Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Late February
I'm sitting here relaxing with little Wesley. I go to work in a couple of hours, and my wife is with Corrie and Jack in St. Paul on a "play date." Lately, I have had nothing to write about, and have lacked the appropriate time to write if I wanted to.
It has occurred to me (and the irony of what I am about to say is not at all lost on me) how self referential I have become. Since facebook has become a part of my life and I have two blogs, the current critiques I have been reading regarding the inflated egos of our time have spoken to me. For the most part, I like being able to get a line or two from old friends and acquaintances, but any real relationship evaporates and this person from my past becomes another memory (though not as distant as they were a few days before).
The tool of the internet has proven invaluable to the family in being able to send pictures, talk face to face, and make moves toward closing the 2000 mile gap in the family. These are good things. But as I sit in my cold basement in late February, I am still reminded of how disjointed we are as a culture. We have exchanged so much reality for these "facebook friends." The number of tributaries upon which I could set sail is endless....
Suffice to say that as recently as yesterday I was reminded again of what a detached medium of communication the internet can be. When one doesn't have to see a person, their hurt or their awkwardness, things are much easier and antiseptic. Life is not that way. Life is like late February...crystal blue skies followed by slushy snowfall and the fond expectation of spring and new life.
Oddly enough (and maybe this is why we look to this medium), I can share my feelings now in a way that could never be afforded by pen and paper. I can instantly post something that anyone can read, though very few will....
It has occurred to me (and the irony of what I am about to say is not at all lost on me) how self referential I have become. Since facebook has become a part of my life and I have two blogs, the current critiques I have been reading regarding the inflated egos of our time have spoken to me. For the most part, I like being able to get a line or two from old friends and acquaintances, but any real relationship evaporates and this person from my past becomes another memory (though not as distant as they were a few days before).
The tool of the internet has proven invaluable to the family in being able to send pictures, talk face to face, and make moves toward closing the 2000 mile gap in the family. These are good things. But as I sit in my cold basement in late February, I am still reminded of how disjointed we are as a culture. We have exchanged so much reality for these "facebook friends." The number of tributaries upon which I could set sail is endless....
Suffice to say that as recently as yesterday I was reminded again of what a detached medium of communication the internet can be. When one doesn't have to see a person, their hurt or their awkwardness, things are much easier and antiseptic. Life is not that way. Life is like late February...crystal blue skies followed by slushy snowfall and the fond expectation of spring and new life.
Oddly enough (and maybe this is why we look to this medium), I can share my feelings now in a way that could never be afforded by pen and paper. I can instantly post something that anyone can read, though very few will....
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Wisdom from Churchill
"Americans will always do the right thing -- after they have exhausted all other alternatives"
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Wes in action
To sound like a cliche, where does the time go? I may be having amnesia, but this little guy is always into mischief. True, all three were into things at his age (16 months), but this one does it with a twinkle in his eye that I don't recall seeing from the other two. He loves the bathroom-the toilet is a favorite destination for him. Lately, we have had to protect him from plugs, lamps, foot powder, clean laundry, paint, chalk, and himself. He is so much fun to watch, and he is now giving kisses on command. This is the stage where, all things being equal, you just wish you could have these little people in your lives for a long time...
Wesley Tov is starting to babble and kiss his parents. What a great time it is.
