Dithering over an Email

I like to keep my email Inbox empty. It's not meant to be a holding pen of reminders. "Oh yeah, I still need to email Michael those pictures". Because, when it's got a backlog of emails, it means that I have procrastinated on every single one. "Right, need to send Rose some manuscript pages... I'll do that later." One rule of thumb says that you should reply to emails within 48 hours... some of my emails sit in my Inbox for much longer.

Right now, there is one in particular that is bothering me... because I don't know what to do about it. It's an email from a professional association, reminding me that if I pay by November 16, I can get a discount on my annual dues. Simple really. I could pay the dues now and get a discount. Or I could let it sit and then pay full price. Except for one tiny thing. I haven't actually worked in that field for 15 years or so. I'm still a member of this association... but I no longer work in that area of expertise. But I'm still a member. Why? Good question.

Because I think... what if? What if I decide to go back to that area sometime down the road. It would be helpful to have that designation, wouldn't it? It looks good on my resume. And it's not that much... only $40/year (because I qualify for the "unemployed" category). But... for years after I left the field, I also paid the dues for my Professional Provincial designation ($300/year). Until finally I said enough and resigned in good standing. But... I wonder, should I have kept that? Ach... indecision.

I suppose part of it is hanging onto the past. I wonder if maybe I'll need those things in the future. I've turned my back fairly completely on that area of employment but... I still hang onto it. See my problem? Indecision... uncertainty... procrastination. The professional membership doesn't really benefit me in any way... so what if I am a "Fellow" in the membership ranks. I need to make a decision, one way or the other.

Or that email will sit in my Inbox, nagging me... reminding me that I am a ditherer sometimes... which is not how I want to see myself. Choose... in or out.

American Gun Violence

Last week, the news was full of images from the Oregon Umpqua Community College mass shooting. Nine people died and many more were injured. Everyone bemoaned gun violence in the United States. It was all very sad.

This morning, there is a small story on BBC

US boy, 11, held for shooting dead eight-year-old neighbour

An 11 year old boy wanted to see the puppy of an 8 year old girl who lived nearby. The two children went to the same school and the boy had a history of bullying the girl. The girl refused to show the boy her puppy. He pulled out his father's 12 gauge shotgun and killed her.

Everyone bemoans mass shootings, and with good reason. But child gun violence is far and away the most effective argument for gun control. There is a saying in the gun-friendly States that guns don't kill people, people kill people. But that argument is meaningless when faced with child gun violence.

So far this year, in the United States,

559 children under the age of 11 have been killed or injured by guns
2010 children aged 12-17 have been killed or injured by guns

The victims, and perpetrators, are far too young. In 2013 - a three year old and a 10 month old were briefly left in a vehicle unattended outside the family home. The 3 year old found a handgun in the vehicle and shot the 10 month old in the face. Another victim.

We know the issues. We know the questions that are raised. Unfortunately, the American people seem unable to answer those questions in a meaningful way that stops the slaughter of its children.