Compassion and the Individual

Whether people are beautiful and friendly or unattractive and disruptive, ultimately they are human beings, just like oneself. Like oneself, they want happiness and do not want suffering. Furthermore, their right to overcome suffering and be happy is equal to one's own. ...When you recognize that all beings are equal in both their desire for happiness and their right to obtain it, you automatically feel empathy and closeness for them.

Through accustoming your mind to this sense of universal altruism, you develop a feeling of responsibility for others: the wish to help them actively overcome their problems. Nor is this wish selective; it applies equally to all.

- The Dalai Lama, Compassion for the Individual, Tricycle's Daily Dharma for June 16, 2007

Random teachable moment

Yesterday, older daughter S and I went to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. As usual, the call of the vending area hit her and she asked for her allowance to get some snacks. After she got hers, I got some chips as well. She said, "You got the same snack as me." I corrected her, "You have the same snack as I." Then we talked about why the correct form was "I," about subject and object and parallel clauses, why you didn't need to include the verb, and so on. I complimented her, saying I was proud of her for paying attention to the issue, and that this is the kind of grammar taught to middle and high schoolers in plenty of places. Then she ran off to ask the librarian where the graphic novels were so she could look for more Tintins.

Rail Games

A week ago, I took a mental health day and went to Michicon. I made illyaa deal with both kids' soccer games, and my parents, who came to one of them, to boot. Actually, he volunteered to let me go. I left about 7:15 am, got to Troy about 8:05, had time to go get water and pumpkin seeds at the nearby drug store, and still get there quite early.

There were maybe 125 to 150 people in the room at the peak. We had around 15 people for the Puffing Billy (train games) tournament, many of whom I have known for many years but only see a few times per year. I got to play the playtest copy of Africa Rails. I blew some newbies out of the water at Ticket To Ride Europe; I am a bit of a shark since I am ranked in the top 50 at the online game which has an international list of tens of thousands of players. I felt kind of bad about beating them so badly at that, but they will learn it quicker than if I try to play badly. I played Eurorails with Al, had an unfortunately-large pickup game of Express, but didn't get to play Lunar Rails.

John mentioned the idea of a Mars Rails, loosely based on Edgar Rice Burrough's Barsoom. He mentioned Space 1889 (the victorian space travel game) as a good resource for such a project. I thoroughly agreed that that would be a fun project. I mentioned that I have a full set of John Carter of Mars paperbacks. Al encouraged John and I to collaborate on such a thing.

As we came up to the 7 pm event slot, John and I were neck and neck, so Al made us play on the same board of India Rails. It ended up 252-220-220, with the win for John. I missed a PB championship, albeit a small-time one, by this much. Got second place and a Mayfair gift certificate.

Got home at just about 11 pm. The venue didn't allow smoking, but plenty of the people I played with are smokers, so I still smelled of it. I took a shower to wash the smoke out of my hair.

Friday 5: Asking that Musical Question....

So I'm a little late. So sue me.



1. Do you download music not from the popular genres of Top 40, pop, rock, rap, dance, R&B, or country?
When I have downloaded stuff, it has definitely been off the beaten track, so, yes.

2. Are there any musicians for whom you've downloaded a significant amount of their material yet own few or none of their albums?
Only one: Steve Burns. I have downloaded his debut album and very much enjoy it. I intend to buy it, and his forthcoming second album, but I haven't gotten around to it.

3. Have you ever enjoyed a downloaded album so much that you went and bought the physical album?
Yes.

4. How many different ways of playing music do you own (such as radio, stereo system, computer, Walkman/Discman, mp3 player, mp3-ready phone, etc.)?
Hm. It's not clear if this means different methods or different devices, but anyway, MP3 player/radio, PDA/phone, boom box, clock radio, kitchen under-cabinet radio/CD player, an old Discman, computer, car radio, van radio/CD/tape player, and my tv/dvd combo (technically, I can put a CD in there and play it, I'm pretty sure--I have never actually used it this way). So, lots. I am sure this is true for most people.

5. Do you still have and/or play a favorite vinyl album, cassette tape, or 8-track tape?
I still have some of our vinyl records. One of these days I may even try to transfer the rare things, but for now they are just being stored. One that I miss listening to is the Middlebury College a capella group album I have, the (Something-or-Other)-Eight. I wish I could remember. They performed at my high school. I was so enthralled that I bought their album on the spot. It includes a version of the Powdermilk Biscuit Theme (and I didn't know what Prairie Home Companion was until *years* later), a great version of Love Potion No. 9, and Blue Moon actually done as a ballad, well, for about two thirds of it anyway. I just love that album. I can hear that version of Love Potion No. 9 in my head right now.