Well, the Christmas shopping is done. The tree is lit, the stockings are hung.
There has been a cost. I've lost my wedding ring somewhere along the line yesterday. I finished with the dishes last night, and realized it wasn't on my finger. We searched high and low. No sign of it.
It's amazing how much difference a simple band of 1o karat gold makes. When I realized it was gone, I went into a panic. That ring represents so much! My wife put that on my hand two years ago, as a sign of how much she loves me, and now it's missing.
Some people take the little symbols of our lives for granted. You lose a ring, big deal. A gift from a special friend gets broken? It's replaceable. Call me weird, but I tend to find sentiment in even some of the smallest things. I still have a teddy bear that I won at a fair that I went to with an old friend years ago. I don't have the heart to get rid of it.
One man's clutter is another man's memory.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Creative ownership
As many of you who read my blog know, I am a great fan of the comic strip "For Better or For Worse", written by Lynn Johnston. I have been following the various story lines for years. You can read it yourself at http://www.fborfw.com/.
Unlike most comic strips, Lynn's takes place mostly in real time. Characters age, pets die sometimes, and normal life happens. More than one person has commented on how Lynn must be peeking into their windows and recording their lives. The chat section (which can be found under fun stuff) is full of that sort of thing.
Lately, people have taken to criticizing the various characters behaviour, the way Lynn is telling HER story, and anything else they can think of. I find some of the letters she has chosen to publish not only rude, but downright selfish.
This is a world of Lynn Johnston's creation. We, as readers have the right to enter it, but we should not presume that we should tell her how it is to be run. I have to think that all of the time that Lynn has devoted to the development of the characters gives her the right to decide their fates. Sure, as with any story teller, she must remain somewhat within the realm of believability, but she has the right to take the characters where she wants.
Sometimes a writer creates characters who take over the direction a story goes. In many cases, I think Lynn has fallen into this trap. The only way out is to let the characters do what they will, and guide them slowly back where she wants them to go.
My point, however, is that to criticize the story writing because we don't like a character or his behaviour within the story is wrong. We opted to enter that world, we should simply leave it in the hands of its' creator. Input is one thing. Telling Lynn that she is wrong is another. I would not dream of telling somebody who can create a world how it should work.
Lynn Johnston is now working toward a semi-retirement. Circumstances in her life have altered plans that she had made. This has begun to show in her writing. Just like her characters, I think she is a little unsure of where she is going now. In my humble opinion, that makes her work all the more "real" to me. Leave the lives of the fictional world in the hands that made them. They are hers, we just borrow them for a few minutes each day.
Unlike most comic strips, Lynn's takes place mostly in real time. Characters age, pets die sometimes, and normal life happens. More than one person has commented on how Lynn must be peeking into their windows and recording their lives. The chat section (which can be found under fun stuff) is full of that sort of thing.
Lately, people have taken to criticizing the various characters behaviour, the way Lynn is telling HER story, and anything else they can think of. I find some of the letters she has chosen to publish not only rude, but downright selfish.
This is a world of Lynn Johnston's creation. We, as readers have the right to enter it, but we should not presume that we should tell her how it is to be run. I have to think that all of the time that Lynn has devoted to the development of the characters gives her the right to decide their fates. Sure, as with any story teller, she must remain somewhat within the realm of believability, but she has the right to take the characters where she wants.
Sometimes a writer creates characters who take over the direction a story goes. In many cases, I think Lynn has fallen into this trap. The only way out is to let the characters do what they will, and guide them slowly back where she wants them to go.
My point, however, is that to criticize the story writing because we don't like a character or his behaviour within the story is wrong. We opted to enter that world, we should simply leave it in the hands of its' creator. Input is one thing. Telling Lynn that she is wrong is another. I would not dream of telling somebody who can create a world how it should work.
Lynn Johnston is now working toward a semi-retirement. Circumstances in her life have altered plans that she had made. This has begun to show in her writing. Just like her characters, I think she is a little unsure of where she is going now. In my humble opinion, that makes her work all the more "real" to me. Leave the lives of the fictional world in the hands that made them. They are hers, we just borrow them for a few minutes each day.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Where time goes
People often marvel at how quickly time goes by. We get busy living our lives, and never notice how much time has slipped through our fingers. For example, my mother-in-law was amazed to realize that it is only two more weeks until Christmas. "Where has the time gone?", she asked my wife.
