Great. it's been so long since I blogged, I forgot my password. I'll only say in my defense that I've been busier getting everything done around here on the farm to concentrate at all. That, and the whole idea of our new boat, "Fifer" has been eating away at me. I just wasn't sure we were prepared to take on a project like her. I say that not because we don't have the skills, know-how and ultimately, money to do the job....it's that this isn't just a huge project. It's our new home.
I've been quiet about letting all of you in on just how much of a project she is. Partly because the idea of it was daunting to me as well--and for those of you who truly know us, well, you know how over-our-heads we've been most likely as long as you've known us. (Hell, we've been over-our-heads as long as I'VE known us...lol) This boat felt like more of the same. That is, until this last weekend past.
We have been going back and forth with Sandy, the man who owned the boat, for weeks. Fleshing out details and expectations. Translating that into legalese...not as easy as it sounds. There are all kinds of issues swirling around this boat. None of which she caused. The man who owned the boat for more than 10 years is devoted to Fifer. He loves her. He lived on her and enjoyed cruising her around Canada. I don't doubt his affection or devotion to her, I only walk about this once proud and regal vessel and wonder how someone could be so overwhelmed and keep going down the same path. I think Sandy managed rather well until "the incident"--the point years ago where he ran Fifer into some rocks and tore the bottom of her out. The damage was extensive, and yes, she was partially submerged for a time until they were able to temporarily repair the gaping holes and tow her to safe harbor. It was at this point that the fortunes of Fifer took a turn for the worse. It wasn't because Sandy didn't throw an adequate amount of money at her--he spent $300,000 to repair the damage. It was done well, for the most part. The work that was done is a testament to how much Sandy loved the boat. He was only given $150,000 for the insurance settlement. Since that time, Sandy has become more and more overwhelmed trying to get on top of all the things that needed to be done to put Fifer back together. The interior has been gutted (all the fixtures and wiring have been removed). Many of the pieces are still intact--the main bits are all there. There will be extensive work done to restore the cabinets. We are thinking since things are torn out, that we may move the galley from where it is (downstairs) up to the salon area. The salon is massive, and having the galley where you could look out large, bright windows seems much more condusive to a happy cook! The galley down below seems more dungeon-like....it fits with my feel for being a chef, but I'd rather not perpetuate that ideal of myself. I'd actually like to cook, given the right environment. The engines have been completely rebuilt and sit in a tire warehouse in Surrey. They weigh 3 tons each, and Vince is mad for them. They are original to the boat, and where made in England. They are quite impressive and even I have to admit that they are pretty cool.
In short, there's one hell of a lot of work to do. Until this weekend I felt that the task was going to be so big that I couldn't quite get into the spirit of it all--especially since we still have so much to do with the house. I had a shift this weekend. I actually looked at what needed to be done, and it doesn't seem to overwhelm me. We have a reasonable plan of action, and I feel good about it.
This hasn't been an easy thing to do, getting Fifer. We now own her--we signed papers and exchanged funds yesterday. Sandy is in the hospital, and we had to go to his bedside to do the paper shuffle. He is very ill, and we're not sure if his outcome will be favorable. It was time for him to pass Fifer on. She is so very worthy of saving. She has a rich Northwest history--even boasting a visit from the Queen. We are only now discovering some of these things, and everyone we come in contact with seems to have the same sort of affection for her, and are excited to see someone pick her up and run with her. We have so much to do, but I'm excited.
We are really moving forward on the house, too. I'll bring you up-to-date on those exciting bits the next time.....and pictures of Fifer. Scary "before" pictures......
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Something different (but contoversial)
Out of curiosity, I recently did a Google image search for the infamous 2012 London Olympics logo. I had heard about it from my wife, who described it as “Lisa Simpson giving head.” Evidently this design has sparked a lot of criticism. Here is the quote from the design firm, Wolff Olins, who after several years and nearly $100K unveiled the logo.
Wolff Olins creative director Patrick Cox claimed that “Its design is intentionally raw, it doesn’t… ask to be liked very much. It was meant to provoke a response, like the little thorn in the chair that gets you to breathe in, sit up and take notice.”
