Nothing to Say these Days...

The inspiration just isn't coming to me these days.

Sunday night I sat down to blog about poker. I was going to pull some profound analogies, but they just weren't happening. In the last week, I have played three games of poker (and before you report me to the pastor, I don't play for money) and lost every time. Usually, I can hold my own at games, but I haven't quite caught on to poker yet. Sunday I had the win in my grasp, but the combination of my oh-so-great poker face and lack of aggression cost me the win. It was a tragic loss, too. I thought I had more chips than the other guy. He pulled me all in. With pocket jacks, I had to do it. He had a 10-9 suited. Then the flop contained a 10 and a 9. He had two pair. Then as I was counting my chips to give him what I owed, it turned out we were exactly even. And it was over. Next time, I suppose. Maybe I'll try to pull out the "I've got pocket Aces" face when I've got a 2-7 off-suit or something.

Tuesday night I sat down to blog about refugees. That evening I had gone to see "Lost Boys of Sudan" at the social justice film festival (http://social-justice-now.blogspot.com) and it would make for some good blog material. But the truth is that I didn't really take what I was supposed to from the movie. All I could think was that we need to work on the problems that are causing these people to be displaced. Why should they have to leave Africa to come live here? More and more I think they've got it more together than we do. Obviously there are problems - food and water and health are important. But they have values that seem to surpass our own. People are so much more important there.

Then tonight I just sat down to write, and this is take two. I think I'll keep it.

Life and Love and Why

Is the title of one of my favourite Switchfoot songs. And since I had nothing on my mind when I started this blog entry, I borrowed it as a title.

Since I talk about Switchfoot a lot, I figured that maybe it would be good to talk about why I like them.

First of all, I like their sound. It's rocky, but melodic, with great guitar riffs. And Jon Foreman's voice just has a great raw quality to it.

But, beyond that, I like their message. Many have accused them of "selling out," but I just don't understand how anyone could read that from their lyrics. Since leaving the exclusively "Christian" industry, they've gained a greater voice and become even more vocal about social justice and the problems of materialism in society. The last time I saw them in concert, they encouraged us to do what we can and use our voices to affect change. They challenge the status quo and call their listeners to "live for so much more."

Anyway, time is up and I must be going. But take a look at their site: www.switchfoot.com or their mySpace: www.mySpace.com/switchfoot. Jon Foreman is one of the most poetic writers I know.

It's Time for a New Blog

Unfortunately, I've got nothing to write about.

Then I got distracted and now it's time for bed.

invisible children

Well... After what I saw tonight, I commited to blog at the very least.

To be honest, I don't know where to start. I suppose that somehow in our world of overabundance, we are lulled into this sense that there isn't suffering out there. OR, if there is, that someone's "on it" already, taking care of the problem. I mean, isn't that what the UN Peacekeepers are for?

But it isn't true. There are problems in this world that AREN'T being addressed. And, to be fair, it's because the situations are complex. What can I do about child soldiers in Uganda? I mean really, it's overwhelming. Even more, what could I encourage someone else to do? There is no magical solution. The problems are complex, so the solutions will be as well.

So, I could easily be lulled into apathy. Most of the time I can just suppress the knowledge that there are people suffering. And I think most of us do that, appeasing our consciences with trifle donations to organizations that are doing something.

Is that okay? To quote my favourite band: "We were meant to live for so much more, have we lost ourselves?"

More, I think, is required of us. Invisible Children (www.invisiblechildren.com) is raising awareness of the poverty in northern Uganda that results from fear of being abducted and brainwashed into fighting for rebel forces. Children aged 5 - 12 are being forced to kill.

The most significant thing to me tonight was seeing that these are real children. We often dismiss those living in poverty as being somehow adjusted to their situations. But in a raw documentary, I heard them talk about how they listen to Tupac and dream of being doctors and lawyers but can't afford the school fees. Their situations may be different, but they are still people.

So, what to do. I blog because we need to raise awareness. If we keep thinking about it, learning more about it, and talking to others, we may come up with a solution.

What I suggest from here is to become aware. I highly recommend seeing the film "Invisible Children." It does lead to more questions, but it's worth seeing.

This is about more than just child soldiers in Uganda, though. How can we practically care for our fellow human beings who are suffering?

Right now, I have no answers. But let's at least keep thinking about it.

