Thinking Sideways while moving ahead

I signed up for an online writing course a few weeks ago. It's called How To Think Sideways, and so far it's been fun, interesting, and has me doing a little introspection for a mind-mapping exercise. I'm looking at different things that I find compelling, that evoke strong emotional responses in me personally, and it's been eye-opening.

Attorneys have a reputation for being pessimistic, for playing it safe, for avoiding risks, etc. That pretty much describes me to a T. I'm a habitual worrier, but I didn't used to be. Didn't think of myself that way, anyhow.

Let's just say that between this and some other things I've been doing, I'm trying to get over my habitual negativity and back to that boundless optimism I had when I was younger. Economy down? Economies go up, economies go down, but opportunities are there no matter what the prevailing economy is.

Right? Right. Now I just need to convince myself.

A Very Busy Weekend

Thursday morning, I paid a visit to the periodontist. They repaid my kindness by drugging me and sticking sharp implements in my mouth, followed by sutures. Lots and lots of sutures. And a prescription for some rather powerful pain-killers. The remainder of the day was spent checking work e-mail (once), and playing Dragon Quest V while catching up on podcasts. All of them.

Friday. Still more wonderful painkillers. Lots and Lots of Dragon Quest V. Expect a review at Tech Talk for Families within the next few days. Quick and Dirty - 15 hours in, I'm totally digging it. There's a monster-recruitment system that I like - think Pokemon, where you fight alongside the various monsters. I don't know if that's a standard part of Dragon Quest, but I like it a lot. The story has some elements to it that might not float well with younger players. Right now I'm seeing what looks like a possible romantic triangle (which will probably resolve itself without too much fuss...) The rating is E10, but I'd probably hold off until a kid is a little more mature to deal with some of the issues - 12 seems about right, but your mileage may vary.

Saturday. Bought a car. 2007 Kia Spectra. Enterprise (yes, the car rental place) Car Sales totally rocks. Car drives very well. We named it "Zippy". That night was the ward chili cookoff, in which my sweet wife, Reeta, won Best Overall Chili. I was surprised by how many people came up to her afterwards and asked her what she put in it. She was beaming all night.

Sunday. Church. Choir practice - which happened this week at a local assisted living center, and lasted two hours as we sang hymns and fumbled all over Handel's "All We Like Sheep" from the Messiah. Yeah. We're few in numbers, but mighty in ambition. More Dragon Quest V. Recorded a new Geek Survival Guide. Tried my best to ignore twitter comments re: the Big Love episode that purported to show LDS Temple ceremonies.

I've been trying really hard to let that last thing roll off, but it's harder than I thought it would be. Those are sacred things, and seeing that someone is using them in a commercial venture, and trying to drum up business using the "controversy" over the "LDS Church's Outrage" leaves a particularly bad taste in my mouth. The Church's official response to it was muted, and I'm trying to do my best to make sure my own is as well. I realize that HBO broadcasting them to the world and making them eventually available on a DVD Box Set for $49.99 or whatever doesn't change the nature of the temple or the ordinances and covenants I've made there, but it still feels degrading. And the twitter responses frankly haven't helped.

But then, I am reminded that if it were easy to turn the other cheek, bless them that hate you, pray for them that despitefully use you, etc., then I suppose it wouldn't be a commandment.