Word O’ Day

It is a sad day for lovers of fishes:

I consider it one of the great accomplishments of my life so far that I was able to keep a fish – by the peculiar name of Spark Plug – alive for several years. Well, to be fair, I must give credit where due: for his first several years he was under the expert auspices of one Eleanor Bors (now a famous scientist, cellist, and avid fish owner). He had been with me since June of 2007, and he was my nearly constant companion during our all too short time together. Sadly, last night, after battling infection for several months, dear Spark Plug passed on. He was 5 years old. He had no known living relatives.

We can take solace during this difficult time in the knowledge that Spark (as I called him, affectionately) led a full and wondrous life, survived multiple illnesses – as well as being sat upon – bore the untimely death of his loving brother Exhaust Pipe, and endured many strenuous moves, to name just a few of his myriad accomplishments. Spark Plug’s tale is one filled with excitement, travel, loyal friends, love, swimming, and above it all, food flakes. He possessed a truly rare zest for life, and he will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

It is with a heavy heart, but a fond memory that I dedicate today’s WOD to Spark Plug (2004-2009).  May he rest in peace: Transcendent.

Transcendent, a lofty adjective, means surpassing ordinary limits, being truly superior to others, even elevating beyond what is otherwise considered normal human capacity.  It also has specific Theological and Philosophical uses. In Theology: (referring to a deity) it means transcending the universe, time, and all creation, or what have you.  In Philosophy, it means not realizable in human experience (you may have heard the term ‘transcendental.’ I have not). Finally, there is a ‘transcendental function’ in mathematics, but this is a discussion for another site (one I would consider reading). It is pronounced tran-sen-duhnt.

Deep Blue Usage: Spark Plug the goldfish possessed such saprobic prowess, such interminable resolve and yet such unrivaled humility that there were those who boldly declared he was a transcendent specimen, not merely exceeding, but redefining what we all once believed the limits of goldfish to be.

I leave you with this, Spark’s last known portrait, taken a few weeks ago while he was on an evening swim around his castle, one of his preferred activities.

-Eric