Time, as near as I can figure it, leaves the point in space that we are currently in. Each of us lives in our own little bubble of space-time, as Einstein put it. That's why time can crawl for some of us, and speed by for others. Which is where the whole theory of relativity comes in.
Now, I won't get too technical here, but my theory is that time leaves our individual bubbles of reality and radiates out from them like the rays from the sun. How quickly the time goes depends on how fast we are moving within our bubbles, and whether or not we are really paying attention.
That is correct, ladies and gentlemen, I have just confirmed that a watched pot never boils, and that time is subjective. Remember that guys, from inside their bubbles, women are not spending any more time in the bathroom than we are. We just can't tell from our side.
At about this point, you are shaking your heads and thinking, "Where does he come up with this stuff?" As I've said, I tend to remember most of what I see and hear. It all goes in, gets mixed up a little bit, and comes back out as my various theories. What you just gotten was a little bit of Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Star Trek. (As written by author Diane Duane. I refer you to the book "Wounded Sky", and the theories in it.)
For my niece, who loves my ability to take lines from movies and television and use them to make a point, I will finish with a quote from Babylon Five, in which President John Sheridan tells the station Captain where time goes. "Out there," he says, "beyond the rim." He was referring to the rim of the galaxy, where all of the "first ones" had gone.
I think time moves "out there", to the very edge of the universe. If you feel it is going too fast, just slow down for a little while inside your own bubble of the Universe. The Zen Buddhist monks were on to something when they created the gardens for meditation. If you slow down enough, time... will... eventually... stop.
Time, as near as I can figure it, leaves the point in space that we are currently in. Each of us lives in our own little bubble of space-time, as Einstein put it. That's why time can crawl for some of us, and speed by for others. Which is where the whole theory of relativity comes in.
Now, I won't get too technical here, but my theory is that time leaves our individual bubbles of reality and radiates out from them like the rays from the sun. How quickly the time goes depends on how fast we are moving within our bubbles, and whether or not we are really paying attention.
That is correct, ladies and gentlemen, I have just confirmed that a watched pot never boils, and that time is subjective. Remember that guys, from inside their bubbles, women are not spending any more time in the bathroom than we are. We just can't tell from our side.
At about this point, you are shaking your heads and thinking, "Where does he come up with this stuff?" As I've said, I tend to remember most of what I see and hear. It all goes in, gets mixed up a little bit, and comes back out as my various theories. What you just gotten was a little bit of Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Star Trek. (As written by author Diane Duane. I refer you to the book "Wounded Sky", and the theories in it.)
For my niece, who loves my ability to take lines from movies and television and use them to make a point, I will finish with a quote from Babylon Five, in which President John Sheridan tells the station Captain where time goes. "Out there," he says, "beyond the rim." He was referring to the rim of the galaxy, where all of the "first ones" had gone.
I think time moves "out there", to the very edge of the universe. If you feel it is going too fast, just slow down for a little while inside your own bubble of the Universe. The Zen Buddhist monks were on to something when they created the gardens for meditation. If you slow down enough, time... will... eventually... stop.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Late night antics
Does anyone know how to keep a cat asleep for the whole night? Last night, Taffy woke my wife up no less than three times. We love the little girl to pieces, and are happy that she wants our attention, but three in the morning is a little ridiculous.
The big problem is that Taffy insists on that attention, with her teeth. She will paw at you for a while, but if she doesn't get her way, out come the choppers.
Talk about temper mental!
I had mentioned to some that Taffy was getting awfully affectionate. I'm not sure just what the deal is with that. She used to be pretty standoffish. Especially toward me. When I first met Sandra and started spending time with her, Taffy got jealous as all get out. I couldn't get into the apartment without hearing her growl.
I hope to hades, she calms down a little bit soon. It's getting awfully hard to sleep around here, I have to get up and shoo Taffy away from Sandra, sometimes having to get down on the floor with her. I did that last night. I tried to pet her, and all I got for the effort was attempts to bite my hands off.
