TU Cent Thoughts, 12-8-05

[greybeta]

I was recently reminded of an old saying my old friend, lucky Andy, was rather fond of. He loved to say this:
We're better than perfect.

The backstory to this quote deserves a story in itself, but I just want to use it right now to tell you that is my EXACT mindset. For argument's sake, let's say I request rant that people should tell do what I tell them to do because I know what's best for them. Why would I think this?

Because I'm better than perfect.

Or at least I think I do. This leads me to believe that I can no wrong. I am going to say what I want to say and do what I want to do and you are just going to have to like it. I'm a very honest, very straightforward guy. If I tell you that you are a brilliant person, you'd better believe it. If I tell you that you are an idiot, you're probably too stupid to understand the words that are coming out of my mouth. If I think you are a sociable person, you must run the social circles. If I think you like to isolate yourself, I'll purposely annoy you by calling you a hedgehog.

I don't care if I'm wrong. I don't care if I'm right. I care about being myself and living a life with no regrets. And that's why I'm better than perfect.

Wait, how can I be better than perfect if I could be wrong? Simple. Perfect people SUCK. Flawed people RULE. That's because perfect people aren't real.

I mean, you're better than perfect too, right? Just remember I'm even better than perfect than you are.
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I'd complain about the LJ comment notification thing, but seeing as how I have a seven digit LJ number, I am going to assume LJ has been served notice numerous times about the problem and its lack of a true solution. The first rule of debugging is to never say you have fixed the problem until you've tested the logic. It may compile, but in actual use it may break down.
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A girl I know is as contrarian as I am. She's a linguistics, Spanish, and French major who loves to study abroad. Since everybody goes to Spain for their study abroad, she decided to go to Argentina to see the gauchos and the Pamplana. She definitely needs to brush up on her Argentine history. And soccer, too. She did not know what I was talking about when I talked about Maradonna's famous Hand of God goal in the 1986 World Cup. With the 2006 World Cup looming I am sure Argentinians will be talking about that play. Ya know, the twenty year anniversary of the most famous play in Argentinian soccer history.

Oh wait, all but two of my American readers just had to click on that Wiki link to even know what I was talking about. Ignorant Americans.
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Someone called me a mean, stupid, selfish, stubborn headed pig yesterday. I stand accused...correctly accused on all counts. I believe she forgot arrogant and haughty, too. And lazy, and spoiled, and headstrong, and unrepentant, and...
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Okay, due to the insistence of the red headed Brigid, I decided to apply to be the opinion editor for my college newspaper. Not exactly a glorious job, but it satsifies my need for an odd job next semester. What advice do you have about being an editor, fine friends? I really respected the masterful editing of Ferrett-sensei theferrett, but more opinions are very much appreciated. Especially from the master editor himself.

Comments

[purplkat.livejournal.com]

Believe me, not everyone feels they're better than perfect or that they will always make the choices that are right for them ;) I think I've mostly got a level head on my shoulders, and yet I'm still struck with how flawed I am, and how often I make mistakes. You're very fortunate to be so confedant.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Or very unfortunate to be so confident, as it so happens from time to time.

[odclay.livejournal.com]

I've never been that confident, but recent events tell me I really don't need to.

I'm an ignorant American. But I'm equally ignorant about every sport, not just soccer. Football? What the hell? Heck, sorry.

My editing advice? Don't fall in love with your own words, or anyone else's, for that matter. That's a problem Robert Jordan seems to have. Christopher Paolini, too, but he's not worth mentioning.

[tessbelle.livejournal.com]

I agree with your advice, especially your example of Robert Jordan. He takes his description of everything to an extreme.

[odclay.livejournal.com]

Tea! And dresses!

[tessbelle.livejournal.com]

Gah! Exactly :)

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

I've never read Robert Jordan and his Wheel of Time series.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Wait, don't fall in love with my words? Like my stylistic words, or my word count? This idea requires more explanation, sir.

[odclay.livejournal.com]

Word count, mostly. I just meant, don't be afraid to delete sometimes.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

I'm actually afraid of the absolute problem...that I'll delete too much.

[bohemeg.livejournal.com]

yeah what is up with that comment thing? I've just now gotten notification of stuff people posted a month ago.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

From what I've heard, LJ moved its server. Normally, that is not a big deal. However, it is a big deal to the big spam blocking companies. Think about the volume of emails a typical spam delivery service sends out. Well the big spam blockers block a server that is sending out too much email. Now you get past this by having the big spam companies recognize the LJ server as a legit company. And this setup works...until you move. And learn how the spam blockers work.

This problem may not be solved for another week. They are running into all sorts of unexpected problems.

[nickel.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm one of those that was familiar with the 'Hand of God' incident. I read an article about Maradonna's retirement in Argentina years later. It amused the heck out of me to compare him with Pele.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

Heck, if American papers cared about soccer, they'd be comparing Landon Donovan to Pele. Or maybe Freddie Adu.

Germany will win the World Cup with its tremendous home field advantage.

[thucyditron.livejournal.com]

"I think an editor should be independent, that is, of personal influence, and not be moved from his opinions on the mere authority of any individual. But, with respect to the general opinion of the political section with which he habitually accords, his duty seems very like that of a member of Congress. Some of these indeed think that independence requires them to follow always their own opinion, without respect for that of others. This has never been my opinion, nor my practice, when I have been of that or any other body. Differing on a particular question from those whom I knew to be of the same political principles with myself, and with whom I generally thought and acted, a consciousness of the fallibility of the human mind, and of my own in particular, with a respect for the accumulated judgment of my friends, has induced me to suspect erroneous impressions in myself, to suppose my own opinion wrong, and to act with them on theirs." --Thomas Jefferson

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

I heart you, James. :D