Funny, I've got something like this going on, though it's not clear yet just what it is.
On the up side: as Heidegger pointed out, contemplating one's death brings existential benefits, and nothing encourages this quite like the syncopated beat. Also, beta blockers are cool.
Yes, well, my "not entirely welcome exigencies" of last week were my fiancee having her heart rolling about. We both have appointments at the cardiologist today. Coupling.
I've had my share of odd health problems that have made me very aware of what my body's doing. I was about to lapse into self-pity years ago when a friend told me that I should think of it as a gift. That was a true and profound help. No surprise that she reads Heidegger better than anyone.
As for the beta blockers, I can only guess that they didn't clue you into the sexual side-effects. Or you have different priorities. But I stayed away from the pills.
I urge you to consider self-pity as a way of life.
"I was present at one time when someone asked the poet Sophocles: 'How are you in regard to sex, Sophocles? Can you still make love to a woman?'
'Hush, man,' the poet replied, 'I am very glad to have escaped from this, like a slave who has escaped from a mad and cruel master.'
I thought then that he was right, and I still think so, for a great peace and freedom from these things comes with old age: after the tension of one's desires relaxes and ceases, then Sophocles' words certainly apply, it is an escape from many mad masters."
(Republic, 329c)
Pimping the great books for your amusement. Good luck with the cardiologist(s).
Funny, I've got something like this going on, though it's not clear yet just what it is.
On the up side: as Heidegger pointed out, contemplating one's death brings existential benefits, and nothing encourages this quite like the syncopated beat. Also, beta blockers are cool.
Posted by fontana labs | Link to this comment | 10-20-03 9:00 AM
Yes, well, my "not entirely welcome exigencies" of last week were my fiancee having her heart rolling about. We both have appointments at the cardiologist today. Coupling.
I've had my share of odd health problems that have made me very aware of what my body's doing. I was about to lapse into self-pity years ago when a friend told me that I should think of it as a gift. That was a true and profound help. No surprise that she reads Heidegger better than anyone.
As for the beta blockers, I can only guess that they didn't clue you into the sexual side-effects. Or you have different priorities. But I stayed away from the pills.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-20-03 9:51 AM
I urge you to consider self-pity as a way of life.
"I was present at one time when someone asked the poet Sophocles: 'How are you in regard to sex, Sophocles? Can you still make love to a woman?'
'Hush, man,' the poet replied, 'I am very glad to have escaped from this, like a slave who has escaped from a mad and cruel master.'
I thought then that he was right, and I still think so, for a great peace and freedom from these things comes with old age: after the tension of one's desires relaxes and ceases, then Sophocles' words certainly apply, it is an escape from many mad masters."
(Republic, 329c)
Pimping the great books for your amusement. Good luck with the cardiologist(s).
Posted by Fontana Labs | Link to this comment | 10-20-03 4:16 PM
I thought of that passage, actually. But I'm not quite ready for serenity.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 10-22-03 5:02 PM