I have discovered one definite advantage to living where the temperatures will go down to 20° below zero: You feel like it's summer when it crawls back up over 30°.
It's 44° today. Rejoice!
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
I have been wondering why Germany has been one of the few outspoken voices of reason against an invasion. The majority of Germans are strongly opposed to this aggression, and their chancellor, the pathetical populist Gerhard Schröder, has predictably followed along and voiced the nation's abhorrence on the international stage.
My conclusion is that this stems from the sensitivity of the Germans to being branded apathetic, when confronted with rhetoric that extolls the virtues of starting a war. Today's chant about "taking care of business" seems to have stirred the soul of this nation, which bowed its head in shame for decades after starting a devastating war which was preceded by a very similar rhetoric by its 'elected' leaders.
Long forgotten speeches, proclaiming a need for "Lebensraum" and for staving off an "immediate threat" from the east by means of "preemptive military actions", seem ominously close now.
But, since history is written by the victor, the likelihood of a similar moral lesson being learned by the agressor of our times is sadly slim.
My conclusion is that this stems from the sensitivity of the Germans to being branded apathetic, when confronted with rhetoric that extolls the virtues of starting a war. Today's chant about "taking care of business" seems to have stirred the soul of this nation, which bowed its head in shame for decades after starting a devastating war which was preceded by a very similar rhetoric by its 'elected' leaders.
Long forgotten speeches, proclaiming a need for "Lebensraum" and for staving off an "immediate threat" from the east by means of "preemptive military actions", seem ominously close now.
But, since history is written by the victor, the likelihood of a similar moral lesson being learned by the agressor of our times is sadly slim.
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
Working like crazy can be fun. Seeing something really come together, especially after weeks of preparation and work. It is a really good feeling. Thrilling.
It is also strangely liberating when you are working on a big project with just one big deadline. Nothing else to dictate when you work, at what speed or for how long. So if I am having a hard time sleeping, for example if my wife is not at home, I might get up in the middle of the night and work into the afternoon of the next day. Or if I'm going nowhere I will just call it a day and continue the morning after.
I may not be the best person to explore this kind of working arrangement. You see, I do not seem to have any built-in sense of time. At all. So I will frequently burn the midnight oil the last few days before a deadline. Well, that's how I've always worked. It may be changing. Maybe.
But the thrill is fun.
It is also strangely liberating when you are working on a big project with just one big deadline. Nothing else to dictate when you work, at what speed or for how long. So if I am having a hard time sleeping, for example if my wife is not at home, I might get up in the middle of the night and work into the afternoon of the next day. Or if I'm going nowhere I will just call it a day and continue the morning after.
I may not be the best person to explore this kind of working arrangement. You see, I do not seem to have any built-in sense of time. At all. So I will frequently burn the midnight oil the last few days before a deadline. Well, that's how I've always worked. It may be changing. Maybe.
But the thrill is fun.
Monday, February 17, 2003
Just saw Chicago. The movie. It was quite good. I like musicals. I really like Baz Luhrman's work, for example. His Moulin Rouge was great. But then I like Nicole Kidman.
Chicago's main premise is that a courtroom is a stage, which should be used to 'razzle and dazzle' a jury. That's probably as good a description as any of what goes on there. I have never quite seen the common law court system - being judged by twelve of your peers and all that - as the just way to go. I probably just like authority figures, like the omnipotent judge, too much. I guess.
Chicago's main premise is that a courtroom is a stage, which should be used to 'razzle and dazzle' a jury. That's probably as good a description as any of what goes on there. I have never quite seen the common law court system - being judged by twelve of your peers and all that - as the just way to go. I probably just like authority figures, like the omnipotent judge, too much. I guess.
Sunday, February 16, 2003
We felt the baby move for the first time today.
Well, my wife did. She came running to me "Feel here, feel here" and put my hand on her stomach. But nothing. I guess it got scared from all the commotion. "Wait a minute, where is she running? I should maybe just stay still for now."
I continue to stay convinced that Alien was written by a woman. A pregnant woman. Remember that scene when something was visibly crawling around inside John Hurt, and then burst out of his stomach?
Exactly.
Well, my wife did. She came running to me "Feel here, feel here" and put my hand on her stomach. But nothing. I guess it got scared from all the commotion. "Wait a minute, where is she running? I should maybe just stay still for now."
I continue to stay convinced that Alien was written by a woman. A pregnant woman. Remember that scene when something was visibly crawling around inside John Hurt, and then burst out of his stomach?
Exactly.
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