Well, sitting in my office after a brisk walk across the campus I feel all warm and fuzzy. I won’t be here much longer — visiting guest lecturers, experts in residence, or whatever’s are like fish, … no make that really old cheese. They eventually smell pretty bad, dry out, and turn to dust. But they do provide an excellent medium to grow anti-biotic molds.

And that is me. Having retired early, more than once, I am about to be free to live life!!! The deal is this, contribute lots of money and get a few thousand back and a temporary title as an executive in residence. I feel good. They have money. The is my third invite to interact with students – back by popular demand. I give a few lectures, taught courses in business (real life) to Econ, Liberal Arts, and Grad students, spoke to countless groups, and even sat down with ROTC students to discuss … Pericles and Athens (way out of my league there). Since I lack much gravitas, I generally toss in a few funny lines to keep the hallowed walls smirking if not echoing in laughter. (Popularity on campus is determined by two things: Easy grading and funny stories). Alas, all things come to an end.

But while I am still living this life, and the leaves are beginning to change, I treasure every morning I get to make the walk. Braced by my coffee and the news media to shed the chill, my flame is lit reading things that tell me, “Yes, you are not alone. The world is as you see it. You are right.” Verification!!! Affirmation!!!

In the past few weeks I have seen numerous articles, letters to editors, and commercials, encouraging people to vote. Frankly, if people don’t have enough interest in the election to be self motivated to vote, I don’t want them to vote.

I don’t think it is good for society to have people voting who are ignorant of the candidates, and issues. Personally, I often skip parts of the ballot. For example, I have not taken time to learn anything about the candidates on the ballot who are running for judges, or the school board. Therefore I leave that section blank (while also feeling guilty for not doing a little research ahead of time). I don’t think people should participate in the selection process if they don’t have any knowledge of the topic.