There are plenty of things that get our attention as we stumble through life. I notice dog feces on the sidewalk, especially if it smells strongly. This evokes a response and emotions. I step around with disgust, and anger at the owners who allowed it to be in a shared public space. I’m not sure, but I don’t think that similar responses were desired by the Olympic Planning Committee who will emblazon this logo on everything from uniforms, to souvenir programs and clothing.
You may think me a bit harsh, but there is an old stereotype we have all seen of the Nouveau Rich, yet uneducated rube, (typically portrayed on screen as a Texas oil millionaire,) who upon looking at some modernistic painting comments “I may not know art, but I know what I like.” This person is then looked at scornfully by people who, we are told, are much more sophisticated and educated. The joke is that we should then dismiss this moneyed but crude person, and the lesson; that money doesn’t buy taste. Having seen many a mega yacht with a hideous interior, (and often exterior,) design, I could easily be led to identify with this stereotype. After reading the blogs critiquing and defending the Lisa Simpson/ Olympic Logo, I think deconstruction of this scenario is called for.
In 2012, the world will tune in to the London Olympics, and if this logo survived we will see it in every screenshot of Olympians either soaring to new heights, or crushed by performances falling short of the podium. The stories behind these athletes embody all that is good and altruistic, (or sometimes the opposite,) in human achievement. As members of the human race, we will all identify with something or someone in those arenas. Don’t we all then collectively have the right to demand a high standard for the imagery associated with these events?
Images evoke emotions, associations leading to memories, and prompt us to take action. Whether it is the decision to change or not change the channel, read or toss aside a magazine, buy or not buy a product, or simply the quality of those experiences, images are powerful. As consumers of pop culture our responses are measured in sales and ratings, but if there is a monopoly on that product, like the Olympics, the quality of that event is left to the whim of the Planning Committee. I say as consumers we are justified in feeling indignant if we think that an element of that product does not live up to the high ideals embodied in the event.
So I say that if we the public start feeling like that Texas oil millionaire, it’s time to throw the elitist snob’s out on their behind.
Here is a comment by one of the defender’s of the logo. They say the best defense is a good offense, so pay close attention to the language this “design professional” uses. I hope you see the irony:
Beauty is inherently elitist. It is full of rules and codes shared and acquainted only by the initiated. Beauty for being mysterious and enigmatic because no one knows it and when you grasp it, someone else tells you "you are so last season"... well, the TV shot beauty and MySpace and globalization finally killed it.Is this really such a loss? I don't think so. Aesthetics will always be used to separate people so you can bet on a next hype of orthodox old graphic design, and also to create desire out of pure void so it'll be cheap and fun (like it's always been). But if ugliness, postmodernism and democratization are the way to do those things so be it, I'm going to love every second of this trend. Orthodox graphic design doesn't have any sense of humor and has led to a boring generation of young graphic designers (the ones who praise Pentagram) that made dissidence (a.k.a. creativity) almost impossible, our very own artistic mix of state police and royal absolutists.My closing thoughts: F..k Vignelly, f..k Pentagram and f..k Paul Rand... we may differ on our appreciation of their quality and contribution but I think we can all agree that THEY ARE BORING. We can still learn from them but, we better have fun with our jobs and stop referencing the past.Viva lo feo!Dani R
First of all, beauty is hard to define, but it can be measured. Many amazing scientific studies on what is and isn’t beautiful, or when discussing fellow humans, what is or isn’t sexually attractive, have come out in recent years. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but these studies show it is a lot less arbitrary than that. Beauty can truly be measured, quantified, and defined. What cannot be quantified are trends, and to some extent fashion. These are subject to the whims of society, but there are some underlying universal truths. Anorexic tan blondes may be the trend, but symmetry and proportion is still universal, and thus they are symmetrically anorexic and proportionately blonde.
Just as questions of ethics and human behavior bring controversy, so do these ideas of beauty and design. On the latter you have conservative religion and secular psychology on two ends of the spectrum. The religious types would scoff at psychological studies, and tell you we shouldn’t even attempt to study it scientifically; have faith, they have all the answers and will share them with you if you join them. The secularists would say much of the human experience can be measured and explained, and that those ideas belong to all of us. It is my opinion that the art world: the gallery owners, fashion magazine editors, designers, etc. are the high priests, bishops, popes of fashion. They want to dictate our tastes to us through their hierarchy, worship in their stores, and pretend that they have not spent many fortunes hiding evidence contradicting them in their vaults, and ridiculing the heretics that dare question them.
Which brings us back to the Lisa Simpson/ Olympics logo.
If you define yourself by what you are not, then you are giving creditability to that which you seek to escape. Like the punk rock kid's who were trying to be individuals, but all end up looking like they are wearing uniforms (albeit leather with safety pins and anarchy patches) because they were trying so hard to be different that they let what they aren't projecting define what they were. "Devil worshippers" give credibility to Christians by accepting their argument that if you aren't following God's rules you must be a follower of Satan.
If these designers were truly groundbreaking, redefining how we communicate, then they wouldn't spend so much time trying to create contrast to what they were not.
An old saying is, "If a student hasn't learned, a teacher hasn't taught." Taking the same analogy, one can measure quantitatively how much a viewer has retained after being exposed to an attempt to communicate. Show me a study comparing what the creator intended vs. how much the viewer retained in both the traditional, and the new formats, and I might pay attention. I suspect that the latter would prevail, and therefore one could prove quantitatively that the communicator had failed.
If I wanted to listen to a rambling drunk who never got to the point, I would got to the bar, and not read Henry Miller. If I wanted to look at random shapes and bright colors with no intent or meaning, I would give some monkeys some fluorescent paint to throw at the wall with their poo.
Wolff Olins creative director Patrick Cox claimed that “Its design is intentionally raw, it doesn’t… ask to be liked very much. It was meant to provoke a response, like the little thorn in the chair that gets you to breathe in, sit up and take notice.”
There are plenty of things that get our attention as we stumble through life. I notice dog feces on the sidewalk, especially if it smells strongly. This evokes a response and emotions. I step around with disgust, and anger at the owners who allowed it to be in a shared public space. I’m not sure, but I don’t think that similar responses were desired by the Olympic Planning Committee who will emblazon this logo on everything from uniforms, to souvenir programs and clothing.
You may think me a bit harsh, but there is an old stereotype we have all seen of the Nouveau Rich, yet uneducated rube, (typically portrayed on screen as a Texas oil millionaire,) who upon looking at some modernistic painting comments “I may not know art, but I know what I like.” This person is then looked at scornfully by people who, we are told, are much more sophisticated and educated. The joke is that we should then dismiss this moneyed but crude person, and the lesson; that money doesn’t buy taste. Having seen many a mega yacht with a hideous interior, (and often exterior,) design, I could easily be led to identify with this stereotype. After reading the blogs critiquing and defending the Lisa Simpson/ Olympic Logo, I think deconstruction of this scenario is called for.
In 2012, the world will tune in to the London Olympics, and if this logo survived we will see it in every screenshot of Olympians either soaring to new heights, or crushed by performances falling short of the podium. The stories behind these athletes embody all that is good and altruistic, (or sometimes the opposite,) in human achievement. As members of the human race, we will all identify with something or someone in those arenas. Don’t we all then collectively have the right to demand a high standard for the imagery associated with these events?
Images evoke emotions, associations leading to memories, and prompt us to take action. Whether it is the decision to change or not change the channel, read or toss aside a magazine, buy or not buy a product, or simply the quality of those experiences, images are powerful. As consumers of pop culture our responses are measured in sales and ratings, but if there is a monopoly on that product, like the Olympics, the quality of that event is left to the whim of the Planning Committee. I say as consumers we are justified in feeling indignant if we think that an element of that product does not live up to the high ideals embodied in the event.
So I say that if we the public start feeling like that Texas oil millionaire, it’s time to throw the elitist snob’s out on their behind.
