Paradoxical Math Principles

Ya know, rights are like love. There's not a limited supply. The amount you give away does not diminish with the sharing. People have become so selfish that they have lost sight of the fact that some things are multiplied rather than divided when given away.~~GHC

Life's Little Ironies: Tolstoy

"Happiness is an allegory, unhappiness a story." ~~ Leo Tolstoy

"Funny that we would choose to live in an allegory (happily ever after) but we complain about experiencing the story." ~~ Ginger Hamilton Caudill

"John Maloney Shrugged . . ."

On Clifford Garstang's recommendation, I read Sven Birkerts' essay "Finding Traction." If nothing else, I am definitely more paranoid about my opening sentences now. Then again, I think back to Charles Dickens' "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . ." and I relax a little. Birkerts' article is still worth a read.

I've been working hard, typing my fingers to the bone so to speak. Well, the arthritis is rearing its painful head, anyway. Started Osteo Bi-Flex last week and am anxiously awaiting its magical relief ("Shows improvement in joint comfort within 7 days!" it promises). All I can say is, if this is an improvement, I'm sure glad I took the Osteo Bi-Flex or I'd be suffering more than I could stand. Yes, it's been difficult. 'Nuff said.

Has been forty days since I stopped smoking! Forty days and forty nights. That's a magical number, the number of days Christ fasted in the wilderness and was tempted by Satan. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights when God "cleansed" the world and "started over". Egyptian embalming took 40 days. Noah spent 40 days on the mountain with God. Twice. Lent lasts 40 days and nights. Elijah walked for -- well, you get the idea. According to one source, the number 40 represents a period of grace and preparation for some special action of the Lord. Of course, another source says that 40 merely represents a Biblical "long time."

I feel as if I have finally overcome my smoking dependency. Now if I could just kick this rotten cold . . .

"An Intimidating and Impenetrable Fog"

Still not smoking. Got tested at the doctor's office today and my airway is 100% open now. Yay! Lung capacity still low (54%) but hopefully, that will improve.

Working on several papers for classes. Starting to feel a little pressure -- okay, more than a little pressure, now. Big difference between an anotated bibliography and fiction writing. Researching for the anotated bibliography on "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and symbolism is a little like diving into an intimidating and impenetrable fog.