I was born the son of a preacher man. Like Dusty said in the song...
Actually, I'm the third son of eight children total. Yes, I remember the TV show. No, that's not what my life was like. At all. But that theme song is pretty lovely, isn't it? Don't you just wish your life was like that? Those lyrics?...come on, you wanted to be one of those spoiled kids, and have Dick van Patten as your goofy, charming father, didn't you?
Let me tell you, that's not the way it was. It was nothing like this other TV show either, even though I suppose the huge family of preacher's kids is supposedly closer to a script outline for my life. But no...
Actually, growing up as one of 8 kids in a preacher's family was far weirder, but ultimately way more fun, than any of those televisual dorks were. So, no, TV isn't always a good advisor to help you categorize people into the nifty little psychological cupboards we tend to make for the world around us. Plus, on TV they say a lot of things, don't they? One of the things they say is that "PKs are the worst!", a well-worn cliché that might have some internal validity, but that kind of wild generalization can't always be applied to each individual that is part of the group, can it? [Uh...that would be No.]
On the other hand, Dusty had all those charming things to say about one particular son of a preacher man, but I doubt I'm exactly what she described, either. It would be nice to claim that I am, though...
What the heck am I about, then? It's pretty debatable how my personal viewpoint during life has shaped my understanding of the world as we know it, but I find the situation described in Debord's "Society of the Spectacle" still has amazing explanatory power today. Even more so when you factor in television. Like so many other lines of critical thinking, though, it doesn't provide a solution for the problems it illuminates. Nor does it provide a replacement or suggested ethical system that will allow an enjoyable--or even contented--lifestyle, at least not in America. Ask my brother. Suffice it to say that, for me, an overarching philosophy of life is still developing even now, as I go through life. I have to admit it changes some as you get older. Hmmmmm...
For now it's much simpler to say what I'm NOT. I've pretty much ruled out the belief systems that make any grand assumptions about what happens after we die. Take that as you will, but I feel that puts even more obligation on me to live as much life as possible and to make life meaningful. Somehow.
Eventually, I stumbled across something that had meaning. For me, at least. I became a scientist. A good one. Both meanings of "good". How it happened was almost an accident, but a pretty fortunate one for me. I would like to continue it, but this component of my life has now become a very odd and fantastical story, well worth telling. But not right here this minute. Later.
Meanwhile, I have a good job. I work in R&D for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. I write some of the clinical documents for FDA submission. Mostly CSRs and IBs. I have a great boss and work in a fancy building. What more could I ask for?
For now, maintaining this site is really just an indulgence on my part. I sometimes wonder if I can purchase an absolution for it. Hmmmm...those particular guys make a whole string of grand assumptions about what happens after we die, don't they? Oh, well...meanwhile I'll keep it and take my chances.
I'll post more important things here about my life when they become available for public consumption.
* "PKs" used here to indicate "preacher's kids", not "pharmacokinetics". Although the cliché still works pretty well for me either way.
You are visitor number
since September 22, 1999. There must be a lot of people out there with too
much time on their hands.
This site created with my own grubby little hands and software provided by Satan®©™ (AKA Bill Gates and Co), FrontPage. No apologies because even if he and his lawyer/MBA goons are Satan Inc...their software usually does what you want it to. If you are offended by that attitude or the content of this site I suggest some HTML line-coding for a while. Kevin.
This page was last edited on Sunday, December 04, 2005 08:48:06 PM
If this site is whacked in some way (broken links, etc.) please let me know at kevin@stansberry.org and I'll fix it