Life: in press

Here’s the photo that accompanied the article about me in the student newspaper, the Kaimin. The article is part of a series on the greatest humans alive ordinary folks around campus, called “Faces of UM.”

The article was very nicely done; and yes, by a student of mine (for no extra credit). I really didn’t know what to expect when he requested the interview. My ego being what it is, I just thought, ‘yea, sure’. I wasn’t sure if I would be asked mundane questions about myself or for my wise advice on world politics. I was a bit disappointed that it was the former. Actually I’m sure I would have sounded like a complete idiot pontificating on anything of any importance (as I sometimes attempt here).

My ego aside, I was pretty shocked by the size of the article. Anyone who knows me knows that I am pretty shy by nature and easily embarrassed, so they wouldn’t be surprised that I was bright red for a good 30 minutes after reading the paper.

On the other hand, it did have to leave a lot out. My sister, after reading it, commented that I forgot to mention the book on Buddhism she supposedly gave me when I was in High School. I don’t remember getting a book on Buddhism, and she doesn’t remember what it was called, but she’s certain that she’s the ultimate source of my interest in Buddhism. I also could have spoken about my mother, who taught me visualization practices when I was very young. And I didn’t get to mention the many teachers who have steered me on my way including Alan Sponberg, Albert Borgmann, and Paul Williams. Nor did I mention that I blog (and won a blogisattva last year!).

But alas, all of that can wait for the next article about me, sure to come soon enough.