Haikus

Someone on Wordcraft has gotten me interested in haikus, so I am going to write one from time to time here. I had never gotten into them like I have with limericks and DDs, but I am trying to learn to appreciate them. Here is a site that explains them.

Squirrels with acorns,
There's a chill in the evening,
Golds and reds and orange.

Identity politics

Identity politics has been in the news lately, though I really don't want to start a political discussion on Wordcraft. Therefore, I will talk about it here.

Interestingly, the Republicans are complaining about Obama's supreme court nominee, after analyzing to death one sentence from her many talks and writings. I know that Democrats do this too, but it's incredibly stupid to make a judgment based on taking something out of context. However, all the conservatives are doing it, including of course my least favorite (rather dimwitted John Kass) in today's column where he says, " Identity politics is so tiring and vulgar." Does he by any chance remember Sarah Palin??? I would write him, but I have several times, and he apparently only answers those who agree with him.

For those who think identity politics is "vulgar," I wonder if they want to do away with our representatives. Aren't they, by definition, identity politicians? Or maybe it's only the Democratic representatives who are? Um hmm! And don't get me started on what happened in Kansas recently!

I had a chance...and blew it!

I could have used the word epicaricacy today. The time was right. As I began to say it, Schadenfreude creeped out of my mouth.

Background: We are starting a publication. When we approached a reputable publisher, they refused us. "We already have a journal on that subject," they said. We didn't agree because we thought we had a different audience. But what can you do? We went ahead with our plan and are going to publish it ourselves.

So today I received a copy of the reputable publisher's rival journal. It had precisely 5 articles: One by me; one by another author; and three by the editor-in-chief. That's it. Might one think they aren't doing that well? I told my colleague..."I am feeling Schadenfreude!" Not epicaricacy. I suppose I didn't want to sound arrogant with a word that surely he'd not understand. However, I had the chance and blew it.

Internet reactions

It has been awhile, I know. That's because I have been thinking about different reactions on blogs, and I don't much like mine. Perhaps it's because I am newish to blogging. I find myself reacting (ranting?) without really giving both sides a chance. When I give the issue more thought, then I do consider all perspectives. However, there is that period of time where my temper flares a bit. Perhaps it's because of my ethnicity? The Irish part in me? I don't think so, though, because I am also English, Scotch, Dutch, Norwegian, and German...somewhat of a mutt. Whatever the reason, I am going to try to change. Hopefully, there will be no more rants!