Words.
My Words.
Coming at you.
Whether you want them or not.
__________________
…or, if you prefer the long version:
I am not a philosopher, not a historian, nor properly trained intellectual. I am a middle-aged man who has read widely, traveled widely, raised a family, started, ran and sold a business, sustained a three decades-long-and-counting marriage, escaped major illness and loss, loved dogs, privacy and leisure. I have no special training, no unique abilities. I have struggled through life like everyone else who has inherited no family wealth, no special calling, no unique talent. I have a good head on my shoulders and I have endeavored to make it better. A constant goal has been to find the world more interesting than I fear it truly is. This requires an approach that is at once creative without fancy, pragmatic without rigidity, fun without folly. In the main, I have struggled to mold a life that, at any time, should it end abruptly, I could in those waning moments of consciousness, reflect that it–my life–has indeed been full and well-lived. Life has not always been an engaging endeavor, but even when it wasn’t, even when its veneer was found dull and common, I believed that in some fashion, if I searched thoroughly enough, dug sufficiently deep, I would realize it to be more than it appeared at first blush. This motive for a life of substance has not been a random nor cursory adventure. It has been orchestrated. I drew it, as best I was able, specific to the canvas of my life, idiosyncratic and tailor-made. As Montaigne asked, What do I know? I have attempted to know myself. That was the admonition of the Greeks and it still retains a profound timeliness. I have taken it to heart. Ultimately, it is all I have.
...the house I live in... 
That’s really good stuff Doug! When time permits I’d like to read more and offer some comments.
After reading your “about” section Doug, from a native Mainer; you deserve to remove the transplanted part of your mini-bio! The “need more quiet time than most; confuse wisdom and knowledge; miss the summer lakes of my youth; love the smell of a pine grove” makes it official.
D – Thanks, that is quite an invitation, and an honor too. When I moved to Maine a year ago next month, it was as if I’d come home at last. Not least of all, I haven’t been out of the country, nor felt the need to travel, since coming to Maine. I have reached my destination. Home.
Doug, just stumbled this afternoon into your blog by way of The Millions, which I stumbled into yesterday. I may comment there on your essay “Literature is a Manner of Completing Ourselves” later, when finished with that. Anyway, love your blog design. I’ve been thinking of moving my stuff from Blogspot to WordPress, if not too difficult. Happy reading!
sitting here in west africa and stumbled upon your blog. Nice!! Are you a fan of David James Duncan. I didn’t see any tags.
Cheers
Michael ~ Thanks for stopping in. No, I’ve not read David James Duncan. A quick google search makes me think I need to however. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.
Sitting in Southern Maine.
D
You mention things like the Geodetic Effect and I am wondering if you ever read anything by Roger Penrose? Besides being in the same class as a Stephen Hawking, his most recent book, The Road to Reality, is a physics book that I think that is supposed to be really worth a look, more philosophical than pure science. Penrose always holds some interesting views on the inflationary universe and the human consciousness that may sometimes be unpopular and unproven but there maybe is something there. I haven’t seen The Road to Reality myself; I understand it is more of a project than anything else, but one worth undertaking. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t know the first thing about quantum mechanics except that is two words and not one and I’m not suggesting Penrose is writer that compares to the authors you often mention; but that is apples and oranges. Also quantum mechanics just doesn’t seem to be the most practical topic and maybe more of a religion in the way that it is only discussed by others in the congregation who read the relevant books; but do you think it holds anything that is more than just math equations and physics, and if it does, what is it’s place in all of this? Thanks
Dear kvnpete ~ Thanks for your question(s). Funny, I woke up this morning at 4:30 thinking about it. I guess I should thank you for that–but a man does need his sleep. But then, really, now that I think on it, I’ll have forever to “sleep” now is the time to talk.
I think your final question, “what is [quantum mechanics] place in all of this?” is the big one. I can’t speak to modern–or ancient–physics with any hint of authority. But I can talk, albeit briefly, on the place of these ideas in the scheme of things. It’s an important topic in the history of ideas and I think I’ll work it out in a post rather than here. Other “house” members would appreciate it who might miss your insightful comment otherwise.
Stay tuned.–and thanks for keeping the wheels turning. I appreciate where you’re coming from.
D
Thanks for the follow! Did I already invite you to join our merry band of Book Bloggers? Check out the page on my banner and let me know 🙂
I was recently nominated for Versatile Blogger and Most Inspiring Blogger and, if you’re interested, I would like to pass them on to you. Thanks for writing such a creative blog, and I hope you’ve managed to dig out from under all that snow.
Thanks, Cassandra. You’re very kind.
And yes, we’re digging out. It was fun while it lasted. Thanks for stopping by “…the house…“
Just found your blog . I am attempting to know myself. What a journey !!
Becki
Becki ~ Welcome to “…the house…” and thank you for stopping in. I read your biography on your blog and I’m sorry that you’ve had to suffer through some of the things you’ve experienced. I applaude your resilience. That is no small thing.
Welcome to the tribe.
d
Thank you. I look forward to following your blog
Have you ever written a novel? Just out of curiosity?
I’ve tried–on a couple of occasions. If you keep combing through the posts you’ll find one somewhere where I talk about it. I just can’t seem to keep the momentum for the long-haul. In the past, when trying to write a novel, I find myself going off on a little side project–an essay, always an essay–and losing interest in the novel project. I’ve come to realize–and appreciate–that as a writer, I’m a one-trick pony. This is it, me talking, and I don’t think it’s every going to change. Thanks for asking.
You sound a bit like myeself 🙂 and thank you for subscribing to my blog. I hope that you will find what you’re looking for.
Thanks for stopping by “…the house….” Not so much “looking for” …but perhaps more “looking at.” (I think.)
This is a note from Phoenix, Arizona. I was born in late October; I understand “Know Thyself” and have been searching for the right person to discuss a project I have been working on since last November. I would like that person to be you.
My idea is expressed through software and fact- and data sets but it really is about right relations and right conduct.
If you would write an email to let me know how and when I could contact you, I would breathe easier.