I decided to cruise through some social media today to see what has been going on in the world while I worked. On Facebook, alone, I found all kinds of status updates and shares about how ridiculous Donald Trump was, what people got for Christmas, what people were in hot water for not getting someone anything for Christmas, how bad the Star Wars Prequels were, two separate articles about Harley Quinn in the new "Suicide Squad" movie, numerous pics about people's fitness lifestyles, and what to do if your "fat pic" goes viral.
Surprisingly enough, I didn't see one mention of quite possibly the most terrifying thing ever.
Did you see that? Did you actually read that article? The North Pole actually made it to ABOVE THE FREEZING POINT. Granted, it was for a period of less than six hours, but the fact remains, this is a part of the planet that, in winter, is usually colder than Mars. Above freezing temperatures have only happened three times since 1948. Meteorologists and climatologists are calling this event "extremely terrifying". Think about that for a second. Scientists are using the phrase extremely terrifying. This is being generated by a "historic" storm that dropped both snow and tornadoes in Texas within the last few days, and is causing massive flooding elsewhere. It is possible that the North Pole could reach the 40s for a time.
The problem is, no one seems to care.
I tried to raise this as a point of discussion with someone today, and their response was that the government is changing the weather patterns to "screw with the economy" What?!! How the hell can a rational person deny the existence of human-initiated climate change, but be willing to accept the fact that the government has the Sci-Fi power to control the weather just to tweak Wall Street to its liking? Faith in humanity: -277 points.
Anyone who knows me, or at least has read my writings (some of them are here--look through the archives), knows that one of the main things I harp on is to learn history and keep up on current events. One of the reasons we've gotten away from "Government by the People" in this country is that no one pays attention to what is actually happening! Do not let the media distract you from what is important. Screw the latest "break the internet" fads and dig around for what is actually happening around you. Confirm through multiple sources, rather than believing anything the media feeds you (and I mean reputable sources; not "Jim-Bob's 24-hour 'The Truth is Out There' " conspiracy site).
Remember, Carl Sagan said it best: "The Earth is the only world known, so far, to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment, the Earth is where we make our stand. It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Wassail! . . .Again
This year, I didn't send Christmas cards.
It's not that I didn't want to, so much as the fact that I kind of suck at it. I tend to overthink things like written sentiments and, as such, end up never getting much more than a few out before the deadline, if any at all. This year, I make a decision; I wouldn't send any out.
Christmas has lost some of its zing for me, over the years. As a small child, I can remember how special the holiday season felt, starting out with a long weekend that revolved around cooking a ridiculously oversized bird, leading into several weeks worth of toy commercials and impatience, to be capped off with gatherings of family, another large meal, and an exchange of gifts. Granted, the pile of electronic toys and books and other paraphernalia was a large part of the distraction from normal life, but the gatherings of family and friends and the stories they had to share were definitely the best parts.
Gift-giving for the holidays is traditional, yes, but anymore it seems like we view it as an obligation. If you don't believe that, plop yourself in the middle of a crowded store at three in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and watch the expressions on the faces of the shoppers. They are there because they forgot something, discovered they didn't get an equal share for everyone, or just plain haven't started shopping, yet. By that time, the need to get something--anything--for the people on their list degenerates from picking out something thoughtful to just wandering the aisles and grabbing the first thing that isn't quite so hideous as to cause their ostracism, whether temporary or permanent. This is, of course, what drives the rush on the post-Christmas "return week".
Beyond all of that, though, is the "War on Christmas" that we hear so much about. "Around here, we say 'Merry Christmas'!" That's fine. Just don't forget that, between November 1st and January 15th, seven of the world's major religions are celebrating around 29 different holidays. That includes Pagans, whose traditions provided the formative DNA for many Catholic celebrations and observations. If someone offers a "Happy Hanukkah" or even a "Brightest Blessings", it's not because they want to oppress your beliefs; unless they are clairvoyant, they have no idea what you celebrate. They are simply offering their traditional greeting for peace and unity of the season. Return the favor and get on with your life, happy in the knowledge that someone thought well of you that day. Remember, the word "holiday" is derived from the old English "hāligdæg ", meaning "Holy Day".
To all of my friends and family, those I see often, and those I seldom see anymore, I wish you an excellent holiday and a joyous Yule. May your gatherings be filled with stories both enthralling and embarrassing (those are the best, sometimes), and may you see good health and prosperity in the coming New Year. Know that you are missed, for all the days that we are apart, and that the fleeting times we may speak in the electronic realm are never enough.
God bless the master of this house and the mistress also,
And all the little children that 'round your table grow.
The cattle in your stable, the dog by your front door,
And all that dwell within your gates, we wish you ten times more.
It's not that I didn't want to, so much as the fact that I kind of suck at it. I tend to overthink things like written sentiments and, as such, end up never getting much more than a few out before the deadline, if any at all. This year, I make a decision; I wouldn't send any out.
