Word for the day....nihilism

Whatever could I be thinking about when I use this word? Bobby Jindal's response to Obama's speech last night. I could also add a few other words: oblivious, deaf....

nihilism
One entry found.

Main Entry:
ni·hil·ism
Pronunciation:
\ˈnī-(h)ə-ˌli-zəm, ˈnē-\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
German Nihilismus, from Latin nihil nothing — more at nil
Date:
circa 1817

1 a: a viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless b: a doctrine that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths

2 a: a doctrine or belief that conditions in the social organization are so bad as to make destruction desirable for its own sake independent of any constructive program or possibility bcapitalized : the program of a 19th century Russian party advocating revolutionary reform and using terrorism and assassination


— ni·hil·ist \-list\ noun or adjective
— ni·hil·is·tic \ˌnī-(h)ə-ˈlis-tik, ˌnē-\ adjective

Click here to hear it pronounced

Great photos from Callie Shell

One of the best photographers for Time Magazine Callie Shell. She does some great photo essays.

It is really happening!

Inauguration day. What a day. I took the entire day off. A knitting buddy, Mr. I and I watched the events unfold. An amazing day.

Day of Service

I worked all day and was unable to volunteer anywhere. However, I heard that it went well. People came from everywhere to volunteer because Obama asked them to. This is a very good thing.

When I'm around many of my friends, they don't get the inspiration at all. They think Obama is a joke and the whole movement is stupid. I think they don't even know there is a movement. But then, many of my friends are just not that interested in change. Most of them have health insurance, they currently have jobs so they don't see the need to be involved. One would think that I was speaking of people who are young and uninvolved....no, they are over 50 and uninvolved. And there you go. They are really good people and good friends...I just don't understand and they just think I'm impressionable, flighty and carried away.

Anyway, I'm very grateful that I am still living to see this time. I'm inspired to do something. I run a business so sometimes I just don't have structured time off, but there has to be a few things I can do to participate.

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher have a new video "I Pledge". I'm trying to figure out what I can pledge. Tomorrow, I pledge to witness history. I took the day off to make sure that I see every minute that I can. I can't be in D.C., but I am going to be watching it all.

I'll work on my future pledges. I'll try to just keep blogging. It does my mind good even if no one sees it.

Here is the video:

Happy New Year!

2009 is going to be fine....

I hope.

Spelling

Has anyone out there noticed that with all this blogging going on, spelling seems to be a lost art? Perfectly wonderful writers are not immune to the errors. I know the information is being posted faster than any editor can read it. That makes the information really raw and timely...but I'm concerned that writers are trying to get their point posted too quickly and forgetting to hit the spellcheck button.

Jsut oen grils oppinoin!

Exercises for your Brain

I was reading my old standby, The Huffington Post and ran across this great article.

12 Exercises for your brain:

1. Spend an hour each day without saying anything except in answer to direct questions, in the midst of the usual group, without creating the impression that you're sulking or ill. Be as ordinary as possible. But do not volunteer remarks or try to draw out information.


2. Think for 30 minutes a day about one subject exclusively. Start with five minutes.


3. Write a letter without using the words I, me, mine, my.


4. Talk for 15 minutes a day without using I, me, my, mine.


5. Write a letter in a "successful" or placid tone. No misstatements, no lying. Look for aspects or activities that can be honestly reported that way.


6. Pause on the threshold of any crowded room and size it up.


7. Keep a new acquaintance talking about himself or herself without allowing him to become conscious of it. Turn back any courteous reciprocal questions in a way that your auditor doesn't feel rebuffed.


8. Talk exclusively about yourself and your interests without complaining, boasting, or boring your companions.


9. Cut "I mean" or "As a matter of fact" or any other verbal mannerism out of your conversation.


10. Plan two hours of a day and stick to the plan.


11. Set yourself twelve tasks at random: e.g., go twenty miles from home using ordinary conveyance; go 12 hours without food; go eat a meal in the unlikeliest place you can find; say nothing all day except in answer to questions; stay up all night and work.


12. From time to time, give yourself a day when you answer "yes" to any reasonable request.

If you'd like to read a more lengthy explanation of the twelve disciplines, or about Brande's explanation for these exercises, go here and search for Chapter 11 - Twelve Disciplines.