Finding a Stride

The grey season has taken Bellingham. Now, as I leave for work, most mornings till the spring will greet me with either rain or thick and soupy fog. To be honest I enjoy both; separate or together. The fog offers an air of mystery and hides some of the uglier sights on my commute. The rain is refreshing and for me a type of audible therapy. I could listen to rain drops fall on leaves and puddles all day and not grow tired. In addition to the welcome noise, the rain also serves as a deterrent; it keeps most of the walkers off the multi use trails, especially the old women with their toy dogs who seem to lack any peripheral vision.

The local bookstore called me the other day announcing my order had finally arrived. Excitedly, I walked down to the store the next day and purchased my book, "The Varieties of Scientific Experience" an edited version of Carl Sagan's famous Gifford Lectures he gave in Scotland in 1985. Sagan took this opportunity to detail his views on the conflict between religion and science, the need for critical thinking and the democratic virtues of the scientific method in lecture form, to a packed audience. I've read a few chapters so far and find it hard to put the book down; I've yet to find anyone who can instill such a sense of awe and wonder in his audience as Carl Sagan could. The way he deals with his subjects is incredible; ever respectful of individuals, he still possessed the ability to sharply cut through ideas and lead his questioners, in a Socraticlly inspired way, to a greater understanding of the subject at hand. I'm sure this book will end up at near the top of my favorite books list once I'm finished.