Read. Comment. Relax.
I’ve had this picture hanging around for a while. I took it in London, a couple of years ago, outside the Imperial War Museum. Intially, it seemed an odd place for such a sentiment, but in retrospect I think it makes perfect sense. Well, not sense, exactly. But it feels right. Read the rest of this entry »
So, I’ve been gone a while, and I’ve noticed that the longer I’m away, the more pressure I feel about coming back. As though I must have something much more spectacular to make up for being gone. Why? Do I suppose that those few of you who are kind enough to stop by from time to time are somehow bereft because of my absence? Do I have something to make up for? Read the rest of this entry »
I had a long talk today with a good friend who recently made a pretty big career decision, and is having a bit of buyer’s remorse. It’s too soon to tell whether the choice he made will work out well. But for now he’s tormented with questions of what might have been.
Of course, we all do that sometimes. And when you are in that mode it’s hard to stop. He and I are both fairly logical people, and we like to solve problems by thinking through them. But you can’t think your way out of what might have been. It’s like driving on a mobius strip — you feel like you’re doing something but you just keep looping around. (Or maybe it’s like driving with me through a parking ramp!) Read the rest of this entry »
Work, which usually hums along at a pleasantly steady pace, has been crazy busy the last couple of weeks. I got a promotion, though, so that’s cool. But then there was a minor disaster (not my fault!) and the crisis management has been intense. When I get home at night I’ve pretty much just been crashing in front of the tv. So all I have for now is some random thoughts and observations. Read the rest of this entry »
There was a time when I would, once in a while, watch the Jerry Springer show. I don’t watch it anymore, because I can’t believe it is anything but staged. But back in the old days, there were moments like this: Read the rest of this entry »
I make New Year’s resolutions every new year. Also, on every birthday. Frequently, on Labor Day weekend (it’s the beginning of the school year, and the end of summer — my least favorite time of year.) And on numerous random Monday mornings through out the year. Like most people, I don’t usually keep these resolutions for long, but as I’ve mentioned before, that doesn’t stop me — or the rest of you — from thinking that this time will be different.
I usually watch the Today show while I get ready for work. I don’t care too much for any of the morning news shows, but I want to know if there are any traffic or weather issues, and of course if there are any important headlines that have cropped up overnight.
On Thursday, there was a lot of talk about the tiger that escaped from its enclosure in the San Francisco zoo, killing one young man and mauling two others. And as usual, the fact that it had only just happened did not stop the newscasters from probing for information that did not yet exist, in order to draw dramatic conclusions that make no sense. Read the rest of this entry »
Someone kindly told me they enjoyed my Thanksgiving post, and asked if I was going to write any Christmas reminiscences. I’ve been thinking about that, and for some reason it’s much more difficult. Because Christmas itself is kind of difficult.
The expectations for Christmas are so much higher, and the scope so much larger. Thanksgiving is one big dinner, followed by a long weekend. Christmas requires cards, presents, parties, decorations, and at least one big meal, and it is as often as not followed by going to work the next day. Add to that the timing — the last few days of the calendar year are a busy time in many workplaces — and you have a lot of pressure. I think if I had to pick a favorite day of the year, I would have to pick December 26. Read the rest of this entry »
Well, not really. But with this whole blogging thing — there is a lot to learn! There is no end to the jargon. And what exactly do these people think “beginner” means? Even things that are supposed to be simple seem to assume that you already know quite a bit about how the internet works. But I have persisted, because I am dedicated to making this site more interesting and convenient for you, my readers.
I’m selfless, I know.
Guantanamo has been in the news again lately, as the Supreme Court has recently heard some arguments about the status of the prisoners there. So…it’s been on my mind.
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