Response to Errol Morris & Jon Savage

When I was about thirteen I became obsessed with the Holocaust. I have no idea what kicked off this obsession, but it burnt in me with a passion for about two years before my present (& boys) caught up with me. I read everything I could get a hold of, quickly realizing that the memoirs of survivors were worth more than the novels about the same events: but I could not get this out of my head, in part because I did not understand it.

I have a dim memory of my father at that time, telling me that these things were not all past. Ever the eschatologist he told me that evil is still present in the world today, and surprisingly (for someone who also told me that all the Jews who died went to hell) he encouraged me to get involved with some contemporary human-rights group, like Amnesty International. No doubt he would be very suspicious of such a group today, but it is one of the few memories of my father taking me seriously and offering me guidance in terms of my own engagement, rather than his own.

Several days ago I provided a link to Errol Morris’ ongoing documentary-evidence series about the Dutch forger Han van Meegeren who sold fake Vermeer’s to the Nazis. Morris quickly glides over the question of how anyone would think these stiff and gaunt figures were actual Vermeers to a second question: was van Meegeren a Nazi collaborator?

( Response Morris: 'Who wants to revisit the horrors of WWII? )

( Some personal history )

( Response to Savage )

( The question of legacy )

Devil's Backbone

I haven't stopped writing, but I've gotten out of the habit of posting. It's been a dreamy sort of week following an incredibly busy weekend during which I managed to eat only one meal alone. Thanks for all the great food and company. It was a pleasure to spend time (and to meet!) you all.

Yesterday I went for a hike along the popular Devil's Backbone trail of Hwy 34 in Loveland. This dovetailed nicely with my visit with my friend in Berthoud, so I took back roads the entire way: CR 23 left on CR 12 and CR 29 the rest of the way to 34. This is one my favorite drives along this portion of the front range. While it is no secret to bikers (motorized or non) it always feels like a special gift to share it with people for the first time.

Sadly, the rest of the directions were terrible, eventually landing me on the wrong side of the rock formation. I eventually located the trailhead and had a nice leisurely hike long 2/3 of the formation. (The remaining 1/3 is on private property and the path veers off in another direction, eventually ending up at Horsetooth Resevoir.) As it is a weekday afternoon, there weren't many others on the trail; best of all the cool temperatures and rain meant that the entire hillside is in bloom. I don't know if I've ever seen so many shades of green before, or so many flowers. It was with great excitement that I recognized many of the xerics that are also in my garden.

I had a nice talk with my former boss at Cambridge, and there are some interesting rumblings on the job front, but nothing I’m willing to talk about, yet. I also had a fascinating conversation with my father, the results of which remain to be seen. These are all possible subjects of posts in the coming days.

In the meantime, an obligatory link to the Black Sabbath lawsuit:
http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSTRE54T00420090531

Way to go Ozzy! Now you, the remaining members of the Beetles and Metallica can form a super-group to play all of your ‘other great hits.’