I ran across this at The Aspie Diaries. http://worldhead.blogspot.com/
Hits way too close to home. For me, it's almost not funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO1yFm-7Wow
Why are people like this? Don't they realize? They must mistake me for someone who cares.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
VT and mindset - Training?
Captain of a Crew of One http://sailorcurt.blogspot.com/ has an extended post about the VT shootings, and what courses of action may/may not have been open to the students/victims. It is an unfortunate truth he states very diplomatically:
The kids at Virginia Tech did nothing wrong. The military has an apothegm: "You fight the way you train." That is exactly what those students did and there is no shame in it. They followed the instructions and training that they had received all their lives.
You fight the way you train...and if you lose...you should probably re-evaluate your training.
The kids at Virginia Tech did nothing wrong. The military has an apothegm: "You fight the way you train." That is exactly what those students did and there is no shame in it. They followed the instructions and training that they had received all their lives.
You fight the way you train...and if you lose...you should probably re-evaluate your training.
Western society is more polite than the desh.
So why are some from the Indian subcontinent sort-of not as polite as they can be?
Isaac Schrodinger http://isaacschrodinger.typepad.com/isaacschrodinger/
has an interesting take on the subject. I synopsize/curtail his reasons:
1. Inbreeding. What's the point of being nice to people outside the family if one is never going to "need" them in any way. This is part of the mindset that says that one only has to care about the family, tribe and religion. Everyone else is not worthy of respect or courtesy. (That is not to say that everyone thinks like this but sadly too many do.)
[This attitude applies in many areas of the Middle East, where marriages occur within the extended family. Inbreeding is common. The argument for the negative genetics here can be taken up at another time.]
2. Schooling. "Lucky" Pakistanis spend a decade or more in hideous institutions where teachers can physically assault students for incomplete homework, low marks on a test, talking during class or for no reason at all.
OK - this is enlightening. I had not considered the differences in schooling "methods" at all.
Isaac Schrodinger http://isaacschrodinger.typepad.com/isaacschrodinger/
has an interesting take on the subject. I synopsize/curtail his reasons:
1. Inbreeding. What's the point of being nice to people outside the family if one is never going to "need" them in any way. This is part of the mindset that says that one only has to care about the family, tribe and religion. Everyone else is not worthy of respect or courtesy. (That is not to say that everyone thinks like this but sadly too many do.)
[This attitude applies in many areas of the Middle East, where marriages occur within the extended family. Inbreeding is common. The argument for the negative genetics here can be taken up at another time.]
2. Schooling. "Lucky" Pakistanis spend a decade or more in hideous institutions where teachers can physically assault students for incomplete homework, low marks on a test, talking during class or for no reason at all.
OK - this is enlightening. I had not considered the differences in schooling "methods" at all.
If we pull out of Iraq...
“If America pulls out of Iraq, they will fail in Afghanistan,” Mam Rostam said.
Hardly anyone in Congress seems to consider that the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan might become much more severe if similar tactics are proven effective in Iraq.
“And they will fail with Iran,” he continued. “They will fail everywhere with all Eastern countries. The war between America and the terrorists will move from Iraq and Afghanistan to America itself. Do you think America will do that? The terrorists gather their agents in Afghanistan and Iraq and fight the Americans here. If you pull back, the terrorists will follow you there. They will try, at least. Then Iran will be the power in the Middle East. Iran is the biggest supporter of terrorism. They support Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Ansar Al Islam. You know what Iran will do with those elements if America goes away.”
This is quoted in Michael Totten, http://www.michaeltotten.com/ and the man quoted is Mam Rostad, the Chief of Police in Kirkuk, Iraq.This is a religion of Peace?
"She has been identified as one who has defamed the faith. If you come into the faith, you must abide by the laws, and when you decide to defame it deliberately, the sentence is death."
And by the way, this was in the United States. Evidently the medieval mind is alive and well.
And by the way, this was in the United States. Evidently the medieval mind is alive and well.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Children don't come with user manuals.
One of my favourite little sayings: When you kids were born, you didn't come with a manual. No user's guide, no on-line help. I've used that one more than once with my children.
So I used it once again last week (twice actually) and both my daughters came back with the same response: "All of us are different, so you would need a different manual for each of us."
Ho Boy. I could say "out of the mouths of babes", but they are not teens anymore. It's fascinating to me that they independently came up with an identical response.
So - maybe a single manual would have been OK for both of them? Nah.
So I used it once again last week (twice actually) and both my daughters came back with the same response: "All of us are different, so you would need a different manual for each of us."
