Byzantine's New Writeups

Wayfaring Stranger (thing)

2008-10-26T07:02:58Z

"Wayfaring Stranger" is a traditional Christian folk song or hymn, known particularly in the American South where it has been considered a "white spiritual." It has been published in multiple anthologies and hymnals, most notably in older editions of the extremely influential Sacred Harp—the one must-have book for those interested in shape note singing—and the Southern Baptist Convention's Baptist Hymnal (both the 1975 and 1991 editions lack it, although it is present in the 1956 edition). As a traditional song, its lyrics often vary somewhat, particularly as it has been much-covered (mostly by country and bluegrass musicians—notably Johnny Cash, amongst others). Nonetheless, something approaching a standard version would be as follows:

I am a poor, wayfaring stranger
Just a-traveling in this world of woe.
There is no sickness, toil, or…

December 7, 2007 (person)

2007-12-08T06:08:41Z

The whole family went to the Ob/Gyn for my wife's appointment today since she was scheduled to get an ultrasound. And...(wait for it)...it's a girl! Probably to be named Genevieve Anne.

September 22, 2007 (person)

2007-09-23T07:27:46Z

Parents and mother-in-law came today since tomorrow is my son's first birthday. I get along with all of them, but it makes me want to drink regardless.

Last night overly busy at the restaurant due to football game. Came in at noon to start prep work (normal Saturdays I come in at two), although honestly I could have come in at one-thirty or two if I wanted to work hard—which I don't. I hate rushing. We still had two crawfish pies leftover (from five), so I just baked off two from the filling that was already made. Also made enough filling for four more pies just in case. We're out of uncooked navy beans, so instead of trying to force the navy bean/feta salad (which wasn't selling well), we just (per the boss) took it off the menu and substituted a caesar salad—which, of course, sold like hotcakes.

Nonetheless, not too busy tonight, which of course was nice after last night. Nothing abnormal re: the group dynamic.

Went to the Blind Pig…

August 8, 2007 (log)

2007-08-09T02:27:53Z

The heat continues unabated, which is usual for this time of year, though we received some respite today by the simple expedient of turning on the sprinkler as we sat outside. Some part of the day, it seems to me, must be spent outside, even if it be only briefly for some small purpose. Even had the heat not been so intense, I had resolved already to do as little as possible today—my neck pains me, so that I can hardly turn to one side or the other, or bend down to pick something up, without feeling at least a twinge. I think perhaps I have strained some muscle in yesterday's exertions.

My wife thinks the child is teething, and I must say that I agree, for he chews on everything he may, the teeth he has already leaving their marks on all available surfaces. The doctor has said the molars could begin to come in this soon, so perhaps they are; in any case, this seems worse than the others. I am glad, for myself, that I cannot remember when my own teeth came in, for it seems so…

What is "Japanese"? (idea)

2006-04-10T08:45:53Z

Throughout history, the Japanese have thought of themselves as a unique people in a unique place. Despite this sense of themselves, they have frequently imported cultural aspects of other societies, first from China and later from western Europe and the United States, and often to a degree that can only be described as alarming. It is, perhaps, indicative that "Schoolchildren are still introduced to The Pillow Book [of Sei Shonagon] as a model of linguistic purity; for, apart from proper names, titles, and quotations, there is hardly a single Chinese word or locution in the entire book."¹ Educated men during the eleventh century, when the Pillow Book and the more famous Tale of Genji were written, wrote in a carefully-constructed amalgam of Japanese and Chinese² or else in Chinese proper; and so it comes as no suprise that both these great works of literature were authored by women, who were not encouraged in…

February 9, 2006 (person)

2006-02-09T17:02:05Z

Please do not allow your head to explode on account of the following announcement:

Byzantine is going to be a daddy.

(Although the uncharitable might suggest to themselves that such was the reason that the wedding was moved up (from May '06 to Dec '05), the fact is that when the baby's born in (probably) mid-October, anybody who can count on their fingers will be able to do the math.)