In search of a meaningful life

There are many days that I wake wondering about the meaning of life, and how one should engage in making their life a meaningful one. In particular, is my life meaningful, if so is it meaningful enough, if not how can I make it meaningful. Today was one of those days.
As I drove [...]

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Books- celibate vs. promiscuous

Janie, my wife, and I have a running battle about my refusal to buy used books. She buys used books to read; shares used books; and even sells her new and used books to the used book store. She has no problem being intimate with these books, using them for her own pleasure [...]

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Nutcracker Dad – Part 5 of 5

After a busy week, I’ve finally set aside some time to complete my 2007 Nutcracker series of essays. This is the grand finale, my first turn as an audience member for the ballet (after a couple turns behind the scenes), and my chance to watch my “little mouse” perform.
We arrived before the show about [...]

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Nutcracker Dad – Part 4 of 5

My final volunteer responsibility for the 2007 Nutcracker season began at 1:30pm on Saturday.  There are two shows Saturday, both with cast B.  I was working as stage crew for the first show.  Later, during the evening show and for the first time ever, I would watch the Nutcracker.  It would also be Jolie’s last [...]

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The willing supension of free thought

Recently we got an e-mail from someone ranting about the dangers of the movie The Golden Compass, based on the book of the same name by Philip Pullman.  For those that don’t know, Pullman is an admitted atheist/agnostic.  The letter warned us about the dangers of subverting our children by allowing them to watch a [...]

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Nutcracker Dad – Part 3 of 5

Wednesday night marked the second installment of my Nutcracker volunteerism, this time as a stage hand for a dress rehearsal.  Jolie was in this rehearsal, so she and I would go to Hering Auditorium together.
Before I go into the evening’s events, let me hit a few highlights of Wednesday first.  I got up early, to [...]

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Nutcracker Dad – Part 2 of 5

I began my volunteer time at the Nutcracker this past Saturday.  At 8:00am, while the rest of the family was enjoying sleeping in, I snuck out of the house and headed to Hering Auditorium to loan my back to the “haul-in” of props and equipment.
It was a beautiful Fairbanks winter morning, cold and clear, dark [...]

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Nutcracker Dad – Part 1 of 5

My oldest daughter, Jolie, is in North Star Ballet’s annual Nutcracker performance this year.  Jolie has been looking forward to being in the Nutcracker since she was very little and watched the “big” girls perform, patiently waiting until she would turn 8 and could audition.   She has been cast as a “little mouse”- as opposed [...]

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