journal features

an heirloom

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-eight years and a million words

Kokubunji, 2024.12.28

Earlier this month I had my annual health checkup. There are x-rays, so I had to remove my beloved necklace. It's been some twenty-five years since I bought the original piece from an artisan in Sydney. While it suited me as a younger person I reckon it's time to hang it up. A couple of years ago, Ken gave a presentation in school in which he said he aspired to be like me*, and cited my modding the necklace and modding my watches as an inspiration. So, I asked him today if he wants the thing. Mari's going to make a type of removable string so it won't interfere with his basketball.

*Yes, there were gasps in the room. Also, the school administration suggested he could do better.

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