Flea Market Finds

1. A fun, frilly apron
2. A bike
3. A framed copy of the Desiderata...

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

debbie downer haiku

imprisoned by pain
short, brutal - can't see ahead
where is the release?

can you tell my mom is in town?

Cause I'm a dork for measurement

I'll see if I have time to whip something up for this - but I think I know a few people who read this blog who might come up with something better! Let me know.

Fraser Institute's Contest on Measurement

Our Motto is "If it matters, measure it"!

The Fraser Institute is launching a new contest to identify economic and public policy issues which still require proper measurement in order to facilitate meaningful analysis and public discourse.

The Essay Contest for Excellence in the Pursuit of Measurement is an opportunity for the public to comment on an economic or public policy issue that they feel is important and deserves to be properly measured.

A top prize of $1,000 and other cash prizes can be won by identifying a vital issue that is either not being measured, or is being measured inappropriately. Acceptable entry formats include a short 500-600 word essay, or a short one-minute video essay.

Complete details and a promotional flyer can be found here.

Entry deadline is Friday, May 15th, 2009.

Kudos to Obama...

for relaxing the federal stance on medical marijuana.

Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a change on medical marijuana policy Wednesday, saying federal agents will target marijuana distributors only when they violate both federal and state law.

This is one step in the right direction towards legalizing and regulating the substance. If you're interested in the latest on this fight, the Marijuana Policy Project has a great website with news on both the federal and state levels.

Why I think marijuana should be legalized (in a nutshell):

• It is a natural, fairly benign substance which arguably does less harm than tobacco or alcohol.
• In fact, for people with chronic pain - like my mother - it can help more than it harms.
  
• If regulated, any harmful ingredients currently in the market could be reduced or eliminated.
• It frees state resources up to pursue the truly harmful, dangerous drugs that are out there (which arguably also should be legalized, but I'd like to see how the legalization of marijuana would go first).
• Along the lines of the previous point, frees up our court system from persecuting petty criminals who deal only in marijuana.
  

Why poor people are poor

Direct quote from my charismatic, British prof:

"Poor people are poor because they don’t have any money. If you want
to help poor people, give them money – don’t mess with production. It
will just harm everyone including the poor people in the long run!"

Quite right!

Poetic silence

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing"

It's a nice theme I try to live my life by. This verse is an even more personal and compelling standard to live up to than not doing anything your mama wouldn't be proud of or that you wouldn't be embarrassed to see published in a newspaper. I may not go to church regularly or study the Bible as much as I should, but Lord knows I pray to him at every opportunity. Whether that's my conscience that answers or actually Him every time, it's a good exercise in reflection. I'm usually sad or disappointed when people run from this introspection, but Tony reminded me today of the foreboding silence. This silence can be intimidating and is perhaps an acquired taste, but to me, it is so peaceful and fulfilling. Meditative yoga has helped me get comfortable with silence and the truth that awaits me there.

It’s easy to see why so many of us — Christians and pagans alike — spend lifetimes running from the living God, our hands stopping our ears, our mouths babbling prayers or blasphemies, all in an effort to avoid the great silence where God speaks to man. That silence is a fearful place, but there is love there, the great love of a parent. There is mercy too, and strength for the uncompleted race.

D.C. Voucher Program

With a D.C. public school now sitting square out my window, I see the kids as young as 8 or 9 get off public transportation at the corner and walk into school each morning. Yes, many of these kids are by themselves. 78% of the kids I see walking into this particular school live below the federal poverty line.

While I can't attest to the quality of the school, I have read a decent amount about public education in the District and I wonder if this school is doing right by them. Which is why I was really upset to read in the WashTimes today that the Democrats in Congress have already made up their mind to not renew the voucher program that enables many D.C. kids to go to better schools:

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has jurisdiction over the D.C. voucher program, appears to have made up its mind, according to an internal document obtained by The Washington Times.

Even if you don't agree with school choice, there hasn't been a comprehensive review of the D.C. program to justify uprooting the 1700 low income kids from their current schools. This is a travesty of epic proportions.

I saw the President and Founder of DC Parents for School Choice speak at CPAC a couple weeks ago and her rational and passionate plea for increased opportunity is inspiring. I hope her cause survives this Congress. Read more here at www.voicesofschoolchoice.org