Good morning, CGB!
Well, there's the proof that one has to use shock language to get attention! That was probably the most outr‚ thing I've ever said; I felt positively wicked when I wrote it.
I wouldn't think intellectual masturbation is any more damaging than the 3D kind--it won't cross your eyes and your brain won't fall out. My meaning was that it gives the writer more personal pleasure than it effects any real change. Possibly the benefit lies in that the writer is forced to think through his positions and at least try to be logical and coherent. But real change, real accomplishment will only happen when we act--when we go out and give of ourselves--not preaching our beliefs, but living them. I'm a firm believer that we are what we read, watch, and fill our hours and minds with.
As you know, I have travelled and stayed with several SI people on both sides of the country and would love to meet more. The people I've gotten to know and care about here are probably more real to me than most of my neighbors! I love the Internet! I was in a bad mood last week because of some things I had read elsewhere. I'm back to my normal, sweet, non shock-language self.
Now--more importantly--we have had no rats in our pool. Blue would never allow such a thing; he brings them all into the house where they can stay cool and have decent meals. We do have frogs; we scoop them out and the next morning they're back, sitting contentedly at the bottom. I didn't know frogs could stay under water that long. Our neighbor has found three dead birds in her skimmer. She said with the first two, she screamed and made her son get them out, the third she thought, Oh hell, and did it herself. The heat is making tough, pioneer-type women of us pampered yuppies.
Actually the death count is now 98 and I do think people are beginning to feel a little scared. I imagine they'll prohibit car washing and lawn watering anytime now. It's already severely regulated and enforced. No problems with AC and electricity yet, outside of getting a 400.00 bill-that's definitely a problem. We keep the house on 78 and use our ceiling fans. Cars overheat a lot. I've given up any pretense of cooking. |
