Month: January 2016

I took a hike on and along the Saint Paul side of the river, toward the end of that stretch of below-zero weather. There was some cool graffiti to look at. The limestone cliffs are sweet to see from that perspective. And there were loping coyote tracks and beaver sign. I even found the homestead of the big specialized rodents. I encountered no people out there, which is another reason winter landscapes seem so much bigger.

I came across the carcass of a raccoon, I think. It died face down in the snow. Another animal came along and not only peed directly on it but shat on it too. This illustrates the point that the only dignity animals have is that which we project onto them.

In addition I marveled at the dynamics of ice. The river is not in fact frozen through and through. Instead a thick layer of ice spans the river and is supported by its own buoyancy owing to the ice’s lower density than the flowing water below. Creaks and groans emanate from the river’s edge in occasional outbursts, and these are only the audible hints of shifting, fast-moving pressure changes transmitting constantly through the solid ice. The center of the river is strewn with shards of clear ice that are pushed up during unknown nocturnal movements. As I walked closer to the shore I broke through thin suspended films of ice that covered much thicker ice below. And I stepped into a pool of ankle-deep slush owing to pollution with road salt. Fortunately I had the right boots on.

​Desirable personality traits come naturally to some people. Others have to work for them. This is not a bad thing: the person who kicks ass in the gym and meticulously plans the diet to stay in shape is in a sense more praiseworthy than someone who is effortlessly a slim and healthy eater. I have decided that one of the things I have to work for is optimism and good-nature.

I admire those who see the good in people immediately, and act open and kind, and are spontaneously interested in others. I however must work for it. I’ve pocketed many tools for a healthier attitude, now they just need deliberate use.

Thanks to video games I know very well that in interactions with non-playable characters you can choose charm or intimidation depending on which ending you want. You only opt for the destruction/ultimate power/unexpected loneliness ending on the second playthrough. You go with justice/unity/sacrifice if you only plan on playing once. As a genuine skeptic I anticipate only one playthrough, so I’ll make sure to choose charm in all my interactions.

Plus there’s always the out-of-left field approach for difficult interactions. My New Year’s resolution is an every day carry (EDC) one: I’ll always keep a pack of Kraft Singles in my pocket so that in a pinch I can present a slice and say, “Pardon, would you care to sample this cheese?” (People like cheese.)

Included: I have the privilege of seeing my favorite places undergo a dramatic transformation. In the summer I hack through overgrown reeking underbrush alongside the river. And in the winter on those same paths I encounter wide open icy purity, an entire river locked in ice. This is something to grateful for.