List of Things I Put Off Because I Can't Afford Repairs And Credit Cards Are Maxed Out

1. Garage door opener.
2. Cracked windshield.
3. Busted rear left turn signal shield.
4. Busted pipes because we left the hose attached in freezing weather.
5. Front screen door doesn't quite close properly.

Why I Fell Asleep In Philosphy Class

What's the difference betweent explanation and justification?

Almost as fascinating and uplifting as "what's the difference between reference and description?"

The purpose of the modern philosophy department is to help out science and scientific thinking. Step outside of that framework and you're looking for work, already a tough assignment.

Why I Bought A Book Today

The first two sentences did it:

"To observe the regulations and keep to the rules is tying oneself without a rope. To act freely and unrestrainedly just as one wishes is to do what heretics and demons would do."

Here's the book.

Jimmy Stewart in "Vertigo" and Dark Obsessive Karma

She set you up,Jimmy, she misled you, she used you, she broke your heart -- and you want to return to the scene of the crime? And what's with all of this following her around? Sure, you're an investigator, but your investigation takes on the creepy feeling of a stalker. Is your dark obsessiveness the "vertigo" of "falling" in love?

Albert Ellis

See the Village Voiceinterview.

Patricia S. introduced me to the works of Albert Ellis in 1981. Rational Emotive Therapy. Treats depression. You can read the interview to see if you'd like it.

I didn't go for it much, but Patricia sure liked it and seemed to know it through and through, indicating a lot of therapy sessions somewhere along the line. I veered off into Buddhism at the time, which some folks think bears a resemblance to the basic Ellis take on things.

Patricia was in therapy because her father raped her. She never quite got around to saying exactly that, but we were talking about the movie "Chinatown" and she let me in on her secret that way.

She showed me how to hike all the way up to the top of a 14-thousand foot mountain and then get back down again: Mt. Massive west of Leadville. My first time up and down a Fourteener: I would never have done it without her persistenly telling me it's not that tough.

Shocking Realization

My 83 year old mother is in a hospital in Iowa recovering from hip replacement surgery after she fell on steps while visiting my Aunt Regina. I called my mom at the hospital today and Regina answered the phone, sounding just as clear and confident as any 91 year old I have ever heard. I asked her how my mom was doing and she said "She's having trouble going to the bathroom, so the doctors are teaching her a method of getting it done." "Oh," I said.

"It's something like -- uh, have you ever had an enema?" asked my Aunt Regina.

"No, I haven't."

"Oh, you haven't?" she said. I could her my mother say something in the background.
"Your mother says you have had an enema -- when you were a child."

"Really?" I said. "I don't remember."

I think I changed the subject at that point and eventually talked with my mom and determined that she had been too well-medicated for a real conversation right then.

Anyway. This is the new information I'm dealing with this morning. I think it's funny, but I can't quite explain why. It might have something to do with the ridiculous unexpectedness of it.