Here is a comment by one of the defender’s of the logo. They say the best defense is a good offense, so pay close attention to the language this “design professional” uses. I hope you see the irony:
Beauty is inherently elitist. It is full of rules and codes shared and acquainted only by the initiated. Beauty for being mysterious and enigmatic because no one knows it and when you grasp it, someone else tells you "you are so last season"... well, the TV shot beauty and MySpace and globalization finally killed it.Is this really such a loss? I don't think so. Aesthetics will always be used to separate people so you can bet on a next hype of orthodox old graphic design, and also to create desire out of pure void so it'll be cheap and fun (like it's always been). But if ugliness, postmodernism and democratization are the way to do those things so be it, I'm going to love every second of this trend. Orthodox graphic design doesn't have any sense of humor and has led to a boring generation of young graphic designers (the ones who praise Pentagram) that made dissidence (a.k.a. creativity) almost impossible, our very own artistic mix of state police and royal absolutists.My closing thoughts: F..k Vignelly, f..k Pentagram and f..k Paul Rand... we may differ on our appreciation of their quality and contribution but I think we can all agree that THEY ARE BORING. We can still learn from them but, we better have fun with our jobs and stop referencing the past.Viva lo feo!Dani R
First of all, beauty is hard to define, but it can be measured. Many amazing scientific studies on what is and isn’t beautiful, or when discussing fellow humans, what is or isn’t sexually attractive, have come out in recent years. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but these studies show it is a lot less arbitrary than that. Beauty can truly be measured, quantified, and defined. What cannot be quantified are trends, and to some extent fashion. These are subject to the whims of society, but there are some underlying universal truths. Anorexic tan blondes may be the trend, but symmetry and proportion is still universal, and thus they are symmetrically anorexic and proportionately blonde.
Just as questions of ethics and human behavior bring controversy, so do these ideas of beauty and design. On the latter you have conservative religion and secular psychology on two ends of the spectrum. The religious types would scoff at psychological studies, and tell you we shouldn’t even attempt to study it scientifically; have faith, they have all the answers and will share them with you if you join them. The secularists would say much of the human experience can be measured and explained, and that those ideas belong to all of us. It is my opinion that the art world: the gallery owners, fashion magazine editors, designers, etc. are the high priests, bishops, popes of fashion. They want to dictate our tastes to us through their hierarchy, worship in their stores, and pretend that they have not spent many fortunes hiding evidence contradicting them in their vaults, and ridiculing the heretics that dare question them.
Which brings us back to the Lisa Simpson/ Olympics logo.
If you define yourself by what you are not, then you are giving creditability to that which you seek to escape. Like the punk rock kid's who were trying to be individuals, but all end up looking like they are wearing uniforms (albeit leather with safety pins and anarchy patches) because they were trying so hard to be different that they let what they aren't projecting define what they were. "Devil worshippers" give credibility to Christians by accepting their argument that if you aren't following God's rules you must be a follower of Satan.
If these designers were truly groundbreaking, redefining how we communicate, then they wouldn't spend so much time trying to create contrast to what they were not.
An old saying is, "If a student hasn't learned, a teacher hasn't taught." Taking the same analogy, one can measure quantitatively how much a viewer has retained after being exposed to an attempt to communicate. Show me a study comparing what the creator intended vs. how much the viewer retained in both the traditional, and the new formats, and I might pay attention. I suspect that the latter would prevail, and therefore one could prove quantitatively that the communicator had failed.
If I wanted to listen to a rambling drunk who never got to the point, I would got to the bar, and not read Henry Miller. If I wanted to look at random shapes and bright colors with no intent or meaning, I would give some monkeys some fluorescent paint to throw at the wall with their poo.
Monday, February 22, 2010
End the Winter of Discontent.....
I continue this evening as I have for the last week. Watching the Olympics. I watch these people do what I will never do. Somehow, just because they are from my country, I can feel proud. It's weird. It also keeps me up too late at night. I'll be happy and sad when it's over. Can't wait to see how the men's hockey works out.....I just can't believe we could actually beat the Canucks in their own house. Doesn't seem fair.