Ho Boy. I could say "out of the mouths of babes", but they are not teens anymore. It's fascinating to me that they independently came up with an identical response.
So - maybe a single manual would have been OK for both of them? Nah.
Someone always says it better than I can.
This, about being a gun "aficionado" these days. From The Ten Ring http://tenring.blogspot.com/
"It is very hard to be a gun aficionado in today’s world. Why? Well, let me be blunt. We are detested by many, many people in this country (more in the rest of the world). We are blamed for crime problems and every time some lunatic goes off on a rampage, well the bien pensant says it must be the gun culture.
This is a relatively new phenomenon.
When I was young, not all the long ago, I learned to shoot at scout camp, had cowboy style pop guns and no one had a second thought that this was wrong or improper. Today, it is almost tantamount to child abuse to teach a child to shoot and pop guns are as rare as hens teeth. An entire culture that was good and useful has been tossed on the dung heap of history and for what? Did we get a reduction in the amount and severity of crime?"
"It is very hard to be a gun aficionado in today’s world. Why? Well, let me be blunt. We are detested by many, many people in this country (more in the rest of the world). We are blamed for crime problems and every time some lunatic goes off on a rampage, well the bien pensant says it must be the gun culture.
This is a relatively new phenomenon.
When I was young, not all the long ago, I learned to shoot at scout camp, had cowboy style pop guns and no one had a second thought that this was wrong or improper. Today, it is almost tantamount to child abuse to teach a child to shoot and pop guns are as rare as hens teeth. An entire culture that was good and useful has been tossed on the dung heap of history and for what? Did we get a reduction in the amount and severity of crime?"
Fred Thompson and Gun Rights
Well, I like Fred Thompson as an actor. And now I like him even better as a politician. (Well, maybe another word is more appropriate - politician has an unsavoury air that doesn't suit a man who speaks his mind.) Maybe we can get him to move to Canada. Lord knows we need people like him up here.
Here he is speaking in an interview about the Virginia Tech shootings, and the associated right to bear arms extant in Virginia (unfortunately NOT at Virginia Tech).
"Whenever I've seen one of those "Gun-free Zone" signs, especially outside of a school filled with our youngest and most vulnerable citizens, I've always wondered exactly who these signs are directed at. Obviously, they don't mean much to the sort of man who murdered 32 people just a few days ago."
Here he is speaking in an interview about the Virginia Tech shootings, and the associated right to bear arms extant in Virginia (unfortunately NOT at Virginia Tech).
"Whenever I've seen one of those "Gun-free Zone" signs, especially outside of a school filled with our youngest and most vulnerable citizens, I've always wondered exactly who these signs are directed at. Obviously, they don't mean much to the sort of man who murdered 32 people just a few days ago."
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Gun Control is a Failure. (re V.T.)
As usual, those who are more able than I say it most eloquently:
Gun Control is a failure. You simply can not expect those who would do murder -- those who would violate the highest law -- you can not expect them to obey a lesser law.
And this from LawDog http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/ , who sees the consequences up-close and very personal. And there's more:
I weep for the dead. I weep for the families who lost their treasured children today.
I weep even more for a land which not only denies the tools required for self-defence, but also denies the very mindset required for self-defence.
And then there's this one from The Cathouse http://portascat.blogspot.com/
It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees. My thoughts exactly.
And it is said at Seraphic Secret http://www.seraphicpress.com/
Here's the terrible truth: bad things happen; evil crouches at the door.
Yes. Know that evil is always there and be prepared to face it.
Gun Control is a failure. You simply can not expect those who would do murder -- those who would violate the highest law -- you can not expect them to obey a lesser law.
And this from LawDog http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/ , who sees the consequences up-close and very personal. And there's more:
I weep for the dead. I weep for the families who lost their treasured children today.
I weep even more for a land which not only denies the tools required for self-defence, but also denies the very mindset required for self-defence.
And then there's this one from The Cathouse http://portascat.blogspot.com/
It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees. My thoughts exactly.
And it is said at Seraphic Secret http://www.seraphicpress.com/
Here's the terrible truth: bad things happen; evil crouches at the door.
Yes. Know that evil is always there and be prepared to face it.
VT and CCW
Personally,
"I never want to have my safety fully in the hands of anyone else..."
(Credit to Clayton Cramer http://www.claytoncramer.com/weblog/blogger.html although I did not follow up to the original source.)
If someone starts shooting at me, I want to be able to shoot back!
"I never want to have my safety fully in the hands of anyone else..."
(Credit to Clayton Cramer http://www.claytoncramer.com/weblog/blogger.html although I did not follow up to the original source.)
