In fact, I'm using language right now.

[garran]

A lot of rhetorical time seems to be spent emphasizing the insufficiency of language -- that there aren't words for the most important things, that actions speak louder, et cetera. Every once in a while, though, usually in some way to do with my dog, I'm reminded of the obvious fact that language is way better at communication than anything else we have; it's either necessary or a huge timesaver in getting across emotional subtleties, complex abstracts, and organized plans requiring the cooperation of other individuals than the speaker, and without it we'd be a lot more alone. Hooray for language!

Today, a fortune cookie told me, "Your reputation for honesty will bring rewards," and the first thing I thought was, "Oh, good, I have a reputation for honesty." Then I remembered that I had read this in a fortune cookie rather than had it said by someone who actually knew who I was. That's how fortune-telling gets you, I guess, ricocheting off your hopes and expectations.

I have been listening to Leonard Richardson's new album a lot. (Long-time readers, of whom there are very few, may remember that Leonard's example is a large part of the reason I first started having a weblog.) It's like a more focussed version of what first drew me to his older stuff: extremely low-fi, nerdily esoteric, and surprisingly affecting.

Comments

[masamage.livejournal.com]

You are, in fact, incredibly honest! I've known you a long time and I think so. So there.

This message has been brought to you by Language.

[leonardr.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the mini-review. While I've got you on the line, do you have the Frog/Antifrog MP3? At one point I lost it, got a copy from you or the other Andy, and then promptly lost it again. I'm planning to record it again anyway, but I'm putting together an album of my uncollected music from the past five years and that's the only missing piece.

[masamage.livejournal.com]

He does! I know because he gave it to me.

Hi Leonard. :) I would like you to know that my husband and I sing Frog/Antifrog while we drive around town, because it is wonderful and we are dorks.

[garran.livejournal.com]

Hello! I'm pretty sure it was me you got it from then, too. I have it uploaded here.


-Andy H.