Comments: Wherein I Consider a Lobotomy...

Hmmm. You knew all that stuff in DaVinci Code already? Wow. I knew you were an intelligent woman...but, wow. No wonder you kick knitting butt.

;)

Lisa....who knew none of that stuff in the book...

Posted by Lisa in Oregon at October 11, 2004 11:21 AM

Well, Lisa, I have sort of an unfair advantage in that I'm interested in that sort of stuff. Studied theology in college, even though I didn't major in it, and have read books here and there about the subject. Also, I coincidentally just finished reading the book "Foucault's Pendulum" which is a similar story about a mystery solved through analyzing and understanding ancient Christian societies. I'm sure this stuff is a yawner to most folks but has interested me since I was a kid. But, you see, I am in awe of the fact that you are raising four kids, so let's call it even. Oh, and I promise, if you ever make it up here, we'll talk about knitting, not Rosicrucians or the Opus Dei or the Priory of Sion!

Posted by Ryan at October 11, 2004 11:31 AM

Ah, yes. I call it East Coast Overeducation. Wait a sec...you went to Oberlin, no? Well, whatever. I got the same disease. I once hooked a wonderful girlfriend in a Russian Literature lecture class when she saw me repeatedly ignore the lecture and finish the NYT crossword in pen.

I can explain the evolution and distinctions between the Svatantrika and Prasangika Madhyamika views of the relative and ultimate truth of all phenomena, and I can genuinely mourn Jacques Derrida's passing. But watch me *really* puff up with pride when I screw my eyeglasses back together! Oy vey.

Posted by Cuzzin Tom at October 11, 2004 11:38 AM

Ah, Cuzz. You. Me. Kindred Spirits. I knew I'd be hearing from you today.

My latest puff-up-the-chest accomplishment was learning how to brown meat. I now know: Heat up pan, *then* put in oil, heat up oil, *then* put in meat. Listen for loud sizzle. Every time I get a good sizzle, I have to call TMK and tell her. She understands. She calls me whenever she has successful small talk with someone and doesn't feel like a total doof.

Posted by Ryan at October 11, 2004 11:46 AM

since the fibonacci sequence were brought up.

http://www.magknits.com/chilly04/patterns/fib.htm

Posted by anj at October 11, 2004 11:58 AM

Browning meat is a talent, Ryan. And a necessary part of the whole roasting/braising thing. Mmmmm... why do I suddenly feel like turning on the oven?

Posted by Nathania at October 11, 2004 12:33 PM

Scarf is lookin' great! I was pretty disappointed in the Da Vinci Code myself, not because I knew as much as you do, but it just seemed shallow-- all plot and no character. I enjoyed much more Umberto Eco's _The Name of the Rose_, which I'll bet you've read!

Posted by Sheila at October 11, 2004 01:16 PM

Yeah, been there done that. My nearly-PhD in ancient Near Eastern languages in no way prepared me for life on earth--my pride in recently solving the problem of a continual toilet leak was, well, one might charitably call it out of proportion.

That Faina--what a thing of beauty!

Posted by Janine at October 11, 2004 01:35 PM

Since you and Cuzzin Tom have both mentioned it to me separately, Sheila, I sense a copy of "The Name of the Rose" in my future. I'll wait for my next Friends of the Library sale and snag a copy for 50 cents, methinks!

Janine, apparently you are a kindred spirit with me 'n' Cuzzin Tom.

Posted by Ryan at October 11, 2004 01:37 PM

Well, now. Is it possible I'm a half-assed amalgamation of all of the above? I do know my way around the kitchen; that is undisputed. I am better than my husband at repairing things, but that ain't sayin' much. And I know SOME of that book-readin' sh*t. I'm rather annoying about decoding and predicting the ending of books from the git-go, too. and I bet I could change a tire iffen I had to. But that woodworking? No way. And I'm in total awe.

Posted by Norma at October 11, 2004 02:50 PM

I read 'Foucault's Pendulum' and found that it got weirder and weirder as it went along until by the end I wasn't sure whether it was happening or not. But it was brilliant on how a conspiracy theory feeds itself. I loved 'Name of the Rose' except I (gasp) skipped some of the theological nattering. But the puzzle was way cool.

Um, excuse me for interrupting the literature conversation but is TMK making A CEDAR CHEST??? How wonderful! Yes you must fill it up right away so she can make a bigger one!

Posted by CarolineF at October 12, 2004 05:55 AM

Nope, not a cedar chest, CarolineF, just a plain old ordinary wood chest. But she is considering lining it with cedar, although last I heard the cedar stuff cost a lot of shekels.

Posted by Ryan at October 12, 2004 08:46 AM

TMK,
You are gifted.

Posted by Debra at October 12, 2004 09:47 AM

Wow....Faina is truly a thing o beauty.....but then i have always been a sucker for geometrical patterning(hence the obsession with knitting lace that i won't even use....it's just pretty!!)
I heartilly agreee with the the consensus, read "The Name Of the Rose".
As to the theory whoring....( what we call it in my dept.) As a student....surrounded by Grad students....I understand. My shining moment of the year was when i adjusted a bike seat without assistance....adjustable wrenches baffled me, but somehow i did it.

Posted by Devin at October 12, 2004 10:30 AM
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