If someone starts shooting at me, I want to be able to shoot back!
Psychic Relationship?
Is "Depressive Realism" related to "Catastrophe Melodrama Syndrome"?
Just wondering, is all.
Just wondering, is all.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Another Meme
Here's another by way of Geek Gab http://www.whitetoque.ca/geek_gab/
1. Freeze :: Ice Cream
2. Naturally :: Alone Again (song)
3. Painting :: Drywall
4. Merits :: On The
5. Ironic :: Politics
6. Survival :: Darwin
7. Cow :: Tipping
8. Anchor :: Wat (yes, I know it's not spelled that way)
9. Sisters :: Of Mercy
10. 70 :: 86 (show biz joke, since it's the last on the list)
1. Freeze :: Ice Cream
2. Naturally :: Alone Again (song)
3. Painting :: Drywall
4. Merits :: On The
5. Ironic :: Politics
6. Survival :: Darwin
7. Cow :: Tipping
8. Anchor :: Wat (yes, I know it's not spelled that way)
9. Sisters :: Of Mercy
10. 70 :: 86 (show biz joke, since it's the last on the list)
Well, decrypt/decipher this one, if you will:
XXXX JFK-YYZ TWO PAX STUCK IN LAV. UNABLE TO OPEN DR. FLT LND YYZ WITH PAX STUCK IN LAV.
(Actually quite funny. Think aircraft...)
Credit to Cockpit Conversati0n http://airplanepilot.blogspot.com/atom.xml
XXXX JFK-YYZ TWO PAX STUCK IN LAV. UNABLE TO OPEN DR. FLT LND YYZ WITH PAX STUCK IN LAV.
(Actually quite funny. Think aircraft...)
Credit to Cockpit Conversati0n http://airplanepilot.blogspot.com/atom.xml
Service of Rememberance.
So I went to the memorial service yesterday evening. I'm not quite sure how to describe it, except to say that parts of it were quite moving. Especially when the survivors went up (more slowly every year) to light the candles.
But it reminded me, unfortunately, of the reason for my absence from services of any kind in any faith. Too much talking. And I don't mean the congregation. I mean the minister/priest/rabbi, whatever.
(I usually say the reasons are two - the talking and the music, but that was not the case yesterday.)
Yesterday, the service was over, done, finished. Nicely ended. Everyone was ready to get up and leave. And then blah blah blah blah blah. The rabbi had to blather on some more. Argh. I should have told him what my old boss Charlie Drakich used to say:
"Here, I give you quarter - keep shut up!"
But it reminded me, unfortunately, of the reason for my absence from services of any kind in any faith. Too much talking. And I don't mean the congregation. I mean the minister/priest/rabbi, whatever.
(I usually say the reasons are two - the talking and the music, but that was not the case yesterday.)
Yesterday, the service was over, done, finished. Nicely ended. Everyone was ready to get up and leave. And then blah blah blah blah blah. The rabbi had to blather on some more. Argh. I should have told him what my old boss Charlie Drakich used to say:
"Here, I give you quarter - keep shut up!"
Saturday, April 14, 2007
A Life-Changing Event - Sox!
Soooo - I several days ago I got my "care" package, aka birthday stuff, from daughter number one. And of course the package contained the obligatory black sox (no no, not those kind of black sox). I didn't have my glasses on when I opened the package, so at the time I just looked and thought, hey cool, black sox again.
Just few minutes ago I put my glasses ON and looked. HO. They're not just sox, they're "Underarmor" sox. The real good stuff!
So now I need to wear my slippers around the house, or otherwise these sox will wear out too fast. A life-changing event, I tell you.
Just few minutes ago I put my glasses ON and looked. HO. They're not just sox, they're "Underarmor" sox. The real good stuff!
So now I need to wear my slippers around the house, or otherwise these sox will wear out too fast. A life-changing event, I tell you.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Scots Heritage - What?
Well, it's sad but true. My cousin did some genealogy research a while back and discovered that we have a right to our oatmeal pleasantries.
Specifically, there was a certain Wilkie (who knows what the real spelling was?) who was given a land grant by the Swedish Crown - probably for mercenary favours received - and promptly settled in the general area north-west of Karelia. That's my grandmother's family name, given some local variation over the years. Of course, this happened a little after 1400, so the blood runs a little thin. Anyway Scots it is, at least a little. (Always wondered why I feel comfortable in a kilt.)
All this in preparation for the following, taken from Bad Example http://www.badexample.mu.nu to show a few selected achievements by Scots over the intervening years. (All this accomplished without the benefit of our family presence!)
