Author Archives: WD

Good Times!

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Had a great weekend. Went down to Portland which is a really gay friendly city. Met some guys and went out to the club there, fun! The next day I went with J to Camden where we saw a speech by Jim Hightower which was sponsored by the Maine Civil Liberties Union. Camden was beautiful and I was really excited about my company. After the show we left town (too expensive, but cute) and stopped by Augusta to visit another friend. The whole day entailed a bit more driving than I would have liked, but was well worth it; it’s great to get to know people elsewhere and broaden one’s horizons, after all, I’m no local boy 😉 I have also added a new photo gallery, so check it out and get a feel for Lewiston.

Shana Tova

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Tonight is Jewish New Year’s Eve; we welcome the year 5768. Although I’m not too religious, it’s pretty amazing to think of they year being 5768 as opposed to 2007. When Judaism is viewed in its totality, its staying power is inspirational. As with most new years traditions, on Rosh Hashanah, Jews are asked to both reflect on the previous year and meditate on goals for the upcoming one. One of my goals is to do well in my job, and to continue to develop a network of friends and colleagues. As this celebration coincides with my first day on the job solo, I am inspired not only to do well for the sake of those who are depending on me, but also for myself.

My life has taken an interesting path, especially in the past few years. I have been challenged immensely, and I have grown. But still I am not all I wish to be, and sometimes doubts and insecurities win out over logic and rationality. However, I know that to be entirely rational, dispassionate and uber-Randian is not the answer. That middle ground, though, between what you currently are and that which you would like to become, is elusive and ever-changing. Just as events in the world change, so too do our own expectations and priorities. To be unsure is not folly in and of itself, rather, the loss of curiosity regarding ourselves and our world is what poses the greatest threat to our personal and collective evolution.

So on this new day, if you care, share some of your thoughts on your process of becoming, and the definitions your seek.

Still Angry

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Taken from plf515 at Daily Kos

I’m a victim of 9/11. I was in the building when the plane hit.

Compared to some people, I was lucky: I wasn’t injured. I kept my job. I got home easily. But compared to the vast majority of Americans, I am a victim. I had glass in my hair. I lost a year’s work, and some irreplaceable items. My family went crazy for a while. My kid had nightmares. You explain to a 5 year old why (in his words) “They crashed into the building on purpose?” or reply to “I thought pilots were good people”.

But I am a victim another way.

I share part of this other victimhood with all Americans. I am a victim, not of terror, but of the so-called `war on terror’. I am a victim of a government that is out-of-control. I am a victim of crushing national debt. I am a victim because I live in a country that went from having the sympathy of the world to one that is a pariah, an outcast among nations, a rogue state. I am a victim because I now have to `watch what I say’. I am a victim because my rights are violated, not by some nebulous and inimical group of terrorists, but by my own government.

They do not speak for me

But in another way, I do not share this other victimhood. My victimhood is being abused.

I have watched for years as my government – our government – has whittled away my rights, stolen my freedoms, and wrecked the constitution in the name of a false security. I have watched and watched and watched, as they have used my name – my victimhood – to make me a victim once again.

They do not speak for me

So, I will post this diary, and I will take action. I will volunteer. I will give money. I will make a difference. This is MY country, this is MY victimhood, and I will not have it abused. I am no martyr; I have no death wish; I hope that no terrorist ever strikes anywhere again. But the founders of this country knew what they were doing. They wanted freedom. They DEMANDED freedom. They put their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor on the line to win freedom. And now it is reduced to this.

But it is worse even than this; it would be one thing to pay too heavy a price to increase our safety. But we have paid the price for nothing. We have arrested thousands of people, and let them go. We have spied on our own citizens, and found out nothing. We have allied ourselves with torturers, and yet, we are not safe. Indeed, by making our enemies unite, we have made ourselves weaker, and our enemies stronger.

This victim demands an end to the ‘war on terror’ that is really a war on America. Impeach the president

Indian Days

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Hey, it’s been forever, I know. Things are humming along up here in Maine. At work I’m taking on more responsibilities and the apartment is starting to look like people actually live here. Today I left work a little early and went to Range Ponds State Park. I had wanted to go earlier in the summer but never made it, and given that today was (and still is, I’m writing on the screened in balcony out back) a taste of summer, I just had to go. The place was not crowded at all, just some locals, and was a beautiful spot to take a swim, soak up a few rays and read. It was relaxing and allowed me some time to clear my mind.

With the return of students to the campus, I’m feeling a little envious of their position. What I’d give to just be taking a few classes a week and enjoying all the other benefits that come with small liberal arts college life… I haven’t been too social lately, and I’d like to change that. Being that I don’t really have any connections up here, it is difficult for me to go out. Whereas there are some things one can do on one’s own, most things in life are better shared. I know that with time I will develop a little network up here, but for now, I’m pretty much solo, which stinks.

Over my birthday weekend and labor day, however, I did get to connect with some friends. K + N took me to a charming Thai place in Charlestown, and after that we made a mess of a both in the nearby Friendly’s. I’m really proud of them, as they are the first of my friends to get married; sure, it has been in the cards for a while, but seeing them reminds me of the great social importance of marriage, it is a sanctioning of sorts. Over labor day, T, A and I went up to Springfield, MA to the Smith and Wesson shooting range. Did you know that WD is a pretty good shot? It was quite fun, and for about 50 bucks we rented two lanes with two different types of guns and had at it for a while.

From transition may come stability, but for now, I’m