balance

Brian Regan points out that Pop Tarts® are the culmination of our impatient society. In addition to the traditional toaster-centric instructions, they have microwave instructions. Who is so busy that they don't have time to toast a Pop Tart®? Who needs to be awake and out the door in seconds? I would ask who doesn't? Who can afford to spend more time on something as trivial as a Pop Tart®? Microwaving is almost always better.

When the question of inappropriate use of technology arises, one must consider whether this question already falls under currently established policy. For example, a teacher in a classroom may wish to limit students' access to wireless internet in order to prevent inattention. The problem here is the use of the connection rather than the existence. When used appropriately, an internet connection can and will enhance a classroom learning experience. However, it can be--indeed, often is--used inappropriately. But the same argument can be applied to more traditional reading material.

i focus my entire being on whatever ugly little mole pokes its head out. that's my nature. if i think about the other moles, i won't get to the current one before it's too late.

i beat one of 'em down, and another one appears. the quicker i whack one, the quicker the next shows up.

behind in school. behind in work... behind in pretty much everything, i think.

i don't even like to go to sleep anymore. it seems like i'm wasting time.

so that's my dilemma. how do i take my eye off the current problem long enough to think about what's coming next?

summer is an entirely separate dimension. my organized, metered, cluttered existence fades into dim memory and my life is consumed with blissful carefree summer days. anarchy.

some time ago my free time was artificially limited to one glorious day per week. far too many of those days were squandered, spent unwisely... i learned by sad experience that that freedom requires a careful structure and plan to be successful. freedom, if left unattended, quickly dissolves into boredom. the seed of discontent.

who in their right mind would be discontent with freedom?