Ron Hall's Comments
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Nov 22, 2009 | comments: 15
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 1:31pm EST
I think there is cause to be happy. What gets passed will not be perfect, but some progress needs to be made before the upcoming non-presidential election (when just about all presidents' parties lose seats in congress). This has been made out to be a leap off a cliff by the Repubicans, and they came within one vote of being able to stall the health care reform process (and by extension, all progress towards fixing our country's ills). In fact, if passed, it will be a step towards having universal health coverage; that's light years ahead of the nothing Republicans would have us do. And, once we'd done something about the health care crisis, we can turn our attention to the half dozen other disasters Bush left us with.
Nov 22, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 6
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 1:12pm EST
Yes, it should have been flagged. Reposting it in the guise of a "complaint" is, I think, compounding the error. If it's not allowed once, why should it be allowed twice?

"Better luck next time" isn't the advice I'd take. If you get caught again, they might just boot you entirely.
Oct 3, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 8
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 12:57pm EST
If the speaker is using it in the sense I understand it, "it is what it is", says - fight it, flee it or grovel in prayer before it - it's important to not let our reason get in the way of seeing the reality of the situation, not what we were told it is, not what we hope it is, unobscured by the names we want to hang on it to make it easier to "wrap our heads around" (another useful turn of phrase, that while overused can paint a picture much more clear than that entire sentence I just wrote). Our effors will be more effective if we deal with "it" in the objective world; not wading the gibberish that is our hopes, faiths and fears.

I too hate platitudes. My least favorite of all is "Everything Happens for a Reason".
Nov 21, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 5
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 10:41am EST
Nor do I read much fiction, but I appreciate your posting to Gather Essentials Writing Sunday, so I read it. It's not the sort of thing you'd expect to get someone's attention, but my favorite image was you playing solitaire when you could have been doing something else on a beautiful mountain day. Then, as someone who grew up in the mountains, it occurred to me that there really isn't all that much more to do in the mountains than there is in the flatlands, so it gave additional reality to the image.

I recommend going back through it and reading to yourself aloud. There are a couple spelling errors where spellcheck fails you here, because they are actual words. One is "decease".
Nov 21, 2009 | rating: 7 | comments: 8
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 10:03am EST
I had originally approved this for Gather Essentials Writing Sunday. However, on closer inspection it doesn't contain a significant amount of original writing, and so it doesn't meet the day's guidelines. Sorry. I see someone "smote" you without identifying themselves, and I will say that's cowardly. I did not rate this.
Nov 22, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 6
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 9:48am EST
It could be I'm dense, and I apologize for that in advance. It seems you may have a couple gramatical "errors", such as "When and split second".

Please do not think I mean to put this down. It's chock full of delightful turns of phrase (to use a couple of borrowed, worn out phrases in turn), and - at least until I find something else I'm equally impressed with - it's today's feature in Gather Essentials Writing.
Nov 22, 2009 | comments: 36
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 9:38am EST
This had romance, excitement and heroics. Then I came to the word SUV, which - and I'm sure I'm not alone - embodies triviality, waste, fear and cookie cutter consumerism. Any other type of vehicle would do. I'd suggest a passenger car with a sufficiently short wheelbase to navigate a rough mountain road, and yet still have no business being there - say a Rambler or a Pinto. This is not far fetched. I used to take my Toyota Crown up roads that people in their rented Jeeps would only stare at from the valley floor. The trick is to hit the bottom of the hill going 20 in first gear.
Nov 22, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 23
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 9:10am EST
I think this captures what a man is willing to do for those moments of bliss. I don't mean to say women don't tie themselves in knots over a man, I'm sure some do, but it's good to see an accurate depiction of the madness that is lust.
Nov 21, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 278
Ron Hall Nov 22, 2009, 9:04am EST
Good job with the post, E3. Since it's going well I hope you'll understand me not approving it for Sunday Gather Writing Essentials. While you write a great many original things, the post that started this conversation doesn't meet the guideline of containing a significant amount of original writing. As a writer, I'm sure you understand what I mean.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 36
in reply to a comment by Angel sent from God Secret Sisters
Ron Hall Nov 21, 2009, 4:35pm EST
Every time I've moved I got rid of something I later regretted. Clutter rules.
Mar 7, 2008 | length: 04:23 | rating: 9.8 | comments: 53
in reply to a comment by Ron Hall
Ron Hall Nov 21, 2009, 11:57am EST
Shortly after this comment I was jumped by Mr. Frechtman, and rightfully so. All in fun my friend, I'm a big fan.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 27
in reply to a comment by Richard Thuss
Ron Hall Nov 21, 2009, 9:54am EST
Whew. I thought for a moment there I was going to have to work.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 36
in reply to a comment by Debra C.
Ron Hall Nov 21, 2009, 9:52am EST
Done. Or Martha.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 27
in reply to a comment by Jan S.
Ron Hall Nov 20, 2009, 11:24pm EST
I've seriously thought about supplying such shops, but I'd have to get to know a lot of brand names, and that scares me a little.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 36
in reply to a comment by Debra C.
Ron Hall Nov 20, 2009, 11:19pm EST
Electric hedge trimmers look to me like something that would show up in a gratuitous terrorism action movie.

Or, a movie that centers around the horrors of suburban ennui.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 36
in reply to a comment by Jan S.
Ron Hall Nov 20, 2009, 11:15pm EST
A totally Minnesotan name, right up there with Hilarious Windshitl (yes). Family tradition has it that H. didn't know his name was at all unusual until he attented college a long ways away from his small home town.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 36
in reply to a comment by Dave A.
Ron Hall Nov 20, 2009, 11:12pm EST
Aw, crap. Well, I'll know better next time.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 27
in reply to a comment by Debra C.
Ron Hall Nov 20, 2009, 11:10pm EST
As someone who prides himself in the reputation of a seasoned woodsman, I dread to admit I've never used a draw knife. I just really like the idea, and would probably use one if I was building a cordwood cabin.

A friend of mine owns Minnetonka Moccasins. Got a free pair when she bailed on our dysfunctional workplace.

I do show my woodsman sensibilities when I say: my kind of cabin.
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 27
in reply to a comment by Richard Thuss
Ron Hall Nov 20, 2009, 11:06pm EST
And, I've probably already hauled it out to Colorado, so you'd have to wait until nobody buys it at my yard sale (which is unlikely).
Nov 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 27
in reply to a comment by Richard Thuss
Ron Hall Nov 20, 2009, 11:04pm EST
As much as I dread payment processing and wrapping and shipping; $15 plus postage : )
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Ron Hall
St Paul, MN
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