Sometimes these serve the purpose for me of
taking my finger off my own pulse and insecurities, and moving into a "sharing space". So I'm grateful for everyone who plays.
I am disappointed this morning because my LJ friend
anoisblue deleted her journal. I sincerely hope this is only temporary, as I really enjoy reading her. But all one can do is see what one can see in such matters. I like her journal very much, and I always learn from poets who write more and better than I do. Last night I stayed up late, playing game after game of on-line chess. I've become re-addicted to the unorthodox opening with e3, d3, Ne2, Nd2, etc. which I have played on and off for years. I once asked Eric Schiller, the chess author who seems to write books the way I write weblog posts, in profusion, what it is called, and he said "small center system". I think Lengfellner System is a more poetic name.
Since I kicked caffeine in October, I sleep much better. I do still get insomnia sometimes, though, as I did last night.
I think this goes with being middle-aged. My wife made these wonderful things called "banana cookies", which made the evening sweet if long. I have generally been good post-holidays about avoiding fattening foods, but I did indulge in these cookies.
We got inches upon inches of rain last night. We needed it badly, but the ground is now too wet for hiking. I'll go to a park with sidewalks, though. When I am a bit down, experience tells me that gentle exercise is the best palliative. It may be the activity, but it is also about a quiet chance to think.
Next weekend is my "big" chess tournament. So far I am only certain that 3 folks will attend, but the response to the posting of the ad on the US Chess Federation's internet site
has been quite satisfying, so I may be surprised. But even if it is only 3, I am happy I took this risk. I decided that the only way for small good things to happen is for someone to take the risks and do the work. So this is my very modest step forward. I need to get the promotion going for the second one, in March.
It's nine a.m., which is a good time for raisin bran and the morning newspaper.