richelieu and the unstoppable motormouth

Going hiking with S this morning ... it's been awhile since we hit the trail together, so that should be fun. Just waiting for the latest WEC guy to be kicked in the head, thrown to the ground, and then pulverized as completely as possible before the ref breaks it up. Makes me miss my girl Noela, a student I had a couple of years ago. Every morning (and I do mean every - are there no seasons to extreme fighting?) she would bounce up to my desk and tell me the latest gossip (because it's pretty much a soap opera): who's fighting next, who ate whom for breakfast (and whether there was blood), who talks the best smack. Watching grown men pummel the crap out of each other (with or without something resembling true athleticism) makes me contemplate civilized society as a whole (you know how much I love me a good analogy). In any sort of confrontation, physical or philosophical, once you've sent someone sprawling on their ass, is it necessary to keep on throwing punches?

Sometimes, I cannot shut my mouth or stop typing, even long after the message has been sent. Case in point: past arguments with Mart, total strangers in mock court (Constitution PD course = TOO MUCH FUN), anyone. Even after the knockdown, it's like I can't stop throwing unnecessary verbal punches afterward. Prolixity is almost never appreciated - but then, when your objective is to prove a point, the comfort of others is rarely of concern. But shouldn't it be - and isn't that what we teach our kids? Even in the greatest of debates, respect your adversary.

In other words, the lesson, when applied to me is: Shut up, Ms. D_C. You've made your point.

Just some random thoughts.

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2:13 p.m. BHS: Eighth hike up Kuliouou (5th halfway); fourth trial of the summer, third timed. 43 minutes up. Two minutes is all I could shave off my time?

Shoulders still tight when I pull my arms inward, but ready to get back in the water tomorrow. No laps, just treading.