Today was my third day at work and...nothing happened. Instead, I went out at 5pm after work and had a few beers at the local branch of The Heartland Brewery. As much as I'd like to go it appears that Greyfox will go on without me this year, although Becky is going. I love Bluegrass music, almost as much as I love SCUBA. Almost. On a completely disconnected vein, I was thinking last night about the nature of existence and the role of the individual in a society that seems random and cruel. I came up with no great insights except the realization that what we do with our lives, the magic tapestry that we weave has little or nothing to do with our daily routine, but is all about what we do to fill the empty spaces. You can read the Times every day and be caught up on the latest news and information and that is admirable, in a way, but it isn't living. Amassig information is no substiture for creating your own news, your own story. 100 years form now, who will be reading about you? Not that life's journey should be an exercise in ego, but at the end of your life I think you should be fulfilled because you were different from the herd, not because you excelled at herd activity. The captains of industry will fade into the mists of time while the adventurers and innovators fill the history books . No one gives a shit if you fill your role, you have to destroy all roles. The risk, of course, is that if you fail, most people will think you either a madman or a fool. Since you won't be remembered either way, who cares? Insurance claims certainly don't matter. If you are a successful lawyer, at the pinnacle of the profession, at best someone will quote your words to stand for a principle. This, there at last, is a measure of immotality. It is humbling though, to realize that the most ancient civilization, the Summmarians, are remembered for general moral principals, not for the innovative thought of their philosophers. Five thousand years form now what will American society be remembered for?
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