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SubscriptionsSites I Read
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| I think the essay is about my favorite literary genre. I like that they are short - always short enough for one sitting. They're usually about unsubstantial topics, yet of interest enough to the author for him or her to show some passion about the topic. They need to be tightly written - not a lot of wasted syllables - and well thought through (unlike this Blog which is just a stream of consciousness jumble. Among my favorite books are collections of essays: Lewis Thomas, Robert Reich, Henry Petroski... I recently finished a book of essays, Canadian Living by Peter Gzowsky - a very engaging raconteur. Essays are frequently timely, reflecting the zeitgeist, and yet often timeless. They're transient, and yet the best are enduring. Newspapers and magazines are repleat with them (one reason I enjoy reading the paper and continue to carry magazine subscriptions, even though I don't keep up very well). So what got me off on this topic? I don't recall. This little rant has been percolating since my last Blog entry with the thought "I must document this" - and the motivator has long since been consumed by the motivation. Yet, there must have been one essay that particularly struck a nerve and so there will be others. | | |
| Troubling developments with Rusty. He seems to have real difficulties interacting with people and other dogs. It isn't that he is agressive or even timid - more like unreachable. He does like chasing tennis balls - and it seems that it's the only thing he likes. If we compel him to take a walk without a tennis ball, he does ok after a block or so. Otherwise, it seems he cannot be separated, and has anxious behaviors when he does. Ruth thinks that we can get through to him and make him more sociable if we give it enough time. I hope so. He's a good dog, and worth saving. I get so mad at the idiots who made him into the paranoid thing he is now. | | |
| What do you do about a dog that always chooses to chew the wrong things? Alex seems mild mannered, but there's an ANIMAL lurking beneath that veneer.
He eschews dog toys, but seems to glom onto whatever isn't the best thing to chew on. Among his favorites are undergarments (clean or otherwise), skeins of yarn, and small electronics (such as TV remotes). Aggrevating!!
Shopping day today (can you just feel the enthusiasm?). we've got some gifts for various nieces and nephews, as well as some wardrobe maintenance for Ruth. I guess I'm looking forward to spending time with Ruth getting her nice stuff, but it's the interminable waiting that kinda puts me off. When it comes to shopping, if I'm the one looking and deciding, the time goes quickly. If I'm merely an observer/toter, then the clock hands move painfully slowly. But, if I wander off to look or shop, then I'm the drag on the party. I guess I don't get it. It's not that I don't like shopping or that I am unwilling to spend any money - it's that I don't like to be bored. When I bring reading materials - well that's the height of rudeness. So, I'll grin. And bear it. And make the best of it all. | | |
| Midterm in ESE 510. Not an overwhelming success. I think I'll actually study for the final. Oh, I understood the concepts well enough. What I lacked was speed in the analysis and the correct memorization of the formulas. I dread seeing the results.
On an happier note, Ruth had a great visit with Alex's new family. It looks like it'll be a good match, and
Alex will probably be leaving us right after Thanksgiving.
And the Bestest news of all: I'm not cooking for Thanksgiving. It looks like I'll be baking (in advance) pies, but the Thanksgiving feast will be all Ruth's specialties, so I'm not gonna get that usual cook's stress. A thanksgiving dinner that couldn't be beat!
Ya know, I can still remember the entire Alice's Restaurant Massacre recital after all these years. I know this because from time to time I'll recite it to myself to pass the time (like doing laps in the pool - not a whole lot else to do but count laps, which is VERY boring). And yet, there are other recitations and songs that are more dimly remembered. Why is that? I'm not aging, am I? | | |
| Autumn finally got here - it took a while. I hope Thanksgiving is shaping up to be OK - Mom's usually a bit to deal with, and I'm expecting more of the same this year. I think the key will be that I need to stay out of the kitchen so I can keep Mom in line (since Dad won't do it, and Patty will not be able to be here). My new job? So far, much less stressful than the old one. Doesn't surprise me - although it still takes up a good chunk of time (later in the evenings than I'd like). Still haven't traveled, but I expect that'll be changing soon, yet still not as much travel as the old job. Overall, a good trade! | | |
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