Friday, April 6, 2001

April 6, 2001 409pm CST Spring has sprung and I am happy. We are at about 95% humidity right now - it is fun to watch the wind blow the mist off the fir trees. Upon my feet are sandals, but no socks, so I may happily enjoy the lovely spring weather without the unpleasant foot perspiration. I wear no jacket, coat, pullover, or sweater - only a t-shirt and light cotton pants. No more am I concerned about the elements making me uncomfortable. Within the next 72 hours, we will see rain on the hill, providing much needed moisture to the blossoming flora. And a young man's mind is set on love, sweetness, and light. But that young man is not me. My mind is set on the completion of my undergraduate degree - the ultimate goal of 16 years of formal education. This spring brings with it perhaps the most important secular event in my life since my birth. As long as I can remember, I have been a student - depending on the material resources of others to provide for my own needs. Very soon, I will be a member of the workforce, relying on my own efforts to provide for myself. It is a fundamental shift in my station in life, and it is a part of the season. 4:21:34 PM    comment []

April 6, 2001 1025am CST I have thought a lot recently about cravings and addictions. It seems like everyone uses their fair share of addictive substances, even if said substances are socially acceptable. I would like to avoid any sorts of chemical dependencies, as they seem to create quite a number of problems in the lives of those who have addictions. I, for one, have always considered excessive coffee consumption a vice. It seems that people who consume a lot of coffee (or caffeinated soft drinks) do so for the express purpose of waking up or staying awake. This seems like a very bad idea to me, because if one relies on a chemical to alter his state of mind on a regular basis, he just opens the door for dependency. I propose that a better time to consume coffee is when a person is already awake and alert. That way, one is not drinking coffee for the effects of the chemical, but only because he likes it. Alcohol is the same way. One shouldn't consume alcohol when he wants to relax, one should wait until he is relaxed already. 10:42:40 AM    comment []