Trust Theory

Tonight I have no deep thoughts. It's just that I was involved in a very long conversation today about blogging and realized that it's been almost two weeks since I posted.

So, I'd better come up with something profound.

I'd like to open up a forum in the comments section on the subject of trusting God. And I don't want to to be a cliche discussion where we throw out verses, such as "well, in Prov. 3:5,6 it says to trust God, and He will direct your paths." Real-life examples only.

The question is: can we really trust God? And I know that my even asking it almost sounds blasphemous, because the "right" answer is "of course." But what about the real life answer... As I write this, I can think of dozens of stories of times when God lead me down paths where I didn't really know what was going on, but He pulled amazing things out of it.

But, the reason for the question, is that I can also think of times when I thought I was following God's direction, and I trusted Him, and I got burned for it. Was I wrong to trust Him? Or are we not at the end of the story yet?

Yes, I know what the "right" answers are, but I need the heart answers. Share your stories here about times when it took a really long time for God to show you what He was doing. Is there a time in your life that something really terrible happened, and you hurt for a long time, but then God redeemed the situation and did something really amazing? Something that never would have happened if the sucky thing hadn't happened?

In my head, I know that it's worth it to trust God, but as I'm heading toward another crossroad in my life, I'm hesitant to wait for His leading, because I feel like I can handle things on my own.

But, would that lead to, what someone called today, a "default existence?"

Can we experience true joy without completely trusting God?

Well, feel free to comment. Or maybe I'm the only one who struggles to trust Him.

Bias disguised as objectivity

One thing I can't handle is when people say they are being objective (and maybe actually think they are!) but are actually biassed.

Let's face it... we're ALL biassed, and there is no such thing as an objective view. There is a business decision making theory that handles this quite nicely, and it's called "bounded rationality." The premise is that a person can't know everything, so they go with what they know and make the best decision.

Really, that's how we have to live. Because if we were continually hung up on getting every detail, we'd never move forward. But if we blindly think they we are the wisest of the wise and know everything there is to know... well, that just leads to problems. There are things we CAN'T know.

Even more, there are things we can't know that we don't know. (I can't say it any better, if it doesn't make sense, just read it over again ;) )

All this was prompted by two events. 1) The other day, I actually heard someone say, "I know more than most people." I couldn't believe it. To quote Napoleon Dynamite - "Like anyone could even know that." Anyway, this world is a dangerous place if there are people who think themselves wiser than they are. 2) Reading the Da Vinci Code. It's a good book, great story, and the history part of it was quite interesting. BUT, it took historical facts and mixed them with bias disguised as fact, which lead to lies. Now, this may not sound like a bad thing, since it IS a fictional work and doesn't pretend to be otherwise. But, if I describe something, like a paining, and get every detail about the painting right, then say that the artist who painted it was someone different than it actually was... most people who think the artist was who I said. And I think that's a problem.

Anyway, this has gone on longer than I meant to. I'm feeling cynical these days because I'm tired... As nice as it is not to be in school and doing assignments and stuff, it's tough to adjust to this new schedule.

The Poison we readily consume...

We are poisoned.

Evidence of this poison surrounds me. My room is currently in a very messy state. What is it that causes this mess? It is remnants of things I once thought important enough to accumulate which now serve as nothing more than obstacles between my bed, my desk, my closet and my door. Part of it is just part of my laziness in tidying up, but it paints quite the picture. Newspapers, still-unpacked suitcases, books, shopping bags... they all fill the floor. It's just STUFF. Stuff that was once important enough to make it into my room, but now lies discarded.

My gym clothes lie in a heap as well. Yet more evidence of our poisoned lifestyles. Someone once pointed it out that we eat so much that we then have to run in place to work off the fat. It's true. I spend half an hour each day running in place on the cross-trainer, accomplishing nothing more than burning calories and maybe building up some muscle. And I would think it weird if there weren't dozens of other ladies at the gym doing the same thing. Often I have to stand in line to do nothing more than run in place. What is it about our lifestyle that we find it so vital to consume more calories than we will naturally burn, then spend valuable time running in place? And yes, I am definitely more conscious of my caloric intake these days, but the whole running in place really represents years and years of too many calories. And I'm not the only one who struggles. Child seats are no longer big enough for many children. Obesity has reached EPIC proportions. "They" say it is an epidemic.

