Big Talk

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The only thing I feel like saying about the elections at the moment is that the way the Republicans have governed over the past 2 years seems to have scared people. Even if people were skeptical of the Democrats, even if people were contemptuous of the Democrats, nevertheless, they had deep misgivings about giving these particular Republicans another 2 years of unchecked power. It is, of course, better to win elections on the basis of being liked, and trusted, and respected, rather than because of fear of the other guy. But it's a start. 

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How Much Vacation Does A Man Require?

My current answer: 

I am having second thoughts about these vacation rules. If the body (allegedly) keeps the score, perhaps that same body should also keep the vacation calendar. Nevertheless, some rules: 

By vacation I mean the more shameless, flaunting, ding-ding-ding kind of vacation, rather than the more reputable, respectable, "you'll have a great story" kind. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HehuRPYa6MY 

As Tony Slattery might say, a Luton vacation, rather than a London vacation. Luton? Well, Luton, rioting, pillaging.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x71a5un (the Luton joke is about 18 minutes in)

1. 3 Long Periods o' Productivity in a year (2-6 months)

2. New Year's - spring

3. spring - summer

4. late summer - New Year's

5. vacation 1: between March and June (spring or summer, maybe)

6. vacation 2: between July and October (summer or fall, maybe)

7. New Year's reset: between December and January (mid winter, maybe)

8. rule for New Year's reset: Stay up if you can. If you can't, make sure to say "See you next year!" before falling asleep. 

There is a distinction between taking a vacation and taking a trip. It is perhaps never not a good time to take a trip. The same is not quite true of vacation. 

mildly relevant Orwell essay:

https://www.telelib.com/authors/O/OrwellGeorge/essay/tribune/AsIPlease19461220.html 

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Little Talk

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How Much Waking Up Does A Man Require?

My current answer:

1. wake up

2. stare out the window a bit

3. get up, stand up, people get ready

4. talk to the hand . . . the hand that contains the phone. Tell the phone, in a rich bass voice, "I find your lack of disturbances . . . disturbing." Turn off do-not-disturb mode. Check whether the sky has fallen.

5. touch grass or artificial turf

6. mix or jumble the previous steps as needed

7. ???

8. profit! 

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Next post: December 29, 2026