Updates and Downdates

Updates and Downdates

I noticed that most of my frustrating moments this weekend were as a result of the mood I was in, and my reaction to things that happened. I won’t bother with details as none of the incidents were of consequence; they were simply the minutiae that daily sit in the header of this page. At the time they seemed real enough to put me in a funk for most of the beginning of Saturday, as well as the beginning of Sunday. In both instances though I was able to be in a much better state by the evening.

Which brings us to the updates, the real reason for this post. On Thursday evening I finished Sense and Sensibility, significant for two reasons. The first reason this is significant is my decision to go back and read many of the classic books, especially those from that vast pool of books that most read in high school and college English classes. I have recently (in the last year) read Walden, The Old Man and the Sea, 100 Years of Solitude, The Brothers Karamazov, and Sense and Sensibility, all in addition to my regular schedule of Lewis and other Non-Fiction books.

The second reason this is significant is because of two women, Jane Austen and Amon Krist. The first woman you will no doubt recognize as the author of the wonderful book I had the pleasure of enjoying, and the second as the woman I’m dating. In way of further explanation, Amon wrote her thesis on Jane Austen and feels very strongly about these books.

I’m now reading a book called Coming Home to Eat. This book has some very interesting things to say about local foods, not only in the sense of recipes that are traditional to a certain people or area, but also in the sense of using ingredients that are from your local area, not flown, trained, or trucked in from across the country or the world. I”ll have a more thorough review of this book up soon I imagine. It could make for some interesting posts, it’s certainly given ME a lot to think about.

Until later,
Mike

You'll notice everyone in Dupont Circle is facing the same direction. On my way home from work Monday I heard what sounded like a really loud back fire but turned out to be a gun shot. According to a VERY brief writeup, a dog charged the police officer who in return fired on the dog, killing it. Very, very disturbing.

I didn't see what happened before the officer fired at the dog, but as soon as I heard the gun discharge (within a couple seconds) I located the source and saw the rest. When I looked up the dog was jumping around and then writhing on the ground. It was really awful. Maybe one of the most disturbing things I've seen. I suppose that is a testimony to the sheltered life I've led, but that seems like little consulation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/11/AR2006091101440.html

This is as close as I wanted to get. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. 

A Word of Thanks

To my Lawrence friends,

I wanted to first of all say that I had a wonderful time while I was back in Lawrence. It meant allot to me to see each of you and be able to talk face-to-face. If I missed seeing you, then I'm truely sorry it didn't work out, send me an email and let me know what's going on or call me. My number is the same as it use to be:
Seven Eight Five - Two One Eight - Eight Eight Three Six

Just a quick note of thanks to Andrew, PT, Tim and Rachelle, and Steven and Molly. Thanks for opening your houses. Steve and Beth, thanks for the Special-K bars!

The (over) a week of vacation went much faster than I had thought it might. I think I got to read all of 50 pages. If I had to choose though, between time spent reading at a coffee shop and time spent living life with each of you I'd make the same decision all over again.

You all mean so much to me, and I look forward to the next time I'm able to see you all again. Remember...DC isn't THAT far away, and there are plenty of fun (ahem...free) things to do.

Until Next Time,
MikeyC>

Rainy Day Words

Disheveled umbrellas dance a syncopated rhythm as people shuffle from domicile to duty.