We gear our lives towards success and financial independence. We chase after our dreams - whether it be owning that first home, driving a nice car, earning the next promotion at work or getting on the dean's list. Our culture has taught us that happiness comes with success. And we hunger for success. I definitely include myself in this we... My skin has broken out more than usual as it is final exam time, and final time is stressful... why? Because I feel such a strong need to achieve, to somehow prove my worth as an academic.

And I'm not saying that these things in and of themselves are bad... But what are we losing in the pursuit? How many a businessman or even a pastor, has left a wife and children to run off with another woman? How many families period have broken up in this pursuit of success? How many diseases have resulted as a consequence to our over-achieving lifestyle? How many kids have suffered self-esteem or other damage in an attempt to live up to these expectations?

It makes me sad that there is not a single famous Hollywood marriage that has stayed together. And movie stars, they've got everything... talent, money, fame... But they can't maintain what is really important.

We "first-world" Westerners are NOT living the good life.

And we spread this poison. This materialism, this drive for sucess at all costs... It reaches to the third world and pours salt into the wound of their genuine poverty.

And I wish I could ignore it. Because I think that success - the way we have come to define it - is within my grasp. But what horror it would be to achieve it, then realize it's empty.

So, I don't know what to suggest. But, here's a start... a link to the blog my friend Ruth set up to promote her social justice film festival. http://social-justice-now.blogspot.com

No more exams, please... (I wish)

So, I've finally finished 3 exams and only have one to go... which means I will be done in no more than 25 hours.

Unfortunately, I also have to study for my accounting exam because rumour has it that there are a lot of theory type questions... So, while I can crunch numbers without taking an accounting course, this final requires me to actually KNOW something.

But, I'm tired of studying and tired of exams and really wish I could just fast-forward my life to a time when I'm not literally in the middle of exams.

Today's exam was ESPECIALLY frustrating because it was multiple choice, but the answers were so ambiguous! I spent my weekend memorizing theories and names of important people, but the exam tested minutiae. Which is dumb, because what kind of manager would you rather have - one who knew that Buzz Hargrove was the president of the Auto Worker's Union during the filming of the video "Final Offer" or one who knew Vroom's Expectancy Theory, and consequently that the important part of motivation was to offer rewards that were valued?

ANYWAY... It's over now and I have to wait and see if I picked enough of the most right answers.

Accounting, you're next.

Problem with Capitalism...

The biggest problem with capitalism is that there are people who get left behind and there is no good way to deal with them.

The government certainly does not have the answers - they may think they do, but millions of dollars of red tape later...

And of course, there is the not-for-profit sector, but often the problems they face are out of their control, and it can be difficult to improve things within the "system" of capitalism.
So, I would like to propose an idea for all of the big corporations out there (yes, all of you who read my blog ;) ). I really think that corporations need to take on more social responsibility. Let's take, for example, Nike. Now, I just want to say that I do not want to start a child labour debate... the issue here is that Nike goes into communities and provides jobs... which should impove the quality of life... But, why can't they go one step further and actually undertake community development work? The cost to them would be so marginal, and it would improve their reputation.

One story that we heard in my ORG A 201 class is about how 3M was working on a drug that was supposed to do something for cows, but they discovered in the process that it could help with a major epidemic amongst humans in Africa. After they found that there was no way to profit from the drug (the people who needed it couldn't afford it and there was no government that would subsidize the cost), they just donated it. And, when they found there was need to distribute the drug, they covered those costs, too.

Why can't more companies do that? The 3M story tells me that is is possible...

So, that's my rant, of sorts. Corporations need to pick up the slack on social responsibility.

Not a Rant...

So, the rant is still coming, but I am currently house-sitting a place with no Internet connection and actually am spending some time studying for exams... (Although, trust me, if I had easier access to the Internet, this would be the sixth post of the week, undoubtedly)

If you get a rant before May 8, be happy.

Corporate North America

Here it is, the long awaited rant...

The truth is that I am hesitant to share my views because they are popular with neither the left- nor the right-wingers, and while I have no problem ticking off the left-wingers, I consider myself to be rather conservative. But here goes...

Capitalism and democracy work because they are the only systems that take into account human nature. Other systems, such as dictatorship and communism, depend very heavily on goodwill and good intentions of both the leaders, and the general public.

