Yesterday I followed along watching the voting and ultimate selection of the new pope. I imagine a lot of folks wondered a lot of things, like I did: Why black & white smoke? What are they really doing in there that can’t be seen? Who thought up all those crazy hats? It’s the hat one that stuck with me once Pope New was announced. And then introduced. And then dressed in many lay... »
Happy Valentine’s Day people! If you have yourself a Valentine in the form of a person, well, that’s great. Happy Heart Day to you both. In fact, happy everyday to you all. But that’s not what I’m asking about today. There is a lot to love in this world, today and everyday. And everybody loves all kinds of things for different reasons. Things I’ve never heard of, t... »
A while back I posted an Afternoon Inquisition about Michael Vick and his 2007 felony conviction for running a dog fighting ring. The question I asked was about the emotional side of punishment, and if serving his sentence within the justice system ameliorated general ill-will people have for him. I was feeling the cognitive dissonance of “yes he did what penance and rehabilitation was asked... »
When I was in the fifth and sixth grade, Ruth Katz was my teacher. She was fearsome and effulgent to this timorous eleven year old. I now know she was daring and dedicated and delighted in the wonder of watching her students grow. But back then? Hoo. She once made us collect little bits of trash so we could make “found art” mobiles out of our collected bottle caps, sea glass, driftwood... »
It’s cold here in Southern California this week. Yes, I know it’s not cold cold compared to the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, but still cold enough to remind me my house doesn’t have heat. And yes, I know that also sounds ridiculous, but as a matter of practicality, when it’s thirty eight degrees at night, having no heat in the house is a bit overwhelming. It kills my p... »
I normally love this particular week at my job, as it’s my chance to file ALL THE THINGS, clean up my desktops (real and virtual), and generally sort myself out for next year. It’s quiet and most folks I do talk to for work are in a pretty festive mood. Plus, I feel like the stressful parts of the holiday, if you have them, are mostly over when this week between Christmas and New Year&... »
Since Elyse already started the whole it’s-Thanksgiving-slash-holiday-time-in-the-US-so-we-must-talk-mostly-about-food trend, I feel compelled to carry on. But this is not a post just for my fellow Americans who might be turkey roasting and such today, this is for all of us. Because even if you’re not cooking a traditional holiday meal today, it’s very likely you either cook or ... »
A few weeks back I asked y’all about Michael Vick, redemption, and forgiveness in a public sense. It was intriguing to see how many people understood their reactions/opinions were visceral and potentially irrational (which is perfectly okay, mind) and yet stood by their non-rational emotional response. I often feel like my emotional response isn’t “enough” and that I need t... »
