Better Living Through Introspection

A Post Less Ordinary

Because this is what I do with my free time: just finished watching A Life Less Ordinary, and only now realized some similar qualities it shares with another of my favorite movies, Trainspotting…decided to read the fine print and realized that not only are the two directed and by the same guy, but they also share a writer, a producer, and a cintematographer. The same quartet also brought you Shallow Grave which surprisingly I never cared for. Hmm.

The question is (god, this blog does nothing but ask questions!) why is it that I only picked up on the similarities during this viewing? I can only say that this is the first time I noticed the background music during ALLO. Why? More questions, but it’s the music that keyed me in to the shared qualities.

Hmm. Is a quart called a quart because it’s four to a gallon? Or because it takes four cups to make a quart? I’m guessing it’s the first one. Aigh! This is what little kids do to their parents, though admittedly I’d rather answer “why is they sky blue” instead of my inane U.S. Customary System of Measurement questions.

This is the best I can do after vacation? I should start apologizing to all two of my loyal readers right now.

A Question of Dedication

I recently saw High Fidelity, and though I took from that film several things for whatever reason the over-riding concern I had when the movie was over was to come up with some top-five lists of my own. The first list topic I came up with, on the heels of my decision, was top five things I procrastinate against in favor of work.

What sort of topic is that? Does my concern with my professional life run even deeper than I thought? Impossible. Or is it? What can we take from this? Let’s start with the list itself:

Top Five Things I Put Aside in Favor of Work

1. Writing poems
2. Writing stories
3. Writing friends
4. Reading
5. Running

The list clearly illuminates the fact that my creative and physical interests are being supplanted by my need to work. But why have I allowed work to impede so much the acts in which I used to completely immerse myself?

After quick consideration, I realize these things as stated are goal-less actions, whereas my work always has clearly defined goals, broken down into measurable instances — in this professional world, everything remains quantifiable. Does this mean if I set concrete goals for these actions that I’ll be able to at least equalize the energy I put into them with the dedication I put into work? Is structure required everywhere? Perhaps. Let’s find out.

While I’m keeping the goals I come up with private, hopefully you’ll see manifestations of their success in these or other pages.

Keep your fingers crossed.

This Is Intolerable

Bush is only ahead by 341 votes, with five counties to go. I’m a little disappointed to see that the entire world has not come to a complete standstill. Though admittedly, on a dark and rainy day like today, with no one scurrying around in the streets it seems as if it might have.

The Dems still have their panties in a wad. Wait till the overseas ballots start rolling in.

History, ladies and gentlemen. You’re soaking in it.

I Wait With Breathless Anticipation

Along with the rest of the country (and probably the rest of the world)…Drudge is supposed to be leaking the exit poll results right about now, but I can’t get on his site…apparently, everyone is trying to get there at the same time. Traffic will probably only get heavier…Guess I’ll be forced to wait in front of the tv like all the other slack-jawed yokels. Clearly, beer is called for…Mackey’s anyone?

It’s the Constitution, Stupid

Alert reader Seth Bloom while showing off his brother’s journalistic skills brought to my attention a certain article in which an American University law professor says of vote trading web sites:

None of these sites are illegal, because vote trading is protected by the First Amendment. Plus, vote swapping takes place every day in Congress.

Okay, two comments. 1) I’d just like to point out that while I’m neither a professor of law nor a master of logical thought, “just because Congress does it” is hardly a compelling or convincing argument for vote trading. I mean, really. If Congress resolved to jump off a bridge, would you? 2) Please consider the following, then tell me where this hallowed document sanctions vote-swapping. Keep in mind, I should probably be labeled a strict constructionist.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.