“If, however, there is to be a war of nerves let us make sure our nerves are strong and are fortified by the deepest convictions of our hearts,” Churchill speaks to me at this time.
As does Sun Tzu: “Hold out baits to entice the enemy… Attack him where he is unprepared… the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision… supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting… let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.”
My recalcitrant roommate has capitulated.
Received a phone message declaring his defeat last night; A. apologized, offering to return my paint supplies immediately, as well “a couple other things of yours” (hmm…) and asked me to leave his laptop on the desk.
I have done so, in a gesture indicating my generosity of spirit and optimistic good faith in his word-as-bond. Also with the full knowledge that, should he seek to agitate my wrath further by failing to comply with the terms of our truce, vice grips will most certainly enter the field of battle.
Victory is mine!
More wisdom from ‘The Art of War’
The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.
These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.
Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.
By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.
These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:–
(1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?
(2) Which of the two generals has most ability?
(3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
(4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
(5) Which army is stronger?
(6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
(7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
You win! Yay!
-caellum
\m/
In a morning email from my realtor:
It was great seeing you again yesterday and meeting your interesting friend.
I kind of laughed out loud when I read that. I’m sure she meant it sincerely, but it’s hard not to read it as… “your… interesting friend.”
Thanks for the help yesterday! You are totally my wingwoman of choice for the Condo Safari.
Also? I still totally want to go visit Dalhousie street Thursday night. Then, if we aren’t killed, I’ll think some more about it. But the trends in prices/listing times in that building are worrying (I’ll forward you the solds)… that and the lack of appropriate litterbox space 😉
Now, the question is how to deal with your post-battle relations: Treaty of Versailles or Marshall Plan? (Or Iraq-style quagmire?)
the thing is… he knew he was fully in the wrong. did he apologise? sound remorseful? or is he just evil and doing these things to get his computer back?
I’m afraid there is a dearth of historical examples of the joyful reintegration of people divided by civil strife. War at home often leads to widening divisions and deepening resentment.
Thus, my adoption of the fast and brutal Andrew ‘Ender’ Wiggin method of conflict resolution and firm establishment of dominance. Hit hard and hit fast, the very first time to make sure your person and property are never threatened again. If your opponent is worthy, they will respect your tactics. If they are not respectful, they may fear and loathe you, but at least they’ll be hesitant to engage you a second time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wiggin
It’s also a methodology I’ve observed by watching Barbara Woodhouse’s television show as a child. That reference may seen unfair and cruel to my human, non-canine roommate, but it’s merely meant as proof that most philosophy of behavioural modification relies on the “alpha dog” technique, and on the policy that habit is harder to break than a first offence.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0671541854/qid=1107973685/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-1754524-4736909?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
So for now, I’ll hope that A’s easygoing nature leaves him too idle to expend energy stoking the fires of bitterness and resentment, and will treat the situation as an amusing exploration of the Amazonian facets of my personality.
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/amazons.html
I thought you might enjoy knowing that seeing as I’m never home when Days of Our Lives is on anymore, your LJ has become my substitute. I sit here eating my meals reading your entertaining entries. The whole “conflict in the home” storyline really is quite good…adds a bit of substance, you know? I’m eager to read the next episode!
🙂 Yes, I must admit I think I started this whole business of blogging to fill the gaping void left by soaps in my own life. I mean, now I have season 1 of The O.C., which is all the drama I need, but it’s good to keep a hidden skill set in case working for the government doesn’t pan out. Writing for soaps could work.
Spoilers for the next few episodes:
– this weekend! sappy smooches and family fun collide as our happy couple juggle visits to Oakville! breakfasts with Dan! bed buying! anniversary planning! dim sum with Dad! birthday parties! Valentine’s day! and God only knows what else while Moira suffers less than silently through menstrual cramping…
– next week! moving in to the new condo angst! the oppressive weight of eternal debt takes it’s toll on our intrepid heroine, as she realizes that she has only $350 cash to her name, and OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS OF DEBT!
– next month! Moira’s hidden evil identical twin? Justin’s secret connections to royalty? one of our cast members suffers amnesia, but we can’t remember which one?!?
All this and more, next time, on “The Days of Moira’s Life”
*cheesy string orchestra music swells*