The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Last night I thought I would get all duded up and visit some co-bloggers. I mean, why not? However, I got a call from my youngest teenage daughter saying she wanted to talk with me.

She’s an apples and oranges freak so I went to the local supermarket and got some apples and oranges. Buy the way, the local Thriftways are having a sale on apples and oranges.

I have a chess set on one of my tables and if you want to discuss the latest news you have to make a move.

My youngest daughter doesn’t like this too much because like she told me, “If people find out I know how to play chess, they’ll think I’m a geek, like you Dad. Guys don’t like geeks.”

I hate to think I ruined my daughter’s social life because I played her a game of chess, but if a measly game of chess can ruin a social life, then what the hell.

Then my eldest teenage daughter came over and I told her, “I suppose if I play you a game of chess, then I’ll ruin your social life, right?”

She said, “No. I wouldn’t let you ruin my social life, but I’ll play you a game of chess anyway.”

While I was playing chess with my daughters (not at the same time) I managed to sneak in a few mindless parent questions. The TV was set on one of those seemingly ubuquitous news channels.

I asked them their opinion of the Schiavo situation. Surprisingly, they said they didn’t know enough to make a definite statement. I’ve been following the situation on the news and I don’t know enough to make a statement, but I do know this. There is a lot of vitriol being thrown about and most of it is nonsensical.

The culture of death

I’ve heard the term “Culture of Death” being bandied about because of the Schiavo case. This is ridiculous. There is no culture of death among most Americans. If you’re in a gang there’s probably a “culture of control” in which killing people accomplishes something, but this whole idea that the liberal establishment is into a culture of death is ridiculous.

Back to a statement that’s been bugging me. My youngest teenage daughter said, “I don’t want to be a geek like you, Dad.”

I realize there is a culture and age gap between us, but what is wrong with learning and knowing stuff and when did it beoome an unpopular thing to do?

What makes this post relevant to Portland? I thought I would never get around to asking or answering that question. Our good senator, Senor Wyden, is said to be among those who are in “The Culture of Death”.

To say that about a person who has helped the elderly and others is hyperbole. You may disagree with his politics, but don’t falsely accuse him of nonsense.

Related posts:

1. The best laid plans…
2. Security guards in high schools
3. If you need plans for Thursday too…
4. Go Ducks (or Get Over It, Sooners)!
5. Got a brown coat? Got plans Friday night?