I can distinctly remember overhearing a library colleague say that he was celebrating his 15th year at the University of Oregon. This was shortly after my arrival at the UO in Eugene, OR in 1986, and, at the time, it seemed incomprehensible that I would ever arrive at a milestone like that. Thirty three years … Continue reading Goodbye and hello … →

Having established the primacy of SDAC at the heart of the human condition (ha!), I want to move on to the implications. As the drive for self-determination, autonomy and control over one's life asserts itself and as it assumes fundamental importance in the latter stage of life, what happens when it collides with same drive … Continue reading SDAC pt. 2 … (rules to live by) →

As each of us emerged from our mother's womb into the world, taking our first breath of air, beginning a journey that we later come to understand as our lives, we unconsciously began the process of striving for self-determination, autonomy and control. Into a world populated with billions of other people and species, we arrived … Continue reading SDAC … pt. 1 (rules to die by) →

In Batter up part 1, I wrote about the singly most important influence that led to becoming a fan of baseball (my friend Ted Smith). In this post, I will tell you about the activity that has cemented my interest in and love for the game: fantasy baseball. If you are unfamiliar with fantasy sport, … Continue reading Batter up … pt 2 →

"I cannot control the truth of death, whatever my desperation. I can only make certain that those moments of my life I have remaining are as rich as they can be."Drizzt Do'Urden (Icewind Dale Triology, The Halfling's Gem) My enthusiasm for the sport of baseball was not passed down to me by my dad, an … Continue reading Batter up … pt. 1 →

"Beware the engineers of society, I say, who would make everyone in all the world equal. Opportunity should be equal, must be equal, but achievement must remain individual."Drizzt Do'Urden (Icewind Dale Trilogy, Streams of Silver) When I contemplated starting this post with the pregnant phrase, "Marriage is a long and winding road," I realized that … Continue reading Here’s admiring you kid … →

Respect is one of the most basic needs of reasoning creatures ... an insult is just that because it is an assault upon respect, upon esteem, and upon that most dangerous of qualities: pride.Drizzt Do'Urden (IceWind Dale Trilogy, The Halfing's Gem) I've spent some time thinking about Willie's sojourn in Eugene. Although brief in terms … Continue reading Willie … the reflection →

The evidence of Eugene's biggest snow storm in 50 years has long melted, but the two feet of snow, two days without power and the sudden appearance of an interesting visitor are still emblazoned in my mind. Just before the snowpocalypse of 2019, a first cousin of my dad left a cryptic message on the … Continue reading Willie … the story →

This is a rather speculative topic, but it's something that I've devoted a lot of thought to over the years. The world's religions provide a plethora of answers, but the various possibilities raise as many questions as they provide answers. Judaism is no exception, and it is a mistake to think there is any monolithic … Continue reading What happens when we die? →