Please, feline owners everywhere, how about a hand here?
The big problem is that Taffy insists on that attention, with her teeth. She will paw at you for a while, but if she doesn't get her way, out come the choppers.
Talk about temper mental!
I had mentioned to some that Taffy was getting awfully affectionate. I'm not sure just what the deal is with that. She used to be pretty standoffish. Especially toward me. When I first met Sandra and started spending time with her, Taffy got jealous as all get out. I couldn't get into the apartment without hearing her growl.
I hope to hades, she calms down a little bit soon. It's getting awfully hard to sleep around here, I have to get up and shoo Taffy away from Sandra, sometimes having to get down on the floor with her. I did that last night. I tried to pet her, and all I got for the effort was attempts to bite my hands off.
Please, feline owners everywhere, how about a hand here?
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Nostalgia and impressions
For the first time, Sandra and I have composed a Christmas letter, to go out in each of the cards we are mailing this year. It' s basically just a way for us to let everyone catch up with what we have been doing lately.
At one time, a lot of people used to send out letters like this. Now, it's a rare family that sends out actual Christmas cards. E-cards have taken the place of the paper variety. It's hard to remember the last time that I got an actual letter in the mail. I think my grandmother sent one about eight months ago.
Technology has made communication a lot easier, but I don't think it has made it any better. Text messaging is a perfect example. It is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to get your message out there. A lt gts lst in the trnsltion tho. Is it any wonder kids are having trouble learning how to spell?
There are some things that pen and paper have going for them. All are purely psychological. For one thing, there is an immediacy to a letter that you are holding. The physical presence kind of makes you feel like the writer is with you. The other thing is the intimacy of the hand written letter. Somebody took the time to hold the pen and thought of you as they were writing. Sometimes, you can feel that in the letter.
Let's admit it, I am a romantic at heart. I like some of the old values that society has let slide. I still want to open a door for a lady, or help her on with her coat. I feel like a slob if I wear a t-shirt and track pants if I'm going to town. I think that tattoos and piercing should be private, in places that can be hidden when you go someplace formal.
That is another thing our society has lost. We might be able to get dressed up, but where are we going to go? I might use my suit once every year. Going out for a meal is done in denim jeans and a clean shirt. What ever happened to impressing your date's parents when you picked her up for dinner and a movie?
My oldest niece tells me that I sound like an old man when I write things like this. That's the problem. I sound like and OLD man, not a gentleman. My greatest goal in life is to have people remember me as a gentleman when I leave the room for the last time. It's the image I would hope to project when I meet somebody for the first time.
At one time, a lot of people used to send out letters like this. Now, it's a rare family that sends out actual Christmas cards. E-cards have taken the place of the paper variety. It's hard to remember the last time that I got an actual letter in the mail. I think my grandmother sent one about eight months ago.
Technology has made communication a lot easier, but I don't think it has made it any better. Text messaging is a perfect example. It is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to get your message out there. A lt gts lst in the trnsltion tho. Is it any wonder kids are having trouble learning how to spell?
There are some things that pen and paper have going for them. All are purely psychological. For one thing, there is an immediacy to a letter that you are holding. The physical presence kind of makes you feel like the writer is with you. The other thing is the intimacy of the hand written letter. Somebody took the time to hold the pen and thought of you as they were writing. Sometimes, you can feel that in the letter.
Let's admit it, I am a romantic at heart. I like some of the old values that society has let slide. I still want to open a door for a lady, or help her on with her coat. I feel like a slob if I wear a t-shirt and track pants if I'm going to town. I think that tattoos and piercing should be private, in places that can be hidden when you go someplace formal.
That is another thing our society has lost. We might be able to get dressed up, but where are we going to go? I might use my suit once every year. Going out for a meal is done in denim jeans and a clean shirt. What ever happened to impressing your date's parents when you picked her up for dinner and a movie?
My oldest niece tells me that I sound like an old man when I write things like this. That's the problem. I sound like and OLD man, not a gentleman. My greatest goal in life is to have people remember me as a gentleman when I leave the room for the last time. It's the image I would hope to project when I meet somebody for the first time.
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