Monthly Archives: December 2009

Happy New Year

The snow outside my window is falling steadily but gently; watching it is compelling. I’m thinking of all the weather forecasters on TV saying that this would ruin the New Year for everyone. I hate slick roads and paths, but I have to say that the powdery covering of white upon brick chimneys, evergreen trees, …

December 31, 2009 – 9:25 am | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (2)

2009 in Review

I’m not fond of making these posts which link to lots of stuff I’ve written. It’s not that I’m against self-promotion. It’s just that all the categories, tags, even titles of posts exist to make this blog searchable; while I haven’t updated the index, it still points to a wide variety of posts; finally, I’d …

December 30, 2009 – 10:08 am | By ashok | Posted in blogging | Comments (0)

This Post-Family World: Cecilia Woloch, “Slow Children at Play”

Reading Cecilia Woloch’s “Slow Children at Play,” I can’t help but think about three people. The poem: All the quick children have gone inside, called by their mothers to hurry-up-wash-your-hands honey-dinner’s-getting-cold, just-wait-till-your-father-gets-home- and only the slow children out on the lawns, marking off paths between fireflies, making soft little sounds with their mouths, ohs, that …

December 28, 2009 – 4:50 pm | By ashok | Posted in poetry, politics | Comments (0)

Emily Dickinson, “I made slow Riches but my Gain…” (843)

I made slow Riches but my Gain… (843) Emily Dickinson I made slow Riches but my Gain Was steady as the Sun And every Night, it numbered more Than the preceding One All Days, I did not earn the same But my perceiveless Gain Inferred the less by Growing than The Sum that it had …

December 27, 2009 – 8:02 am | By ashok | Posted in dickinson, poetry | Comments (1)

Links, 12/26/09

Christmas was nice and quiet, the way I like it. I’m not one for holidays where things feel forced in the least; I’m not against social obligations, but I think far too many people take on too many of them over the holidays. Don’t you just want some quiet time? My only regret Christmas Day …

December 26, 2009 – 8:29 am | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (3)

Not a good day, or a brief comment on Memorabilia IV.2.24-29

Ugh. Put a few hours into a video game in a losing cause. I can’t begin to tell you how frustrating that was. I thought my strategy was going well until I revealed the other players on the map and they had double (!) my score. Back to square one, if I can stomach it. …

December 23, 2009 – 12:59 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal, philosophy, politics, xenophon | Comments (1)

Links, 12/21/09

Megan McArdle, “Government Healthcare: Trust Buster or Cartel Builder?” – a brief discussion of why “we need the government to break up virtual (private) monopolies in health care” is not a good argument. More on health care: NYT, “Deep in Health Bill, Very Specific Beneficiaries” (h/t Josh) – the article isn’t very direct about the …

December 21, 2009 – 7:56 pm | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (0)

The significance of health care reform

My thoughts are probably best expressed by Megan McArdle: No bill this large has ever before passed on a straight party-line vote, or even anything close to a straight party-line vote.  No bill this unpopular has ever before passed on a straight party-line vote.  We’re in a new political world.  I’m not sure I understand …

December 20, 2009 – 12:59 pm | By ashok | Posted in politics | Comments (4)

12/19/09

It’s snowing outside, and it is really beautiful. There’s also no way I want to go anywhere for quite some time; not only is the ground completely covered, but the wind is causing snowflakes to swirl around everywhere. It isn’t violent, but I can tell what sort of effect that has on visibility. Still debating …

December 19, 2009 – 10:22 am | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (1)

Links, 12/18/09

Megan McArdle, “Personal Finance” – a discussion about social norms and how they keep institutions we take for granted afloat. The central theme is that not everything can be strictly legal, but there’s a lot more going on, esp. as regards “trust” in a society. Matt Welch, “Why I Prefer French Health Care” – there’s …

December 18, 2009 – 4:28 pm | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (0)