Name Change

Those of you who read my blog (all five of you) may have noticed that I changed its name.

When I first found out about blogging, I thought, "Oooh, what a great way to express my leftist political views!"

I quickly learned that lots of people do that. Besides, now that I'm firmly planted in middle age, my passion for anything political is waning. Life is short. Mine is a bit shorter now. What time I have left, I don't want to spend it being serious.

I've done "serious." Believe me!

Seven years in a monastery is "serious."
Ten years in the field of substance abuse counseling is "serious."
Six years in social services with Chicago Housing Authority is "serious."

I've got "serious" comp-time coming out the wazoo!

So, my past blog name of 'Lefty Tude' was cute. I chose that after hearing a friend of mine tell his 16-year-old daughter, "Hey, don't give me any 'tude."
That was so cute!
'Tude.

Sure, I still have my political leanings to the left.
Far left.
Yes, I'm a card-carrying member of the Illinois Socialist Party, but I don't attend any meetings. I need to go to the gym now. Middle-age, remember?
I contribute to my local PBS station, but I watch "The Office" instead.
"Don't Ask Don't Tell?" I'm a pacifist and don't think anyone should be in the military.
Gay Marriage? Of course. But not for me. I'm already feeling that my two tomato plants are encroaching on my freedom, so why would I want a spouse for crying out loud.

So, yes, I still have my leftist leanings, but now that I'm older, I simply find that humor is a healthy outlet for me. Like I said, I've done "serious."

So, my new title is a take-off from the philosopher, Descartes, "Cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore, I am.)

I thought about using the Latin, "Rideo ergo sum" (I laugh, therefore, I am) but that sounded too Catholic-ey (been there, done that) and besides, no one would know what it meant. Also, I couldn't fit the English translation in the title.

"I laugh, therefore, I am" just about sums up my life's principles at this juncture.

For the few of you that have me on your links, change the name if you want. If you don't, that's fine too. I can mess up a website pretty fast with HTML, so I know how tedious that can be.

In the meantime, say a prayer for my tomato plants. They're probably sensing my resentment by now.