America is expecting a nasty 2007, if this survey is to be believed:
- 6 in 10 are expecting another terrorist attack on America - 7 in 10 expect a major natural disaster to hit America - 1 in 3 expect the draft to be reinstated
On top of all that, 1 in 4 expect Jesus to return. While that would not be a bad thing of course, it's generally understood that Jesus isn't coming back to party. So why the gloom? I would guess it's five years of the GWOT, a lengthy and overheated left-right war of words, and a general sense that things are going to get a lot worse for most people before they get better.
I have ended up subscribed, through my comings and goings on the internet, to a variety of delivered-to-your-inbox tips, news flashes, product updates, and the like, but one I received today from The New American Dream was noteworthy if for no other reason than that it reminded me to be grateful. Number 22 in a list of holiday survival tips (the only other one I remember had something to do with giving meaningful gifts rather than being sucked into par-for-the-course commercialism), it reminded me that "Feeling and expressing gratitude can be a meaningful part of the holidays." Well, yeah... except that I was reminded how little gratitude I felt this Christmas, having put way more energy into my own frustration that I couldn't give more and better this year. But gratitude is it's own gift, isn't it? I know that I always appreciate seeing and experiencing it--and being married to Mrs. Zeke, I am always around a lot of it. She is a Zen Master when it comes to gratitude. The woman will bitch about the piss poor state of auto styling (its apex having been reached with the original Saab 9000 Turbo Convertible), about the existence of the minivan, about the lack of creativity in pop music, and any host of interesting but rather external happenings, but not about her own stuff. Whether it's poor health (a distressingly chronic state of affairs for her) or lack of fundage (her husband's distressingly chronic state of affairs--but everything changes this year, Baby!), Mrs. Zeke is always looking on the bright side of things.
And if nothing else, I sure am grateful about that.
This is an animated rendering of notebook entries about Drake, who bullied the artist Will Nolan as a young boy.
I was bullied around by some kid in ninth grade until I stood my ground and we fought it out. My recommendation to any kid getting bullied is Stand Up. Take your licks. Chances are the bully will leave you alone and your self-respect will remain intact.
After a disturbing hiatus, the bisques at Etcetera are back. Welcome home. Love you guys.
I first started listening when they invited Steve and Josh from SCP on, and I haven't missed a show since. Etcetera is a great example of what podcasting can be: a way for real people to connect and enjoy each other's company as part of an extended community. It's a unique phenomenon, but one those of Etcetera's community can immediately understand.
As the erstwhile host of Godscrum, I can attest to how hard it can be to find the time and energy (especially the mental and emotional energy) to sustain a podcast. Kudos to Erik, Matt and Sharon for hanging in there. Here's to many more great shows to come.
America is expecting a nasty 2007, if this survey is to be believed:
