Bag of Randomness for Wednesday, May 22, 2024

  • I enjoy etymology, the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. I even subscribe to the podcast/show A Way with Words. I encourage you to give it a try for at least ten minutes. I mention that because the Gettysburg Address was referenced in a Far Side comic, and I always wondered why “score” meant twenty. The term “score,” meaning 20 years, has an interesting origin. It traces back to Old Norse and Old English terms: “skor” (meaning notch or incision in rock) and “scoru” (meaning “twenty”). Shepherds would count their sheep by making notches in a stick for every 20 sheep, which led to the association of “a score” with twenty. Now, I’m wondering why the shepherds didn’t make a notch for five or ten; what made 20 so great?
  • Thinking like a Vulcan, that is, thinking more logically and scientifically than emotionally or spiritually, I considered the concept of marriage—something reasonable for those trying to find some wisdom after a failed one. In particular, the modern marriage. From a spiritual standpoint, I support marriage as a lifelong commitment. But from a legal or societal standpoint, I’ve been exploring the idea that a marriage should be renewable five-year contracts. The divorce rate continues to linger around 50%, and I’ve noticed a lot of people who have been married for around 20 years (give or take five) are getting divorced. Divorces are expensive and emotionally draining for a family. Hear me out.Traditional marriage is a blending of church and state. I don’t want to touch the church standpoint, just the legal standpoint. In my proposal, a married couple can choose not to renew their marriage contract after five years. So, from a legal standpoint, they are no longer married. From a religious standpoint, they would still be married. I know some Catholics do something similar. They believe divorce is a sin or not even an option, so they never get a divorce, but the couple no longer loves or lives with each other.So, what are the benefits of doing it this way? With a fixed-term commitment, couples feel less pressure to stay together “forever,” allowing them to focus more on the present and nurturing their relationship without fearing a lifelong obligation. It also provides a built-in opportunity for couples to reassess their relationship regularly. This periodic review can encourage open communication, mutual goal-setting, and proactive problem-solving, potentially strengthening the relationship. Ending a marriage after a contract term expires would be less contentious and legally complicated than traditional divorce proceedings. Contracts provide clear terms regarding finances, property, and other important aspects, reducing conflicts and misunderstandings. Life circumstances change (career shifts, relocations, family dynamics), and a renewable contract allows couples to adapt their commitments to their evolving needs and goals. Lastly, a new industry would be created: the five-year marriage renewal party planner. It would be like a gender reveal party, a great excuse to get together.
  • One thing led to another and I started to research Charles Lindbergh’s plane, The Spirit of Saint Lewis. I have a vivid memory of watching that Jimmy Stewart movie with my father. It amazed me that there was no windshield or any way to see straight ahead, and all the measures he took to reduce weight, like cutting the borders off on a paper map. Here’s one thing I didn’t know. A small swastika was painted on the inside of the propeller spinner, along with the names of all the employees who designed and built it. It was meant as a message of good luck before Lindbergh’s solo Atlantic crossing, as the symbol, when it faces left, was often used as a popular good luck charm with early aviators. That reminds me of a time in high school when I was in the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells with the grandchild of one of the owners. He showed me a bathroom that had swastika tiles, which were put there before Hitler became popular. And yes, I know there’s a connection between Lindbergh and Hitler, and if Lindbergh were alive today would be campaigning to re-elect the 45th president.
  • Tiny plastic shards found in human testicles, study says
  • Road trips are forever changed.

  • Baby races are always fun to watch; you never know what will happen.

 

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