Christmas has lost some of its zing for me, over the years. As a small child, I can remember how special the holiday season felt, starting out with a long weekend that revolved around cooking a ridiculously oversized bird, leading into several weeks worth of toy commercials and impatience, to be capped off with gatherings of family, another large meal, and an exchange of gifts. Granted, the pile of electronic toys and books and other paraphernalia was a large part of the distraction from normal life, but the gatherings of family and friends and the stories they had to share were definitely the best parts.
Gift-giving for the holidays is traditional, yes, but anymore it seems like we view it as an obligation. If you don't believe that, plop yourself in the middle of a crowded store at three in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and watch the expressions on the faces of the shoppers. They are there because they forgot something, discovered they didn't get an equal share for everyone, or just plain haven't started shopping, yet. By that time, the need to get something--anything--for the people on their list degenerates from picking out something thoughtful to just wandering the aisles and grabbing the first thing that isn't quite so hideous as to cause their ostracism, whether temporary or permanent. This is, of course, what drives the rush on the post-Christmas "return week".
Beyond all of that, though, is the "War on Christmas" that we hear so much about. "Around here, we say 'Merry Christmas'!" That's fine. Just don't forget that, between November 1st and January 15th, seven of the world's major religions are celebrating around 29 different holidays. That includes Pagans, whose traditions provided the formative DNA for many Catholic celebrations and observations. If someone offers a "Happy Hanukkah" or even a "Brightest Blessings", it's not because they want to oppress your beliefs; unless they are clairvoyant, they have no idea what you celebrate. They are simply offering their traditional greeting for peace and unity of the season. Return the favor and get on with your life, happy in the knowledge that someone thought well of you that day. Remember, the word "holiday" is derived from the old English "hāligdæg ", meaning "Holy Day".
To all of my friends and family, those I see often, and those I seldom see anymore, I wish you an excellent holiday and a joyous Yule. May your gatherings be filled with stories both enthralling and embarrassing (those are the best, sometimes), and may you see good health and prosperity in the coming New Year. Know that you are missed, for all the days that we are apart, and that the fleeting times we may speak in the electronic realm are never enough.
God bless the master of this house and the mistress also,
And all the little children that 'round your table grow.
The cattle in your stable, the dog by your front door,
And all that dwell within your gates, we wish you ten times more.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
So Comes the Bluster of Winter. . .
Good evening, friends.
It's been a while since I've used my Blogspot to radiate my odd bits of escaping brain gas into the ionosphere, so here we are. Coffee at hand, I find myself reflecting on the day's events, even as the snow that has so long been absent from our midst piles up around my tarped snowthrower.
Today was another of my noteworthy busy days, beginning with some light woodworking and compiling some book orders to ship out. I have to say that I am pleased with the performance of Cooking for Adventurers, as it is attracting a larger audience than I had first anticipated. I was a bit wary of making my first, full publication attempt a work of nonfiction, but what do I know? On the other side of the coin, I am still working on "Equinox", the first of my science fiction series. I can say with a very reliable measure of confidence that NaNoWriMo is NOT my cup of tea. I made significant progress, but could not force the plotline along in such a rushed fashion. I did, however, solve a few plot holes that had been plaguing me over the development of the outline, so I will continue in the coming months. Along side of that, will be coming "Cooking for Campers", and "AAAAAIGH! And Other Noises your Electrician Shouldn't Make". As with CfA, I will start posting some little teasers as things develop.
Pleasingly short and sweet was the visit I made to the local optician to pick up the replacement lens for my relatively new and supposedly scratch resistant glasses. They were warranted, so it didn't cost anything to fix, but I am regretting not talking her out of the old, scratched lens. It would have been nice to have a monocle for the next time we play Monopoly.
I have taken measurements and made sketches outlining the evolution of the Makerspace's Alpha Site. Today, I finally made my mind up on what type of lighting I want for the video studio, and I hope I will be able to fabricate it without breaking the bank. I am already looking at the unfortunate prospect of dropping a few hundred dollars on a snowthrower for the shop, as it would suck to have to clear that large space out by hand. Trailering the machine we have at home would also get old after a time (most likely the first one).
But I digress.
Right now, I am working on the season's upcoming workouts, which will be featured on my YouTube channel as AKA episodes. Everything will be tailored as the 'Everyman' (read everyperson) workout, focusing on functional strength, rather than merely aesthetics, and will require minimal equipment, which can be easily substituted. Watch this space, kids. . .
Anyhoo, I realize I am rambling, and should probably get to bed. The coffee's gone, anyway. One parting thought, though: If you have any love for yourself, stay away from eggnog-flavored coffee creamer. That is all.
Goodnight from the Hinterlands.
--Bob
It's been a while since I've used my Blogspot to radiate my odd bits of escaping brain gas into the ionosphere, so here we are. Coffee at hand, I find myself reflecting on the day's events, even as the snow that has so long been absent from our midst piles up around my tarped snowthrower.
