Summer Class

I just finished up Foundations of Literary Study, an undergraduate summer class I enrolled in at Rutgers Newark, and the first time I've been back in a classroom since graduating five years ago.

The class focused on three books and accompanying criticism and literary theory. We read Frankenstein, Heart of Darkness, and Labyrinths. I wrote two papers for the class, the first a short analysis looking at Victor Frankenstein's narcissistic obsession with science as an attack on religious traditions.

The second paper considered Chinua Achebe's criticism of the text of Heart of Darkness. Achebe contends that dehumanization of Africans in Conrad's text indicates a fundamental racism that invalidates any commentary made of European imperialism. I took issue with the argument. Instead I suggested that the dehumanization of the Africans, as well as the Europeans, demonstrated an inherent evil in colonialism and without that dehumanization, there would be no critique made.

100,000 Miles

My 2002 Honda Civic passed the 100,000 mile mark this afternoon while commuting home from Hackensack.

The Fictional Origins of Coleslaw

Growing up in the suburbs of northern New Jersey meant my adolescent social life essentially revolved around diners. Diners are great places for a cup of coffee and a few hours of doing nothing. I consistently ordered meals that came with a side order of coleslaw. For the most part, coleslaw in north jersey consists of green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrot shavings mixed with a thick dose of mayonnaise. There are many regional variations on coleslaw, some involving oil and vinegar rather than mayonnaise, or eliminating or substituting the vegetables.

Since I was quite well known for random tidbits of knowledge, I figured I could pull off explaining to my friends the origins of coleslaw, even if the entire story was fictional. One afternoon I retold an improvisational tale of coleslaw's origin. Since then I've repeated the story a few times, and inevitably I am believed.

When inventing the story of coleslaw's origins, I inserted certain facts that were real, such as mentioning the Panic of 1873. Other facts were so mundane, there was little reason to question them. Most importantly though, coleslaw itself is so pedestrian, there would seem little reason to fabricate a legendary tale about a food given away for free when you order a grilled cheese sandwich. In essence, I created a Clancy Pants before I even knew what a Clancy Pants was.

For those discerning readers interested in the original tale, I wrote up a version here.