Sunday, June 1, 2008

Endurance, or, One Massive Holly Bush


"To increase your success rate, increase your failure rate." (Somebody said that.)

The picture above is in part a past bloom himalayan honeysuckle, my weedy yard, and a massive holly bush. The general area is for the birds. I don't like to trim back the holly much... because that would decrease the winter stockpile of berries for the birds. And besides, what do I care? There is a rosebush on the other side of holly that would prefer a more sculpted yard... or death of a holly bush... But it is surviving remarkably well.

I don't usually watch basketball or baseball. Those guys (and gals) play too much. And since I don't own a T.V. it would involve an awful lot of beer bought in a bar while watching games. Football is one game, once a week, 4 plus (hopefully) months a year. Also, its on Sunday. But out of curiosity and because I've placed an important BET on the outcome and because the NFL off season does drag on and if I read Bellicheat ONE MORE TIME... anyway, I have now watched portions of three Celtics playoff games.

Speaking of endurance. Watching those guys (basketball) run around... Jeeze. Its exhausting. The author of "A Drunkard's Walk Through Life" said in his NPR interview that there was a 40% probability that the worst team will win a best of 7 series. Which illustrates very well why I am not a physicist (as that author is.) Another thing he talked about is the role "luck" plays in success.

I feel quite in sync with the moon phase whatever it is though I can almost promise you its waning and the property of randomness as regards loose change on a sidewalk. Luck, I've got you covered, in silver as it were, and I think I need to increase my failure rate (ah, no!)!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE a holly bush. Rosebush- eh- they seem too fussy. I'm a big fan or Darwinian gardening. May the fittest survive.

Unknown said...

I love that one of your labels is "missing the NFL" lol. I am with you there!!! If you get bored enough you can always go cut those bushes back...???

Chris Stone said...

Usually I'll see berries on that bush through most of the winter. The birds love it. That bush with the himalayan honeysuckle and a rose of sharon behind it... create a nice thicket for the birds.

I logged on this morning to delete this messy post... but I guess I'll let it stand. I don't make much sense sometimes and I suppose my blog has that characteristic too.

Suldog said...

Hah! I'm glad you realize the enormity of winning 10 (crummy) CDs. If you happen to cheer for the Celtics a time or two along the way, then my work will not have been in vain.

Rosebud Collection said...

Lovely bush..I wouldn't trim it either, looks great..
New Moon tomorrow..in Gemini.

melissa said...

I agree with teegee!
Fun read!

K.C. said...

YOu can only fail so much...RIght....
Like Edison, who failed 10,000 times before the incandescent light. OR...

One massive holly bush! KC