stephenschrum

A Good Life?

What are the most important things needed to live a good life? I’m confused by today’s prompt. What exactly does it mean, “to live a good life”? Is that a morally good existence? Is it a happy, and therefore good, life? Does it mean a satisfied life, free of want and care? There are someContinue reading “A Good Life?”

Phorkyad Acropolis

If you had to change your name, what would your new name be? This is an amusing little prompt, since I had already thought about this when I created my avatar in Second Life in 2006. Luckily I took it seriously, since I think he is synonymous with me, and I gladly identify with theContinue reading “Phorkyad Acropolis”

Spam II

The evening of the same day as my spam improv post, I got another one. They usually do come in clusters, like when you see three “enlarge it!” emails in a row from the same source. Anyway, this one wasn’t into playing along.

Resort to What?

This week I’m on vacation at a resort in Virginia. I’m not a big resort person so the giant water park does not appeal to me Yesterday I decided to go for a walk and work off some of the larger meals I’ve been indulging in (though, to be fair, I have been having onlyContinue reading “Resort to What?”

Damn Your Spam!

So the scammers started a new thing: they send a text to you asking you a question, but it’s not your name. Oh, no, wrong number! Can we still be friends on WhatsApp? I’m not sure of the endgame, and instead of playing with them, I started sending this message: “How many times I haveContinue reading “Damn Your Spam!”

3 Books

List three books that have had an impact on you. Why? This is a difficult question. I have read so many books over the years that, to pick out only 3, seems silly. But I will try to limit myself. Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon. This tome blew my mind. Long-form storytelling. Repeated images. CrazyContinue reading “3 Books”

Favorite Childhood Book?

Do you remember your favorite book from childhood? Looking at this prompt, I find I am hard-pressed to remember any specific books from my childhood. I know I read a lot—a practice that would continue into my adolescence and early adulthood—including the Hardy Boys books, but I can’t pick out a singular volume. When thisContinue reading “Favorite Childhood Book?”

At Knife Point

I’m on vacation this week, and trying to take it easy (but still keep up my blogging streak!). The first day was travel and check-in. The second day was very relaxing for me since my fiancee slept late due to back pain from the trip. After playing around with ChatGPT to create Socratic dialogues betweenContinue reading “At Knife Point”

Ah, Joy!

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life. A few years ago, I was having a contentious conversation with someone. She was accusing me of not wanting to help her in an endeavor, while it seemed to me that I was trying very strongly to be of assistance. At some pointContinue reading “Ah, Joy!”

Indulge Me

I’ll be off on vacation for a few days, and so am preparing a few extra blog posts in case I don’t get around to the daily prompt. I was making a comment to someone else in a text today when I suddenly remembered something from my days in Catholic grade school. One of theContinue reading “Indulge Me”