Remember to "Fall Back" this weekend, for Daylight Savings Time.

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This weekend we get to set our clocks back an hour and sleep in. Yippee! Of course, that means we will be dreading "Leap Ahead" day at the other end of the equation where we lose an hour of sleep. To me, this is a dastardly plan to cause jet lag to an entire nation all at once. Nope, don't like the concept at all. My wife tells me I'm being over-dramatic--she's probably right--and that it's not such a big deal. It's been going on for a long time, and I doubt it'll change.

 

Technically, in the Fall we enter Daylight Standard Time and in the Spring we move to Daylight Savings Time. A quick perusal of the Wikipedia page demonstrates this concept is quite old actually, and various countries around the world use it. Generally speaking, the idea is supposed to save energy use (as the sun is shining, so less energy is spent lighting working areas). Of course, modern society doesn't behave the same as older ones, and we sure don't use gas lights or candles much either.

 

However you feel about it, it's the way things are around here. I don't suppose a one-person strike will accomplish much, so I will be complying with the rest of them. I will thoroughly enjoy an extra hour of sleep this weekend, and I am certain to be fully rested and eager to meet the day's work. Or, I'll just hit the snooze a couple times less. Either way, I appreciate having more time for once ... actually, what happens to that hour? Is it in limbo during half of the year and brought out to stare at the rest of the year? Hmm, I think scientific inquiry needs to be done to find out what happens to the hour in question.

 

- M

Rules. Oh, why so many rules everywhere?

I can't help myself. Here's a pile of books!

It's probably safe to say nobody enjoys rules. We typically find them restrictive, boxing us in, and closing away options. After all, rules set limits, define borders, and are enforced. But, as I've grown and matured, I've learned that without rules we have chaos. So, my attitude about rules have changed a lot. It's like the old example of a train. Put it on tracks and it will run well, but let it go off into a field and it won't run at all. Certainly there are bad rules and good rules, so that example can only go so far, but it's not instantly bad that rules are in place.

We have rules for everything. Eating, sleeping, working, playing, talking, driving, walking, singing, and the list goes ever on. Some rules are obvious: don't walk down the middle of a busy street. Others aren't: "i" before "e" except after "c." The way I think about it is rules show us where the free to play zones are. In writing, there are pretty solid rules about grammar and so on. But, in imagination there's no limit. So, when doing imaginative writing, I get to merge the two into something new. That is some of the best fun to be had anywhere.

My point is that rules are there for good reasons. But, don't be afraid to challenge rules. If reasoning doesn't hold up, then the rules should change. If it does, then abide by them. Actually, challenging rules is the basis for making things better. It's part of the scientific method, critical analysis, structured thinking, and kids do it from the moment they begin talking. "Why?" It's a good question, and don't turn it aside lightly. But, also be prepared to back up what you believe.

- M

Goofy laws... why can't I take a bath with my horse?

Indiana law: Cannot keep a horse in a bathtub

Every state has them. Probably every city has them. I'm talking about laws that make absolutely no sense at all. Usually such laws are remnants of ages gone by, but they are still technically in effect and haven't gone away. In my own state it is illegal to take a bite from another person's hamburger. But, then it is a hamburger and that's right up there with invading my house!

 

Then there are laws that make absolutely no sense at all, such as an Illinois laws stating it is illegal to speak English. Why it's a law I can't even imagine. California is always fun, especially with movies like one law that requires a pediatrician's approval before even filming a child under 1 month old. Or how about needing a lifeguard's permission to toss a Frisbee on the beach? My favorite is that sunshine is a guarantee in California... glad they made it a law, because if the sun doesn't shine we can sue it!

 

I'd love to drive in Virginia, where it is a law that you must honk your horn when passing other cars. Fun stuff. Or how about Hawaii, where it's illegal to put coins in your ears. Not sure about that one, but there must have been some strange reason to make that law. Florida has an interesting one in that all public building doors must open outwards (I suppose it makes them all uniform at least).

 

I think we can all laugh at the silliness of people. I'm sure all these laws were written with true reasons and great severity. People believed in them. But, it doesn't stop them from being crazy and silly. People never fail to amuse me.

 

- M