Today was another of my noteworthy busy days, beginning with some light woodworking and compiling some book orders to ship out. I have to say that I am pleased with the performance of Cooking for Adventurers, as it is attracting a larger audience than I had first anticipated. I was a bit wary of making my first, full publication attempt a work of nonfiction, but what do I know? On the other side of the coin, I am still working on "Equinox", the first of my science fiction series. I can say with a very reliable measure of confidence that NaNoWriMo is NOT my cup of tea. I made significant progress, but could not force the plotline along in such a rushed fashion. I did, however, solve a few plot holes that had been plaguing me over the development of the outline, so I will continue in the coming months. Along side of that, will be coming "Cooking for Campers", and "AAAAAIGH! And Other Noises your Electrician Shouldn't Make". As with CfA, I will start posting some little teasers as things develop.
Pleasingly short and sweet was the visit I made to the local optician to pick up the replacement lens for my relatively new and supposedly scratch resistant glasses. They were warranted, so it didn't cost anything to fix, but I am regretting not talking her out of the old, scratched lens. It would have been nice to have a monocle for the next time we play Monopoly.
I have taken measurements and made sketches outlining the evolution of the Makerspace's Alpha Site. Today, I finally made my mind up on what type of lighting I want for the video studio, and I hope I will be able to fabricate it without breaking the bank. I am already looking at the unfortunate prospect of dropping a few hundred dollars on a snowthrower for the shop, as it would suck to have to clear that large space out by hand. Trailering the machine we have at home would also get old after a time (most likely the first one).
But I digress.
Right now, I am working on the season's upcoming workouts, which will be featured on my YouTube channel as AKA episodes. Everything will be tailored as the 'Everyman' (read everyperson) workout, focusing on functional strength, rather than merely aesthetics, and will require minimal equipment, which can be easily substituted. Watch this space, kids. . .
Anyhoo, I realize I am rambling, and should probably get to bed. The coffee's gone, anyway. One parting thought, though: If you have any love for yourself, stay away from eggnog-flavored coffee creamer. That is all.
Goodnight from the Hinterlands.
--Bob
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
The Life of an Author. . .
Tonight I sit, exhausted, at the kitchen table, surrounded by notes and scribbles and printed emails. The dominating feature of the landscape is a glass of Merlot, rising like a pillar above the haphazard knolls of paper that, in their own, seemingly deliquescent fashion, have begun to flow around my computer and inundate the once untouched surface. In the midst of this maelstrom of pulped and sheeted fiber floats, puzzlingly, a lone ping pong ball.
Those of you who have known me the longest, are aware of the wonderful anguish and torment I have put myself through, lo, these many years, cobbling together works of the written word, For all the toil and sweat and heart I have put into my collection of stories, to think that a work of non-fiction would be my first, mainstream-published project is almost laughable. By laughable, of course, I mean in a "Joker laughing before he makes your head go explodey" way. The thought makes me pour another glass.
Though I have been published in the past (mostly for freelance articles, short stories, and the occasional poem), I have never taken "the big step". I am standing on the edge right now, of having one of my works available to the World Theatre, where there are things like ISBN numbers and book signing tours. To be honest, I'm a bit freaked out.
In the middle of developing "Legends of the Sungrazers", I came up with the idea for doing an instructional book, called "Cooking for Adventurers". Despite the name, it isn't a cookbook, so much as a guide for dealing with having to cook in adverse situations. It was supposed to be a hobby project, rather than one that would dominate the last couple of years. As it has grown, I've poured more into it than I had originally intended, finally adding a chapter on survival, as well. This little hundred-page hobby has turned into a 500 pound, snaggle-toothed Kodiak bear. The most ironic thing is how much fun I've had working with this project. It has gotten me thinking about revisiting an old idea about a home improvement guide which, honestly, I gave a few notes to and then promptly shelved the notion. It may still wait for my next sci fi story, though.
To all of you, I ask, "be patient". I may be moody and irritable and, quite possibly, even more strange than I usually am. The next few weeks are going to be a trying time for me, but I think it will be worth it. I mean, if writing my way across the galaxies is so easy, then a simple instructional book shouldn't be a problem, right? We'll see. The main reason for this little rambling pile of ranting is the fact that I have an appointment with a publishing consultant tomorrow. Wish me luck. . .
Wait a minute. I don't own a ping pong table. . .
Though I have been published in the past (mostly for freelance articles, short stories, and the occasional poem), I have never taken "the big step". I am standing on the edge right now, of having one of my works available to the World Theatre, where there are things like ISBN numbers and book signing tours. To be honest, I'm a bit freaked out.
In the middle of developing "Legends of the Sungrazers", I came up with the idea for doing an instructional book, called "Cooking for Adventurers". Despite the name, it isn't a cookbook, so much as a guide for dealing with having to cook in adverse situations. It was supposed to be a hobby project, rather than one that would dominate the last couple of years. As it has grown, I've poured more into it than I had originally intended, finally adding a chapter on survival, as well. This little hundred-page hobby has turned into a 500 pound, snaggle-toothed Kodiak bear. The most ironic thing is how much fun I've had working with this project. It has gotten me thinking about revisiting an old idea about a home improvement guide which, honestly, I gave a few notes to and then promptly shelved the notion. It may still wait for my next sci fi story, though.
