Battle Ballet

Busby Berkeley, one of the greatest movie choreographers (best known for his geometric patterns made of women's bodies) got his start in the military.  It is no easy feat to coordinate the movements of hundreds of people in a way that actually accomplishes something.  

I had wondered to what extent the Civil War battle would be choreographed - it obviously wouldn't be a free-for-all, but who's calling the shots? The man at the loudspeaker who provided running commentary throughout the battle was good enough to explain that the officers on both sides decide what will happen in advance, but the troops are left in the dark.  This way, people have to actually give and receive orders, couriers have to sprint across the field with messages, spies have to sneak around and report on their findings, and so on.  The result was quite remarkable, with well-coordinated acts of simulated violence played out all over the landscape.  Every now and then a soldier would "die" (eliciting cheers from the crowd if a Yankee), falling to the ground in poses that ranged from the comical to the lyrical. I was impressed with the resolve of the "dead" who lay motionless in the mud for a full hour, as it had been raining hard all day and the field was full of cow pies.

In case you were wondering about the final result, the South lost.  Authenticity to the end.

The Civil War

On the weekend I was able to complete another item on my Southern Experiences Checklist by attending a Civil War re-enactment in Bridgeport, Alabama. I have much to report, but I'll have to do it in installments. One of the highlights was the reconstruction of a field hospital, complete with creepy 19th Century medical instruments. Remember that bit in Gone With the Wind where we watch Scarlett wincing at an unfortunate soldier's amputation? Well...

Two blocks west of Kent and Clark

Honour thy Father and thy Mother

I've been teaching a unit on cyborgs, with the intention of engaging my students in ethical debates about artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and other challenges to human identity that are likely being devised elsewhere on campus as we speak.  We watched a Star Trek episode where an android has to endure a court case to determine if he is property or an autonomous being.  One of the arguments he makes is that he is the expression of his creator's vision, and is therefore sacred.  I asked my students who their creator is (responses included both God and parents), and then asked if and why they felt responsible to those who created them.  After a long period of silence, I provoked them with a "So, none of you care about your parents?  To hell with Mum and Dad!"  This got a laugh, and then my student with perpetual bed-head offered that "If I had to choose between my parents and a box of chocolates, I guess I would choose my parents."  I couldn't resist exclaiming "Wow, that's going in my blog!"

Proper Topper

Last week I broke down and purchased an item of clothing with university insignia on it. It is a pink baseball cap, much like the one pictured here. I bought it because my red McGill cap that I got for free at an alumni event clashed with some of my gym outfits. I tried on every hat in the store, but I was disappointed with their attempt at making a "gold" hat, as the result is just a bad yellow. I would adore a gold metallic hat, but that is too much to hope for. So, I decided to go with the pink one that I see on so many members of the cheerleading team.
I had not anticipated the effect this hat would have on my social interactions. I have been given student discounts in stores, and the men of Atlanta view the hat as a conversation starter, i.e. "Go Tech!"

Urban Wildlife

At last, I am back in my apartment. Mollie and I went for a walk in the park and I couldn't stop grinning about being downtown again. As we entered the park, I saw a couple in the distance who were on a family outing. He was making protective gestures toward her, and she appeared to be cradling a baby. Imagine my delight when I got closer and realized that she was actually holding a bunny. Mollie took interest, but not in a potentially catastrophic way. This is the kind of thing that makes city life fantastic.

My Apartment Has a Floor

...but it lacks a bathroom sink.