h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sunday, October 31.

"One man's creativity is another's brain damage."

- Roland Fischer

No comment.

Monday, November 1.

"The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

- L.P. Jacks

On the other hand, pessimists are rarely disappointed.

My mother is one of the glass half empty sorts who always expects the worst. Drives me crazy. I can't live like that.

You see the glass half full. I wanna know who drank half my beer!

I'm more -- I just see a glass which has the potential for fullness or not fullness.

Ah, then you need one of these: http://www.kleinbottle.com/drinking_mug_klein_bottle.htm

Since it technically only has one surface, its inside is its outside as well and therefore is neither easily described as full nor empty.

That's .

I don't think I've reached the state, but I'm getting closer all the time. I stay on a pretty even keel most of the time. And I'm learning to recognize how counter-productive my darker moods are. Progress is being made.

That Klein mug is way , but a tad pricey -- for that, I'd want it to self replenish! At least, fetch my slippers...

Yea, and they're a to clean.

Maybe you need a moebius strip bottle brush?

Or at least a prehensile bottle brush.

I'm an optimist (glass half full).

I take out joy/excitement/pleasure in advance.

If I succeed, I get to eperience the joy etc. once more.

If I fail, I've at least achieved happyness once.

Success: happiness x 2
Failure: happiness x 1, grief x 1

A pessimist takes out grief/worry/remorse in advance.

Success = misery x 1, happiness x 1

(although I've rarely seen pessimists happy even when they succeed)

Failure = misery x 2

I'm an enemy of false dichotomies.

I find the glass metaphor inadequate.

I happen to think that thoughts are creative. Expect bad things or worry constantly about the worst outcome to a situation and that's what you'll attract.


Tuesday, November 2.

"Look at a man in the midst of doubt and danger and you will learn in his hour of adversity what he really is."

- Lucretius

That quote had me scrambling to find Lincoln's:

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Good one! That has a lot of truth. But so does Lucretius. I know people who fall apart and don't function well during times of stress. Also people who blame every misfortune on some outside force - boss, mother, president, pick your scapegoat of choice. They turn themselves into victims and martyrs and then wallow in it. I include the women who make a career out of widowhood in this group. Yes, I'm talking about someone I know. *sigh*

I can see where that would be frustrating. I know the type.