My name is Steven Teasdale, a father of two living in Markham, Ontario.
This blog will reflect my interests in the arts and sciences, in particular my love of reading and music. As an avid reader, I will document my attempts to read as much and as widely as possible; a lifelong educational experience through books. As a fan of all varieties of music (from jazz to rock to classical and beyond), I will also take time to discuss creative musicians too often overlooked by mainstream publications. When time permits, I will also look at art and theatre, as well as non-motorized outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and canoeing.
My intellectual interests lie primarily in the history of ideas, with a focus on the history of science and Renaissance humanism. I am also interested in contemporary political philosophy, especially issues surrounding human rights and globalization. My readings and posts will often centre around these intellectual interests, but will not remain bound by them. It is my intention to continually broaden my experiences and avoid overspecialisation.
Finally, I hope to use this site to sharpen my rhetorical writing skills. Several years as a technical writer have left me with the ability to create trenchant technical discourse, but at a cost of my previously persuasive and creative writing style.
A final word about the title of this blog. It is from a composition by jazz musician Sun Ra, titled Of Sounds and Something Else. Up to his death in 1993, Sun Ra remained a restless explorer of music, books, ideas, science, and the cosmos. For him, there was always “something else” to learn and be inspired by. This is also my mission.
