Ipsoscope was begun by a friend several years ago, but remained a closet anticipation. He offered it to me when I considered a personal space to write helpful thoughts about what I know and love.
As a word, Ipsoscope could be defined as, “his view,” or “a means of looking from him.” It simply combines the Latin ablative ipso with -scope (scopium, meaning a means or tool for looking.) There you have it, like it or not.
Where am I looking from? Me. These views mean more if I can somehow “qualify” to express my results, conclusions, and opinions. Whether you like or agree with them or not.
Diabetes and alcoholism, combined with growing up and living in and around ghettos, from a family of fine culture and refinement help with qualifications. An incredible, life-changing conversion to Christianity in 1987 helps tremendously, along with getting married (twice), having children (twice) and recovering from the booze addiction (just once, thank God, over 37 years ago.)
I may be an idiot, but an educated idiot. Theology, psychology, science and technology education and training follow a triple major and double minor undergrad degree, with master’s work in English and Psychology. The others — writing, technology, and philosophy — round out the ignorance. Oh, and a license in Intensive Behavioral Psychotherapy earned in New York. If that sounds impressive, let me assure you, it is not.
Professionally, I have loads of experience in numerous fields from pumping gas, washing dishes and short order cooking to sales, accounting, transportation and warehouse management, disability program management, community center direction, and delivery truck driving. I’ve also been a school teacher, building contractor, independent living skills trainer, plastics engineer, pastor, and a few other titles given to me by others. Whether you like it or not, most mean nothing at all.
I have enjoyed living in some real cesspools. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, it was interesting to watch my hometown deteriorate into Murder City in the 1970s. Baton Rouge, LA, Phoenix, AZ, Seattle, WA, Philadelphia, PA, Elizabeth, NJ, and Schenectady, NY had several high points as well. Mostly though, small living is most comfortable for me. Peace is good.
Somewhat of an extremist, I have too many hobbies. The problem comes from not enough hours to really master anything. I enjoy cabinetry, leather craft, blacksmithing, photography, architecture, materials, urban planning, and building; guitar and sax, and listening to a variety of music; gardening, soil management, water conservation and other earth sciences; political ethics and history; photography, reading and research of all things. I also enjoy pets of all types, art theory, drawing, painting, and sculpture; fish keeping and fishing, hiking and backpacking, camping . . . the list goes on, but I won’t. Not here. Many of these subjects and more will appear in other places when they serve good purpose.
I am not boasting. Like it or not, specific qualification to offer reasoned thoughts is the reason for this biographical information. I do believe that study of the Scripture, self-control, and living a broad and varied life are the big part of wisdom, but only if they are reasoned and constantly moderated.
Anyone knows more about something than I do. That is the point, so let me state it here: there is no amateur or expert (including you or anyone, your gang or political party) who is able to run our lives and affairs. Our whole community, State, nation, and world require restraints, order, direction, morals and ethics, health, wealth, and well-being that must come from our God alone.
Whether you like it or not.
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