February 2012
1 post
December 2011
6 posts
“We are usually convinced more easily by reasons we have found ourselves than by...”
– Blaise Pascal
Christmas ramblings
This Christmas vacation has not been the best. Which is not to say it’s been particularly bad either; it hasn’t. There have been some nice moments. I did have fun seeing the fam, especially my goofy, adorable, and wonderful little nephews. I have had some good times with friends. My sister’s annual birthday/holiday party was especially nice, and I also had a great time at the...
October 2011
6 posts
God and Logic
This is a first. On a simple quiz I gave to students to test their understanding of valid argument structures, I included the following argument (among several others): Premise 1: If the Bible is accurate, then God exists. Premise 2: God does not exist. Conclusion: Therefore, the Bible is not accurate. They were simply asked to identify whether the argument is valid (which it is, it’s a...
4 tags
Sneak-Attack Philosophy: On strangers, grief, and... →
sneakattackphilosophy:
Since the announcement last night that Steve Jobs passed away, many people have been writing eulogies and introspectives. Most have been respectful, thoughtful, and deeply heartfelt. Some of the most eloquent have been from people who knew him personally, but most are written by those who never…
10 tags
Watchjemmarieandtheghostease:
Jem Marie + the Ghost Ease : Newest Knews (Peacock Song)
September 2011
1 post
August 2011
5 posts
6 tags
“Some people have a way with words… some people… not… have way.”
– Steve Martin
Sneak-Attack Philosophy: Dear liberals, Man up or... →
I disagree with some of this, but I agree with the central point - if you’re frustrated with things that our leaders are doing, then get active, and especially fucking vote. Political apathy isn’t going to help anything.
sneakattackphilosophy:
Dear liberals,
In the last two years, I’ve seen a lot of bitching and moaning from those of you unhappy with what is happening in DC. Many...
July 2011
12 posts
“The First Amendment was written neither to guarantee freedom of religion to...”
– American Family Association spokesman Bryan Fischer (Li3’s comment: THIS is why I’m SO not interested in figuring out what the forefathers were actually intending… What if we found out that they were secretly satanists and that these words were code for allowing for daily human sacrifices of...
It’s been a taxing summer so far, in so many ways. Everything at home has been constant stress. My folks are always tense, always snapping at one another. Rarely happy, never relaxed. Even when we go out somewhere (which happens much less often than it used to), they rarely really seem to be enjoying themselves. And I understand the reasons that things have gotten this way. But it...
June 2011
1 post
RIP, old friend
This morning I learned that an old friend of mine, Joe Kelley, passed away last night.
Joe and I hadn’t been close in a while. There was a period as young teenagers when it seemed that I was constantly at his house, or he at mine. But as the years passed we drifted apart, falling in and out of touch at various times. Eventually after I left Muskegon we pretty much fell out of contact...
May 2011
15 posts
Course Evals
Just got the notification that I can go peruse my online course evals and see what my students thought of me this semester. Lots of detailed feedback (more than usual) and it’s overwhelmingly positive, which is always a great feeling. I especially appreciated this one:
Professor Lake was a very positive, helpful and knowledgeable professor. I was surprised day after day by his...
Ann Druyan, on her husband Carl Sagan
“When my husband died, because he was so famous & known for not being a believer, many people would come up to me — it still sometimes happens — & ask me if Carl changed at the end & converted to a belief in an afterlife. They also frequently ask me if I think I will see him again. Carl faced his death with unflagging courage & never sought refuge in illusions. The tragedy...
Tired. Head still hurts from last night. Anxious - and I’m not exactly sure why. Can’t sleep. Maybe getting away from the internets will help.
On the plus side, I’ve started watching “Community” - very good stuff so far. Chevy Chase has done a nice job reminding me that he is actually pretty damned funny.
So many things going through my head lately. Life things, career things. So many things I need to be doing right now, but lately I just can’t seem to focus on any of it. I need my brain to quiet down. I’m not used to being this anxious. Deep breaths, one day at a time, focus on what I can control… and relax. Maybe a little revelry with friends in celebration of completing their...
“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the...”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 2011
33 posts
