A Scandal in Bohemia

   I don't know how many times I've read Sherlock Holmes stories, but I'm starting once again - with "A Scandal in Bohemia."  This time, though, I'm reading it on my Kindle for PC, which is free and available from Amazon.com. 
   I still don't have a standalone Kindle, but that day approaches.  And the beauty of it is that once I get one, I can sync it to the books in my Kindle for PC's library.  Sweet.
   If you don't have Kindle for PC, I highly recommend it.  It installs quickly, and you can start building your virtual library as soon as you pick some titles, many of which are free.
   But I need to get back to Holmes and Watson.  I want to make sure they don't miss any clues.  As if!

Why Fear It?

   Many people fear change, but that doesn't seem very rational to me.  We are constantly changing.  For instance, somewhere between high school and middle age, I managed to go from a 150 lb. skinny kid to a bulky 230 lb. adult a few years ago.  It didn't happen all at once.  It was gradual change, and the change continues as I move back toward a fit 170 lbs.
   Enough about me, though.  My point is that we are all constantly changing.  As beings with free will, each of us can affect how we change (to some extent) and how we adapt to change. 
   Like it or not, everybody is getting older.  Some choose to age gracefully, others choose to remain youthful at heart, and still others deny getting older and fight it as if it's a battle to be won.  Different people, different coping skills.  And kudos to whatever works best for you, as long as you are enjoying the outcome. 
   As much as we want things to stay as they are, or as they were, we're moving into the future, folks.  Enjoy the journey! 

Go By

   When I taught, I would sometimes have a "Go By" column on my class rolls.  The first day of class, when I called roll, I would ask my students if there was a name that they would rather go by.  It made it easier to remember names and faces, and it sometimes helped break the ice at the start of the semester.
   When I was on the other side of the podium, as a student, I certainly felt more at ease when the teacher took the time to learn the students' names.  It seemed that the class was more personalized, that the instructor catered the content to the students needs.

   I go by my middle name, and if I'm called by my first name, it sometimes takes a moment to register.  I really appreciate it when somebody knows my "go by" name.  How about you?  Do you have a name you go by, or does it matter how you're addressed? 
  

Are You Being You?

   Silly question.  Or is it?  I've seen a lot of people who spend a lot of time and effort being not themselves.  They hide behind a façade of who they want others to believe them to be.  They buy into the latest fads and fashions because somebody tells them that by doing so, their lives will be better, or more glamorous, or more popular, or the envy of their neighbors, etc.
   I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to do.  Indeed, sometimes it is necessary to put up such a façade in order to achieve something really important.  From personal experience, when I was in college I would often wear some of my nicest clothes when going into take an exam.  Even though I was prepared for the test, wearing something nice helped me feel more confident.  And confidence paid off.  Especially when I had some professors who would throw some unexpected zingers into an exam.  Instead of panicking, I would remain calm and figure out just what it is the prof was looking for.
  Do I dress nicely all the time?  No.  I mean, I'm not a total slob.  But I am generally a laid-back kind of guy, and I feel most comfortable dressing in a laid-back manner.  If every day I tried to dress like I stepped out of the pages of GQ, I'd probably go nuts.  At the very least, I'd probably be so ridden with anxiety, my stress level would be off the charts.
   I prefer to be me.  Occasionally a sharp dresser, but more often a casual guy with unsophisticated tastes.  And in the long run, I think I'm a better me. 
   Am I the best me that I can be?  I'm still working on that.
   How about you?

Back to Normal, I Hope

   I was feeling pretty good Monday, and I hope that I feel as good or better today.  And I hope that everyone has an awesome day.  I used to think that for every person having a great day, there would be another person having a rotten day.
   I came to accept that life isn't fair and doesn't operate by such simplistic rules.  There is no reason for there to be equal amounts of good/bad, happy/sad, fortunate/unfortunate events.  None at all.
   I say that everyone should have good, happy, wonderful days.  And I believe that this is possible because we have free will and can choose to have the awesomeness that abounds.
   Are you with me on this?  Let's all start a streak of spectacularness and discover what miraculous possibilities we can bring about!

Memorial Day Monday

   Got any big plans for today?  I remember as a kid that the Memorial Day Weekend was when we usually go the ol' grill out, scrubbed off the previous year's crud, added charcoal and had our first cookout of the summer. 
   I imagine a lot of people will be doing the same.  It seems that gas grills are more popular now, and they make for the possibility of grilling out a year-round thing.  But for me, I prefer grilling out in the late spring/summer seasons.
   It might be a bit too windy for my tastes this year.  My gas grill bit the dust, and I'm not too sure about live coals  being blown about.
   I think, however, I will take it easy.  When it comes right down to it, Memorial Day is meant to be a day of reflection.  To remember those who fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy.  Having never been in the military, I am in awe of those who fought on foreign soil, in countries with completely different languages and cultures and customs, and to do it knowing that they may not return home alive.  Many didn't. 
   Wow.  My deepest thanks to all who fought for us and sacrificed so much.

What Kind of Bicycle Would You Ride on the Moon?

   I woke up in the middle of the night and asked myself this question. 
   Silly question?  Perhaps.  Upon waking, my thoughts are often free from the restraints of logic.  Usually, I pay little attention to these little bits of fluff.
   But this time, I kept wondering.  And if I were to go to the moon, what would I ride?  Bicycles are lightweight and relatively low-maintenance.  So far in my life, I can firmly say that I am not mechanically inclined.  However, I can manage routine maintenance on a bike. 
   A bicycle might be a good choice for the moon.  Sure, it would have to be modified somewhat, but it would most likely be fairly light in weight (to reduce the payload and save on transportation), and would, by its very nature, be fairly easy to fix.
   To extend this line of thinking about getting around on the moon, I began to think of other ways APT (Astronaut Powered Transportation) could be achieved.  Foot power (think Flintstones), different ways of pedaling (something like an elliptical trainer hooked to a drive train?).  And these modes of motion could be used to store up a charge in a battery which could be used for other purposes.
   These ideas I find intriguing.  I would love to work for a think tank that could take these further and see if they would be feasible.  I'd like to believe that these and other ideas have been tested.  Unfortunately, most of what gets reported seems to be money-centric.  Even the news that bleeds refers to gains and losses, the costs of war, the price we pay for freedom, etc.
   Oh well.  That won't stop me from dreaming.  And asking random questions.  How about you?