The work continues, and we move closer to a signed-around agreement on the boat. Taking the kids in to get their passports tomorrow. We want to take a trip up to Vancouver for Spring Break to see Fifer. I know what it means for me--time to start cleaning! lol.
I don't have much to say tonite, just cleaning, working, getting things ready to go...same-old-same-old.
We haven't been able to get out and see people lately. I miss some folks...but on the other hand--we're well rested, catching up with things around here and finally getting over the dreaded flu.
The work continues, and we move closer to a signed-around agreement on the boat. Taking the kids in to get their passports tomorrow. We want to take a trip up to Vancouver for Spring Break to see Fifer. I know what it means for me--time to start cleaning! lol.
I don't have much to say tonite, just cleaning, working, getting things ready to go...same-old-same-old.
We haven't been able to get out and see people lately. I miss some folks...but on the other hand--we're well rested, catching up with things around here and finally getting over the dreaded flu.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Bits and Pieces.....
Today was all about work. Trying to get the1970 VW bus ready to sell. I'm dragging myself around doing all these things to prepare, but what I really should be doing is sleeping...I've got some nasty plague. I can't seem to relax, though, so I just keep moving. Getting things done feels good, so I keep on keeping on.
The boat purchase is progressing as well. Vince has contacted the boatyard where the boat is docked to tell them of our intent. He has also looked into all the ins-and-outs of getting the boat from Canada to the U.S. It's as complicated as you'd like to imagine. It will also cost us more money. Not a lot, but a couple of thousand dollars. Also, discovered that it's imperative to have the engines (which are currently in heated storage) installed in the boat before coming across the border. Apparently the EPA wouldn't allow them to come over to the the U.S. It doesn't make any difference if they are antique (which they are, 1926) or not. Good things to know. Due diligence. This boat won't cost us a lot of money, but any investment we make needs to be looked after well. Can't afford to make mistakes.
I'd really like to get the house sold in fairly short order. I realize that the boat is do-able without selling the place, but to me it seems like too much to juggle. I also think that emotionally we are one foot out the door already. It's like we made the decision and though it was seemingly sudden, it really wasn't. This was a long time coming. I'm ready.
I'm in the process of making the sacrifices necessary to make the move to Fifer possible. Selling my horse this weekend was a HUGE step for me. Lacey isn't just a horse, she's a dear, dear friend to me. When I bought her 8 years ago I had no idea how she would impact my life, how much I would grow to love her. I have no idea what happened to her in her previous life. I know that she was extremely well-trained--she can be ridden either English of Western, and she was quick and responsive to every touch. Unfortunately, I think she was also abused. When I got her, you couldn't touch her head. Not at all. She'd freak out, spook, rear back. It was terrible. Someone beat her severely. You could load her in a trailer--at your own risk. She freaked out at that, too. She'd get this crazy look in her eyes. If you know horses, you'll know what I'm talking about--complete disconnect. Just gone, There was no reasoning with her. After 8 years, she has grown to trust, and love. The little girl who will ride her now will know the joys of this love because she and I had the time to learn to trust each other. She has none of the fearfulness that she did when I got her. I'm sad that she isn't my horse anymore, but I'm happy that she will have a better home because of the time we spent together. It made me sad today when I looked down into her beautiful, rolling pasture. You can still see her favorite places to spend time..little worn out spots amidst the lush green. I'll miss that girl. She will always have a special place in my heart. She did as much for me as I did for her....she was a friend, not a pet. I'll miss our talks. I know it sounds crazy, but she listened. It felt like she understood. And accepted. Not too many friends like that in the world.
Selling Lacey is how to gauge my emotional commitment to this life-change. I'm completely in it. Having a horse was a dream from the time I was tiny. It took me until I was in the 30's to fulfill that dream. Now dreams are changing .Evolving, I guess. Now I dream of traveling to exotic ports of call with the people I love most. I dream of lounging on Fifer on beautiful summer days. I dream of sailing Gullmar around the Puget Sound, sailing her in the way she should be sailed--hard and fast. Life is good. Bring it on.......
