Jason and the fleece

     Jason's father, Aeson, was usurped by his younger brother before this story begins. Jason knew he was true heir to the throne, but was told that to receive the throne he had find the golden fleece. Jason built the boat "The Argo" and filled it with his Argonauts and set sail. To acquire the fleece from the king of Colchis, Jacob must complete a series of impossible tasks. With the help, and love, of the kings daughter, Jason acquires the jacket. On the journey home, Medea, the king's daughter, cut her brother into pieces and throws him over. This causes a great amount of misfortune during their return. Upon arrival, Aesons brother has killed him, but Medea uses magic to kill his brother and give Jason the throne. Jason betrays her and she kills his kids.
     Revenge after love is almost always very pointless. It is petty, obsesses with the past, and gets nobody anywhere. The revenge that Medea took on Jason was an extreme overreaction and ruined his life. While she did not have to do it, women are crazy.


Did anyone ever have those weird bible picture books? Did the Greeks have a version?

Abraham and Isaac

     In this story, God asks Abraham to take his son Isaac up to the top of a mountain and sacrifice him. Abraham takes his son up the mountain and has him bring wood to craft an altar to god. After Isaac has asked where the animal to sacrifice is and Abraham is about to kill him, God sends an angel to him saying he truly fears God and that him and his son will both have prosperous lives.
      This is a portion of the bible that confuses me. God first asks someone to chose between their family and God, which would be a horrible decision to make. After Abraham "obeys God" and chooses the option that involves murdering his own son, God comes to him and indicates that he passed the test and wont have to fear him again. Religion, in my opinion should be personal, and should not involve unconditional loyalty and servitude. Any God that needs everyone to follow him blindly is not my kid of God.


Rembrandt depicts the scene

Echo and Narcissus

     When Hera, Zeus's wife came for him when Zeus was with many nymphs, one of them, Echo, distracted Hera so the other nymphs could escape. In order to punish her, she cursed Echo to only be able to repeat the last two words spoken. She falls in love with Narcissus, but Narcissus rejects her as he loves himself too much already. Echo slowly wastes away until only her voice remains. Another woman rejected by Narcissus prays that he fall in love with no return of affection. Later, while looking at his own reflection in water, he falls in love with himself. Like Echo, he wasted away by his reflection until only a Narcissus flower remained.
       I do not abhor any narcissist. While they are usually unpleasant, I do not hate anyone simply for their feelings about themselves. The most altruistic and kind hearted people I know are my grandparents. They spend all of their time helping others and will give anybody anything they need even if it breaks them. They are amazing people and role models for me.