… just so you know, I wish you all the very best as you deal with all the mindless horseshit that gets shoveled your way. Y’all are great people, and I’m privileged to consider you each as a friend.
Thursday
Yesterday was interesting. The festivities started in earnest not long after 6 p.m. I met my friend Charlie at the Beaner’s in McKay Tower. We sipped and chatted for about three hours. The conversation was quite pleasant; of all my new friends, he’s the most emotionally stable, with a respectably mature outlook on life, and […]
Yet Another Update
Hmm. Haven’t added to the chronology in a while, so here you go, in rough reverse order: I spent today proctoring the exams for two sections of American Government at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, on behalf of the Vegas-bound Tony. Took a few hours to wander the WMU campus, and I stopped by the Herald […]
Demonizing 101
Of late I have been embroiled in, or party to, more interpersonal dramas than usual, and I’ve also been on the receiving end of a lot of gossip. This has prompted some reflection. But first, an observation. A few days ago, I attempted to send an instant message to a friend over the AOL network. […]
Best Served Cold?
There is an old proverb: Revenge is a dish best served cold. I disagree. What could be more delicious than driving your adversary to shame, regret or envy because you — while publicly ignoring the original insult or injury — refocused your energies to become better than what you were? No, cold ruthlessness is not […]
169.5 + 7 = Yay!
This morning I weighed in at less than 170 for the first time in more than a year. This makes Jason happy; my goal is to get back to 160, and then begin a strength-training program. At this rate, I might get there by Halloween. How best to celebrate a weight-loss milestone than with a […]
Voting Republican?
My dear friend [redacted] sent me a link to a wonderful essay by Jonathan Haidt, associate professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, titled, “What Makes People Vote Republican?” The essay, published on Edge.org, includes a very thoughtful analysis of public voter identification, and is followed up with several briefer rejoinders by academics from […]
Gillikinisms
It’s been said that brevity is the soul of wit. Perhaps that’s true, but perhaps it’s just a nod to short attention spans. Regardless, there’s something to be said about the value of a well-placed aphorism. Here are some of my own, in no particular order. The rhetorical volume of one’s opinion is inversely proportional […]
Life Plan
Here, in short form, is my list of long-term goals — and why. Long-Term Goals through 2010 Find suitable long-term housing. (done) Secure a sailboat. Liquidate all debts and improve my credit score. Earn shodan rank and finish escrima study. Revert to 160# and begin regular weights by 9/15/09. Procure a total abdominoplasty in 2009. […]
Filling the Gap
Today, I resigned completely from USMA, thus completely ending all of my active-duty engagements with online political simulations. That, combined with my ending of online social engagements, means that yours truly has a lot of free time to fill. The days ahead aren’t all that packed: Tonight … Dinner at Becca’s with Jen (and maybe […]