September 6, 1998

The Moon belongs in Toledo

The moon, the celestial ivory disk of portents and werewolves, not to forget lunacy as well-- it's a part of our lives. Yet, what is it?

Some look at its face and see a man. Others see a bunny rabbit. And if you take Astronomy at Butler with Dr. Murphy, you'll learn it's really an astronaut with a poodle. I've always seen the man. It's a wonder as to why our face is up there in the heavens. Is it a threat, our face forever surrounded by an endless mass of darkness? Or is it a totem to the human spirit? We shine on forever, even though the darkness enshrouds out all our light for a time, we are guaranteed to come back as bright as ever.

No matter what the moon means, it has an inestimable value and effect on people. Statisticians will prove with figures and data that the full moon does not increase the usual level of insanity present in crimes and hospitals, yet hospital workers and police officers will say otherwise. A majority of the populace sees romance in the soft light of the moon, others just a time for a new philosophy on the world.

So, what is the moon? It's a large chunk of rock that stays tidally locked to the Earth as it orbits around us. It's light bridges the gap between night and day. It scares away the boogey-man, and the moon gives us something to talk about after a fun night telling people to go to Toledo.

Comments:

• Jeff's Random Thoughts On The Moon

  the moon means a lot to me. i think one of the subconscious reasons behind this is that i am a cancer (the birth sign, not the disease) and the ruling astronomical body of cancer is in fact, the moon. im not sure whether or not i believe in astrology but i find it very interesting, and every once in awhile my horoscope is dead right, which freaks me out and makes me believe that maybe this stuff is for real.

  my best friend amanda once had a big conversation about the moon. (we worked in a meijer pizza shop together every saturday for about a year and a half we had plenty of time to talk about nothings) we found that we had both always loved the moon for some reason. then she told me that the full moon was thought of by many people as a sign of new beginnings, of putting your past away and starting over with some aspect of your life. i liked the sound of that, and it stuck with me ever since.

  from that day on, any time that some major change occurred in my life, i would look up into the night sky and see the full moon shining down on me. it always gives me a feeling of hope, a feeling that i'm doing something right in my life. one trait of a cancer is that we need constant reassurance
  -- Jeff
  
  

• There's been a lot of documentaries lately on the moon on TV lately, and I must say, yours is the only one whose producer I knew.

  The moon and its effect on people is probably one of the greatest mysteries of all time, in my opinion (humble as it is) because it is the theoretical solution to so many other mysteries, like Stonehenge and Aztec pyramids. The moon might as well be whatever it is you want it to be, because we ain't gonna figure it out in our lifetime and if we do then where will the fun have gone? This is about the Moon is in Toledo mail, by the way.

  My roommate uttered a series of expletive when I quoted it. I sent him a copy. Mabye it'll drive him to the breaking point. He he.
  -- Ryan