To all of you, I ask, "be patient". I may be moody and irritable and, quite possibly, even more strange than I usually am. The next few weeks are going to be a trying time for me, but I think it will be worth it. I mean, if writing my way across the galaxies is so easy, then a simple instructional book shouldn't be a problem, right? We'll see. The main reason for this little rambling pile of ranting is the fact that I have an appointment with a publishing consultant tomorrow. Wish me luck. . .
Wait a minute. I don't own a ping pong table. . .
Saturday, April 04, 2015
Doors May Close, Doors Will Open. . .
Closure is a good thing. I mean, it's not often you get to feel the satisfaction of closing off a part of your life that has been hanging, unfinished, over your head for what should have been months, but ended up turning into years. Those that have been following my story these last few years know what I am talking about. When we moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the lack of shop space forced me to leave a large portion of my tools and equipment in a storage facility downstate. Though I did remove some odds and ends now and again, the larger part of everything was still left behind. Though smallish, this year I will be building another workshop and, in a moment of opportunistic determination, decided to drop the wad of cash necessary to recover everything and close out that storage unit.
I say, "ouch".
This was an expensive trip, no doubt, but it did include some days that afforded us some time to ourselves. For as much as we wanted to move to the U.P., there are still many aspects of our old stomping grounds that we miss (we did live there for around nine years, after all). The thing that shocked me the most, though, was how much I seemed to miss civilization. Now, don't misunderstand me; I love being in out of the way places. Honestly, though people joke about the U.P. being the "last frontier", it's not much different from when Kim and I lived in Taylorsville, KY. Granted, it does take us a little longer to get to some places now than it did then, but in the last five years, we have thoroughly enjoyed living in the middle of nowhere. We've actually considered moving deeper into the woods. How nuts is that?
I think the thing I miss the most about civilization is the anonymity it affords. The small-town life, where everyone knows you in some fashion or another, is great, but sometimes it's nice to just lose yourself in a crowd of humans and feel the dynamic nature of the mass. Among my other interests in college, I found psychology and sociology very interesting; I enjoyed watching humans interact with one another. Many of my best story characters came from observing those in the world around me.
The funny thing about this journey happened to be that the only time something was really frustrating or went wrong, was a time that I depended on someone else for something. Ironic, when you think about the supposed "benefits" of being in a civilized area. Seriously, though, every time we were on our own, we did fine; when we needed something, everything went screwy. Our truck rental was not only a protracted process, but it ended up costing us nearly a hundred dollars more than the initial reservation indicated. Obtaining our storage unit up here was a multi-step process, as the first unit they placed us in could not be opened because of neglected ice buildup. It took quite a while for them to find a unit on the sunny side of the compound, where the ice dam had melted away sufficiently to allow ingress. The hotel? Don't get me started. Suffice it to say, I will be sending a sternly-worded letter to their home office later tonight.
But I digress.
For as many things that went wrong, a good many more went very well. I had a very good birthday dinner with the family and got to peruse the stacks of a Barnes and Noble, besides. We had some very good weather (for most of the trip), and got to see some of those places we used to frequent, mostly along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I actually got my parents to follow us down, no small feat in that, but this trip also gave my father a litany of new things to fuss and rant about (yes, it is hereditary). All this, and the fact that, aside from a couple of days, I actually had some time off. That also never happens.
Oh! And I'm going to build my shop soon! One era comes to an end as another one begins.
This is the jumping-off point for my Makerspace. I may not be getting the large facility that I will need to provide shop space to others, but I am getting a space that will allow a couple of us to start plying our trade and working up to that larger building. In the meantime, I do have enough space outdoors to give classes, weather permitting. Small steps, no? In the coming days, I am also going to make some changes that will give me not only more time to do all of this, but will also afford me a little more time to spend with the family. It is rather hard to live in such an area and not get to do much to enjoy it, and when the kids complain that they're not seeing you enough, it's time to adjust things.
To you all, my friends, I thank you for hanging on and following my story. I appreciate all of the birthday wishes, and all of the support you've given, so far. Here's to the next step in the adventure.
Friday, February 27, 2015
It Was, Truly, the Best of Times. . .
This has been a busy day for me. Early on, I got word that Leonard Nimoy passed, and I couldn't do any more than share the article with friends and then return to work. That has bothered me all day.
All day, it has felt as though something was missing. Though nothing had physically been removed from my life, there was a shadow on the day; an emptiness I couldn't touch. Perhaps I should digress.