I am not naturally an altruistic person. My natural inclination is NOT to put the needs of others ahead of myself. Capitalism says, "that's fine, but here's an incentive to do so." For example, if a baker makes bread to sell, his motivation is to make some more money than it cost him to make the bread. If his bread sucks, people will stop buying it, and then he can't make money. Likewise, if he puts sawdust in the bread, people will find out, and they will stop buying it. So, rather than having a special bread-checker come around each morning, the baker is kept in check by his own greed. And that's how capitalism works... each seller of a good or service produces a quality good because that's the best way to make money.

Any other system won't work because it assumes that people NATURALLY look out for the good of others. And if we, as generally good people, know that is not the natural way for US, how can we trust everyone else to naturally look out for our interests?

Since my blogs sometimes get too long, I will continue this at a later time... But that is my defense of capitalism. [And, on a side note, the reason democracy works, to quote Jon Foreman of Switchfoot... "You see, I believe in democracy because I mistrust all humanity equally, (including myself). Power corrupts us all and we become political, (in the worst connotation of the word). We become simply pawns of our own insatiable hunger for control. Maybe control is a myth, like Santa Claus or the easter bunny: a nice fable that makes the children want to be good all year round. Well, seems to me there's a monster in all of us. I pledge allegiance to a nation without borders, without pride, without politicians like ourselves" - from http://www.switchfoot.com/musicmain.htm]

Stay tuned for the problems of capitalism.

The Beauty of Disappointment

*Disclaimer: the important stuff starts in the third paragraph after this one. The first two are just background.

There are a million things on my mind that I could blog about, but for some reason, this one made the cut. And I'm not sure why, because I haven't experienced any devastating disappointment lately... but I digress.

Perhaps it is because it is a gloriously dreary day today. Rainy days are supposed to be a negative thing, think "rainy day fund" or "rain cheque"... but I really enjoy them. So, I think that's what has put me in the mood for this topic.

I think that what makes failure so satisfying is that you've hit rock bottom, but you're still okay. Realizing your worst fears, but then discovering that the only thing left is to learn from them and move on. That nothing has really changed.

Just a totally random thought.

Stay tuned for a rant on the evils of Corporate North America and what I intend to do about it...

Gilmore Quotes

"If we don’t answer everything accurately, the Harvard police will come and hit you with an Atlas and say something mean in Latin."
- Lorelai to Rory on the day the Harvard application came (when Rory didn't want to use "Droopy Drawers" as a nickname)

"Do they let kids drink coffee before school?" - Luke
"Why, do you think it might lead to harder stuff... lattes, cappucinos?" - Rory's response

Oh the church...

*sigh*

Somehow I feel moderately wound up, and I want to unwind, but I don't really know what exactly it is that is bothering me.

We really enjoy judging each other. Whether it's out and out judging ("how could you have a baby out of wedlock?" hehehe, side note: "wedlock... now that's a word you don't hear very often these days" - Lorelai Gilmore in response to a distant relative) or the subtle judgment of others' motives and intentions, we just enjoy judging. And let's be honest... we ALL do it.

And no one person has the answers. If someone did, we wouldn't have the problems.

This is all quite cryptic, I'm sure. But I get so frustrated with myself sometimes. I'll get into discussions and I must win. I must get my point across. And it would be easier to concede if every other person didn't also have the same agenda. And if I didn't feel they were judging me for their misinterpretation of my opinion.

So, the point is... let's just stop judging other people. And let's stop judging those whom we think judge. And let's stop judging the opinions of others. And... let's stop judging those who we think don't understand our opinions.

You first...

More on Poverty

Once again yesterday I was reminded that the "solutions" to poverty are much more complex than the uninformed person (i.e. me) can comprehend.

In ECON 101 (Intro to Microeconomics), we learn the pitfalls of minimum wage. Basically, if the minimum wage is set at a "binding" level (i.e. above the "market" level), then unemployment results because more people are willing to work at that wage than employers are willing to employ.

And, while I will still argue that minimum wage is irrelevant in Alberta (but don't pick a bone on that one with me, because it would be a mute point) since you can earn significantly over minimum wage even working at McDonalds (and let's be serious, would Mickey D's ever not hire someone?), there are still people working at levels that they can't afford to live on.