The boat purchase is progressing as well. Vince has contacted the boatyard where the boat is docked to tell them of our intent. He has also looked into all the ins-and-outs of getting the boat from Canada to the U.S. It's as complicated as you'd like to imagine. It will also cost us more money. Not a lot, but a couple of thousand dollars. Also, discovered that it's imperative to have the engines (which are currently in heated storage) installed in the boat before coming across the border. Apparently the EPA wouldn't allow them to come over to the the U.S. It doesn't make any difference if they are antique (which they are, 1926) or not. Good things to know. Due diligence. This boat won't cost us a lot of money, but any investment we make needs to be looked after well. Can't afford to make mistakes.
I'd really like to get the house sold in fairly short order. I realize that the boat is do-able without selling the place, but to me it seems like too much to juggle. I also think that emotionally we are one foot out the door already. It's like we made the decision and though it was seemingly sudden, it really wasn't. This was a long time coming. I'm ready.
I'm in the process of making the sacrifices necessary to make the move to Fifer possible. Selling my horse this weekend was a HUGE step for me. Lacey isn't just a horse, she's a dear, dear friend to me. When I bought her 8 years ago I had no idea how she would impact my life, how much I would grow to love her. I have no idea what happened to her in her previous life. I know that she was extremely well-trained--she can be ridden either English of Western, and she was quick and responsive to every touch. Unfortunately, I think she was also abused. When I got her, you couldn't touch her head. Not at all. She'd freak out, spook, rear back. It was terrible. Someone beat her severely. You could load her in a trailer--at your own risk. She freaked out at that, too. She'd get this crazy look in her eyes. If you know horses, you'll know what I'm talking about--complete disconnect. Just gone, There was no reasoning with her. After 8 years, she has grown to trust, and love. The little girl who will ride her now will know the joys of this love because she and I had the time to learn to trust each other. She has none of the fearfulness that she did when I got her. I'm sad that she isn't my horse anymore, but I'm happy that she will have a better home because of the time we spent together. It made me sad today when I looked down into her beautiful, rolling pasture. You can still see her favorite places to spend time..little worn out spots amidst the lush green. I'll miss that girl. She will always have a special place in my heart. She did as much for me as I did for her....she was a friend, not a pet. I'll miss our talks. I know it sounds crazy, but she listened. It felt like she understood. And accepted. Not too many friends like that in the world.
Selling Lacey is how to gauge my emotional commitment to this life-change. I'm completely in it. Having a horse was a dream from the time I was tiny. It took me until I was in the 30's to fulfill that dream. Now dreams are changing .Evolving, I guess. Now I dream of traveling to exotic ports of call with the people I love most. I dream of lounging on Fifer on beautiful summer days. I dream of sailing Gullmar around the Puget Sound, sailing her in the way she should be sailed--hard and fast. Life is good. Bring it on.......
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Time is a Four-Letter Word.....
Never seem to have enough time. I should sit down and write more, but I always seem to find something "more important." I apologize for that. I'll try to be better about keeping up-to-date.
Lots has happened. We did go up and see the boat in Canada. She is a 1928 Hoffar-Beeching 68 ft. yacht. She needs a lot of work, but she is sound. The engines have been completely rebuilt, and are sitting in a tire shop in Vancouver. The guy who owns it is an intriguing individual. He is a chain-smoking (Oo, my FAVORITE) and I believe "hard-drinking" may also apply. The boat is in it's present state because of him. About 10 yrs ago he ran it into some rocks and ripped some holes into the bottom (all of which has been repaired). He seems to have gotten behind with things, having torn everything out of the boat in order to deal with the sinking of the boat. Everything has been removed. Some bits here, some bits there--some bits will have to be remade. Peeling paint, leaking roof, decks needing sealing. He has done none of it. Maybe it's just time for a new prespective, time for him to be out and us to be in. There is no shortage of work on the boat--and there is no shortage of work here, either. I'm a bit overwhelmed, truth be told.
