First Impressions

Earlier posts on First Love and Crush v. Love explored some related aspects of this theme.  4minute's First remains a singular expression of this phenomenon, especially important as one of NJ Kpoppers "first" adventures in K-pop fandom.

There is something magical about the first exposure to any phenomenon, where all impressions are absorbed with a sense of childlike wonder and total acceptance.  Hence those impressions are deeply imprinted on the consciousness and take on an ineffaceable significance.  This bear has had the good fortune to experience many such moments when encountering new things, triggering an extremely sensitive and malleable state of mind -- new people, new places, new music, new literature, and new languages. Sometimes all of those things get rolled up together into a highly intoxicating blend!

Temujin, Timur, and other potentates

With the passing of Islam Karimov, the term of power of one Uzbek ruler has come to a close after 26 years.  Chinggis ruled for only 21 years, albeit over a much larger empire of his own creation.  Timur, on the other hand, maintained control for 35 years.

Timur had Christopher Marlowe as a publicist, but in spite of that early coup, today remains the lesser known of the world conquerors.  Perhaps that is because Temujin has better modern marketing.

Or perhaps it was his originality, practically inventing the role of world conqueror out of the thin blue sky.

Of two minds

The internet being what it is, NJ Kpopper stumbled across this page of schizophrenic art.

This art, created by actual schizophrenics, illustrates the mind being torn apart in a more than symbolic fashion. Makes you wonder if art  is more than just a simulacrum of reality... can the art become the reality in itself (en soi). I do think at least that our perception of reality is created and can be shaped by the lens we use to apprehend it.

This bear will be working with new lenses starting right now. Literary doubles have appeared and demand attention. Even if they are not completely corporeal, they are imaginatively satisfying and can be "fleshed" out.