Intellectual Orgasm

December 15, 2008.

From subjects of interest such as modern architecture to late Renaissance paintings and sculptures, from the topics of nudity to arrogance, and from choice of films like "a beautiful mind" over "tanging ina mo", our humanities professor is never at loss for words or opinions.

He always has this way of capturing my attention even when i am in my deepest concentration (most likely thinking about what awaits me at lunch). the way his words wrap around the subject of his liking seems to be that of a mother caressing her baby and, at the same time, like an obsessed admirer clutching his most prized memorabilia. he just has this command, this conviction, over whatever topic catches his fancy.

like early today. in our humanities class. He was calling names, each instructed to explain what "the difference between an artisan and a craftsman" is. i was scrambling to gather my thoughts, which all seemed unwilling to be gathered, as the idea of early dismissal was nearly screaming its way out of me. he called one student and his(student) answer seemed way off base so he(the prof) wasn't even nearly satisfied. even when he just wants us to know that, he goes and says, "Let's have intellectual orgasm here. the foreplay isn't enough."and the whole class burst into laughter, as were I.

that right there made me realize right then (even after the conclusion i had earlier that morning: that i HATE my humanities class and i was leaning to the idea of dropping the subject altogether and just take it up again this summer.) that i sort of LIKE the discussions we have in class, i LIKE the way the professors logic is rubbing off on me, and i LIKE that i learn a little more about the basics of art and life as days of our classes pass by (when i even have the determination to arrive in class ON TIME, or even have the guts to go in even when I'm late and missed the first thirty minutes of the one-hour long subject).

sometimes, i even amaze myself at how insensitive i am to the "your late" stares of some people in class. awesumm.

going back . . .


our professor really has this way of speaking that enthralls or hypnotizes even those who have the attention span of a goldfish (which, FYI, is NOT tat long: 4-7 seconds. wow.) . . . .

His words even move me to think that i myself am capable to think articulately and intellectually or even sensibly as he does. It amazes me how much his mouth cooperates with his brain so skillfully. I so wish i could do what he does: turn brilliant and astute ideas and opinions into a sharp, witty, penetrating, and eloquent manner. He so passionately talks about art that the way his thoughts flow freely through his words take me to where his own thoughts lie: may it be the Renaissance or yesterday, or may it be in Germany or the Philippines, his words give it all out.

It's like he himself is engrossed i his own memories, or wherever nostalgia takes him, that he sidetracks himself most often from what really should be our topic (like today: the medium of art). He doesn't go far off track though, he still finds the right words to relate everything to what really should be our topic.

After listening to him discuss about Michelangelo's La Pieta, the only work that he signed his name on; the story of Michelangelo's resentment in painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; and his preference of Michelangelo over Leonardo DaVinci, I was moved to think that I myself am capable once more to become an artisan in my own right.

With all that said, our Humanities professor really never ceases to amaze me with his mood swings, eloquence, and unique choice of words.

You GO, Sir!

*applauds*