Add to that changes at Vince's work, trying to get things sold or given away, cleaned up, sort and scrap. It's a whole lot to be looking squarely in the face, but I'm coping. Make small goals everyday, and don't get overwhelmed. It's a clever balancing act. Some days are better than others for me. My goal right now is getting the cars we want to sell cleaned up and ready. We have the 1970 VW camper bus, 1962 Mercedes 220 SEB coupe and the 1957 oval window bug. They should keep me pretty busy for the next couple of days.
Lots has happened. We did go up and see the boat in Canada. She is a 1928 Hoffar-Beeching 68 ft. yacht. She needs a lot of work, but she is sound. The engines have been completely rebuilt, and are sitting in a tire shop in Vancouver. The guy who owns it is an intriguing individual. He is a chain-smoking (Oo, my FAVORITE) and I believe "hard-drinking" may also apply. The boat is in it's present state because of him. About 10 yrs ago he ran it into some rocks and ripped some holes into the bottom (all of which has been repaired). He seems to have gotten behind with things, having torn everything out of the boat in order to deal with the sinking of the boat. Everything has been removed. Some bits here, some bits there--some bits will have to be remade. Peeling paint, leaking roof, decks needing sealing. He has done none of it. Maybe it's just time for a new prespective, time for him to be out and us to be in. There is no shortage of work on the boat--and there is no shortage of work here, either. I'm a bit overwhelmed, truth be told.
Add to that changes at Vince's work, trying to get things sold or given away, cleaned up, sort and scrap. It's a whole lot to be looking squarely in the face, but I'm coping. Make small goals everyday, and don't get overwhelmed. It's a clever balancing act. Some days are better than others for me. My goal right now is getting the cars we want to sell cleaned up and ready. We have the 1970 VW camper bus, 1962 Mercedes 220 SEB coupe and the 1957 oval window bug. They should keep me pretty busy for the next couple of days.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Pragmatic Optimist
Often people will argue that if you look at the world optimistically, that you have rose colored glasses, are unrealistic, or otherwise not grounded in reality. They will explain that they are not being pessimistic, but are pragmatic, or realists. In my opinion, viewing the world in this way limits our ability to see the possibilities.
I recently had dinner with a friend I had not seen in many years. We immediately connected, and had a great conversation. When Carrie and I got home Carrie remarked that he looked the same as he had ten years ago, and I remember having the same impression as soon as I saw him walk in. So why is it that some people continue to appear youthful, while we are shocked by how much others have appeared to age?
While we were dining and talking, I remembered what had always made me feel a kinship to this person. He was engaging, truly interested in what we had done and why, and very forthcoming with his own experiences and motivations, but above all else, he was upbeat, and some would say, optimistic. We talked about children, wives, jobs, hobbies, and generally got caught up. You could tell he studiously avoided dwelling on anything negative about the ex, co-workers or others in his life he clearly did not hold in high regard. He was truly happy with the relationships he was building with the women in his life, his wife and daughters and was, dare I say, optimistic about the future. It is my opinion that a positive attitude, an active lifestyle, and choosing partners that are also positive and supportive, is the key to being, and looking youthful.
I’m sure that if one could prove such a theory, this alone would be a compelling reason to approach the world with a sense of optimism. Getting carded well into your thirties, or let’s say, getting invited to the Playboy Mansion solely on your appearance when you were forty are blessings few people would turn down. There is however a simpler and more fundamental reason. As I discussed in my blog on “Scarcity versus Plenty,” we are often limited not by the resources not available to us, but more often by our inability to see what is possible with the resources we already have. Not dwelling on the impossible, and being able to see past it to the often not so obvious possible is what separates the followers from the leaders. With a sense of optimism, you are open to the possibility that there may still be a positive outcome possible, regardless of how bleak the prospects look currently. With a sense of pessimism, you may have already decided that given the current situation, there is no happy ending. Being pragmatic is facing the facts, and then making realistic decisions about how to proceed, which can be done either pessimistically or optimistically. Even if the pessimists are right, at least you were open to the win-win, and can approach the setback with a happier attitude.
