Scott drifted from his standards.
During this period, he struggled with addiction and also contracted HIV and Aids, diseases which he survived for 21 years. In 1997, Scott was cast as the understudy for Scrooge in Hale Centre Theatre's "A Christmas Carol." During his first performance, Scott's life profoundly changed. "I will have Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I shall live in the past, the present and the future, the Spirits of all three shall strive within me and I will not shut out the lessons they teach." This was the beginning of an amazing transformation. Scott began a difficult repentance process during which he courted Tammy Eves, a long-time friend and fellow actor in HCT's "Fiddler on The Roof." On closing night of the show, Scott proposed to Tammy in front of a sold-out crowd. The two were married onstage Sept. 24, 1999, and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Aug. 30, 2002. Scott and Tammy shared the stage together for the last time in Dec. 2006.
Scott served in several church callings, most recently on the high council of the Midvale North Stake. He had an incredible testimony of the Atonement and was never afraid to share it. One of Scott's mottos was "It's all about choice." He wanted everybody to have the hope that a child can change. Scott was born March 30, 1958 to Douglas W. Morgan and Barbara Coombs Morgan. He was preceded in death by two siblings: Lynn Morgan and Laura Harms. He is survived by his wife, parents and two siblings: Milton Morgan (Gerri), Lydia Moyes (Scott) as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Larry Reimer and the U Medical Center staff for their years of care and friendship. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Scott D. Morgan Memorial Fund (in Tammy's name) at Bank of American Fork. Funeral services are scheduled for Fri., Oct. 12, 11 a.m. at the Midvale North Stake, 97 West 7500 South. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the services, and on Thurs. Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m. at the Jenkins Soffe Mortuary, 4760 State St. Interment, Midvale City Cemetery.
(10.10.7)
Scott Douglas Morgan "Our Scrooge"
Scott Douglas Morgan passed away Oct. 6, 2007. He loved music and acting and performed in theatres throughout the valley for over 30 years. His favorite role was of Ebenezer Scrooge-a role that changed his life. After graduating from Granger High School and serving an LDS mission in Paris, France, Scott drifted from his standards.
During this period, he struggled with addiction and also contracted HIV and Aids, diseases which he survived for 21 years. In 1997, Scott was cast as the understudy for Scrooge in Hale Centre Theatre's "A Christmas Carol." During his first performance, Scott's life profoundly changed. "I will have Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I shall live in the past, the present and the future, the Spirits of all three shall strive within me and I will not shut out the lessons they teach." This was the beginning of an amazing transformation. Scott began a difficult repentance process during which he courted Tammy Eves, a long-time friend and fellow actor in HCT's "Fiddler on The Roof." On closing night of the show, Scott proposed to Tammy in front of a sold-out crowd. The two were married onstage Sept. 24, 1999, and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Aug. 30, 2002. Scott and Tammy shared the stage together for the last time in Dec. 2006.
Scott served in several church callings, most recently on the high council of the Midvale North Stake. He had an incredible testimony of the Atonement and was never afraid to share it. One of Scott's mottos was "It's all about choice." He wanted everybody to have the hope that a child can change. Scott was born March 30, 1958 to Douglas W. Morgan and Barbara Coombs Morgan. He was preceded in death by two siblings: Lynn Morgan and Laura Harms. He is survived by his wife, parents and two siblings: Milton Morgan (Gerri), Lydia Moyes (Scott) as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Larry Reimer and the U Medical Center staff for their years of care and friendship. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Scott D. Morgan Memorial Fund (in Tammy's name) at Bank of American Fork. Funeral services are scheduled for Fri., Oct. 12, 11 a.m. at the Midvale North Stake, 97 West 7500 South. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the services, and on Thurs. Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m. at the Jenkins Soffe Mortuary, 4760 State St. Interment, Midvale City Cemetery.
(10.10.7)
Fall Break
(10.9.7)
This week I want to get some things done. It is almost half way gone, so I need to start moving as soon as I get off this compy. I have some homework I want to get done so I don't have to worry about it next week. I want to get some done tonight, some tomorrow. Then be finished. And not have it pressing my conscience every few hours. I need to
1. Read two long chapters (11 and 12) from Understanding Architecture and possibly take notes on them if I want to be a overachiever, which I secretly do.
2. Do a practice exam for a Calculus test on Tuesday. Questions from the exam will come from the practice exam, so I'd be an idiot not to do it.
3. Read chapter 6 in my Physics book so I will understand the assignments I do next week.
See. Not very much to do. But I want to get it done really soon. That way I will have the rest of Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday to
1. Clean my dorm.
A.Vacuum.
B. Organize my desk.
C. Get rid of some clothes from my over-flowing drawers.
D. Clean the bathroom, somewhat.
2. Read the last 12.5 pages of Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson. No, not read. Understand the last 12.5 pages of Self -Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
3. Watch Rad.
4. Figure out my future.
A. Write down next semester's schedule plan
B. Figure out any Gen Ed's I still need and place them somewhere in next year's spring semester.
C. Hopefully find that all basic requirements will be completed within 3 semesters at the University, leaving room for one Semester to Study Abroad in Italy taking whatever classes I choose. Classes that don't hold me back transcript wise if they don't transfer correctly.
