In this unit
- Long term causes of WW1
- Short term causes of WW1
- The War itself
01 — the Road to WW1 pt1
on living in tension
In Hong Kong we classify schools as local or international. The former follow a state-set, local curriculum, and most of them conduct lessons in Chinese. The latter are a more mixed bag, following a dizzying array of international curricula, and many of them catering to particular expat groups: Singapore International School, Japanese International School, Chinese International School, and French International School just to name a few. International schools tend to enjoy a higher reputation, not least because they are status symbols, but also because of the general high quality of the education and teachers.
But for a while I had leaned toward sending my children (if I ever have any) to a local school.
Continue reading “on living in tension”speed drawing – Thureophoroi
Speed draw of the thureophoroi, medium close-combat infantry of the Hellenistic world.
speed drawing – Cataphracts
Speed draw of the super heavy cavalry of the ancient world, the mighty cataphracts.
speed drawing – Samurai Evolution
Speed draw of the evolution of the Japanese Bushi (Samurai), 8th to 16th centuries.
on glorious things
What is the most glorious thing you have seen?
I, raised on a diet of war stories and mighty deeds of the Greeks and Romans, had nothing to say. The pastor gave a few sample answers he’d heard: the Milky Way on a night sky, dawn rays over a canyon, the megalithic might of a world-class airport after a long-haul flight, the taste of the perfect wagyu stew. Glory, he explained, in the Judeo-Christian tradition is related to weight. Something that matters so much, that demands such attention, respect, and awe, stuns us as glorious.
Continue reading “on glorious things”love in a time of corona
I’ve wanted to throttle a stranger twice in the past year, both in the same week of a renewed viral surge: when a man wearing his mask sub-nose started coughing on the bus, and when a man on the train walked by and grabbed my arm — he was either addled out of his head or he’d mistaken me for a train pole.
Both cases awoke a sudden disgust reaction: wear your mask properly you GODDAMN BARBARIAN, and OMYGOD where have your filthy monkey paws been before this?? Not particularly forbearing or loving.
Continue reading “love in a time of corona”against Uzzah; or, the virtues of being a basic bitch
Uriah and Uzzah: two exotic and tragic names, recalling two men who were mercilessly screwed over while just trying to do their jobs.
Or at least that’s how I’ve always interpreted it. And while I could square Uriah’s case a bit more easily in my head — he was murdered by wicked David, a cautionary tale of how all men are sinful, even a man after God’s own heart — Uzzah’s case was more problematic. After all wasn’t he just trying to be helpful?
Continue reading “against Uzzah; or, the virtues of being a basic bitch”A-Z of Warriors
A vaguely rhyming A to Z of warriors from all over the world, from the Bronze Age to today.
on feeling aggrieved
I’ve been feeling aggrieved lately.
Years serving under the colours as it were and now that I’ve left abruptly, I have little to show for it: depleted finances, a dragging degree I’ve long since lost interest in, a handful of wistful photos, and a winding, misty path ahead.
I feel like I’m owed something for all I’ve done. Why haven’t You rewarded me commensurately? Aren’t You the great provider?
And all of a sudden I’m a victim of injustice. Society, church, school, and God have not delivered as I have delivered. Where is my reward? Continue reading “on feeling aggrieved”
