That I have broken bread with Lexington Green on but two occasions. Both were highly interesting experiences for me. If you get a similar opportunity, I strongly recommend that you accept.
Personal Narrative
Neo-Neocon on the family that eats together
Neo-neocon concludes her post on family dinners:
My family had its share of problems, and our meals sometimes ended in yelling and/or tears. But mealtime was the time when we most felt like a family, and just as often there was a lot of laughter. Come to think of it, sometimes political discussions would happen at the dinner table as well, perhaps fostering the development of the future blogger in me—one had to learn to defend one’s position with a certain amount of logic and grace
The importance of this tradition can not, I suspect, be overestimated. My experience, too, was not always positive in my childhood (if it is the one time a family comes together to talk, it can also be one time the family comes together to fight). But as far as building a sense of the familial, the importance of nurturing of both ideas and bodies, little comes close. Lee Harris discusses this more philosophically and Carmen Strache more lyrically (both quoted in this old post).
Narratives – A Rambling Response to Jay
Jonathan and John Jay say much that is wise about the nature of evil. However, not surprisingly, I have great affection for narratives. It isn’t just because I majored in lit; though I can be mean-spirited, anecdotal gossip helps me arrive at a greater understanding of human nature. We see conversation as a series of formed narratives – with structure, implicit thesis, tensions & resolutions. Unfortunately, I have an acquaintance who retells events honestly and factually; she never imposes interpretation indeed, she has no interpretations, no ends, and no broader applicability to her life or mine. As I listen, I become frustrated, realizing how much I expect a conversation to be a series of narratives.
My Investment Advice
Buy goats.
My niece paid something like $2500 for her goat “Cash.” Last Friday she won the 2007 Grand Champion Junior Market Goat at the Houston Rodeo.
The goat went at auction for $108,000! That’s a Clintonesque rate of return!
In any case, I hope she will remember her loving and supportive uncle and forget last summer’s unfortunate attempt at barbecued goat.