I began watching Star Trek at an exceptionally early age with my mother. Her more than passive interest in science fiction is, most likely, why I became the science wonk I am today. Not just shows like Star Trek and Battlestar: Galactica, but also Cosmos, In Search Of, and Nova filled my early years with a wonder that sparked an interest in the Universe and our place in it. I watched Trek every Sunday and read every one of the novels I could find, knowing Spock was going to figure out how to solve the particular riddle in question for that story. Who was this Kirk, guy, again?
I learned a great deal from Spock, so comfortable with himself as a person, yet still struggled with not quite fitting into either world of his heritage, As a very awkward child, myself, I adapted to fit into places I wasn't quite comfortable with, while learning to understand those around who didn't quite understand me. In a way, this hashed and rehashed character from a styrofoam-decorated 1960s TV show became a teacher and a mentor. As TV shows went, it was one of the few that had a grounded, noble meaning. Its meaning was, basically, we can all live together. As I watched that show, I wondered when that world would finally arrive. I still do.
People touch our lives in different ways, whether we meet in brief passing or spend a lifetime together. In essence, Leonard Nimoy was the good friend I had never met. We all have those, in some form or another. He was an actor, writer, director, humanitarian, the list goes on. He touched the lives of many and left his mark on this pale, blue dot of a planet. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one, yes, but today the loss of one has diminished us all.
Peace and long life.
All day, it has felt as though something was missing. Though nothing had physically been removed from my life, there was a shadow on the day; an emptiness I couldn't touch. Perhaps I should digress.
I began watching Star Trek at an exceptionally early age with my mother. Her more than passive interest in science fiction is, most likely, why I became the science wonk I am today. Not just shows like Star Trek and Battlestar: Galactica, but also Cosmos, In Search Of, and Nova filled my early years with a wonder that sparked an interest in the Universe and our place in it. I watched Trek every Sunday and read every one of the novels I could find, knowing Spock was going to figure out how to solve the particular riddle in question for that story. Who was this Kirk, guy, again?
I learned a great deal from Spock, so comfortable with himself as a person, yet still struggled with not quite fitting into either world of his heritage, As a very awkward child, myself, I adapted to fit into places I wasn't quite comfortable with, while learning to understand those around who didn't quite understand me. In a way, this hashed and rehashed character from a styrofoam-decorated 1960s TV show became a teacher and a mentor. As TV shows went, it was one of the few that had a grounded, noble meaning. Its meaning was, basically, we can all live together. As I watched that show, I wondered when that world would finally arrive. I still do.
People touch our lives in different ways, whether we meet in brief passing or spend a lifetime together. In essence, Leonard Nimoy was the good friend I had never met. We all have those, in some form or another. He was an actor, writer, director, humanitarian, the list goes on. He touched the lives of many and left his mark on this pale, blue dot of a planet. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one, yes, but today the loss of one has diminished us all.
Peace and long life.
Monday, February 16, 2015
A Fluffy Little Meme, a Frosty Little Meme. . .
Good evening, friends.
Tonight, I was intending to speak to you about real-life, real-world fitness. Instead, thanks to technological issues, we're going to talk about snow.
I can imagine half of you grimacing at the mere reading of the word, since 50% of my following is in a few states where the word "snow" is the rallying cry for everyone in the area to go maul their nearest grocery store for bread and milk. Snow has been a big hit in the ratings this last few days, because several of you haven't had this much potential for the fluff stuff in a number of years (read: decades). Ironically, until about dark plus two hours, we of the Hinterland had nary a flake today.
How bad a winter storm system is depends, largely, on your point of view and how well-prepared you are for it. I remember 1994, when a certain storm was closing in on Louisville and the meteorologist on TV was saying something to the effect of how we would "only see a light dusting" as I was watching it pile up in the back yard. Having visited snowbound regions before, I react rather calmly to major snow systems compared to others, but I have to say that incident soured my affection for meteorology in general. Now, living in the extreme north country, snow doesn't bother me when it falls as much as it aggravates me when it hangs around. In southern climates, people mostly ask "What are we going to do about it", while in the north, people wonder, "where are we going to put this?"
The thing that has surprised me the most, though, is how many people down south actually own snow throwers and plows. We were lucky to have a singular snow shovel when I lived down there. Some of you guys have posted pictures and video involving the operation of dual-stage snow throwers. That's just amazing.
I have done my best to refrain from joking about the reaction to this storm, as it truly is a big deal. People may poke fun at how an eighth of an inch of snow can totally freeze up a southern state, but from the southerner's point of view, it may as well be a blizzard. Yes, ten inches of accumulation is called "snowmageddon" in the south, while up north, it may just be "Tuesday". The difference is preparedness. Those in the north have the equipment to handle this kind of thing, while in say, Kentucky, for example, you may only have one or two snow throwers in a neighborhood. A city dependent on garbage truck-mounted plows is going to struggle more with removal techniques.