I have always said that if you don’t try, you are guaranteed failure, and the answer to something not asked for is almost always no. If you are looking for the possible you cannot become too focused on the impossible.
I recently had dinner with a friend I had not seen in many years. We immediately connected, and had a great conversation. When Carrie and I got home Carrie remarked that he looked the same as he had ten years ago, and I remember having the same impression as soon as I saw him walk in. So why is it that some people continue to appear youthful, while we are shocked by how much others have appeared to age?
While we were dining and talking, I remembered what had always made me feel a kinship to this person. He was engaging, truly interested in what we had done and why, and very forthcoming with his own experiences and motivations, but above all else, he was upbeat, and some would say, optimistic. We talked about children, wives, jobs, hobbies, and generally got caught up. You could tell he studiously avoided dwelling on anything negative about the ex, co-workers or others in his life he clearly did not hold in high regard. He was truly happy with the relationships he was building with the women in his life, his wife and daughters and was, dare I say, optimistic about the future. It is my opinion that a positive attitude, an active lifestyle, and choosing partners that are also positive and supportive, is the key to being, and looking youthful.
I’m sure that if one could prove such a theory, this alone would be a compelling reason to approach the world with a sense of optimism. Getting carded well into your thirties, or let’s say, getting invited to the Playboy Mansion solely on your appearance when you were forty are blessings few people would turn down. There is however a simpler and more fundamental reason. As I discussed in my blog on “Scarcity versus Plenty,” we are often limited not by the resources not available to us, but more often by our inability to see what is possible with the resources we already have. Not dwelling on the impossible, and being able to see past it to the often not so obvious possible is what separates the followers from the leaders. With a sense of optimism, you are open to the possibility that there may still be a positive outcome possible, regardless of how bleak the prospects look currently. With a sense of pessimism, you may have already decided that given the current situation, there is no happy ending. Being pragmatic is facing the facts, and then making realistic decisions about how to proceed, which can be done either pessimistically or optimistically. Even if the pessimists are right, at least you were open to the win-win, and can approach the setback with a happier attitude.
I have always said that if you don’t try, you are guaranteed failure, and the answer to something not asked for is almost always no. If you are looking for the possible you cannot become too focused on the impossible.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Keep on Truckin'......
Today I didn't accomplish a ton of manual labor. I did finish the taxes--took me about an hour from start to finish. Because of the kids going to college (Ben last year) we get money back. Yay....anytime you get money back from the government it's a good thing.
I have to say, even though we are moving at a break-neck pace, getting to the point we have everything gone that is going to go will be a serious relief. I wish that process would could move faster sometimes. It's like we made the decision to make this incredible life-changing move, but there is so much work to do before we can get there. I think about the fact that it took 15 years (more, actually--some of it came here with us) to collect all of this stuff. It will take time to dispatch it all. The fact that we are willing to say goodbye to all of it is miracle enough. The realization that it's all just "stuff" that is holding us back from achieving our dreams. Baby steps....when I want to RUN! I have to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Still, I keep thinking about the freedom we will have and all I want to do is climb the wall and make a run for it.
This coming weekend we are heading up to Canada to see the boat we are thinking of purchasing. Maybe this will be a welcome break. Get away from everything and come back Monday refreshed and ready to take on the work again.
I have to say, even though we are moving at a break-neck pace, getting to the point we have everything gone that is going to go will be a serious relief. I wish that process would could move faster sometimes. It's like we made the decision to make this incredible life-changing move, but there is so much work to do before we can get there. I think about the fact that it took 15 years (more, actually--some of it came here with us) to collect all of this stuff. It will take time to dispatch it all. The fact that we are willing to say goodbye to all of it is miracle enough. The realization that it's all just "stuff" that is holding us back from achieving our dreams. Baby steps....when I want to RUN! I have to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Still, I keep thinking about the freedom we will have and all I want to do is climb the wall and make a run for it.
This coming weekend we are heading up to Canada to see the boat we are thinking of purchasing. Maybe this will be a welcome break. Get away from everything and come back Monday refreshed and ready to take on the work again.
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