By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO –Among my great pleasures as editor of San Diego Jewish World is being able to work with a group of talented writers here and abroad. Their accomplishments are a continuous source of pride.
For example, here in San Diego, Laurel Corona, a contributing writer and a professor of humanities at San Diego City College, has developed quite a reputation as an author of historical fiction. One book was set in ancient Greece (Penelope’s Daughter), another in Vivaldi’s Venice (The Four Seasons) and yet another in Voltaire’s France (Finding Emilie).
The latter novel will provide the theme of a free and unusual happening at San Diego City College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Says the invitation: “Join the philosopher Voltaire, as he reminisces about his scandalous life with 18th century aristocrat Emilie de Chatelet. This multimedia presentation at San Diego’s Saville Theatre features dance, dramatizations and readings by students and faculty based on the novel FINDING EMILIE (Simon and Schuster 2011), by City College professor Laurel Corona, including a special guest appearance by City College President Terrence Burgess as the Comte de Buffon.”
Dan Bloom is our bureau chief in faraway Taiwan. The Jewish community in that country is tiny, consisting mainly of diplomats from Israel and other countries and a few western expatriates like himself. Dan is, you might say, a devotee of the Internet, scouring various websites for stories that pique his wide-ranging interests. He is a frequent contributor to many different websites on a wide selection of diverse topics.
Now Dan says news that a word he coined “godfiti” has made it to the Urban Dictionary.
Our correspondent explains:
“And what does the new word, coined in the middle of October on a sunny fall afternoon in southern Taiwan, mean? According to Urban Dictionary’s definition, the word is a noun and it means: ‘Witty, pithy slogans written on outdoor walls that either denigrate the existence of God or the gods, or praise God or the gods, or sometimes do both.’”
Bloom gave as an example some Godfiti he saw written on a wall:
“God is dead.” — Nietzsche
”Nietzsche is dead.” – God
Now, he’s trying to collect as many examples of “pithy sayings” about God, and invites you to send them to him directly at dan.bloom@sdjewishworld.com
From time to time in my “Publisher’s Corner,” it will be my pleasure to keep you posted on the doings of these writers and others who contribute their talents to San Diego Jewish World. And remember, there’s plenty of room for more writers and reporters on this worldwide, online, community newspaper!
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com