My peeps at Da Baa

The dichotomy inherent in humans is fascinating to me. How is it that one person can be a devout racist and at the same time be a kind egalitarian philanthropist? How is it that one person can be educated, well spoken and at the same time have heathen table manners? How is it that one person can promote "law and order" in politics and at the same time be a profligate drunk on the road? How is it that one person can be spiritually devout and at the same time be politically hateful, selfish and suspicious?

Observing my tribe at Da Baa is a prime reason for my high level of optimism about the future. It seems to me that at the core of every person is the desire to do the right thing in this complicated world of confusion.

Lisa

There is no damned way in hell that I could own a pool hall and herd us cats. The required level of patience and hard work is far beyond my capabilities. I admire this quality.

Karen

She sends me; if I spring a leak, she mends me; I don't have to speak, she defends me. My trusted confidant and #1 supporter.

My brothers Curt and Jim

Both are accomplished musicians, a skill I am totally devoid of, which has forced me to deal with intense envy. The theory of sound, harmonic content and wave shapes closely mirrors the math underlying the quantum wave function.

Brother Jim is a reborn Christian. Our debates over many years about the conflicts between religion and science have been clarifying to me. These two guys have no idea how much influence they have had on me.

Grandma

The concept of "The Graces" in the book comes from my time with Grandma. A devout Lutheran, Grandma seldom spoke of God or Jesus. She taught Honesty, Humility, Modesty and Understanding.

Aunts and Uncles

As a child, whenever I expressed interest in any subject I was showered with books and science toys on the subject.

Mom and Dad

I was extraordinarily fortunate to have the best parents ever. Despite a modest upbringing, we never suffered for anything and were nurtured in a loving and caring household. I could write a book about their positive influence on me.

Bob Nance

Math, history and English subjects were forced down my throat in primary school without being taught the importance of them. Entering high school I was shy, uninspired and very confused about the world.

I had been playing with an all-band radio. I simply could not understand how an antenna of one length would pick up some frequencies but not others. But my confusion was much more extensive. Why would a friend die so young? Why would parents get divorced? Why were there bullies?

Mr. Nance taught AC/DC theory (electrical, not the band) at my high school. He sat me down alone in the science lab and demonstrated a standing wave on a transmission line. Clarity! In minutes he revealed to me why my antennas behaved the way that they did. I did not understand the math or how the electronic components worked at the time, but the concept was clear to me. From this simple lesson came the idea that the world can be understood, and that all confusion is caused by ignorance. Can there be a more important lesson?

Lester

Les missed his calling. He should have been a teacher. I had no experience with website coding and he kindly helped me through it, not by solving my problems, but by pointing out the best path to take. I find it amusing to click Lester between his two very distinct personalities. One moment he is the jovial and loud center of attention, but if you ask him a technical question he instantly switches to teacher mode. I admire this.

My many Exes

For most of my life I did not understand that my obsessive drive when inspired is not normal. I once spent a year designing and building an analog synthesizer. Not as a product opportunity but as a passion. My intense focus pushed everything else out. Responsibility at work, responsibility to my mate, and even responsibility for my own health was demoted to lesser priorities. This pattern was repeated many times with many projects over the years. It is a flat-out miracle that these women had patience with me as long as they did.