As for the whole "milk sandwich" joke (which I have only heard from my southern friends, by the way), people can't help but think back to that year when they were snowed in for a week, waiting for the National Guard to come in and help get things moving again. Does it happen often? No, but it happened before. Who knows when it will happen again? Emergencies happen and people prepare. Sometimes, unfortunately, we find out about it a little too late, and the local Kroger ends up looking like a set from The Walking Dead.
To all my southern friends, I wish a safe couple of snow days. Stay warm, play some card games with family and friends, and enjoy the sunshine when it comes out to melt things away. You'll get it way sooner than I do. If anyone down there needs some tutoring in snow removal techniques, I'd be happy to help you out. Classes start Tuesday.
Tonight, I was intending to speak to you about real-life, real-world fitness. Instead, thanks to technological issues, we're going to talk about snow.
I can imagine half of you grimacing at the mere reading of the word, since 50% of my following is in a few states where the word "snow" is the rallying cry for everyone in the area to go maul their nearest grocery store for bread and milk. Snow has been a big hit in the ratings this last few days, because several of you haven't had this much potential for the fluff stuff in a number of years (read: decades). Ironically, until about dark plus two hours, we of the Hinterland had nary a flake today.
How bad a winter storm system is depends, largely, on your point of view and how well-prepared you are for it. I remember 1994, when a certain storm was closing in on Louisville and the meteorologist on TV was saying something to the effect of how we would "only see a light dusting" as I was watching it pile up in the back yard. Having visited snowbound regions before, I react rather calmly to major snow systems compared to others, but I have to say that incident soured my affection for meteorology in general. Now, living in the extreme north country, snow doesn't bother me when it falls as much as it aggravates me when it hangs around. In southern climates, people mostly ask "What are we going to do about it", while in the north, people wonder, "where are we going to put this?"
The thing that has surprised me the most, though, is how many people down south actually own snow throwers and plows. We were lucky to have a singular snow shovel when I lived down there. Some of you guys have posted pictures and video involving the operation of dual-stage snow throwers. That's just amazing.
I have done my best to refrain from joking about the reaction to this storm, as it truly is a big deal. People may poke fun at how an eighth of an inch of snow can totally freeze up a southern state, but from the southerner's point of view, it may as well be a blizzard. Yes, ten inches of accumulation is called "snowmageddon" in the south, while up north, it may just be "Tuesday". The difference is preparedness. Those in the north have the equipment to handle this kind of thing, while in say, Kentucky, for example, you may only have one or two snow throwers in a neighborhood. A city dependent on garbage truck-mounted plows is going to struggle more with removal techniques.
As for the whole "milk sandwich" joke (which I have only heard from my southern friends, by the way), people can't help but think back to that year when they were snowed in for a week, waiting for the National Guard to come in and help get things moving again. Does it happen often? No, but it happened before. Who knows when it will happen again? Emergencies happen and people prepare. Sometimes, unfortunately, we find out about it a little too late, and the local Kroger ends up looking like a set from The Walking Dead.
To all my southern friends, I wish a safe couple of snow days. Stay warm, play some card games with family and friends, and enjoy the sunshine when it comes out to melt things away. You'll get it way sooner than I do. If anyone down there needs some tutoring in snow removal techniques, I'd be happy to help you out. Classes start Tuesday.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Techy, Techy, Techy. . .
It is no secret that I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I enjoy hardware, immerse myself in the use of computers and now tablets, and do my best to integrate any bit of applied science into my life where it is feasible, whether it is purchased technology, or something I have created. I suppose you could call me a "gearpunk". Where the hate part comes in is dealing, mostly, with "planned obsolescence" and the overall human quality of wanting to fix things that aren't broken. I try to live as sustainable a life as possible; keeping things fixed and working as long as possible is my mantra. Anyone who has been around me when I had to upgrade to a new laptop knows how curmudgeonly I can become. I hate giving up on things. Landfills are full of horrifyingly large piles of technology that people just gave up on.
This all being said, I just about threw my formerly faithful tablet into the closest suitable hole I could find, recently, but I should start at the beginning. Two years ago, I broke down and purchased a tablet. I figured that it would be handy for the craft side of our business, as well as keeping track of invoices and the like while I was out on the road for whichever job called at the time. I was slow to adapt to it. In fact, after bringing it home and charging it for the first time, it sat on my nightstand for several days, ignored, long enough to require another charge before I finally picked it up to begin using. I finally acquiesced, though, and began using it, not just for work, but for personal entertainment as well.
Things hummed along smoothly, and I had developed a rhythm with it, turning it on in the morning and letting it "sleep" during the day, so it could dutifully gather my email and messages while I was away from it. Then, one day last week, I came home and woke it up to find a little window that said it had downloaded an OS update. There was one button: Install. That's it. Nothing else. I had one choice, and that was no choice.
What followed was several days' worth of frustrating swearing and restarting and attempts to back up my most recent files before the thing caught fire. The new, "faster, smoother" operating system wouldn't even open itself without freezing or crashing completely; never mind any other aps. Again, I had one choice: No choice. After spending several minutes speaking to a company rep by chat window, the best the tech had to offer me after all their attempts at debugging the problem had left my tablet totally blank and unresponsive was, "maybe it's just time to upgrade".
