History – The Global Citizen

Santa Claus, Ded Moroz, Christianity and the Solstice

It is 2:48 AM on December 24th – the morning of Christmas Eve. To mark the cultural and religious highlight of the entire year across the Western world I thought I should post something about the holiday.

My focus is the mythical figure known as Santa Claus in the West, Ded Moroz in the East, Father Christmas, Father Frost, Wizard of Winter and the many other forms and names he takes across the world. I learned that there were so many names for this wizard that it reminded me of a quote from everyone’s favorite wizard Gandalf the Grey.

Santa Claus, Ded Moroz, Christianity and the Solstice full post

(1333 words, 3 images, estimated 5:20 mins reading time)

Standing Rock

It has been another very long spell without a post on this site. One would think I’d be writing about the victory of Donald Trump at the least but no, I haven’t been motivated to do that.

This morning however the incidents at Standing Rock have motivated me. Donald Trump will be just another footnote in the history of the USA but I feel that the incidents at Standing Rock are more important than even the election of the demagogue Trump. Republicans and Democrats will continue to fight each other and try to reverse gains the others have made each election cycle but the Native Americans have had to fight their “white man” oppressors ever since America was still a British colony.

Standing Rock full post

(711 words, 2 images, estimated 2:51 mins reading time)

Visiting Spanish Missions in California

It has been a long while since my last post. This is directly due to to my second child and I’ve quickly learned that with only one child there is still free time, but with two all personal time no longer exists. There is no time to read much about history, study more language, ponder the big questions.

There is no time.

But today, I find myself with an hour of freedom and am determined to get this post written.

Visiting Spanish Missions in California full post

(905 words, 5 images, estimated 3:37 mins reading time)

Capetian Dynasty

I’ve always been completely fascinated by the Capetian dynasty. A family whose rule started in 987, dominated for five centuries and still has royals to this day in Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and on the throne with King Felipe VI of Spain.

In the USA, when royalty is mentioned it is something that belongs in the past, that isn’t a part of modern times. Yet, just a quick look around the world and royalty is not dead, it still holds sway and power in many parts of the world!

Capetian Dynasty full post

(330 words, 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)

Proof of Human Evolution

It has occurred to me that the proof for human evolution is right in front of our eyes.

Literally.

One of my favorite places to think is in the sauna at my gym. The endorphins from the exercise have saturated my brain so I’m naturally high, and the heat makes me quickly relax as the sweat pours out of me. It is at this transition between a hard, intensive workout and deep relaxation that wonderful insights will often present themselves.

Proof of Human Evolution full post

(744 words, 2 images, estimated 2:59 mins reading time)