journal features

ken gets stung

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Toronto, 2013.09.08

It's the season for yellowjacket hornets, and even though we all know not to swat the damn things (this causes the hit insect to release fight pheromones, which attracts angry allies), I accidentally knocked one of the things while trying to wave it away. It was sent flying, and somehow lodged itself between Ken's neck and his shirt collar, where it stung him twice.

Poor little guy. He was pretty brave about it, but it was his first time. Someone fetched some vinegar and applying a bit of that seemed to help, the stings were reduced to a plain red patch within ten minutes.

rand()m quote

One day you will take a fork in the road, and you're going to have to make a decision about which direction you want to go. If you go one way, you can be somebody. You will have to make compromises and you will have to turn your back on your friends. But you will be a member of the club and you will get promoted and get good assignments. Or you can go the other way and you can do something [...] for yourself. If you decide to do something, you may not get promoted and get good assignments and you certainly will not be a favorite of your superiors. But you won't have to compromise yourself. To be somebody or to do something. In life there is often a roll call. That's when you have to make a decision. To be or to do.

—John Boyd, US Air Force