Collie's Bestiary

Some random notes I found of interest about Yingpan Man: the "boots" were almost just little sacks for the feet, and clearly not designed for walking. My guess were that they were ceremonial, intended just for the burial. Also those little curving items visible on the tops of the boots and up on the chest [...]

(Originally posted in June 2005) Well, crudpuppies. I've been so head-down in work and thesis writing that I realize I've let not one but two posting dates slip by me. I apologize; I'll try to do better in the future. For now, please enjoy the following book review… while I go back to typing madly [...]

Argh. It's the little things that trip you up when you're trying to focus on some huge project like a thesis. For example, I've realized that if I don't nibble something every four hours or so, my blood sugar crashes. This would be no biggie, except my behavior also changes in such as way as [...]

Reflections To sum up: if you (generalized you) have not thought through why you believe something, it may well be difficult (although not impossible) for you to explain your reasoning — especially if the belief is not based on logic. Also, if you hold conclusions based only on emotion, you will most likely find it [...]

In effect, as a friend pointed out, they expected me to manage the conversation for them, so they didn't have to take responsibility for their fear of confrontation — which was how they saw a good argument. Curiously, they often then stomped angrily off to yell at someone else about how they were right and [...]

or: "Collie, you're just so intimidating!" (Originally posted January 2005) To Bob, Dave, & Lou, who aren't intimidated… or so they say. ;) As those who know me are aware, I love a good argument. By "argument," of course, I don't mean screaming and verbal fisticuffs. I mean a thoughtful, mentally challenging discussion where two [...]

(Since I seem to be musing about honesty recently… a short college paper written in 1999 for a primate anthropology class. Enjoy!) A current 'hot' topic in primate studies today is the issue of infant killing. Our readings contain three articles on the subject. The first was the 1977 Hrdy article "Infanticide as a Primate [...]

This month's Firestarter is a (badly needed) review and reflection on How Do We Keep Honesty? I figured since February is traditionally a month for love, this time I'd attempt to achieve love of self, and gently engage in some internal reflection — always a scary proposition. :-) Fair warning: this Firestarter will make the [...]

I try not to write "hop on the bandwagon" postings about the current "hot" topic in the news. I like to have a bit of time to consider and reflect on issues and situations. Within that timeframe I frequently find that simply quietly helping however I can is all I wish to say on the [...]

I've come to the conclusion I don't agree with the definition of Gatekeeper. I do agree there's more than just the two extremes — regardless of whether you call them "Warrior" and "Forgiver" or "heavy-handed militarism" and "turn-the-other-cheek pacifism." I suppose Gatekeeper is as good a term as any for that "middle of the road" [...]