(no subject)

The most important and lasting result of armed conflict, in a world of ephemeral political organizations like nations, is a lot of dead people. Millions of people have died due to the failures of leaders who have resorted to what Isaac Asimov called the last refuge of the incompetent: violence.

Many astronauts and support personal have died as our race has reached out past the Earth. Those sacrifices are made in the service of some of our highest purposes. Perhaps an even greater purpose, though a more grounded one, is the quest for a world without war. Each person who died in war is a reminder of the ultimate goal of a world free from that scourge of civilization. As our fallen explorers remind us of how much wonder remains to be found, I hope on this Memorial Day that our fallen fighters can remind all of us that the only truly permanent result of armed conflict is a lot of dead people, and that we can do better than this here on Earth.

"Sometime they'll give a war and nobody will come." -Carl Sandburg


Peaceful Graves

Copyright Stormdog 2009

(no subject)

A while ago, a few of my friend indicated they would be interested in a four volume set of books that were at my library book sale. They contain positions of about 250,000 stars. I paid 8 bucks for the four volumes for someone who said it would be worth 8 bucks to them, but I don't recall for sure who that was. If it was you, please let me know; I need to get rid of these soon. Also, if you would take them for free, let me know. If nobody wants to give me the 8 bucks, you get second crack.

Secondly, I still have a lot of old hard copy census volumes in the area of 1890 to 1910. If you'd like some, please let me know. Again, they need to go away.

Thanks!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smithsonian_Astrophysical_Observatory_Star_Catalog

(no subject)

My brother needed the room in his room (of sorts) that my stuff was taking up, so I just got him to help me load my dozen-and-a-half boxes of books into the space under the eaves behind the knee-wall here in the upstairs of my parents' house. I'm a little sad that I don't have time to engage with them and sort through them right now. Especially the ones from my grandfather. But I am taking good care of them.

It's funny how much more easily I fit through that space than the last time I was climbing around in there. As much as wearing differently sized clothing, it was a very solid reminder of the way I've changed shape lately!

...I really need to chill out and try to enjoy the summer.

(no subject)

I should write about the wonderful weekend I just spent with my partners.

Danae and I had a great couple of days of boardgames and snuggles. We met up with a group that does a regular event at the Mystic Celt in Chicago and played Tanto Cuarre and Power Grid: Factory Manager. Back at her place we saved the world from disease once, then died horribly the next go-round. In between, we enjoyed each other's company while doing things like shopping for groceries and watching more episodes of Scrapped Princess. I'd really like to spend more time down with her in general, especially given that I might be moving away for grad school. It's tough trying to split time between Kenosha and Evanston. There are a lot of upsides to both places.

I spent a great day with Lisa, making the rounds of thrift stores on the north side. I ended up with a few new shirts and even a couple pairs of jeans. I also bought a cute kids' book in Spanish with a short story for each day of the year. It's called Los Animales Cuentan 365 Historias. It's *so* much less expensive to buy childrens' books in Spanish than going to Mitsuwa for ones in Japanese! My time spent with Lisa was wonderful too. I feel lucky to have two girlfriends who both make me very happy. I do my best to return the favor.