One of These Things is not Like the Other

Have you ever noticed that when you are trying to get to know someone, that you think you might like, you look for similarities between them and yourself?

Have you ever noticed that when you think about someone you don't like, you focus on the differences between them and yourself?

We all have one thing in common, we are searching for happiness.

I know this is not directly related to the Peace Corps, it was just something that was on my mind.

No change on the Peace Corps front yet, I am still waiting to hear about my medical clearance -- its sounds like most of the Africa nominees are having to wait a long time...

A Tribute to Howard Everyman

I watch the people that our society pays tribute to, and I wish we would make more room for people like Howard Everyman.

Howard did not grow up to be a doctor or a lawyer. I'm not even sure what his job was, or if he even had one -- I guess it wasn't that important to him.

Howard didn't have a big house or even a shiny car. I'm not sure exactly where he lived, or even how he got around -- I guess that did't matter too much to him.

The interesting thing about Howard was that he was happy, more happy than most. He was so happy that it readily spilled over to the random people that happened to be near him. Howard rejoiced in his life, caring for the things inside of himself, so much so that it was easy to care for others.

When someone asked Horward how he could be so happy, he would usually say:

"One day I decided to see how little it would take for me to be happy.

I found that when I had less, there was more for others, and in some strange twist, the less I had the less I wanted, and the more I saw life as it truely was -- short and wonderous."

RPCV Photo Collection

A friend of my sent me a link to a photo collection being put together by Dan MacLaughlin. The collection is a neat set of photos taken by returned Peace Corps volunteers while they were in their host country.

The portion of the collection on the web displays pictures from 1966 - 2004.

• Photo Collection I
• Photo Collection II

Dan, thanks for letting me post links to your pics!

It's Not Logical

Ok, well its not in the least bit logical, but for some reason I feel like I will get my medical clearance soon. Or maybe its just that I have stopped worrying about it. Either way, somehow the mental pressure about getting medical clearance has been reduced -- go figure -- emotions sure can be strange things!

Jay.

Who Knows What Happens Next?

I don't have anything particular to write about tonight. I am just in the mood to write -- so I'll write about reading!

I am reading the book "The Story of B". It's sort of a sequel to "Ishmael" (which I also read recently). Both books are by Daniel Quinn.

I am gaining a new perspective of modern cultures as I read these books. Quinn gives a very interesting explanation of how we came to view the world as "ours to shape and control".

He is very good at pointing out aspects of modern culture that are surprisingly obvious to me now, and completely unnoticed by me before.

I wonder where this new perspective will lead me.