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27 Mar 07 – 27 Mar 07
I'm enjoying Leo Strauss's History of Political Philosophy, even his flowery, complicated sentences. But even good things can be taken too far.
| An example: | If a religion or divine law is not spurious, obscurantist, or fanatic, it does not promote but suppresses and transcends the ends pursued in ignorant regimes (including tyranny), and substitutes for them the end that can be pursued only through the belief in adequate or salutary similitudes of divine and natural beings, and through commands and prohibitions that promote virtue and happiness among a particular group ready for the message. |
25 Mar 07 – 25 Mar 07
Just returned from a weekend with Saalon, and am reminded yet again of the power of physical human interaction. Not only do I feel closer to him, we were able to talk and discuss things so much more efficiently. He had some programming questions, and I could explain concepts with such ease when we stood six feet from each other.
Side note: There's now an Atom feed for this blog.
22 Mar 07 – 22 Mar 07
Does McDonald's really need a memorable catchphrase at this point?
What else are they doing blindly, out of habit?
What am I doing blindly, out of habit?
20 Mar 07 – 20 Mar 07
Here's how I knew I'd be okay. When I went to work on Monday, the business manager told me that I didn't have to come in for the rest of my two weeks, that I could go on home. So I went to the old office to gather the rest of my possessions that hadn't been moved, drove home, and as I turned onto the street leading into my neigbhorhood, saw flashing lights behind me. A cop pulled me over. He jogged up and, in an upbeat tone, asked if my tags were really out of date. I said, "Yep, I'm afraid so." He asked for my license and registration and took them back to his truck. And I sat back in my truck and enjoyed the breeze blowing across my face.
Seriously. I enjoyed sitting there, next to a park, watching the trees shimmy in the breeze. I'd just left my job, all my work stuff was piled next to me in the truck, I'd been pulled over for a (probably expensive) ticket, and I was almost ready to whistle.
That's when I knew I'd be okay.
19 Mar 07 – 19 Mar 07
The Dragon Slayer has had an epiphany about online 'social networking' which I agree with wholeheartedly.
18 Mar 07 – 18 Mar 07
In the blink of an eye, things change. Blink again, they change back.
Though my job at Applied Tactics was interesting and brimmed with potential, after a long week of painful work I came to a series of conclusions. I realized that the work was too much for me. I don't want to be working more, unless it's for something I believe in strongly.
And so, after talking with my boss, I'll be leaving Applied Tactics a week from Friday. I've contacted my old boss at Rockwell about returning there, and I have a few other leads.
And so, onwards.
16 Mar 07 – 16 Mar 07
Computers are glittering distractions.
15 Mar 07 – 15 Mar 07
In the middle of this very rough week, I've discovered Wikiversity, an open learning project to which anyone can contribute. It's still an infant, which is part of what fascinates me. Potential nearly overflows its pages.
10 Mar 07 – 10 Mar 07
The sky was a vast blue comforter, and the air was the perfect temperature. Today felt like spring. How could I not spend the day outside?
Though I only spent a few minutes outside, it still felt wonderful. I did a bit of shopping this morning, had a fantastic lunch (tuna salad sandwich, a perfect pickle, and a tin roof sundae), then I walked to the new office to help paint. Yes, walked.
I have an amazingly good life. And it just keeps getting better.
9 Mar 07 – 9 Mar 07
And that up there is the end of The Walk Home, my comic. Final panel. You can buy a printed copy for $6 at Lulu.com. I bought one, and I'm proud of it. My first printed work.
It's a thrill to see your name in print, even when it's print-on-demand.
6 Mar 07 – 6 Mar 07
The dragon winds of March gallop through the fields and down the streets. The houses creak and moan in fear, and the trees flutter their hands in mute protest.
4 Mar 07 – 4 Mar 07
Last night at 10:30, I poured myself a small dish of expensive sake, sat out in my garden, and composed haiku as I watched clouds sail by the full moon.
I can't remember the haiku I wrote. Perhaps that is best.
2 Mar 07 – 2 Mar 07
I've been working with an artist, Dave White, on a new design for the Giant Armors from my novel. Here's what they look like:
![[IMAGE]](http://brentnewhall.com/graphics/ga_design.jpg)
It's been wonderful. He's a complete professional. Which mainly means:
- He gives me exact dates of when he expects to finish things.
- He get his work done by the appointed date, unless something truly unusual happens to stop him.
- He tells me when something unusual happens.
That's about all I expect from a professional, and he's fully complied, in contrast to other artists I've worked with. It's sad; professionalism isn't complicated. It just takes commitment.