Reflections of a Scattered Mind
La goutte qui a débordé le vase. In French, the drop of water that overflowed the vase. In English, the straw that broke the camel’s back. Whether we think about it or not, every system has limits beyond which things stop working predictably. They reach inflection points. You can, for example, slow down an … Read moreLe Goutte Qui A Débordé Le Vase
The model. That’s what you always look for when you are trying to solve a difficult problem. Once you have the model, you apply it to all problems of that type . . so you don’t have to reinvent the solution. I used to think about this in terms of how beer was … Read morePass the Stella Artois
We are in a war. With germs, for sure. Fortunately, we are advanced enough as a civilization to realize the real physical reason that people are dying. This is good, and a real change from the past where ignorance, superstitions and bureaucracies caused hysteria and death. So much for that cheerful idea. Well, … Read moreLockdown, Even If It Hurts
He stumbled as he entered the park. The curb was too high or maybe he was just lost in thought and didn’t gauge the height of the stone barrier correctly. Louis had a choice to make. Take the path to the right, up the hill, or go left to the valley and the grotto. Both … Read moreSeagulls in Winter
I just had a frightening thought . . the past is never coming back. It’s not just my mom and dad and Cher . . it’s the world that I once knew and took for granted. It’s the years driving on 280, zigzagging through the mountains above Palo Alto. It’s my birthday at Ala Moana … Read moreI Just Had A Frightening Thought
Day three of the quarantine and two things became evident: 1) When I go out to the store to get some milk, I have to go to five grocery stores before I can find some. Too many people are buying everything they can get their hands on. Why aren’t those people at home … Read moreQ:3 – Obsessions of an Addled Brain
So, in my attempt to be useful during this quarantine-like period, I think it is important to not just complain about the incompetence of our President, but to also examine how we could have elected an out-and-out con man, a charlatan as it were, as President of the United States. And, if you have any … Read moreLet Me Count The Ways
It’s a piece of wood 30 inches long. Solid. Usually made of Ash or Hickory and conformed to your hands like a glove. The larger side was as thick as a can of coke. Players had a preference. Mine was a thick handle so when it met the hardball there was a solid reverberation through … Read more1958 Was A Year To Remember
My Pink Pearl eraser finally dried up. I have been using it as the eraser du jour for about twenty five years. It has nice rounded edges and is only about a quarter used . . I like to think it is because I never make mistakes. I know better . . as does my … Read moreMy Pink Pearl Eraser
So, it’s super Tuesday. Ostensibly the harbinger of what is to come in half of our political lives for the next eight months. OMG! Now, I have been rather outspoken about my political leanings despite my historical affiliation with the Republican party. This has brought recriminations my way with suggestions that I return to … Read moreSo, Do You Feel Lucky Punk? Well, Do ya?