December 6, 2008 – 7:26 AM
A friend of mine mentioned that his sister just got engaged (if she's reading this: Congratulations and best of luck!) and it got me thinking about what The Wife and I have done to keep our marriage together for the few years its survived.
- Marriage takes work. Plan for it.
- The wedding is one day. The marriage lasts years.
- Talk to your spouse. Be honest. Don't expect you can read their mind (or vice-versa)
- Make sure you and your spouse understand each others expectations, priorities, and goals. That sounds like the components of a task list, but you both have something (potentially different) you want from the relationship.
- Don't try to change each other. It will make you both miserable.
- Treat your spouse like your best friend. Your spouse is not your therapist, abuse target, maid, mother, father, etc. They don't owe you anything.
- Accept that some of your spouse's family or friends may dislike you, and vice-versa. Let it go. Don't return the sentiment or it runs the risk of coming between you.
- Your job is to make your spouse's life as easy and enjoyable as possible, and hope they'll do the same for you.
- Fight in private. Agree in public. If a third party is involved: always be on your spouse's side.
- Don't stop treating each other like you did before you were married. You can't take your relationship for granted. Go on dates. Spend time together, setting time aside if necessary. Exchange gifts and cards. Let your spouse know they're appreciated.
- The relationship will have good years and bad years. Cherish the good ones, and work through the bad ones.
- Never pass up an opportunity to tell your spouse you love them.
November 14, 2008 – 3:34 PM
Yesterday, I finally had three of my wisdom teeth removed (I left the fourth in place as a sort of souvenir.) Today, blasted out my mind on oxycodone, I'm trying not to do anything vital such as operation heavy machinery, respond to email, or call anyone I know. I figured adding my personal brand of stupidity to the Internet will go unnoticed.
In the process of having the teeth removed, I was reminded of JWZ's foray into dental hijinks, or Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon
where Randy Waterhouse has his wisdom teeth extracted.
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November 14, 2008 – 12:13 PM
After having my wisdom teeth extracted (and in moments of lucidity between Percoset) I uploaded photos from our cruise to the Virgin Islands.
October 21, 2008 – 7:38 PM
Timothy Thomas was the first presenter this morning at the East Tennessee Cyber Security Summit. He had a great presentation that focused on the difference in viewpoint between Chinese and American electronic warfare.
One subject that I'd not heard of before was the Thirty-Six Stratagems. These are a number of general recommendations that can be applied to any number of conflict types.
14. Borrow a corpse to resurrect the soul.
Take an institution, a technology, or a method that has been forgotten or discarded and appropriate it for your own purpose. Revive something from the past by giving it a new purpose or bring to life old ideas, customs, or traditions and reinterpret them to fit your purposes.
The Olympic Games, rather than being used to foster brotherhood among Greeks, now is used to foster amity between nations.
Google lists a number of sites that give further examples or books with interpretations for a specific context.
October 18, 2008 – 10:48 PM
I like Guinness as much as the next guy, but I just pick up cans of extra stout from the convenience store. A more dedicated devotee might go so far as to commission this installation from Neiman Marcus.
The folks at RiRa Pubs will design a fully functional, traditional Irish pub and build it in your home in 2009. It will be crafted from historic Irish architectural elements and authentic Guinness artifacts. There's also a VIP trip for two to Dublin with first class airfare, luxury accommodations, and insider access to the magic still being made at the historic working St. James's Gate brewery. ... Plus fresh Guinness Stout for your pub. For an entire year. [sic]
The price? Only a quarter of a million dollars. Get two. I'm falling over myself to add it to my wish list.
From Serious Eats.
October 18, 2008 – 10:43 AM
Necessity is the mother of taking chances.
- Roughing It, Twain, 1872
No, the site hasn't been hacked. It is time for Something Different. My interests have changed and I've become tired of getting emails on old subjects that were posted here.
I'm still planning on posting here when the mood strikes me, but nothing like the two or three posts a day (or week) that I did in the past.