1410 - Drinky MacDrunkard discovered how to make single malt scotch. He was then beaten to death by his neighbors when they found out they had to wait 12 years before they could drink it.
1570 - Godawful MacScreechy conceived the idea for a new musical instrument [referring of course to "the pipes"] after getting drunk and accidentally setting fire to his cat.
1623 - The Scots invented money. That same year, they also invented tight-fisted skinflintery.
1697 - By a three-vote margin, the Scots lost the "Brawlingest Drunkards" award to the Irish. A title which the Irish still hold to this day. [My mother's family were all Lawlers, Carrs, Goodfellows and Spicers, from Queens County, so we win both ways!]
2257 - Montgomery Scott, beloved alcoholic engineer of the Starship Enterprise, started a bar fight with some Klingons at Space Station K-7, thus finally bringing honor and the "Brawlingest Drunkards" trophy back to Scotland.
So let's hear it for Tartan Day!
(PS - the Finns win at cursing, though. Check his blog.)
Specifically, there was a certain Wilkie (who knows what the real spelling was?) who was given a land grant by the Swedish Crown - probably for mercenary favours received - and promptly settled in the general area north-west of Karelia. That's my grandmother's family name, given some local variation over the years. Of course, this happened a little after 1400, so the blood runs a little thin. Anyway Scots it is, at least a little. (Always wondered why I feel comfortable in a kilt.)
All this in preparation for the following, taken from Bad Example http://www.badexample.mu.nu to show a few selected achievements by Scots over the intervening years. (All this accomplished without the benefit of our family presence!)
1410 - Drinky MacDrunkard discovered how to make single malt scotch. He was then beaten to death by his neighbors when they found out they had to wait 12 years before they could drink it.
1570 - Godawful MacScreechy conceived the idea for a new musical instrument [referring of course to "the pipes"] after getting drunk and accidentally setting fire to his cat.
1623 - The Scots invented money. That same year, they also invented tight-fisted skinflintery.
1697 - By a three-vote margin, the Scots lost the "Brawlingest Drunkards" award to the Irish. A title which the Irish still hold to this day. [My mother's family were all Lawlers, Carrs, Goodfellows and Spicers, from Queens County, so we win both ways!]
2257 - Montgomery Scott, beloved alcoholic engineer of the Starship Enterprise, started a bar fight with some Klingons at Space Station K-7, thus finally bringing honor and the "Brawlingest Drunkards" trophy back to Scotland.
So let's hear it for Tartan Day!
(PS - the Finns win at cursing, though. Check his blog.)
The Best Friends?
From What Do I Need A Blog For http://hajisplace.blogspot.com/ comes this interesting little excerpt: "...the best friends in the world are those with automatic weapons." I'm not too sure about that one, as I can point to some major disappointments with people I once considered friends.
Bipolar - or just unstable?
Actually, I think my mental tectonic plates need some shifting:
| You Are 68% Bipolar |
 You're more than moody - you're a bit unstable. If your mood swings are effecting your life, you may need to seek help. |
Kim du Toit & Music
In a way, I'm not surprised that the man has musical taste. The surprising thing to me was his singing in Light Opera. Hmmm. A gunnie with a voice!
Anyhoo, the little essay about music "Simple Songs, Complex Music" captures much of the essence of the old standards very well. Much better than I can, and I've been playing them for many decades.
Check it out for some info: http://www.theothersideofkim.com/ in the post for Saturday April 7.
Anyhoo, the little essay about music "Simple Songs, Complex Music" captures much of the essence of the old standards very well. Much better than I can, and I've been playing them for many decades.
Check it out for some info: http://www.theothersideofkim.com/ in the post for Saturday April 7.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Gun Laws - A Waste of Politicians' Time.
I just read a study done by Messrs. Pinizzotto, Davis, and Miller, 3 FBI members, titled "A Study of Felonious Assaults on Our Nation's Law Enforcement Officers". Now, this study only dealt with criminals who used guns against police officers. But I believe it's safe to generalize the results to non-LEO victims, where the consequences of armed action are probably much less negative for the perpetrator. The entire transcript is well over 100 pages, but three separate quotes summarize the study's conclusions about gun laws:
1) "...the federal government has passed many laws to restrict and limit firearms purchases. The offenders in this research, however, stated that none of these laws or [sic] statutes deterred them." Duh, they're criminals. The laws are de facto ignored. That's the nature of the beast.
2) "33 offenders used handguns: 32 were obtained illegally..." So legal restrictions were useless in 99% of the cases. Well, duh, they're criminals, again.
3) "None of the gang members (13) in the study obtained their guns legally." So restrictions only impact the legal gun-owners; not the criminal perpetrators.
