"Murphy was an optimist!"
My existence April 3, 2006 7:13 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Philosophy, PoetryI made the mistake
I lived for me.
What folly!
I lived for thee.
I breathe in
The air you exhale.
I am indebted to you
For the honor.
I live a life
Planned.
Altered.
Unstable.
I cannot let go
Things are right.
Twisted around
Mind fight.
I die
Still alive.
No afterlife
Spirit is gone.
I lived.
Never free.
Trapped.
Slave, of me.
The Fog March 28, 2006 3:16 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Philosophy, PoetryThrough early morning fog I see
Visions of the things to be
The pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see
I try to find a way to make
All our little joys relate
Without that ever present hate
But I know that it’s too late
The game of life is hard to play
I’m going to lose it anyway
The losing card I’ll someday lay
So this is all I have to say
The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I’m beat
And to another give a seat
For that’s the only painless feat
The sword of time will pierce our skin
It doesn’t hurt when it begins
But as it works it’s way on in
The pain grows stronger watch it grin
A blind man once requested me
To answer questions that are key
Is it to be or not to be
And I replied, “Oh why ask me?”
Of Grasshoppers March 26, 2006 6:12 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Grasshoppers, PhilosophyStudent: I’m failing my family so badly.
Master: Bemoaning failure does little to make success.
Of Grasshoppers March 25, 2006 1:49 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Grasshoppers, PhilosophyStudent: I don’t think I can save us this time.
Master: Does it have to be you, alone, that saves us?
Forgotten Lines March 22, 2006 8:13 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Philosophy, PoetryI wrote a haiku
While I slept it was very good
I woke to forget
This week’s focus March 16, 2006 11:19 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, PhilosophyLet’s not forget our focus this week.
add a commentOf Grasshoppers March 15, 2006 10:24 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Grasshoppers, PhilosophyStudent: Have you ever lost hope?
Master: Have you ever looked deeply into the eyes of an infant?
Of Grasshoppers March 15, 2006 9:59 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Grasshoppers, PhilosophyStudent: Am I a bad person?
Master: Do you really need to ask?
Retired actor? March 14, 2006 9:19 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : HumorUse it or loose it. And a question of etiquette March 13, 2006 8:40 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Philosophy, Touchy SubjectsLanguages I’ve tasted:
- Spanish (4 years in High School, a couple of years at college, lived in the Spanish dorm a year)
- Hungarian (Magyar – felt comfortable enough with the basics that I wanted to travel to Budapest on my own)
- American Sign Language (some classes in college, hung out at TN school for the Deaf)
- and I can say "Hello" in Arabic. (I said Arabic online! Alert Homeland Security!)
In college, I used to joke that if I could say "Hello" and "I love you" in every language that I’d never sleep alone. I made a good go of it too. Even that part about learning "hello" and "I love you".
My sign language is weird because I was trying to learn ASL but because I was hearing, the kids at TSD wanted to use signed English with me. Despite my pidgon sign, I was comfortable enough to take orders from the deaf and hard of hearing at a Shoney’s restaurant where I worked right out of college. Now I can’t even talk to my wife (but what does that have to do with sign language?). Through the University and working at The Foreign Language Division of The Learning Company, I also gained exposure to French, Japanese, Russian, German and Italian but not enough to claim any knowledge.
So, My question of etiquette: When I bump into someone Hispanic, I always address them in English. Sometimes I get that blank look that I would give if I were being addressed by someone not speaking English; you know, that agast, expressionless face as your mind reels thorough the relatively small number of words you may have in hopes that something rings a bell. My Spanish is not good enough to strike up a conversation but I can still make some appropriate greetings. What is appropriate? Assume they speak Spanish and say, "¡Buenos días!"? Ask if they speak Spanish, "¿Habla español?" Or just stick to the uncomfortable smile, head nod and hesitant wave?
I don’t hesitate to talk to anyone. My inclination is to speak in Spanish. Perhaps my vocabulary will return!
2commentsOffroading March 13, 2006 2:26 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : HumorIn East Tennessee we get the pleasure of seeing lots of muddy pickup trucks toting around their motorcycles and 4 wheelers. I thought this practice to originate in these hills but apparently it comes from the Middle East.
1 comment so farToday’s extremely profound statement March 13, 2006 10:00 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Philosophy, QuoteFrom Crouching Mommy, Hidden Laundry:
And, life is ENTIRELY too short to feel like you are a victim for an extended period of time.
That hits home. I am writing that under this week’s Franklin Covey quote in my planner:
Character is the basis of happiness and happiness the sanction of character.
–George Santayana
Everyday this week I will set aside some time to ponder these.
2commentsOf Grasshoppers March 8, 2006 3:30 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Grasshoppers, PhilosophyStudent: Why go on?
Master: To make a difference.
Of Grasshoppers March 7, 2006 6:33 am
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Grasshoppers, PhilosophyStudent: I don’t have time.
Master: Make time.
A Rest Stop from Depression and Suicidal Thoughts March 2, 2006 2:37 pm
Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Health, Of Interest, PhilosophySome interesting reading for people with depression and suicidal thoughts. Hmm. Good writing but at the end it notes that it is an exerpt from his book ergo marketing but still good info.
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