What I did during my Summer, so far.

Holy smokes, its been a while. Since the volleyball season ended a few weeks ago I have been sitting back and enjoying the heat. Well, not so much. Although Ohio doesn't see so bad after Orlando. It wasn't a dry heat.

The volleyball season ended pretty well, we finished tied for 15 out of 44 teams in the Open division at the AAUs. Considering how we started the season, I am pretty happy with the finish. Kind of a strange team for me, I usually get the runts and win by playing D and ball control. This team had height and firepower but was lacking in ball control. We did well enough to win. Nice kids though, not a bad kid in the bunch. More importantly, not a bad parent in the bunch.

A life transforming experience. Someone I went to high school with died a horrible and painful death from leukemia. We were classmates throughout junior high and high school but were never close. Didn't keep up with her throughout the intervening years. Got back in touch with her on Facebook of all things while the class was working on the class reunion. Never got to see or talk to her in person, just through Facebook and emails. But the finality of her passing really hit home hard. it brings home the fact of our own mortality. The fragility life is something that we all keep in the back of our minds yet the day to day and the mundane crowds our minds so much that the idea of dying seldom enters into our minds until something catastrophic happens, such as my friends passing. Not sure if this will make me more religious - not likely- or more reflective.

It always happens this way. The volleyball, which is a stalwart part of my being and a huge part of my happiness intrudes every November through June. I therefore neglect everything else, including my effort to become a polymath. Once again I have neglected my plan for becoming the biggest egghead in the world. Back in the saddle again.

I have many books started: The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Wings of the Sphyinx by Andrea Camilleri in the Inspector Montalbano series, Einstein's God by Krista Tippett, The Shallows by Michael Carr, The Big Short by Michael Lewis. And about fifty more stacked up on my To Be Read stack. Way too ambitious yes.

In addition, there is the role of the mathematical dilettante, the fun stuff like Go and origami, as well as getting my lard butt in shape. So much to do, so little time.

As always, there are philosophical and metaphysical questions right and left, as well as many things to be understood. So, I am off to do that. But, Ill be back.

Ah, to be alive now that summer's here

Of course, it would be nice if I can breathe. It seems the allergies are hitting me hard this season. The incessant coughs and congestion is annoying if not down right dispiriting.

My last post was in January, amazing how the time has flown. There have been numerous issues and events which have garnered my attention. It seems that my brain is dormant through the winter too.

As with most years, my intellectual pursuit is given short shrift and becomes lower in myto do list as I am consumed with work and volleyball. This year is worse because I bit off a huge task, help organize a technical conference in September. As it is now the bulk of the work is over and I am finally getting back to my pursuit of polymath-hood. The volleyball has been challenging, especially with fifteens. They seem like world beaters on moment and little girls the next. Such is the way with the yutes.