3 Ring Binder

It’s not quite right without the tie. It begs that distinct formality. Burnside is calling, I’m not sure why. Talk ends with dismissive finality. But some days later, within my quick glance, A tie’s seen worn 'round his neck; In front of his ear, not merely by chance, Hirsute patches meet my peck. Recognition dawns in an adoring smile, You’re so wonderful! , I cry. He’s taken aback at my reaction a while, Thanks , he says thinking, I try . It’s not the superficial: not manner nor dress, Certainly not in his trying to please. It’s his benevolence, his very being, no less: Rationally selfish – the rest is at ease.

Like industrialists extracting materials Used to power the world, I happily exploit your potential. Like settlers working the land, Laying claims on their efforts, I eagerly seek to possess you. Like single-minded pursuit of purpose Indelibly marks its pursuer, Your life is inscribed on mine. As deliciously entwined as we choose to live, We are distinct: Each defined by his values. For in as long as we remain true to our selves, It is our virtue which sustains this perfect love.

Being a fan of the fun that ensues from the testing and discovery of one’s psychological preferences  boiled down to four dichotomous traits , I was interested in this article, Our Blog Vocabulary, Our Selves ,   in yesterday’s edition of The Boston Globe.   What struck me most was not that we reveal our personalities through our word choices, but that modern psychology has developed a model of human personality reduced to the Big Five personality traits.   Bloggers who scored high on the trait of “agreeableness” seldom swore and referred often to the notion of community. I HAD to find out more about this so-called “ agreeableness ” trait.   (Not being a psychologist, I went to Wikipedia for a quick overview.) People scoring low on agreeableness place self-interest above getting along with others. Um. Dur. Then who doesn’t score low? If you don’t place self-interest first, who will be there to get along with the others?   A bunch of doormats? Since, ...

You can't help it. Your mother never taught you right from wrong, apparently. She never told you that you must share your toys and be kind to everyone you meet - regardless of your judgment or developing sense of justice. Now you want to keep the money that you've earned for yourself and for your family. You nasty, selfish bastard. You should have learned that by giving ever increasing amounts of money you've received and saved from your labors (earned) to other people for the simple reason that they have less money than you do (unearned) that you will encourage them to buy things, or encourage them to think they can afford those things...all on your dime. You will not only stimulate the economy you will also feel good about yourself: in fact, you might even feel virtuous . What fresh hell is this? No, it's not the ghost of your mother's misguided efforts at raising good Christians or her second-handed "what will the neighbors think of my spoiled children"...