Luck is a Virtue, Not a Superstition

I have now been blogging daily for one solid month. I started this blog a year ago but let it lie fallow because I thought we might have finally reached a new era of tolerance. Well, that hope turned out to be a bit premature, and after the pro-sodomy law chorus I saw this Spring, I decided to really get my feet wet and blog in earnest. I thought I needed encouragement from a seasoned pro, and I got it in the form of Jeff at Alphecca -- who agreed to be my blogfather. When I feel useless, unread, and unloved, Jeff has always been nice enough to put in a plug for me in his column. He got me started, and I can't say enough good things about this great guy. Amazing to have a feeling of knowing someone I have never met -- and I even call him a "father." Kind of renews my faith in life!

This is my first Friday the Thirteenth post, and while am I having to force myself to write because I am tired, I wanted to thank not only Jeff but the people who have been kind enough to link to me. Bear in mind that I have found these by browsing around and by reading that constantly changing list down at the bottom left (showing only those who visit my site who share the same software). There may be others, but unless they contact me I don't know how to find them. I am honored that the following have either linked to me or (even more flattering) have quoted from my blog:

If you are here, and if you like anything that I have written (or even if you haven't!), then please check out these fine blogs.

Alphecca. (Jeff needs no further introduction; my blogfather -- the famous "Gay Gun Nut in Vermont" -- the one and the only!)

Samizdata. The great and powerful British blog, Samizdata takes on the EU and all evil Statist forces, and ranks up there with blog greats like Instapundit and Andrew Sullivan. I never, ever miss it -- and I am sure no one here does either. I felt very lucky (as well as honored) to get linked there, and I can't speak highly enough of them.

Arthur Silber's Light of Reason. Probably the most distinguished Objectivist blogger, Arthur Silber knew and worked with the legendary Ayn Rand herself. He makes me feel very guilty that I don't know as much as I should, and he was very kind to add me to his links. I read him daily, and so should anyone who wants to understand Objectivism.

Anger Management. Don Watkins is pure genius, whose creative and analytical abilities are second to none. His blog and Arthur Silber's have forced me to reach a new understanding of Objectivism -- even if my reach exceeds my grasp. His three part essay on Altruism should be required reading for anyone interested in libertarianism or Objectivism.

Catallarchy. Four guys -- Jonathan Wilde, Brian W. Doss, John C. Reif, Doug Alle. I love their blog, which provides excellent libertarian analyses of economic and social freedom. Be sure to read this one. which deals with the history of the Culture of Liberty in the US and the UK.

The Anger of Compassion. A cool name, and one of the best libertarian blogs around (appears to be connected to the beloved Society for Creative Anachronism). Craig Ceely is a brilliant writer who is today celebrating his 28th anniversary in the United States; his parents brought him here from the former USSR! In my view, we need more citizens like this guy, because he knows the meaning of freedom.

reflections in d minor. (A music-oriented blog with social commentary, I find it very educational, particularly because my musical background is not what it should be. You really should check this one out, as it is the only blog I have seen like it.)

Walter in Denver -- a really cool libertarian site! "Walter rubs two sticks together, makes blog." Now that makes me feel inferior, as I have to use a computer and a modem.)

Dustbury.com. Charles G. Hill, Oklahoma blogger, describes the origin of the name of his libertarian-oriented, beautifully written blogsite:

we want ritzy suburbia, but we know how hard it is to shake off the red clay of the country. Upscale, but still possessed by poverty: call it Dustbury — the dream home on the edge of nowhere.

Be sure to check all of them out!

As I said yesterday, I am just a little fish in a big pond. To know that people are reading me is incredibly gratifying, and this is the only way I know how to thank you.

I thank all of the above for linking to me, and anyone else who might be reading this! Please keep coming back! It makes me very happy, and brings GOOD LUCK, for all concerned.

It is quite fitting to promote luck on Friday the Thirteenth. After all, Felicitas the Roman goddess of happiness and luck, was not a superstition at all, but one of the virtues, personified as a goddess.

Imagine happiness and luck as a virtue! Something to be pursued.

A Classical Value?

Do we have to go all the way back to ancient Rome to find such a thing as "pursuit of happiness?"