I was nice. I didn't stick around for the customer service survey.
Isn't that about the way things go, nowadays? Cell phone contracts are generally two years long. Extended warranties on technology purchases are usually two years, unless you spring for a longer term for a much higher price. Some companies aren't so bad, but the place I bought my tablet from wanted just at half the purchase price just for a two year extension (which wouldn't have helped, since it would have expired days before this debacle occurred). Either way, though, technology is designed to last around two years, at which time it is pitched out and replaced by the newest piece of future landfill ornamentation to hit the market. Arguably, you can still fix televisions and cell phones and computers, but it's gotten to the point where the cost of parts is prohibitive in the face of total replacement. Not to mention the fact that many humans, being a product of our "instant gratification" society, would rather not waste the time waiting for a repair. Many, but thankfully, not all.
I did, however, solve my problem. The little tablet that I have used so well for so long is breathing again and, thanks to my experiences with 1980s style computer systems, I had backups of my files with which to restart. I even think I patched a few holes in the OS. Yes, I use technology quite frequently, but days like today are the reason I still use notepads for writing and planning. If a pencil gets dull, you can use a bit of old-school technology to resharpen it in a few seconds, then get on with your damned life. What I had to do today sucked several hours from other projects that I should be finishing right now, rather than ranting about it.
Meh. There's always tomorrow for that.
This all being said, I just about threw my formerly faithful tablet into the closest suitable hole I could find, recently, but I should start at the beginning. Two years ago, I broke down and purchased a tablet. I figured that it would be handy for the craft side of our business, as well as keeping track of invoices and the like while I was out on the road for whichever job called at the time. I was slow to adapt to it. In fact, after bringing it home and charging it for the first time, it sat on my nightstand for several days, ignored, long enough to require another charge before I finally picked it up to begin using. I finally acquiesced, though, and began using it, not just for work, but for personal entertainment as well.
Things hummed along smoothly, and I had developed a rhythm with it, turning it on in the morning and letting it "sleep" during the day, so it could dutifully gather my email and messages while I was away from it. Then, one day last week, I came home and woke it up to find a little window that said it had downloaded an OS update. There was one button: Install. That's it. Nothing else. I had one choice, and that was no choice.
What followed was several days' worth of frustrating swearing and restarting and attempts to back up my most recent files before the thing caught fire. The new, "faster, smoother" operating system wouldn't even open itself without freezing or crashing completely; never mind any other aps. Again, I had one choice: No choice. After spending several minutes speaking to a company rep by chat window, the best the tech had to offer me after all their attempts at debugging the problem had left my tablet totally blank and unresponsive was, "maybe it's just time to upgrade".
I was nice. I didn't stick around for the customer service survey.
Isn't that about the way things go, nowadays? Cell phone contracts are generally two years long. Extended warranties on technology purchases are usually two years, unless you spring for a longer term for a much higher price. Some companies aren't so bad, but the place I bought my tablet from wanted just at half the purchase price just for a two year extension (which wouldn't have helped, since it would have expired days before this debacle occurred). Either way, though, technology is designed to last around two years, at which time it is pitched out and replaced by the newest piece of future landfill ornamentation to hit the market. Arguably, you can still fix televisions and cell phones and computers, but it's gotten to the point where the cost of parts is prohibitive in the face of total replacement. Not to mention the fact that many humans, being a product of our "instant gratification" society, would rather not waste the time waiting for a repair. Many, but thankfully, not all.
I did, however, solve my problem. The little tablet that I have used so well for so long is breathing again and, thanks to my experiences with 1980s style computer systems, I had backups of my files with which to restart. I even think I patched a few holes in the OS. Yes, I use technology quite frequently, but days like today are the reason I still use notepads for writing and planning. If a pencil gets dull, you can use a bit of old-school technology to resharpen it in a few seconds, then get on with your damned life. What I had to do today sucked several hours from other projects that I should be finishing right now, rather than ranting about it.
Meh. There's always tomorrow for that.
Thursday, January 01, 2015
Out With the Old. . .
And so, again, we find ourselves at the threshold of a new year. Tomorrow, the sun will rise on that brand-spanking new, 365 day-long chunk of temporal canvas and we will be forced to ask the all-important question, "Why the hell did I get up, again?"
Seriously, though, through all the haze and headaches of partying in the new year, most people will look down at their traditional list of New Year's Resolutions and probably just end up doing the same things they did the year before. Those who know me already understand my feeling on resolutions. They rarely ever stick, because we wait so long to implement them (i.e. January 1st), that we have learned quite well how to get along without doing any of these new, self-helpy things in the first place.
Please do not misunderstand my intent; I am all for anyone wishing to improve themselves. I got into personal training for just that reason, to help people achieve goals. I teach people how to fix things and try to help them see things in a different light, when I can, all in the name of helping them better themselves. I, in turn, am constantly learning new and exciting things in the process. No one person knows everything, but every person knows something. We teach, we learn, we grow.
