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Monthly Archives: July 2013
Doing Without: An August Beginning
I’ve been thinking all month about what I would do without in my first month of doing without. July, of course, was not the first month. That will be August. For my first month, I’ll do without coffee, which will … Continue reading
Posted in Doing Without, Self-discipline
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The Algebra of Procrastination
Procrastination is a calculation. It’s a calculation of value. It goes something like this: If X=the pain of doing the task; and Y=the pleasure of having done the work; Then the task will be done when the value of Y … Continue reading
Posted in Procrastination
2 Comments
The Announcement
The deeply held moral and political convictions of both left-leaning and right-leaning politicians evaporated completely within five years after the first formal announcement. The announcement came at the conclusion of what became known as the “survival summit.” A joint statement, signed … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction
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Memory of Knives
What is it about knives, especially pocket knives, that I find appealing? It has nothing to do with protection. It has nothing to do with monetary value. It doesn’t even have much to do with utility, beyond a few core … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Memories
3 Comments
A Tragically Flawed Attempt at Brisket Chiles Rellenos
The plan was flawless. I would take a proven recipe for good chiles rellenos and would make it even better with the addition of chopped brisket, left over from the whole brisket I smoked a few weeks ago and subsequently … Continue reading
Beer’s Calming Effect
This is one of two posts for today. One is frivolous. I’ll leave it to you to decide what the other is. Yesterday’s beer haul (pun intended) included the following: 512 Whiskey Double Pecan Porter, a porter (obviously); Tilburgs Dutch … Continue reading
Posted in Beer, Friendship, Politics
2 Comments
The Pope’s Children
I had an interesting conversation with one of my brothers last night. He told me about a book he has just started to read, entitled The Pope’s Children: Irish Economic Triumph and the Rise of Ireland’s New Elite. My brother, … Continue reading
Posted in Books
2 Comments
Grain-Fed versus Grass-Fed: A Study in Confusion
I have tired of posting about “things that matter” and have decided that, today, I will post about “something that doesn’t matter.” (Though, in fact, it does.) And, so, I will expound on the relative merits of grass-fed beef versus … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Food
2 Comments
Unintended Consequences of Abstraction
When I was a student of sociology in the early 1970s, one of the sociologists I studied was Robert Merton. Merton’s contributions to sociology were many, including the concepts of the self-fulfilling prophesy, role models, and reference groups. I’ve long … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophy
2 Comments
On Experiencing Blackness
I heard today, for the first time in far too long, the words of a wonderfully “presidential” Barrack Obama. I heard a man explain in a way I hope most people can now, finally, understand, why African-Americans have been reacting … Continue reading
Posted in Legal Rights, Racism
9 Comments
Dad’s Birthday
Today would have been my dad’s birthday. I’ve written a little about him from time to time, but nothing has seemed quite right, quite sufficient. It may take me a while yet, as I think I have to become more … Continue reading
Posted in Family, Memories
3 Comments
Regret
Regret is a dangerous thing. It strives to tear down structures built with the blood, sweat, and unshed tears of a person who doesn’t understand the importance of her creations. Regret cannot be permitted to succeed in destroying the beautiful … Continue reading
Posted in Regret
3 Comments
Justice
I consider myself a Liberal with a capital “L.” I lean left. Far, far left. In my view, society has an absolute obligation to provide an adequate level of support and care for those who cannot provide it for themselves. … Continue reading
Posted in Legal Rights, Philosophy
16 Comments
What Friends are For
Last night, we had a nice evening; wine and dinner and conversation with a friend and his partner. My friend made Chicken Provençal, served over rice, with a nice salad on the side; excellent stuff! We always enjoy visiting with … Continue reading
Posted in Friendship, Travel
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Texture
Life has texture, just as linen and pebbles have texture. But we feel it differently from the way we feel other, less existential, textures. What feels smooth and comforting to one may feel coarse and confining to someone else. There’s … Continue reading
Posted in Love
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The Sounds of Water
Much is said about the relaxing sound of running water. Listening to the gentle sound of a bubbling brook tends to relax people who pay attention to the sound. Fountains and water features are big sellers due, in part, to … Continue reading
Posted in Peace, Water
2 Comments
Unexpected Attachments
A person can get tied to a place during the course of lifetime. For some, the attachment can happen gradually, like the slow-growing roots of an oak tree gripping the soil and rocks beneath so tightly nothing can uproot it. … Continue reading
Posted in Love, Memories, Philosophy, Sense of place, Where to Live
2 Comments
Heat and Highways and Butchery
The heat returneth. It’s 79 degrees this morning, just before 6:30 a.m. I walked outside awhile ago, hoping to bask in the coolness of the budding dawn, but it was not to be. Instead, I opened the door to a … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Travel, Where to Live
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National Pride
Today, the Fourth of July, I contemplate this country in which we live. I have not been, nor am I now, a blind patriot. I will never believe “my country, right or wrong.” Blind patriotism is as dangerous as treason … Continue reading
Posted in Independence Day, Philosophy
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Kaboom Town
Last night, we went to Kaboom Town with friends. Kaboom Town is the Town of Addison’s annual July 3 fireworks bash, held in Addison Circle Park. It is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the … Continue reading
Posted in Independence Day
1 Comment
Discipline: Doing Without
I subscribe to, but infrequently read, the periodic musings of a guy named Leo Babauta who writes Zen Habits. For some reason, the emailed post I received on July 1 caught my attention. Entitled, “A Year of Living Without,” it detailed … Continue reading
Posted in Doing Without, Happiness, Philosophy, Self-discipline
1 Comment
“Resting” Face
I think I may have discovered why some people automatically assume I’m pissed off, unfriendly, or downright dangerous.
Posted in Communication, Humor
2 Comments