"A true pilot must of necessity pay attention to the seasons, the heavens, the stars, the winds, and everything proper to the craft if he is really to rule a ship." - Plato
In the 21st century, everyone will have their own cult of personality, to one degree or another, which through increased and enhanced social networking will coalesce into groups of similar types, or mega-cults, if you will - so I've decided to to get a head start on the masses and formalize mine!
What is Paulism?
When I figure it out, I'll let you know. In the meantime, stay tuned (and check out past and future posts tagged "Paulosophy")!!
There was no noise as the coffin was lowered
into the grave,
save for the sadness of the lonely bugle
hanging slowly in the withered air.
His comrades stood around
all of them hardened veterans of the war,
thinking of their fallen friend
while wondering which of the them
would be the next
to die.
The chaplain said a few words from the Bible
1 Peter, verses 4, 7 through 11,
after which the company commander stepped forward
and quoted from a certain President,
Abraham Lincoln,
who once said under somewhat similar circumstances
in another place:
"It is rather for us to be here dedicated
to the great task remaining before us
that from these honoured dead we take increased devotion
to that cause for which they gave the last full measure
of devotion
that we here highly resolve that these
dead shall not have died
in vain."
He concluded by telling the troops
how proud he had been to have served
with such a brave young man,
and then he turned and walked back
to the bunkers behind
the land of the red tabs.
The others marched slowly
in the opposite direction
heads bowed,
a few with salt in their eyes,
as they glanced back and bid farewell
to the mound of dirt and small white cross,
the only memorial to mark the place
of the burial of private Colin Patrick.
written & performed by Paul Kimball
Recorded on 4-track, 1997
After three weeks visiting England and Scotland in May, 2009, I flew to the Czech Republic where I spent the last week and a half of my vacation. For most of the time I was based in Prague, with day trips to places like Kutna Hora and Terezin, but I also spent a couple of days in Český Krumlov, a beautiful town and UNESCOWorld Heritage Site about three hours south of Prague best known for the fine architecture and art of the historic old town and Český Krumlov Castle.
Here are some of the photos from my walkabouts during those wonderful two days.
The train station.
The sign for the inn, or "pension", at which I stayed.
The pension. It was like staying in a wizard's tower!
Dinner at a riverfront restaurant, which a touch
of Americana (Pepsi) and a locally-made toy
that I bought for a friend in Canada.
The restaurants on the river.
Another view of the castle.
Another charming and friendly little bar.
Český Krumlov at night.
The castle at night.
Town square at night.
If you ever get the chance to visit Český Krumlov, make sure you take it - it's a true adventure, full of history, mystery, great bars and restaurants, and, perhaps best of all, nooks and crannies that hold all sorts of surprises.
Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries in the Middle Ages, and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty.
The central focus of the island is the former Benedictine Abbey, which was founded in 1203, and which since 1938 has housed the ecumenical Iona Community. I visited the island in May, 2009, while I was vacationing in Mull for several days. It was a wonderful day full of history, mystery and reflection.
The road leading to Fionnphort, and the
ferry to the Isle of Iona.
The ferry from the Isle of Iona arrives in Fionnphort.
Yours truly on the ferry to the Isle of Iona, with the
Iona Abbey in the background.
The main settlement of Baile Mòr on Iona.
"Downtown" Baile Mòr
Yours truly at the ruins of the old Benedictine
convent, built in 1208.
The parish church.
The Iona post office.
The Iona Abbey.
Inside the Abbey - the medieval church.
The cloisters.
Inside the Abbey.
Another view of the cloisters.
One of the many ancient monuments in the Abbey.
Praying in the Michael chapel.
Inside the Abbey.
Croses in Reilig Odhráin, the little cemetery beside Sràid
