Redefining Yourself by Lists

At somewhat regular intervals, I find myself looking around at my day to day activities wondering, "What the heck am I doing?" Goals and priorities change, the minutia circumvent real issues, and it's time to do some real soul searching.

Last summer at PodCamp, I was in that exact situation, somewhat frustrated by what could best be described as a poorly played expectations game.  I had started something brand, sparkley new, and thought it would be the best-est thing ever--and oh, what a let down.  Anyway, I was in that "what now" funk and a friend of mine, Zach Braiker (@quiverandquill), told me to make lists, lists of lists.   Make a list of your priorities and passions, another one for everything you want to do before you die.  When all is said and done, you know yourself a little better.  

It's about that time again, so I'm starting here and now with a list of the lists I want to make. 

A List of Lists 

(in no particular order)

1. All my priorities
   
2. Stuff I enjoy doing
   
3. Stuff I don't enjoy doing 
4. Daily activities
   
5. Places to visit
   
6. People I want to see more of
   
7. People I want to see less of
   
8. Recipes I want to learn
9. Five year goals
10. Companies or organizations I admire or want to be affiliated with...

This is one of those posts I will be adding to continually and referring back to as I work my way through this process.  Feel free to share your thoughts and stories as well!

Montana Trip: The Better Late than Never Wrap Up

Montana isn't called big sky country for nothing. It's a beautifully open land, with snow topped mountains just over yonder.  

People out there in the Inland Pacific Northwest are different; people are different out west in general.  Time moves slower, or at least the people do.  And it's not considered a bad thing, or a generalized lack of urgency.  There's no need to rush, because people do believe that the pieces will in time fit together, when they're supposed to, in time. 

I finished reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance out west.  And surrounded entirely by raw, natural beauty, I debated quality of both form and function.  I was reminded that being polite should never be confused with putting on a smiley face.  True courtesy requires kindness that can't be faked.  

Raw and honest.  Beyond School of Knowledge snobbery and well past the perfectly manicured lawns, there are still people living with their environment to get by.  

Without breaking into a rousing chorus of the Dixie Chicks song Wide Open Spaces, there are nice lessons we can bring back east.  First, not everything is a fire drill--better solutions often materialize for people who allow time for ideas to brew.  Second, true kindness is actually easier than being polite--you don't need to fake it.  Third, and final for now, beauty is everywhere, raw and honest. 

Bummed about Blogging

I just wrote a whole post on my iPhone only to have it disappear when I got to a data network or wifi connection. Ugh!

The moral of the story is that blogging from your phone is limited and a post on iPhone blogging apps is in order.

Alas, that is for another time--once I have rewritten my previous post!

Fear Leaves You Uninspired

I've been talking to a number of people lately experiencing the recession... I suppose that's a euphemism for saying that a lot of the people I'm close with are finding themselves hard up in this economy.  

In these conversations, my peers want to share their stories, their feelings, but something stops them.  There's this sense that others don't want to hear about battered finances and unemployment checks--that others would look at them differently, like they somehow deserved to be laid off or it's their fault for not saving.  Blame the victim.

Mostly, we're expecting our parents' generation to collectively hop out from behind a bookshelf and yell we told you so.  

So we keep quiet instead--saying nothing about our fears in public. Because money and fear are taboo.

And none of this is helping.  People are terrified that they won't be able to make rent and are too afraid to talk about it.  

I think it's time to break this silence.  

Say something people! :-)

Where does the time go?

What would your life be like without a weekend?  Well, I now know.  You just don't have any time.  

I'm training to be a yoga instructor.  And my classes are 12 hours each Saturday and Sunday until it's done.  I have three more weekends left, then I'll have more time for writing, reading, watching TV and thinking too.  

 

I've got lots of updates and thoughts to share though--I've got a running list.  So as soon as there's more time, I'll crank through.  

In the meanwhile, how's it going out there?  I hear Spring is almost here.  :-)

For Valentine's Day

Working on a few serious posts, but this froo froo, greeting card holiday is an opportunity for something a little more lighthearted. :-)

Yes, it's Valentine's Day. And I've read a few comical, interesting or otherwise entertaining pieces on the holiday.

First, Steve Smith's lead into his most recent installment of Mobile Insider had me laughing out loud (while driving and reading it on my iPhone). In "Love -- And Cheating -- Are In the Air" he writes about text messaging stats and their romantic, well, cheating ways... But just read the lead:

'What are we doing this weekend, Hunnneee?'

The tone of the question already ensures I am doomed. I don't know who the hell is
responsible for letting Valentine's Day fall on a Saturday this year. Whoever you are, there are a few million of us guys ready to meet you in a dark alley, you dumbass. Dinner and chocolates just got upgraded to an entire day of romantic expectations. Way to raise the bar!

Ouch! Well, Steve, I challenge you to a phonesaber duel. You on behalf of men, me on behalf of women--long, romantic V-Day getaway weekend FTW!!! Ok. Enough.

In other news, science has found a way to make Valentine's Day relevant, or at least the AP and UPI have dug up some science that allows them to report about kissing coincidentally on February 14th. UPI's piece announces that "first kisses tell a lot" about a person and the type of relationship you'll have. AP reporter Richard Schmid tells us that "Kisses unleash chemicals that ease stress levels"--now, there's a reason to make out under the stars if I ever heard one.

I wonder if the AP story cancels out the BBC News report from yesterday, "Is sexual desire entering a recession?" For the sake of the holiday, I hope not. But the article shows two sides of this--1) sex is inexpensive fun and 2) relationships are taxing (those already tapped with recession related financial and emotional issues).

Oh, I'm back to serious again. So it's probably time to call it quits.

As a parting thought--even if it is a consumerism generated holiday, why not consume a little love and happiness?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Vacation of Sorts: Vegas to P-Town

Viva Las Vegas! 

I had never been to Vegas before.  With all the "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" nonsense, I really wasn't sure what to expect.  But I went for a surprise birthday party in January and wanted to share!  

We kept mostly to old town, which I've taken to calling Disney Land for adults because it's what you get when you take the happiest place and add sex, gambling and drinking.  But on the last night, we took a drive down the strip so I could see what everyone is always talking about.  

I took a few pictures of the watershow at the Bellagio and all the pretty signs.   It was a nice conclusion to playtime. 

Going Home Again: Exploits in P-Town

Every single time I fly into PDX, I'm struck by the natural beauty of the area.  I grew up there, you'd think I wouldn't notice it anymore.  But I always do.  

This time I took a couple of pictures over the wing of the plane on the way in. Not the best quality, but you can still see the mountains, sorta.  

It really is special place. 

Beautiful and Yummy

Special place indeed--it's not just because of beauty though, but because of a way of thinking.  The next time you find yourself in Portland, Oregon, visit Voodoo donuts. 

Look at the entertaining and unique donuts below (warning: PG13)!  

        

Finally, sunset in P-town!