Graduation, Greg Oden and the End

I’m passing the buck once again today. Things are simultaneously slowing down and speeding up, so I don’t really have anything much to write about. I did go to a pub founded in 1242 last night…but no interesting stories, sadly.

Two things, neither related to England or the seminar, are newsworthy:

First, you’ve got Kanye West’s Graduation. The album continues his brilliant run that he’s had since 2001, when he played a crucial role with Jay-Z’s Blueprint. He’s added a few tricks to his repertoire; now, with Graduation, his influences have broadened to include European electronica and synthesizers. None of his beats are as obviously catchy as Gold Digger, but they are infectious after spending time with them. His rapping is still compellingly above-average, and his trademark hand-wringing often serves him well. Overall, the album is not as mind-blowingly excellent as Late Registration or College Dropout, but it represents a very, very solid effort from a performer who is still growing.

Second, Greg Oden’s tragic surgery for microfracture. I feel for him and Portland. And, of course, the NBA, which has had to endure the Donaghy scandal, and now this. I think this of all things constitutes an even stronger argument against the mandatory age limit, which I have never liked. We aren’t sure of the exact cause of Oden’s knee troubles. Was this random, or a result of underlying issues? There’s a lot of evidence to support the latter conclusion—many doctors warned of his uneven legs. But it’s not impossible to dismiss the former claim. And if it were former, we must ask ourselves: had Oden not been forced to attend Ohio State, would he had suffered this injury? Putting an obstacle in front of some men and their dream will surely result in some surmounting it, but, just as surely, it will also block permanently others from pursuing their dreams through no fault of their own.

Performance of Twelfth Night (a post is unlikely, if anyone out there is interested…) tomorrow, then a gradual transition from Oxford to London.