Impressions

On the metro this morning and suddenly found myself thinking about all the different interpretations of the word "impression." We use it to describe a physical mark that is left behind, a mental note of a person and their presence or words, a period of artistic works, and in today's technologically savvy world for website (new AP spelling - one word, no cap - sorry Brandon) promotions.

How is it that a word so rich in visualization and emotional content- we all can imagine a situation or person or words that made an "impression" on us - be denigrated to describe a sidebar advertisement for a website. Just an observation on the adaptability and downgrading of the English language. I guess they couldn't use "browse"....

Dogs and Guns

Two morning thoughts - dogs and guns.....and what would this be all about? I was walking the girls this morning and as on most of our walks, they were sniffing around and taking all the sights and scents in. I was reminded that dogs live for the moment - not the one that past, not the one two minutes from now - but for the right this second immediacy. They don't worry about what awaits them at the office nor do they fret about office politics or what projects are late. I would say there are some advantages.....

Now for guns, big gun rights rallies happening this day in DC and VA - Patriots' Day, marking the beginning of the Revolutionary War. I don't like guns - never have, never will. I believe that the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms is an unfortunate holdover from times gone by. I believe the gun lobby is far too powerful and that guns of all types - handguns, AK-47s, etc - are far too easy to obtain. I don't believe that anyone's personal safety would be compromised if guns were removed from households. Registered guns for hunting purposes I don't have an issue with but one doesn't need machine guns to kill a defenseless animal.

I grew up in a small town in CT, no street lights, no sidewalks, lots of woods - and yes, we had hunters during deer season - not my thing. So what's the connection between my dogs and the gun rallies - dogs live in this moment without regard to what's next while gun advocates in enumerating their reasons for needing a gun live in a future of "what ifs." Do people on a daily basis truly encounter terrorizing incidents or are they projecting their insecurities of living in the moment onto an inanimate object? always wondering where the house robber or bank heist will happen. A gun doesn't make you secure. You make yourself secure. Just like the dog walking down the street senses what's happening, we humans have the same ability. Maybe we should have a rally for self-security without a deadly weapon......I don't think many would attend. I'd bring my over-friendly dogs.

Just what the world needs, someone else with an opinion! Let's start by agreeing that what I write is from my perspective and my inappropriate sense of humor. I look forward to sharing my random thoughts (is it possible to have ADD when writing?) and creating a space where

odd and random is celebrated and encouraged