Archive for March, 2006

• 3.24.06 "France, what are you doing?" is posted in News, Rant

I think the last line of this Washington Post article pretty much sums up the stance of (parts of) a society that just doesn’t get it. Antoil Ethuin, owner of a bike rental shop that was just vandalized by the riots, began his comments on the latest “protests” in Paris…

“My country is broken,” said Ethuin, gazing at the smoldering automobile carcasses a few yards away and the carpet of glass shards, broken dishes and computer pieces covering the sidewalk in the heart of one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods. “I never imagined I would ever see this in Paris.”

But this last sympathetic addition of his is what truly scares me:

“They have no jobs,” he said. “It’s not their fault.”

I don’t usually express my political or economic opinions online…but not attributing fault to the most ironic display of violence France has seen this century worries me that the country doesn’t recognize where it’s headed or what’s to blame.

What do I mean by irony? (more…)

• 3.23.06 "The Psychology of Waiting" is posted in Reflections

I have a not-exactly revolutionary approach to controversial thoughts: I wait on them. Well, at least when I remember to wait. But I’m kind of curious about whether waiting, which often dumbs down our responses, is the healthiest approach…or whether it’s appropriate to let people see that un-watered down version of you. Let me explain…

Here are some things I’ll wait on before pressing Send, tossing it in the mailbox, or picking up the phone: (more…)

• 3.19.06 "Superstars are Real" is posted in Friendship, Reflections

Whether it’s the person behind the dais, the lead scorer on the field, or the one you just can’t seem to approach at the party…there are superstars everywhere. Maybe it’s the context where they’re a star, or maybe it’s just that people (cool people, no less) surround them, but when you’re on one side and they’re over there how can you deny their superiority?

Eventually you meet. Sometimes the stardom dissolves. More often they maintain that scintillating charm you envisioned from afar–so poised and so comfortable. It’s not like they have to impress you; why would they be nervous? Heck, they’re always on.

Or so the story goes. For a while. But then (more…)