December 28, 2006
December 15, 2006
being loved
Receiving affirmation has always been important to me. It helps me perform. It helps me know that what I'm doing is worthwhile. I crave it, but only in certain forms. I want affirmation that I can receive without making any personal commitment. There's even a way of acknowledging it that seems to discount it when I'm really asking for more.
other: "Bob, thanks so much for doing such and such."
me: "Oh, it was no problem."
other: "No, really, it meant a lot to me."
me: "Well, I was happy to do it. Besides, it was easy."
other: "You are SO great. Amazing. Thanks again."
Sometimes, though, people like me for who I am. In fact, there are an increasing number of people in my life who really love me apart from the many things I can do for them. These people also (increasingly) refuse to be discounted. For some reason, this frightens me. Frightens and occasionally irritates.
December 14, 2006
TWO great quotes in one day!
Am I even allowed to do that? This one's from Gustave Flaubert. I'm embarrassed to say I can't directly cite it, since I heard it from Garrison Keillor... still, worth quoting:
"To be stupid, selfish, and in good health are three requirements for happiness, although if stupidity is lacking, all is lost."
Quote of the Day
"Iran is your home and is the home of all freedom seekers of the world. Here you can express your views and exchange opinions in a friendly, brotherly and free atmosphere." – Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran
December 12, 2006
quote of the day
"Puking is no fun. It is so unlike my character."
(Found this in an old email and totally cracked up. You know who you are.)
December 09, 2006
rambling re-entry post
Top ten things that I wasn't getting in Europe:
1) Bing Crosby singing carols
2) Free water, free samples
3) Gas for only US$2.50/gal
4) High-volume toilets
5) Shoes that fit
6) Personal comments
7) One-stop Wal-Mart shopping
8) Current movies
9) US$5 photo developing
10) Mike, Kim, Matt, John, Donnie, Kelley, William, David, Mary, Anna, Ian, WPC, Sarah, Jeff, Melissa, Benton, and Cyd
I can't really wrap my mind around a life with all of these things, available on at least a weekly basis. It kinda blows my mind. There are a lot of cultural assumptions tied into each of these things (yes, even Bing). Coming home for meetings and the holidays really pries the lids off and leaves them open for contemplation. Pots of assumption. Like paint.
To be fair, there are some neat things available in Europe, too. Like organic produce, awesome transportation, and some great people. Those things are tied to their own assumptions, just like any other cultural artifacts. I just haven't been there long enough to know what those assumptions are.
For now, I'm planning to relax and indulge in some highly-caffeinated self-analysis. With isolated foreign-language interludes. Thanks to those of you who've really gotten that ball rolling. And for those of you on the other side, I'll see you in January. Get ready.
December 08, 2006
statuary #4
I still can't get over how many lions there are in this city. Makes me think in Narnian imagery a LOT. It's interesting on a political level as well, since the lion is the symbol of the Flemish, even though the people here largely speak French. We're on the Flemish side of the country, but the city is an independent capital zone (sorta like D.C.). All that to say, I'm not sure what language these lions prefer. And who put them here.
December 04, 2006
Quote of the Day
"Bob, I don't mean this in a bad way, but you have no idea what you're talking about." (JG)
