Green Oasis

Who should you fear the most? Who will probably kill you in the end? Is it a Muslim terrorist? An “ethnic” thug you see on the street? A meth addict burglarizing your home?

Someone hundreds of times more dangerous lurks uncomfortably close to you and your loved ones, someone who works every day to bring about your early death.

Who is this homicidal person? The answer is you. (via Schneier on Security)

I am grateful for …

1. … shelter from the elements. My relationship with the weather is much better knowing that I can get some me-time away from it.
2. … beautiful vernal weather. (+25 points for using a vocabulary word)
3. … a healthy mind. I realize something of how fragile that is.
4. … a long weekend with my family.
5. … that I am capable of thinking for myself and that I do so on occasion.

Kate lived through what must be some people’s worst nightmare. She was diagnosed as suffering from persistent vegetative state but retained enough awareness to understand the people around her and to feel pain and distress because of how they were treating her. Neuroscientists scanned her brain activity and found normal activity levels, something they had not imagined they would find. She has since returned to a communicative state and says her story is about never giving up hope.

(via Mind Hacks)

I’m grateful for …

1. … the chance to find a companion with whom I can share each day of my life, who has the strength and flexibility to stick with me through thick and thin.
2. … the opportunity to work with computers. I had no idea early in life that I would become a computer geek, but here I am.
3. … the chance to watch two brilliant girls grow up.
4. … a headache that seems like it will only last half of Monday.
5. … a job (perhaps I should leave it at that, but I’m also thankful for a job …) that lets me get up and take a walk when my brain gets fried.

I am grateful…

1. … for human culture, the heritage passed on so that each generation doesn’t need to start from scratch.
2. … for three day weekends to catch up on stuff I want or need to do.
3. … for the ability to forgive myself when I don’t measure up to my hopes for myself.
4. … that I’m still exercising.
5. … for the fascinating knowledge that we’ve obtained about our origins as a species.