I've got a really great friend. Actually, I'm lucky enough to have several really great friends, but this particular friend has a blog you should read. With his permission, I will link to his site at a future time.

Adam, this friend, committed an act of vandalism several years ago. All of his close friends knew, some of us knew to wait and see.

On 34th street, in Gainesville, Florida, there is a wall of some notoriety. On this wall is a memorial celebrating the lives of several students who were the victims of a monster. Adam, and another friend, Paul, painted that memorial.

I waited. I watched. It is a habit my mother taught me, and it serves me well. I think what she said was, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and have people wonder whether you are a fool, than to open your mouth and let them know for sure." Should you employ this little bit of advice, be aware that all four conditions will, and do, exist.

In more current events, Danny Rolling was executed this past week. It took sixteen years. It is said that the wheels of justice grind slowly, and I would take this as a prime example, but there is finally closure for the families of our lost college students.

Where I work, there was a small, impromptu celebration, including people toasting with their drinks bought from the soda machine, and much volunteering to "Throw the switch."
I leaned against the railing of the steps, silently smoking, saying nothing. I wonderred if I should point out the barbary of the situation. The whole situation, not just this jubilant break time, but I did not.

Adam posted his experience about the execution, and the time after painting the wall. I spent about forty five very emotional minutes reading the blog entry and wondering why this struck me beyond even the level of my compassion for my friend, and all of the victims of this trajedy.

I reread Adam's posting. I reread Adam's posting several times. I finally got the message. Early on in the posting Adam makes reference to a rune reading revealing that Adam was put here to annoy the rest of us into doing what we should do. In my human arrogance, I seem to have missed that when Odhin said that, he meant that Adam would annoy me, too.

So, here I am starting the side lourney into doing what I should, and the immediate topics are as follows.

On the topic of the late Mr. Rolling, I have to say that I am not sorry he is dead, but there is much more to it than this short, dismissive statement. I am sorry for the loss suffered by the families of these students. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, neither can I imagine carrying that agony for sixteen years. I have no problem with the notion that Mr. Rolling needed to be dead, but I do have a problem with the notion that we, the people of the state of Florida, had to kill him. I don't believe in the death penalty, but I am not wise enough to devise a better solution. Apparently none of us are.

I am sorry that the University of Florida will forever bear this black smudge. This is beautiful city and a great school, and I am happy to see that my home is slowly healing from the destructive actions of a monster. Go Gators!

Considering my experience with the "party" at work, I have to think that my solution was best. Thanking my mother for her well spoken advice seems a little slight, but that is a personal puzzle for me to solve. I will continue to wait, and to watch, because this is such an interesting world, I can't help myself. At least I can keep from opening my mouth, sometimes, but I can strive for the wisdom to know when to open my mouth (and fill it completely with my foot).

Adam: I have been poked in the side by you one too many times. I got the message, and I will begin to write, as we discussed before. But, be advised I will be calling you about the things I write, and how to relate the ideas better. I look forward to this endeavor.
Thank you.