D. Decide which of the 5 Universities in Italy would be the most benifitial to me and my future.
E. Find out if my scholarship would cover the same finances in Italy that it does here.
F. Figure out how much Italy would cost based off the information found in E.
G. Figure out every detail about Studying Abroad, including cost, dates, deadlines, plane rides, etc. so I can present a very well organized and thought out plan to my parents.
5. Go to Provo for one night. Sleep at sister Michelle's. Have a dance party with Mindy. Play with both Mindy and Annie for longer than 5 minutes. (Clancee's fault.)
6. Go to Logan for one night. Sleep at sister Sara's. Have a dance party with Sara. Play with Tyler and Jared and Trent. Find Ali Drake and talk to her.
7. Visit Jo Bradbury.
8. Visit my old family called the Cheney's.
9. Write letters to missionary friends
A. Ben Rasmussen
B. Mike Walter
C. Greg Whipple
10. Visit Bryan Mortenson. Have good conversation.
11. Find small somethings like the wine decorations in Mrs. Bradbury's art classroom to decorate my dorm wall with. Not that I really care to, but because I feel when people come to visit they wish there was something on my wall. I'm such a conformist.
12. Read Harry Potter 7. Yes, I still have not finished the book. I don't really want to. I likehaving something to look forward to in the wizarding world. Since I was in 4th grade there has always been future to Harry Potter and I am not sure I'm ready for it to be over.
13. Read Uncle Tom's Cabin. I hear references to it a lot and have never read it.
14. Read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Just because.
15. Get a massage at Massage Envy.
16. Play Guitar Hero. Get at least 4 stars on all the songs on Hard.
17. Play with Cael, Jared, and Trent.
I suppose that is all. Quite the list. This is more for me than you. I needed to write down everything I wanted to do this week before I forgot. I'm excited.
On your marks, Get set, Go.
This week I want to get some things done. It is almost half way gone, so I need to start moving as soon as I get off this compy. I have some homework I want to get done so I don't have to worry about it next week. I want to get some done tonight, some tomorrow. Then be finished. And not have it pressing my conscience every few hours. I need to
1. Read two long chapters (11 and 12) from Understanding Architecture and possibly take notes on them if I want to be a overachiever, which I secretly do.
2. Do a practice exam for a Calculus test on Tuesday. Questions from the exam will come from the practice exam, so I'd be an idiot not to do it.
3. Read chapter 6 in my Physics book so I will understand the assignments I do next week.
See. Not very much to do. But I want to get it done really soon. That way I will have the rest of Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday to
1. Clean my dorm.
A.Vacuum.
B. Organize my desk.
C. Get rid of some clothes from my over-flowing drawers.
D. Clean the bathroom, somewhat.
2. Read the last 12.5 pages of Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson. No, not read. Understand the last 12.5 pages of Self -Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
3. Watch Rad.
4. Figure out my future.
A. Write down next semester's schedule plan
B. Figure out any Gen Ed's I still need and place them somewhere in next year's spring semester.
C. Hopefully find that all basic requirements will be completed within 3 semesters at the University, leaving room for one Semester to Study Abroad in Italy taking whatever classes I choose. Classes that don't hold me back transcript wise if they don't transfer correctly.
D. Decide which of the 5 Universities in Italy would be the most benifitial to me and my future.
E. Find out if my scholarship would cover the same finances in Italy that it does here.
F. Figure out how much Italy would cost based off the information found in E.
G. Figure out every detail about Studying Abroad, including cost, dates, deadlines, plane rides, etc. so I can present a very well organized and thought out plan to my parents.
5. Go to Provo for one night. Sleep at sister Michelle's. Have a dance party with Mindy. Play with both Mindy and Annie for longer than 5 minutes. (Clancee's fault.)
6. Go to Logan for one night. Sleep at sister Sara's. Have a dance party with Sara. Play with Tyler and Jared and Trent. Find Ali Drake and talk to her.
7. Visit Jo Bradbury.
8. Visit my old family called the Cheney's.
9. Write letters to missionary friends
A. Ben Rasmussen
B. Mike Walter
C. Greg Whipple
10. Visit Bryan Mortenson. Have good conversation.
11. Find small somethings like the wine decorations in Mrs. Bradbury's art classroom to decorate my dorm wall with. Not that I really care to, but because I feel when people come to visit they wish there was something on my wall. I'm such a conformist.
12. Read Harry Potter 7. Yes, I still have not finished the book. I don't really want to. I likehaving something to look forward to in the wizarding world. Since I was in 4th grade there has always been future to Harry Potter and I am not sure I'm ready for it to be over.
13. Read Uncle Tom's Cabin. I hear references to it a lot and have never read it.
14. Read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Just because.
15. Get a massage at Massage Envy.
16. Play Guitar Hero. Get at least 4 stars on all the songs on Hard.
17. Play with Cael, Jared, and Trent.
I suppose that is all. Quite the list. This is more for me than you. I needed to write down everything I wanted to do this week before I forgot. I'm excited.
On your marks, Get set, Go.
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