For example, I heard that if "affordable housing" is defined as that which costs about 30% of one's income, then one would have to work at $12/hour, 40 hours/week in order to be able to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Edmonton.

So what do you do? I would strongly advocate AGAINST at $12/hour minimum wage, because there are many people working part-time (i.e. high school students, spouses) or who are not the sole wage-earners in their families. But, what do you do about the people who don't work in jobs that pay $12 an hour? That's where affordable housing initiatives come in... but are those a good long-term solution?

Furthermore, I was a strong supporter of the $400 prosperity rebate issued to me by the government. It paid for my Reading Week vacation. But, for about half of what it cost to issue those cheques, the government could have set up a fund that supported the school lunch programs across the province in perpetuity. (Perpetuity, for all those of you who don't have to suffer through Finance 301, means that the interest each year would support the program, forever.) Well, I would be selfish to take that $400 when it could mean hungry kids would get lunch... forever.

BUT... I'm sure there are many, many charities around the province who could think of something to do with a fund in perpetuity. Not to mention university students who would whole-heartedly support a scholarship fund and health care supporters who would also support a fund.

So, the answers to that aren't easy either.

And, finally... the last thing that has me turned upside-down. I always thought a booming economy was a good thing. And, it probably is for an educated, brilliant soon-to-be university graduate like me. And I always just assumed that since we like booming economies, they are good for everyone.

But, I've been learning that the gap between rich and poor is increasingly widening. Units that were originally being set aside to be turned into affordable housing are being sold off as condos. And... well, to be honest, I don't know why the gap widens. I thought booming economy meant lots of jobs, meaning less unemployment and people having more money. But there are those who fall between the cracks.

Anyway, these are just some thoughts. I used to have all the solutions to the world's problems figured out, but not so much anymore. To quote Switchfoot, "the more we learn, the less we know." It's so true.

Reflections

Tonight sleep eludes me. And rather than being stressed about it, I made myself a cup of mint tea and sat down to blog.

You'd think that an inability to sleep would be accompanied by some brilliant insights and poetic prose, but the truth is that I've got nothing. I spent some time reading the blog of my friend Sarah (http://sparrowanne.blogspot.com) who's in Thailand right now and it made me feel... peacefully and ponderfully melancholy. (Can you be ponderful?) For some time now, I've felt a burden for those who suffer around the world, and Sarah has been able to see them, talk to them and tell their stories.

The solutions are not simple. Poverty is an illness with deep, deep roots. The causes are complex and diverse. But, more importantly, it is a big part perspective. To thrust North American culture on any people group would be a grave evil, I feel. We look at those who suffer from malnutrition, illiteracy and poverty and say, "you should be like us, we'll help." But they look at us, suffering from materialism, greed and obesity... We don't have it all together either.

But at least we have options. And I think the goal to alleviate poverty should be that... to give people options.

Of course, I talk as someone who has never experienced it firsthand. The closest I come to "the poor" is whiny university students complaining about another tuition increase which is going to be covered by the government anyway.

It's easy to come up with solutions to problems that don't affect you and that you don't understand. But while I feel mostly powerless over here in my comfy chair at my fancy computer, I still feel convicted.

What's a girl to do?

Joshua Harris, I blame you!

Since we live in a culture of blame, I've decided to blame my single status on none other than Joshua Harris, who started the entire anti-dating revolution.

Here's my logic:

- When I was younger, I decided not to date. I decided that it would be truly wonderful if the first guy I kissed was the guy I married.

- Although I knew deep down that I couldn't expect that the first guy I dated would be the one I married, it still put a lot of pressure on me in my choices.

- This part is going to be confusing, so bear with me. I only wanted to date someone I could marry. I don't know anyone well enough right now (or at any time in the past) to decide that I could marry them. Therefore, I could date no one.

- However, rather than being conscious of this thinking, I simply sent out "stay away!" vibes.

And now it's too late.

It's not even spring yet...

Since it seems I've been having many conversations about love and romance lately, I figure I should just tackle it in my blog rather than shy away from the topic.

I don't know why the topic has been so prevalent. I was at a friend's birthday party on Saturday night and when I returned from the washroom, the topic had turned to "prying into people's personal lives" and I was put on the spot. "Do you have any prospects?" After I answered them (and just for the record - not really), they guy beside me told everyone he was "looking."

