A Real Conversation

[After having watched a trailer for a show who’s leading actress is Zoe something.]

Me: Have you ever noticed that everyone is named Zoe these days?

Little J: No.

Me: [Pretends to take a puff on a joint, and then hands it to Little J.] 

Little J: Are you trying to burn me?

Me: No. Do you want some?

Little J: No way. I don't want the black lung.

Easter Silver Lining

My favorite things about the days following Easter: discount Easter chocolate, leftover ham, and deviled eggs. Not surprisingly, it's all about food.

Latest Favorite T-Shirt

Thanks to my sister in Olympia, I have a new favorite T-Shirt to wear:

Chalk Circles

BYU Student 1: "Apparently if you draw a line with chalk, ants won't walk over it."

BYU Student 2: "They're Karl G. Maeser ants."

Perhaps one of the most famous stories told on BYU campus it the story that illustrates Karl G. Maeser's sense of integrity. According to legend, Karl G. Maeser said the following:

"I have been asked what I mean by 'word of honor.' I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls--walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground--there is a possibility that in some way or another I may escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of the circle? No. Never! I'd die first!"

While I can appreciate the intent of this quote, I also wonder if it is overly celebrated. Wouldn't it just be better to say that he made a mistake and that it was stupid to stay in the circle and die? Isn't it better sometimes to be reasonable than principled? Isn't our willingness to say we are wrong and make changes every bit as worthy of celebration as zealous portrayals of virtue?