I am a chopper of wood and carrier of water, a keeper of bees, digger of soil, and washer of dishes, but when people ask me "what do you do" I usually satisfy them with "I'm in information technology." If they really want to know, I'll tell them about the decade as a wilderness guide. Some jobs are vocations, some are avocations, but that one was an evocation. I also wrangle pixels and try to herd them into representations of coherent thoughts, which is a provocation. :-)
It’s Monday morning and a good cup of coffee is a welcome treat in the cold rain. Congress says that this is Veteran’s Day, but we all know that the real observance is on the 11th. World War I ended one hundred years ago this eleventh month, on the eleventh day at the eleventh hour. … More This Is How The Sausage Is Made
“[Politics is] but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” By the time you read this, the election will be over, and we can all breathe … More A Tale Told by an Idiot
The young do not spring from the the earth fully formed. … More Generations
Time is a plow pulled by a blind mule. It does not pause for our reflections or our protestations. We can put a hand to the till and try to guide it, or we can get out of the way. Eventually, we all grow weary of our labors, of plowing or of running away, and we lay down to rest in the field. Eventually, all of our efforts will be turned under to nourish the next crop, just as we were once nourished. … More To Everything There Is A Season
The picture at the top of the page is the Karpman Drama Triangle. You may have seen it if you’re familiar with transactional analysis. I first saw it in training for a job working with adjudicated youth. At first, I didn’t think anything so simple could be very useful. But a hammer is a simple … More Keep Calm and Carry On
This week we’re going to give you something to think about besides politics, though for some, this issue, like all issues, can be political. This problem will be with us long after whatever media circus currently occupies our pixelated collective consciousness. Seth McLamb is a young father, an outdoorsman and an engineer with a … More Cheap and Effective or Toxic and Ugly?
Spring cleanup on the farm is a fine thing, full of energy and anticipation, but I prefer the fall, mellowed by reflection and slowed by caution for that undiscovered yellow jacket nest and the snake looking for a place to soak up the morning sun. Autumn cleanup is subject to the welcome interruption of having … More Falling Leaves, Gathering Memories
A useful definition of intelligence is the ability to adapt to and thrive in one’s environment. Multiple studies have shown that intelligence is declining worldwide. Multiple studies have also shown that humans are getting smarter. The question of intelligence is a a good example of the challenge in finding truth in the age of … More The Intelligence Test
Everyone has a right to an opinion, but nobody is entitled to one. Opinions are worthless unless formed by reason and informed by fact. A worthwhile opinion takes effort. This is one of the reasons why we rarely give advice. Advice is usually an unwelcome visitor, and even when invited, it is expected to be … More The Value of Advice
Pages turned with every step we took, telling stories mysterious and astonishing. All of it was information we could use. … More Rats Under The Floor
Outside The Box 