In today's episode of "You know what I mean?" we look at the issue of "Short-Timer's Attitude", or STA as we pseudopsychologists call it.

You know what I mean. When someone is very close to being gone, his mind wanders. He might be about to take a new job and can't concentrate fully on his old one. Or, he might be about to go on vacation, and can't fully concentrate on his job. Or, he might be almost done with vacation, but can't fully appreciate the final few hours, but he still can't concentrate on his job.

This attitude is common in the work-a-day world. Our studies show that STA begins at a point before the actual absence (of course) and that point is farther in front of the absence when the event to which the worker is looking forward is more desireable. For example, for the normal human male, STA begins only 15 minutes before leaving to attend a wedding. However, STA can begin to show its effects on that same normal human male up to several days before gathering together with other normal human males for Really Fun Things (RFTs), or even Just Goofing Off Without Women (JGOWW).

While the results of this study may come as a surprise to normal human females, or even Severely Anal-Retentive Type-1 Males (SART1Ms), the truly shocking aspect is our startling conclusion that, not only is STA incurable, but it should not, under any circumstances, be dissuaded, thwarted or prevented in any way. The reasons for this are highly complex, pseudopsychologically, but can be summed up for the lay-woman (or SART1M) thusly: "That's how men are. So leave me alone!"

We hope this episode has been helpful. Be sure to tune in next time for our investigation of another common malady among normal human males: LACSH - Laughing At Childish Sexual Humor.

With tremendous help from my good friend and Windows guru Michael Hacker (take a bow Mike!) I no longer have that frustrating "filter drivers" failure to correctly install my new hard drive.

What's more, the same fix has allowed my USB memory device to be recognized each and every time I plug it in, not just occassionally.

The URL Mike found for me is:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;823774

It's so nice when a friend helps, and a fix works.

On the door of my office, I have a space for a name plate. I suppose this is common in office buildings. Where I work, if you have a door, you have one of these name plate holders on the door. If you don't have a door, you have a holder on the wall outside your office or cubicle.

I haven't used my name plate holder to hold my name for years and years. Instead, I have quotes.

Why? Because sometimes I think things would be better if everyone I worked with were forced to memorize a few well-chosen words of wisdom.

My kids had to memorize verses from the Bible as they grew up, going to a Lutheran School. While this seemed, at times, like a meaningless chore, I have come to appreciate its value. Most of the "memorized" verses don't stick with them, but a few do. Which ones? By and large, the ones which speak directly to them about something important in their lives. The verses might provide comfort, or promote proper behavior, or encourage thankfulness, or express love, or build faith. But whatever they do, having those verses planted firmly in the mind helps the kids in their lives, for they can recall the words and ideas whenever such thoughts are needed.

I think the same can and should be done with other material which provides wisdom. My friend, Michael, quotes Shakespeare. Some quotes are merely excellent writing, but the best ones are excellent writing and show something about the human condition. The quotes I have on my door are meant to be the same.

And so, at times, I've decided I will post a blog entry with a quote. And today's quote is a perfect introduction to the many which may follow.

"All truly wise thoughts have been thoughts already thousands of time; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Part of growing up is developing opinions. As we get educated, formally or informally, we base our opinions on facts. And, sometimes, we base them on "truths" which we believe are self-evident. But often, our use of those "truths" and our strict reliance on "facts" blinds us to the value judgments we are making, and the effects those judgments have on others.

The case in point: You think cosmetics are a waste of time and money, and an injustice on women.

This point of view is not hard to understand, and an idealistic college student might certainly come to it reasonably. But, son, your mother sells Mary Kay cosmetics.

So, what am I saying? Am I suggesting your opinion is wrong because it conflicts with your mother's? No. Am I saying you should withhold your opinion because it might make your mother feel bad? Not really -- though taking the feelings of others into account is part of the message. If those are not my points, what is? I'll get there. Just a minute. (Patience is also something we learn as we mature -- or ought to.)

