The Epic of Gilgamesh

I've finished reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, a poem written ~1750 B.C. in what is now Iraq. It's the tale of a heroic king who arrogantly angers his gods, who then strike down his only friend and equal. It is a story of friendship and loss, of the value of living life to the fullest and, perversely, of the futility of human life. Powerful stuff, even from a distance of 4000 yrs.

"Have you ever paused to compare your own blessed lot with a fool's?/Can't you see how fortunate you are?/ [in grief] You have worn yourself out through ceaseless striving/you have filled your muscles with pain and anguish/And what have you achieved but to bring yourself/one day nearer to the end of your days?" - The Epic of Gilgamesh Book X

"Only the gods live forever. Our days/are few in number, and whatever we achieve/is a puff of wind. Why be afraid then/since sooner or later death must come?" Epic of Gilgamesh Book III

Caption under a pic of the USS Arizona, from the 1941 Army-Navy Game program booklet, dated November 28th 1941 - a week before Pearl Harbor - : "A bow on view of the U. S. S. Arizona as she plows into a huge swell. It is significant that despite the claims of air enthusiasts no battleship has yet been sunk by bombs."

 Make-up Goddess!

Congrats to Duke and Coach K! Hot Dog! I'm only sorry Tenn couldn't outlast MI State, but man those were two great games (even if my viewing was interrupted by the Smurfs, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Caillou). I'll go on a limb and predict a Duke/MI State title, w/ my allegiance going to Duke.

Got kids? Come see [ ] Academy's show THE JUNGLE BOOK , today @ 1:00....free, but donations appreciated. Concessions and flowers available.

Stalingrad by Anthony Beevor

 Every yr or two I'm drawn to studying the battle of Stalingrad, and it's that time again. I just finished Beevor's 'Stalingrad', a solid study of the battle that emphasizes the Kessel over the horrific urban warfare of Aug-Nov. Of course the Wehrmacht needed to be stopped, but the 6th Army deserved a better fate than what awaited them in Stalin's hands - & they certainly deserved a better General than Paulus.

Hair Dye

In addition to my earring, back in place after yrs, I also used Lisa's hair dye to highlight my hair Thurs night. It adds body & dimension to what was already a stunning display of God's workmanship. I *wanted* to rough up the goatee by dyeing it blood red or growing it long enough to split and double-braid, BUT . . I guess, like my proposed Match Game logo tatoo, that's it's just *too cool* for Lisa to handle.

The Kids Choice Awards

Michelle Obama just won a Kids Choice Award on Nickelodeon. I find it odd that the award she accepts for a health and fitness program . . . is a Blimp.

My Dad and I went to YaYa's play tonight and she did great - a lot more lines than I thought she'd have! Good job baby girl!

 Thanks to Mindy and her girls for coming to see Grace on Opening night. She was told to expect no gifts/flowers because no one was coming on Friday. She was thrilled to get 3 flowers from unexpected fans, super sweet!!

 Congrats to Tennessee! Normally I bleed Big 10, but in this instance my respect for Bruce Pearl trumps conference loyalty. A heck of a game, start to finish.

YaYa is en route to opening night of her mesmerizing portrayal of Raja in Kipling's 'The Jungle Book'. Break a leg kiddo!

 Got kids? Come see St Thomas Aquinas Academy's show THE JUNGLE BOOK Friday March 26th at 7:00, Saturday 28th @ 7:00 and Sunday 1:00....free, but donations appreciated. Concessions available.

Words of Praise

I received this email from the Journal-Sentinel editor, and while it may seem like bragging, I feel the need to record the letter for posterity. The kind words made my day.

Dan, here’s a letter we received regarding your recession column. It was handwritten, but I’m typing it into this email so you can read it. It’s a nice one:

To whom it may concern:

This is just a brief note to thank both the Journal and Mr. Daniel Slap for his inspirational and upbeat letter which he wrote. Mr. Slap, a homeowner, husband and parent of four children, has been unemployed for nearly a year. Instead of the prevalent “poor me” rhetoric, he has retained his perspective, sense of humor and obviously a great faith.

He and his lovely wife of 14 years are a true inspiration to me. I have shared his letter with both family and friends.