In short: Criminals get their guns illegally. Arguing legalities is a waste of time and money.
1) "...the federal government has passed many laws to restrict and limit firearms purchases. The offenders in this research, however, stated that none of these laws or [sic] statutes deterred them." Duh, they're criminals. The laws are de facto ignored. That's the nature of the beast.
2) "33 offenders used handguns: 32 were obtained illegally..." So legal restrictions were useless in 99% of the cases. Well, duh, they're criminals, again.
3) "None of the gang members (13) in the study obtained their guns legally." So restrictions only impact the legal gun-owners; not the criminal perpetrators.
In short: Criminals get their guns illegally. Arguing legalities is a waste of time and money.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
I suppose I know more than I think I know, I think.
Another DO! for Parenting an ASpie
A while back I had a little list of do's for parenting. I forgot one (at least, heh heh...)
Teach your ASpie kid: It's OK to ask for Help.
I'm still working on that one myself, since nobody taught me either.
Teach your ASpie kid: It's OK to ask for Help.
I'm still working on that one myself, since nobody taught me either.
Tortured Genius?
| You Are 83% Tortured Genius |
 You totally fit the profile of a tortured genius. You're uniquely brilliant - and completely misunderstood. Not like you really want anyone to understand you anyway. You're pretty happy being an island. |
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Once Was/Is Enough
At the coffee shop this morning, there was the usual "background music" - by now you can guess that I abhor that stuff. And sometimes, since I must listen, some music really strikes me. This morning it was "Cat's in the Cradle" - the old Jim Croce tune. It's in an unusual personal category. So I needed to leave the premises, immediately.
See, there are some things that just get to me. I'm not sure how to explain that, but certain select things (I use the term intentionally) affect me just far too much. I remember the impact of them all vividly. Not the things themselves, but the effect they had/have. And I try not to subject myself to that much emotionality intentionally. (Of course, the first time, I came across these items by accident. In some cases, very many years ago.)
As a consequence, this small group of items I do my utmost to avoid.
Gorecki - 3rd Symphony, 1st mov't, after the vocal begins.
Jim Croce - Cat's in the Cradle.
Leo Tolstoy - The Power of Darkness.
Montana dying in my arms.
Shooting a rabbit.
I wonder if other ASpies have a similar list?
See, there are some things that just get to me. I'm not sure how to explain that, but certain select things (I use the term intentionally) affect me just far too much. I remember the impact of them all vividly. Not the things themselves, but the effect they had/have. And I try not to subject myself to that much emotionality intentionally. (Of course, the first time, I came across these items by accident. In some cases, very many years ago.)
As a consequence, this small group of items I do my utmost to avoid.
Gorecki - 3rd Symphony, 1st mov't, after the vocal begins.
Jim Croce - Cat's in the Cradle.
Leo Tolstoy - The Power of Darkness.
Montana dying in my arms.
Shooting a rabbit.
I wonder if other ASpies have a similar list?
Monday, April 02, 2007
Double Cursed ASpie!
Or maybe even triple.
So I sort-of score high on the ASpie spectrum (OK, that's hyperbole - I score VERY high). Hmhm. So noises in general I am sensitive to. (Strange syntax, that.) But, on top of that, I happen to be a musician - by trade, by training, by preference, maybe by ultimate causality (aka I don't have a choice). So I cannot NOT listen to things. I have never had a radio or any kind of music machine in any automobile I owned. I despise elevator music, and I avoid places where they play "background music" for whomever/whatever. And of course this "background music" is always much too loud in any case (what, they never heard of subliminal?).
Throw a little intelligence into the mix, and ... I just want to shut my ears and mind to everything except the songs of the birds at 6:00AM. Need some sunglasses for my brain!
So is that a double whammy, or a triple whammy?
Let's go ask Mammy Yokum.
So I sort-of score high on the ASpie spectrum (OK, that's hyperbole - I score VERY high). Hmhm. So noises in general I am sensitive to. (Strange syntax, that.) But, on top of that, I happen to be a musician - by trade, by training, by preference, maybe by ultimate causality (aka I don't have a choice). So I cannot NOT listen to things. I have never had a radio or any kind of music machine in any automobile I owned. I despise elevator music, and I avoid places where they play "background music" for whomever/whatever. And of course this "background music" is always much too loud in any case (what, they never heard of subliminal?).
Throw a little intelligence into the mix, and ... I just want to shut my ears and mind to everything except the songs of the birds at 6:00AM. Need some sunglasses for my brain!
So is that a double whammy, or a triple whammy?
Let's go ask Mammy Yokum.
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