Back to the subject at hand, though. How do we, say, take up a fitness routine in such a manner that your treadmill does not become an unrecognizable pile of clothes and other detritus at the end of January and your dreams of a six pack that doesn't hold adult beverages becomes another "what I'm going to do next year" dream? The answer is simple: Don't wait to start!
We, as humans, tend to like starting points and boundaries. Why do you think there are so many parks near seashores and rivers and canyons? I can say from experience that it isn't always for the scenery, because I've seen some pretty horrendous riverside parks. It is because we love boundaries. We are drawn to them. They resemble the unknown; Shakespear's "Undiscovered Country". Even though a thousand-thousand people have gone beyond that point before, it is still a new and fascinating starting point for our own journey. The start of a great adventure. The same holds true for the passage of time. We become fascinated by the fact that an entire year has passed us by and that another one lays before us, new and unspoiled as a new-fallen snow. We look upon its blank canvas and think, "I've got to do something special with this," when, in truth, we don't. Time will march on, relentlessly, whether we do something meaningful with it or not.
So what DO we do, anyway? Have you heard the mantra, Live, Laugh, Love? Do your best to enjoy life. Read new books, take on a fitness program, find a volunteer program to help others or the community; enjoy what you do. If you feel the need to make out a list of things you want to accomplish, by all means, do it. The thing is, you should actually try to accomplish some of those things. Don't put it off, don't think, "I'll start next month," just do it. Everyone has probably heard that it takes thirty days to make something a habit. There have been several studies that have shown humans develop actions into habits anywhere from as little as 18 days to as many as 254. The difference is willpower and determination.
For all of you, my friends, family, and followers, I wish you success in everything you do this new year. If I can help, I will certainly try. I am going to be starting my own business and attempting to live a more sustainable life. May 2015 bring you joy and success, but if you fail at something, may you learn and grow from the experience. Look to your neighbors and accept them for who they are, and respect their right to be themselves. Look to yourself and see your faults, and realize that yours may not be the only point of view. Live fully and laugh often, and love always.
Happy New Year, my friends.
Seriously, though, through all the haze and headaches of partying in the new year, most people will look down at their traditional list of New Year's Resolutions and probably just end up doing the same things they did the year before. Those who know me already understand my feeling on resolutions. They rarely ever stick, because we wait so long to implement them (i.e. January 1st), that we have learned quite well how to get along without doing any of these new, self-helpy things in the first place.
Please do not misunderstand my intent; I am all for anyone wishing to improve themselves. I got into personal training for just that reason, to help people achieve goals. I teach people how to fix things and try to help them see things in a different light, when I can, all in the name of helping them better themselves. I, in turn, am constantly learning new and exciting things in the process. No one person knows everything, but every person knows something. We teach, we learn, we grow.
Back to the subject at hand, though. How do we, say, take up a fitness routine in such a manner that your treadmill does not become an unrecognizable pile of clothes and other detritus at the end of January and your dreams of a six pack that doesn't hold adult beverages becomes another "what I'm going to do next year" dream? The answer is simple: Don't wait to start!
We, as humans, tend to like starting points and boundaries. Why do you think there are so many parks near seashores and rivers and canyons? I can say from experience that it isn't always for the scenery, because I've seen some pretty horrendous riverside parks. It is because we love boundaries. We are drawn to them. They resemble the unknown; Shakespear's "Undiscovered Country". Even though a thousand-thousand people have gone beyond that point before, it is still a new and fascinating starting point for our own journey. The start of a great adventure. The same holds true for the passage of time. We become fascinated by the fact that an entire year has passed us by and that another one lays before us, new and unspoiled as a new-fallen snow. We look upon its blank canvas and think, "I've got to do something special with this," when, in truth, we don't. Time will march on, relentlessly, whether we do something meaningful with it or not.
So what DO we do, anyway? Have you heard the mantra, Live, Laugh, Love? Do your best to enjoy life. Read new books, take on a fitness program, find a volunteer program to help others or the community; enjoy what you do. If you feel the need to make out a list of things you want to accomplish, by all means, do it. The thing is, you should actually try to accomplish some of those things. Don't put it off, don't think, "I'll start next month," just do it. Everyone has probably heard that it takes thirty days to make something a habit. There have been several studies that have shown humans develop actions into habits anywhere from as little as 18 days to as many as 254. The difference is willpower and determination.
For all of you, my friends, family, and followers, I wish you success in everything you do this new year. If I can help, I will certainly try. I am going to be starting my own business and attempting to live a more sustainable life. May 2015 bring you joy and success, but if you fail at something, may you learn and grow from the experience. Look to your neighbors and accept them for who they are, and respect their right to be themselves. Look to yourself and see your faults, and realize that yours may not be the only point of view. Live fully and laugh often, and love always.
Happy New Year, my friends.
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