I, too, have my issues: senior citizen, handicapped with a number of expensive medical issues. When I reread his courageous letter, I know that with people like him, he will ensure things will work out for all of us.

Thank you, Mr. Slap !

Sincerely,


Margaret - -

* * * * *

I also received this email, around the time of publication:

Dear Daniel,

Read your item in yesterday's MJS.

Content good. Relevance excellent.

But the prose--impeccable.

Quit looking for a job, start writing
a novel.

Stranger things have happened.

Sincerely,

Thomas P. R-

P:S: I am a published writer, so I know good
prose when I see it. Your line: "...bills began to
be paid in triage fashion..." is a winner!
Fond du Lac, WI

The Nerve

 I stopped at a gas station before work. After paying I turned around to leave, in the process throwing my shoulder into a woman who was close enough to reach in and tickle my prostate.She stumbled backward and down to one knee. I apologized and went through the motions of concern, but really - learn the value of personal space - how small of a turning radius did she expect a 300# man to have?

 A very Disney friendly AI tonight, no? Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas? We saved it on the DVR so the kids could watch and enjoy before school tomorrow. I enjoy watching professionals at work, and Joe's a pro; but Demi could use a little bit of tutoring.

A New Driver on the Road

 My nephew got his temps today, so I picked him up from the DMV, took him to St. Adalbert's cemetery and put him behind the wheel. By the time we left his driving was much smoother, and he learns fast. Congrats Jonah!

 I have proof that my parent's generation REALLY NEEDED SPELL CHECK in their everyday lives...... watching an old match game and one of the actors answers was, (and this is an exact spelling of what he had) FYRE STAY SHUN. WOW. - Lisa

Quote

 He who allows himself a rest will fade into oblivion - Vasari

 As usual, Junie was up at quarter to seven (AM) Only now, as we are on the verge of leaving for her weekly playgroup, has she fallen asleep for a nap. Which means I either wake her up and invite hell into my life, or disappoint Smiley, who gets off the school bus on Tuesdays yelling "Paygloop today?"

Dangnabbit. Smiley's at my elbow begging to go. Not gonna wake up Junie, I'm too tired to put up with her at the moment. As a sub for the playgroup I offered to take Smiley to the store later to replace some play-dough Junie ruined, but he just looked sad and said he didn't want anymore because Junie would just "woon it". Gotta find some way to rescue this day, I've wasted half of it already.

I've turned the day around (knock on wood) in the past four hours. Met up with my friend Tre & ran an errand with our kids, at long last had our van taken in for service, ironed out some bills, have a turkey & mashed potatoes cooking on the stove, and played w/ the kids outside. I even have a subject for a new article, which I hope to hammer out before the day is through. Yay Dan-Dan.

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He who allows himself a rest will fade into oblivion - Vasari

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American Idol pretty much sucked, didn't it? 3 things: Big Mike showed his dickiness by calling Miley "Hannah Montana"; Bowersox wasn't half as good as they gave her credit for, and I hope America keeps Tim Urban just to say FU to the judges. Going home: Urban or Paige.

 @ 2:30 I heard somebody mucking around downstairs & there was Junie, digging in the fridge. From that point until 4:45, she cried, screamed begged to go to the bathroom, & decided to 'read' in bed. Finally we erased nearly a decade of parenting rules and tossed her in bed w/ us, where she made a habit of shaking us awake whenever we nodded off. It was the worst night since, whew, probably since LuLu was a baby.

 I was undefriended, wow...I had no idea how bad that can feel....I don't think I'll ever defriend anyone. Well, unless you're like stalking me or something, lol. - Lisa

Not all republicans are racist or as my own brother so lovingly remarked "retarded", or rich, or any of the other adjectives thrown around. I've never made a broad statement about all democrats because I choose to judge people on an independent basis, too bad so many others don't offer my husband and I the same respect. -

Lisa

 Play practice is going swimingly, anyone going to bring their kids to come see it? - Lisa

 Ok, I know some of us disagree but 900 BILLION to cover 30 MILLION, doesn't that math bother more people then just me? Can I just have my "share" in cash please? lol.... Lisa

 Wife and kids are asleep, school clothes are in the dryer, house is a mess, got a aches where there shouldn't be aches, dreading the week to come. Gonna go put on the new Star Trek movie before bed and hope I can temp. break my FB addiction.