Luck be a lady.

Isn't life a little like Wheel of Fortune (probably a LOT like it if you think of all of the religious and philosophical allegories surrounding "Rota Fortunae"). I’m talking about the game show, though…Wheel of Fortune gives players clues as to what might be hidden behind the tiles, but requires the individual player’s skill AND the luck of the spin to seal the deal. A smart player with great skill might get a bad spin and lose everything; an idiotic player can bumble his way to big money with luck on his side.

Another chance to get it right.

I always say I love the world of academia because you always have another chance to start over. As a teacher, if this period seems to be going badly, 53 minutes later, you get to start over. If today isn't working out, tomorrow's a new day! If the kids are making you crazy this month, Spring Break is just around the corner and you get to start fresh after that. And then there is the do-over at the end of the quarter, the semester, and finally... the new school year. In some ways, the "New Year" is like that for everyone... Oprah Winfrey said, “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” I'll drink to that!

A little more of the same.

Resolutions... when I think about making them, I feel a sudden wave of practicality wash over me, and I think, "why rack my brains for a few MORE things to beat myself up over not doing?" If there is one thing I'm really good at, it's hammering myself for doing too much of this and not enough of that. So isn't manufacturing impossible expectations of myself that will glare at me for a year (A WHOLE YEAR?!) a little more of the same?

Christmas in the Castro.

I was engaged in an email conversation with Larry the other day... talking with him makes my day... I love having someone to chat with who will most certainly crack me up... I wish he were closer than San Francisco, but such is life... that's where email comes in, right? ...here is a snip of our conversation:

Resolute denunciation.

"Making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately, reinforces humility. Breaking them is part of the cycle." ~Chicago Tribune op-ed columnist Eric Zorn