About the Snake

Since there have been some inquiries I thought I'd explain about the python that appears in that photo.

Well my talented brother wanted to take family portraits as Christmas gifts for the parentals (which totally worked. My mom would have cried if we let her). So we went down the street to an empty lot and took pictures in front of an old maroon Chevy. The owner of the Chevy came out of the neighboring house and asked us if we needed the car moved or repositioned. We said we were fine, and it was all good. He returned 1+1/2 minutes later with a 15 foot python. And that's the explanation I have.

We took some pictures because how could we not? Apparently its the oldest python there is at 42 years old. A little while later the owner brought out a second python and we took some more pictures cuz life is just that awesome with two 15 foot, 40+ year-old pythons.

One life goal checked off the list.

Thank you friendly neighborhood snake-man.

Just the neighborhood python out for a stroll.

So my yearly portrait included a Burmese Python.

Did yours?

Some Pretty Pictures

So here are some paintings I've come across during my sojourn in the academic world. And I like them, for various reasons.

This one depicts Ajax (the Lesser) abducting Cassandra from her sanctuary of Athena (for which Athena punished Ajax by blasting him with a lighting bolt. Lesson: Don't mess).

This is a painting of the Romantics depicting the suicide of Chatterton. It is terribly sad (especially since he was only 17) But the painting is a great work of art I think. The play of blue and red, the symbolic rising sun and the open window. I saw it at the Tate, which was awesome.

This is a somewhat happier painting. It shows the sculptor Pygmalion as his glorious work of art comes to life as Galataea. I love how you can see her transformation as it is taking place. Cool stuff.

This is why life is still good, even during finals.

So what if it's stolen from another blog? Such happiness must be spread, I tell you!