You sing in a Praise band. Why do you do it? To worship, certainly, but WHY? What is the point of the worship, and what are the results of worshipping in that way? Getting to the mundane reasons, you would certainly agree that you enjoy it. And, I suspect, you like participating in something which other people enjoy, too. I'm not saying that the praise band is a selfish indulgence. I'm saying that when you worship this way, you and others get happiness.

Yet, many people in the world do not believe in the God you worship. And many who do cannot understand someone who would devote time to this form of worship.

Perhaps the religious example is too extreme. After all, cosmetics are not a religion. (You did realize I was drawing a parallel, didn't you?) So let's use another.

You play computer games. Why? Here, we can quickly come to the base reason -- you enjoy them. Yet you know that there are many people in the world who don't get enjoyment from those games. And, further, you know that there are people who would criticize you for "wasting" your time on them.

Now, consider: Cosmetics and fashion are a pass-time, a diversion, a hobby of sorts. From their earliest years many people, especially women in our culture, become aware of personal beauty. As they grow, they begin to take enjoyment from the process of "dressing up." By the time they are adults, or even teenagers, their satisfaction with looking nice, or changing their appearance, is a part of who they are -- just as enjoying video games is a part of who you are.

If all the time and money which is spent on cosmetics were spent on [insert a worthy cause here] would it make a positive difference? Sure. But the same could be said about the money spent on video games, sports, and all the other things you enjoy.

We, all of us, need to recognize that tolerance is not just something we should exercise with the big issues like race and culture, but also with others who just happen to enjoy different activities. Each of us has things which make us feel happy, fulfilled, thrilled, content -- yet those same things do not have the same effects on others. But those things are important. Each of us needs them. And criticizing the needs of others serves no real purpose, and antagonizes them in the process.

There are some beliefs you will have which should be stated and held to throughout your life. Now is the time to figure them out. But as you are doing your analysis, sift through those beliefs to discard the value judgments based on your own preferences. It is about this sort of bias a wise uncle of mine once said "That is a matter of personal opinion; mine differing greatly from yours." "Belief" and "Opinion": You will live a happier and more constructive life if you can distinguish between them and advocate them with the strength each deserves.

The late, great Theodore Geisel (nom de plume: Dr. Seuss) wrote many excellent stories. This is not news. Many of them are allegorical, or at the very least, metaphorical. One of his lesser-known books serves me as an example of how I like to run my work life, as well as my leisure life. That book is The King's Stilts.

In this book, the King has a great work ethic. He gets up early, starts working, and "When he worked, he worked very, very hard." And he works very, very hard, all day, every day -- until quitting time.

At quitting time, he stops working, and he plays. And "When he played, he played very, very hard." And what does he play with? The King's Stilts, of course.

I think I need to build a motivational speech out of the many lessons this book can teach. In our culture, there seems to be an unwritten rule that, to be truly successful, you must devote yourself to your job and forsake fun -- or even outside responsibilities.

I think that some people can be that single-minded. But most of us need balance. And part of that balance is finding our "stilts" and playing with them regularly.

Like any good story, The King's Stilts has conflict. It centers around what happens when the King is convinced to give up his stilts. I will not spoil it for those who have not read the story, but beleive me, a King without his Stilts is not as good at his job.

I have several diversions, each of which provides me with something I need to be well-rounded and productive. I have games, like Magic, which challenges my mind. I have running, which keeps me fit, and gives me time to appreciate the outdoors. I have my DVD habit, which allows me to escape into someone else's imagination, while sharing time and experience with my family. I have fantasy football, which allows me to participate in a game I've always liked, but in a more strategic way -- and it's a common experience for my father and brother and myself. There are more, but the point is the same -- each of the activities refreshes me and builds me up so that I can go back to my job and work very, very hard.

What are your "stilts"? Do you view them as guilty pleasures? Or are they an acknowledged, welcomed part of your life?

In my view, they are blessings. Count them. Appreciate them. Enjoy them, Very, very hard.