For the auditory types

...or for others whose schedule in summer leaves you lots of attention to listen to audio on an iPod or in cat, I thought to recommend a few amazing resources I've located.

First, somebody sent me a link to podcast called Speaking of Faith, noting that they played the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt's Summa (listen) as background. I've listened to a few shows featuring authors as distinct as Jacob Needleman, Thomas Moore, and Rick Warren, found all of them easy to follow and enlightening. Highly recommended.

Second, a blog entry, provocatively titled Skip the Tuition gives links to 100 full courses from a number of universities. I've been listening to Yale's intro to political philosophy, having read most of the texts in Gutterman's similar course. Other linked courses include Time, Money, and Love in the Age of Technology, Justice, and Death.

Heaven can wait; I am going to Seattle

Saw that sign when my bus stopped at a layover still in Montana. Tempting as it was, I opted for continuing this journey. Besides, the issue of whether St. Peter would let me through the gates is still quite open.

Getting to Washington State, roamed the streets of a town called Spokane. My training in watching Planet Earth helped me quickly understand that it was mating season - Friday night - for the natives. Saw numbers of natives all lined up in front of the mating sites - 'clubs' - ready and willing to start the mating process. I realized this was another temptation for me and reboarded the bus on time.

Both layovers were tiringly long, especially considering that it was a night bus, making sleeping difficult.

Even though I had sent all my books home (for which they request customs from me, absurd as it sounds), new books keep coming me. Before departing, we had talked about the musical Wicked. As a surprise then, a friend gave me a copy of the book it is based on, and I had it for the road. Basically it is a retelling of the Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch's perspective. Very well written book, easy to get lost into.

Book Recommendations

Jacob Needleman, Money and the Meaning of Life. Examines the relationship each of us has to money and how this mirrors our attitudes to life in general. Uses references to parable, religion, philosophy and economics.
Philippe Sands, Lawless World. I actually haven't started this, but this is supposed to be one of better accessible introductions of what international law really is. Also highly critical of US and UK administrations
Marcus Buckingham, Now, Discover Your Strengths. Suggests that you should really figure out the few things you are really good ("talented") in and just develop those. Includes a really good personality test to figure out the talents.
Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication. Teaches one to communicate in a way that is both real, assertive of your needs and respectful of others and their needs. Audio is even better than the paper book.
Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning. Thoughts on what is this that makes one survive regardless of circumstances. Frankl was a psychologist who was sent to four camps, one of them Auschwitz, during World War II.