The Eternal Toy

When I was a kid I had LOTS of legos.
I actually still have nearly all of them but instead of being spread out over my bedroom floor they are in a trunk in the basement.

I went through phases where I preferred other toys, but I always went back to Legos.

There were many years that the Legos slept, quietly, waiting for my return but I always returned.

(This is NOT a non-sequitur, I promise) Another item that has influence my life greatly is the Star Wars world of science fantasy.

Things like this: http://www.thinkgeek.com/geek-kids/7-13-years/d473/ bring out my inner child. I want to spend money on this, and all of the other Lego sets that blend my love of Legos with my loves of other things from my childhood.

One a tangential note: I think that my love of Legos is derived from the same part of me that forces me to do what I do for work. I figure out solutions to problems all day long. Some days those solutions are looking to ensure that a computer is plugged in and other days those solutions fill a 4'x8' whiteboard in my office with theoretical infrastructure models that I want to make a reality. But the one underlying piece is the need to imagine something and then work through the problems to make it a reality. I think that is why Legos are the eternal toy for any engineer and why engineers do what they do.

Veterans' Day

Today is one of those days that I resent.
I resent it because it reminds people to respect those who have served our country to protect our freedom and our way of life.

Why do I resent this? Because it should not take a day to make people think of it. People should respect those who served to protect our freedoms EVERY day. Do I believe that veterans deserve extra rights and privileges? No, but they deserve our respect for doing what they do just as everyone deserves respect for doing their jobs. Veterans, however, deserve our appreciation for their work for they are laying their lives on the line to allow us to live ours.

This is true EVERY day.

So, on this Veterans' Day I ask this of anyone reading this post: in four months, or sixth months or 8 months thank a veteran for their efforts. Don't make today the only day you respect and appreciate their work to keep your way of life intact.

This also goes for Christmas: if you are a Christian (I am not) then the "Christmas season" isn't the only time you should express peace and good will to all: express peace and good will to all ALL THE TIME.

When we have to have a single day to emphasize something then we are letting ourselves ignore that thing the rest of the year. If it's important enough to pay attention to we should do so ALL THE TIME.

I saw this the other day and it's REALLY weird.



It also makes this comic make sense:

http://www.dorktower.com/2010/11/05/dork-tower-friday-november-5-2010/


It also makes me wonder if time travel is possible and, if so, where are all of the time travelers (or the evidence of them having been here)?