The next day, I was out for lunch when the topic came up again.

As I'm getting older (yes, I know I'm not old, but let's face it - we're ALL getting older), it seems that all my friends that AREN'T getting married this summer are turning to more and more desperate measures. I can't even count how many Internet dating sites I've been recommended to over the past few months. I have friends who have tried speed dating. And on Saturday, I was invited to a "singles night."

Now, to be honest, I know approximately three single guys. And none of these guys seem to be showing any particular interest in me. But the idea of going out looking for a guy is still somewhat bothersome to me.

Is romance dead? I've always thought that girls deserve to be pursued. I want someone to meet me, fall in love with me and then pursue me. But as I continually fail to meet guys who could do this very thing, it makes me wonder. Is it still possible?

If I refuse to go out and find a guy myself, am I destined to eternal singleness? And is being single forever too big of a price to pay for my ideals? Are my ideals too much? Is it unrealistic to expect that anyone's ever going to chase me? Am I doing something to deter them? Sometimes I feel like I live in a parallel world where I hear that love exists, but I may never personally experience it.

At this point, I'm not too concerned. Singleness is still an appealing life choice. But it may be less so in ten years, and by then it may be too late. So I think about it now in case I need to change something.

Kids are great!

One of the joys I have in overseeing pre-school Sunday School is that I get to witness some of the cutest moments ever.

Today, as I was walking by the 4-year-old classroom to make sure everything was going okay, they were singing a typical 4-year-old song - Head and Shoulders. Their teachers had just finished leading them in a version of "giant" Head and Shoulders. Then one kid suggested doing it backwards, and they all decided on how it would work and showed their teachers how they wanted to sing it! (For all those who are wondering how it works - when you sing head, you touch your toes, shoulders is knees, knees is shoulders, and toes is your head. I think you can probably take it from there...)

So cute.

That Finance Assignment Can Wait...

This is ripped from my cousin Wendy's blog (http://wendypeffercorn.blogspot.com)

A- Age of your first kiss: I'll tell you later.
B- Band you are listening to right now: The Turtles - Happy Together, now Switchfoot - Golden
C- Crush: Are they still called crushes at 24? Oh, for the good old days of Jr. High when there were lots of single guys to have crushes on. Of course, they were also Jr. High boys.
D- Drink you drank last: Diet Coke with Lime
E- Easiest person to talk to: Rebecca
F- Favorite ice cream: Cookies 'n Cream
G- Gummy worms or gummy bears: worms
H- Height: 5'7"
I- Instruments: piano, saxophone, varying skill in guitar, bass and drums
J- Jelly Flavor: raspberry
K- Kids: What about them? I have none, may never have any. But I do like them. Especially when you can send them back to their parents when they cry or misbehave.
L- Longest car/bus ride: Hmmm... Either Mexico or Phoenix. Phoenix was a 30.5 hour drive straight down. Mexico was spread over three days. Actually, come to think of it, Montreal would probably have been farther than either of those.
I love road trips.
M- Major issue: What kind of question is that? I guess the biggest thing on my mind is who to vote for in tomorrow's SU election.
N- Nicknames: Julie, Jules, Joolz
O- One wish: I wish I could be on vacation again.
P- Phobia: My current biggest fear is that I will "settle" in a relationship
Q- Quote: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Eliot
R- reason to smile: God loves me!
S- Shoe size: 9 or 10
T- Time you woke up today: 8:30ish
U- Unknown fact about me: A lot of people don't know that I lived in Texas for a year.
V- Vegetables: What am I supposed to say for this one? I like carrots. Brocolli is only good if it's been steamed. Mushrooms (which, if you didn't realize, are FUNGUS!) are gross.
W- Worst Habit: Putting tasks ahead of people
X- Xmas gift you really want: I really wanted an iPod this last Christmas. When I jokingly told my parents, they had already bought one for me! So, I got it.
Y- Your dream date: Hmmm... I've heard it's bad to describe him, so I guess I will assume this question is asking for an activity or location. I would say mini-golfing in Phoenix followed by fish and chips in Seattle. Yes, I know, virtually impossible, but that's why it's a dream!
Z- Zodiac sign: Leo. Of course, I also put exactly zero stock in my horoscope.

Well, there you have it - the A to Z's of me.

Maybe something insightful will come sometime. For now, I'm just sleepy.