I am in Hell...I am not really in Hell. I think the fact that I am posting on my blog is sort of a dead give away that I am at least near a computer. However, I am in the nearest equivalent of Hell: I am adjuncting at my technical school and we are beginning our Comparison Contrast essays today. It is such an asswhip. Just for the record: you read correctly that I am teaching an English 102/1302 course where we still do patterns of writing i.e. comparison/contrast, descriptive essays, etc. It is only about 25 years out of date but oh well I don't always get to pick the cirriculum.
However, when looking for a map of Dante's Inferno to use as an illustration of my location in Hell I became interested in the actual map of Dante's Inferno. I began to think, "If I go to Hell (assuming here that hell is similar to Dante's version) what Level of Hell would I be placed in? It is not an easy question to answer if you actually look reflectively at all the shit you pull in your daily course of life. Note: I am aware that there is a silly little game that you can answer certain survey questions and it places you in the appropriate level of hell based on like a 10 question survey. I am talking serious reflection on your daily sin here. Or at least serious reflection for about 6 minutes on your daily sin here.
I began to think about it. I am definitely really fucking indifferent both toward religion, and life in general so I could possibly be placed in level one, but then I think man I lust after almost every attractive woman I come into contact with (this does not mean I try to "beat them cakes" with every woman I meet, I just think to myself "Man, I would like to beat them Cakes" and then move on with my life) and I love to eat and drink to excess with a focus on "Drink to Excess." So I guess I could fall to Level 3 or 4 here for my avarice and gluttony. I am sinking fast my friends, all is not looking good when I look at the next level and realize it is wrath. Lord knows I have no problems with my temper and/or wrath so I can feel relieved that I won't slip to level 5 (AT THIS POINT I DODGE A MAJOR FUCKING LIGHTING STRIKE). Ok, Ok so I may have been in a few fights, and have bouts with the old temper control mechanism. So I guess I have slipped to level 5.
However, here I feel relatively secure when noticing the other levels. I am not nor have ever been a heretic. I stand by my contention that Islam is a hateful violent little cult because I don't believe that Jesus would condone my strapping a bomb to my chest to kill innocent women/children. I don't think however that makes me a heretic. We shall see though. This I do know: I am not a panderer, seducer, flatterer, simonist, soothsayer, grafter (although I think with a little practice I could be a very good con artist, I just don't like the idea of stealing), a hypocrite, thief, false counselor, or sower of discord, or lair/counterfeiter. I also value loyalty above all else except honor so I cannot be considered a traitor.
Ultimately, however, I have to look at my life in totality not in random moments when I eat too much or lose my temper and decide which of these I do most often. If I had to choose a level of Hell I might end up in I would definitely have to say gluttony. I simply love to eat, drink, and be merry. I am always down for a little boozing/partying. I also love good food, and tend to eat toward excess. For instance, I went to Mercado Juarez Cafe today and I rocked out on their Fajitas. It was awesome. I would eat there again right now if I could.
So here is my challenge to the two of you that read this blog. Which circle of hell would you fall into? I challenge to repost your own reflections of sin on your own blog, and look reflectively at which level you would fall into.
