Sunday, August 31, 2008

Shameless plug...

The posting has begun. There are now two chapters of Chickens in the Headlights up over at my other site, http://chickenarmpits.com. I'm posting one a week, so drop by and listen in. For those who haven't read my book, I think you'll like it. For those that have read the book, you really should listen to the audio book, David Walker does a fantastic job narrating the book.

Anyway, if you feel so inclined, head on over and listen in.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Turns out, I'm a minimalist.

I've decided I have too much crap. Way too much crap. The idea occurred to me on my last trip to Bear Lake. We were having a family reunion, and since the water has fallen it's a bit of a walk from the place we were staying, to the beach.

But still, it's just a trip to the beach, you don't need that much stuff, right?

Wrong.

All of my cousins and uncles and aunts had to fill cars of stuff, just to get down to the beach. We couldn't carry it because of all our stuff. We had to take chairs, and food, and water, and sun screen, and toys for the kids, and an awning for shade, and towels, books, plates for the food, cups for the water, and on and on and on. It blew my mind. I got to thinking about it and I realized all I really needed was a towel (Douglas Adams was right), and a book. And even the book was optional.

We carried all this stuff down and all it did was get in the way. I noticed the kids didn't really play with all the sand toys we brought. Sure, every once in a while they would, but for the most part they were just playing in the water. I think we spent more time as adults chasing down toys that were blowing or floating away than the kids ever spent on the toy.

The food got sandy, the awning blew over, the water was warm, the cups got scattered...It was silly.

You know, when we got rid of our second car, it was really hard for about 10 days. I kept being put out that I couldn't just up and go somewhere, even if Sue had the car. And now I don't give it a second thought. I bike more, I walk more, I take the bus. We just don't need it. We're saving money, the environment, and I'm more healthy. I think the concept of less is more is true in many different areas.

I've decided that there is a high cost when you buy something, no matter what the price is. I want to simplify, but first I need to convince the family it's in our best interest to do so.

I guess I'll start with my stuff. I have held on to a lot of things that I just don't need. The DI is about to get a whole pile of stuff. If you're willing to pay the price, feel free to wander on over and pick some of it up.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Behold, the power of blogs...

A great, great story out of Provo, Utah. To summarize, girl delivers pizza to senate majority leader, Curt Bramble. Bramble turns out to be a weenie. Girl blogs about it. The rest...is history.

KSL Nightside picks it up. Then KSL.com. Then the Tribune (who wins hands down the best picture of the whole event). Then it goes national with Fark, the Daily Kos, and even wikipedia (scroll down to the PizzaGate section).

Is there any question in anybody's mind that the internet is a good thing? That is gives a voice to the people who have long been without one? This isn't about bringing down a politician. It's about calling out bad behavior when you see it.

In the past we've been able to do things like write a letter to the editor, but that form of communication is beholden to the big media outlets. We can only share our thoughts if they deem them worth. Blogging gives a voice to people in a way that has never before been available.

What a great, great story, and I hope that it has a David and Goliath ending. I hope in the end, Mr. Bramble gets to return to his CPA career, where he can happily tell people that checks are as good as cash. There are a lot of good men and women in our state, surely we can find better.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Pace Yourself...

There is a saying that goes something like, "Tis better to aim for the stars and miss, than aim for a manure pile and hit."

I disagree.

In all my 35 years, I've never liked running. In fact, I've hated it. Why do I hate it? Because I'm no good! Here is a secret. If you're sitting on the couch, and you decide that you want to get up and run a few miles, it's not going to happen. You'll crap out by the end of the first block.

When I can't even run around the block I feel like a loser. So why would I want to get off the couch and run when the end result is that I feel like a loser? I'd much rather sit on the couch and feel like a winner (nobody is as good at sitting on the couch as I am). When I aim for the stars and miss, my self esteem is shot.

But for the past three weeks I've been doing the C25k program. Don't worry, this isn't going to turn into a jog blog. But the nice thing about this program is that it starts ridiculously easy. For example, the first week I was never running for more than 60 seconds. That is cake! The next week I ran for 90 seconds, and this week, 3 minutes. I've always been a bit winded, but never in pain. And since I'm aiming for the manure pile, and not the stars, by golly I feel good about myself. I am hitting my goal every time. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can hit that manure pile like I can. *pats back with a manure covered hand*.

So, don't buy into the stary eyed hype. Did you know that space (where stars live) is a cold and barren place? The Manure pile is nice and warm. Because the manure is fresh.

Come my friends. Come join me in the manure pile.


Image courtesy of Baby Dinosaur.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Interesting...

Don't know that I've ever heard this story, but it rings true.

I think there will always be a mix of natural talent and work, but talent will never make up for a good work ethic.