A collection of thoughts on whatever strikes my fancy, but mostly about books these days.
Friday, April 20, 2007
did you know
that you will have more plaque on the side of your mouth that corresponds to the side you sleep on? Gross, but true. So remember to floss! Please.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
and now for something completely different
I indulged myself by buying a box of Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls this weekend. As I stood in the kitchen savoring my treat, I first, gave thanks that I was not lactose intolerant as I was enjoying it with a glass of ice cold milk, but then I began to wonder. The Hostess Ho-Ho (terrbile name!) is essentially the same thing, and yet the Swiss Cake Roll is vastly superior. (Please do not sue me Hostess!) Perhaps it is because the Swiss Cake Roll comes two to a package while Ho-Ho is all by it's lonesome, or perhaps it is because SCR is covered in more of a milk chocolate coating, while HH is darker. I thought that it is because Hostess is a subset of a huge conglomerate and thus the little cakes have to ship farther. However, Little Debbie is also a subset of a big company, although not as big as the one Hostess belongs to, and so isn't exactly local. Interestingly enough Little Debbie snack cakes are also cheaper than Hostess, although that isn't really a deciding factor in why I enjoy them more.
It isn't that I think the Ho-Ho is bad, on the contrary had I never experienced a Swiss Cake Roll I would probably really enjoy them. But this is not the case. Ah, Swiss Cake Roll. Pass the milk.
It isn't that I think the Ho-Ho is bad, on the contrary had I never experienced a Swiss Cake Roll I would probably really enjoy them. But this is not the case. Ah, Swiss Cake Roll. Pass the milk.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
human nature
I was planning on posting something funny yesterday, but now it seems sort of distasteful to do so, at least for now. I'm not trying to take this tragedy and make it my own, I am lucky enough to not know anyone involved. That being said, I can't even begin to imagine what this is like for those who do or were. This sort of thing is something that I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around.
We are always surprised when it happens, mainly because you don't want to believe that your fellow humans can be so indiscriminately cruel. But humans are. Always have been. If you pay attention to history, the sordid underbelly that drove all events, we are truly quiet horrifying. Humans would seem to be the most dangerous, deadly, and depraved animal on the planet. Oh sure, other animals, like sharks, alligators, and bears, will attack and kill you but rarely without purpose. Rarely without cause. Not so with humans. Humans, like other carnivores, kill for food and in defense of self, but they will also kill for sport, for personal gain, and in sick instances, pleasure.
Yet, we continue to have faith in the goodness of people. Because we can be good, and act in a selfless manner. I think we would go mad if we lived with the idea that people are as sick as the worst of us. But we shouldn't be surprised when things like this happen. Upset, horrified, repulsed, sickened, saddened, determined to prevent something similar happening again. All of those things and more, but not surprised. Joseph Conrad got it right. Everyone has a heart of darkness. Not that that excuses, explains, or justifies what this person did, but sometimes it is important to remember the worst case scenario, because it will happen. Humans can really suck.
We are always surprised when it happens, mainly because you don't want to believe that your fellow humans can be so indiscriminately cruel. But humans are. Always have been. If you pay attention to history, the sordid underbelly that drove all events, we are truly quiet horrifying. Humans would seem to be the most dangerous, deadly, and depraved animal on the planet. Oh sure, other animals, like sharks, alligators, and bears, will attack and kill you but rarely without purpose. Rarely without cause. Not so with humans. Humans, like other carnivores, kill for food and in defense of self, but they will also kill for sport, for personal gain, and in sick instances, pleasure.
Yet, we continue to have faith in the goodness of people. Because we can be good, and act in a selfless manner. I think we would go mad if we lived with the idea that people are as sick as the worst of us. But we shouldn't be surprised when things like this happen. Upset, horrified, repulsed, sickened, saddened, determined to prevent something similar happening again. All of those things and more, but not surprised. Joseph Conrad got it right. Everyone has a heart of darkness. Not that that excuses, explains, or justifies what this person did, but sometimes it is important to remember the worst case scenario, because it will happen. Humans can really suck.
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