Things change, that's part of life. If living things don't change they die. One of the things that needs to change for me is that my writing needs to be better, all of my writing. Since it is sort of what I do now I need to treat it with more respect. I need to put more time and effort into the things I write, even when it's 'just a blog post'.
I also need to make better use of the social media that I have available to me.
Put these things together and you get less blog posts here. Some of my posts here have been more like a couple of Facebook posts strung together. I can do better than that.
So, I will be cutting back here, posting no more than every other week. The posts will be higher quality posts, it's the respect you, I, and the blog deserve. I will also be putting things that 'belong' on Facebook on Facebook. I may talk about the same things there and here. I probably will talk about the same things, but the posts will be longer, more in depth, and more though out here. The quick off the cuff stuff will go more on Facebook where it belongs.
Videos won't be going away, but they'll be here less often and more of them will be my own stuff. Hey, I'm making them so why not!
Craft projects / art / shiny things will be here; more of them and more regularly/predictably. I reminded myself that balance is needed in all thing and that includes between the work shop and the writing desk. That means more cool stuff to show up here.
Recipes and food stuff will continue to show up here occasionally, so will diabetes stuff. These are things of our adventures and they belong here. They also deserve better treatment than they've been getting lately.
A while back (after I started WMS, but before they left Rexburg) one of the sister in laws asked if I write out the stuff for this blog before I put it up. The answer was no; I did for WMS but not for The Adventures. Now, the answer is changing to yes and no. It honestly is going to depend on the subject matter and what's going on (probably a lot less prewriting during NANOWRIMO and deep/serious edits on major projects and a lot more while I'm in more of a marketing/proofing/selling phase).
I've talked about going to every other week and Lisa filling in in-between before. That was a mistake. Two mistakes actually: 1) Lisa is busy and can't always post every other week; 2) I let myself get sucked back into posting every week because I felt like it was necessary.
Things change. Lisa is welcome to post and will when she feels like it. I will be posting at most every other week. It's about the quality of the writing and your time (and mine); sometimes a bad product is worse than no product at all. (If any one really insists on hearing from me every week (Yeah, in my dreams...) they could go read WMS I'll still be doing that one weekly)
This time I'm not going to feel bad if a week goes by with no post here. I've told you what's going on and it really is for all our benefit. Maybe with less and better posts here there will be more comments (and maybe the Fathers Day Tie post will get bumped out of the "most popular post" slot).
Well that's the news.
Lisa may be posting about her trip next week. If not, then I'll see you in two!
Take care.
Showing posts with label theory/philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theory/philosophy. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2015
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Man do I wish this was what it looked like!....
It would be so much easier to explain some event of the recent past...
You know, Patrick was just off having a little blast!!!
The reality is the grenade is disarmed hull that's a shelf display (as long as our home teacher doesn't steal it...) and the bag is polishing powder squired on the same trip a couple weeks ago.
The reality picture for this week is this...
Those would be my hospital bracelets and the piece of tiger's eye that I used to cut them off fairly shortly after I got back into the car (would you believe they don't let you carry knives in the local hospital?)..
Yeah, there are changes and there are going to be changes but there are things that don't change either:
1: My testimony of Heavenly Father and the Savior are here, strong and true.
2: The adventures continue... It's just some of them aren't the ones we planned on (guess what they never are!).
3: Words still mean stuff (Hmm plug for my other blog?) and I will continue to be writing about things that are important (to me at least!) and continuing to pursue that publishing dream.
4: Making things and doing things is a must (why just exist when you can create (lots more to come on this)
5: (hey if you don't get something out of this on your own I can't help you)
Now you just make what you want to/can out of that last one...
For those who haven't heard I was diagnosed as diabetic last week along with a big scary hospital adventure that I'm not talking about too much right now (at least until I can access what Lisa's been saying to people (and what they've been saying) and so on (at least in part not sure what to tell people (do I add detail or issue a rebuttal?)). I am out and doing better. I will say that I also managed an ulcer (I was right better to give 'em than get 'em), an antibiotic allergy, and a sinus infection in the same run (can't do anything simple can I? and Lisa adds "What about the vasculitis as well?"). Like I said not going to talk too much about this right here and right now (but in the appropriate place and time...)
Lisa is still working on that doctorate thing... at least one of her committee feels she's ready to move on to proposal stage and then do her research. As far as writing goes for me, events have slowed me down but I'm putting words on paper and screen again! The novella is in edits, several stories in the works and non fiction stuff is "in process" (in other words writing is going on but I don't want to talk about it right now).
More to say on more things, but this post is taking way to long today and there are things to do and places to be... more to come...
till next time...
keep the faith
You know, Patrick was just off having a little blast!!!
The reality is the grenade is disarmed hull that's a shelf display (as long as our home teacher doesn't steal it...) and the bag is polishing powder squired on the same trip a couple weeks ago.
The reality picture for this week is this...
Those would be my hospital bracelets and the piece of tiger's eye that I used to cut them off fairly shortly after I got back into the car (would you believe they don't let you carry knives in the local hospital?)..
Yeah, there are changes and there are going to be changes but there are things that don't change either:
1: My testimony of Heavenly Father and the Savior are here, strong and true.
2: The adventures continue... It's just some of them aren't the ones we planned on (guess what they never are!).
3: Words still mean stuff (Hmm plug for my other blog?) and I will continue to be writing about things that are important (to me at least!) and continuing to pursue that publishing dream.
4: Making things and doing things is a must (why just exist when you can create (lots more to come on this)
5: (hey if you don't get something out of this on your own I can't help you)
Now you just make what you want to/can out of that last one...
For those who haven't heard I was diagnosed as diabetic last week along with a big scary hospital adventure that I'm not talking about too much right now (at least until I can access what Lisa's been saying to people (and what they've been saying) and so on (at least in part not sure what to tell people (do I add detail or issue a rebuttal?)). I am out and doing better. I will say that I also managed an ulcer (I was right better to give 'em than get 'em), an antibiotic allergy, and a sinus infection in the same run (can't do anything simple can I? and Lisa adds "What about the vasculitis as well?"). Like I said not going to talk too much about this right here and right now (but in the appropriate place and time...)
Lisa is still working on that doctorate thing... at least one of her committee feels she's ready to move on to proposal stage and then do her research. As far as writing goes for me, events have slowed me down but I'm putting words on paper and screen again! The novella is in edits, several stories in the works and non fiction stuff is "in process" (in other words writing is going on but I don't want to talk about it right now).
More to say on more things, but this post is taking way to long today and there are things to do and places to be... more to come...
till next time...
keep the faith
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
In the mean time...
Ok... so... we didn't get a post up last week or on Monday... Lots going on unfortunately not much in a place to do a fun post about.
Lisa is working on dissertation stuff as well as working and with the holidays it's big time for her calling with music. I'm trying to get a novella out by the end of the year as well as the workshop and working on the house...
And that's where the "fun" happens.. been waiting for saw parts for about three weeks. And the temperature when we got up this morning was three (3) not 30 not 33 not 83 but three. It's a good thing I'm trying to focus on writing right now because there is a limit to what kind of home repair and improvement you can do when the temperature is three.
In brighter news we got a new Assistant Ward Clerk for Finance (AWCF) in our ward two Sundays ago and I'm happy to say last Sunday he and our new counselor in the bishopric were counting tithing and my new assistant clerk was actually helping me train the new counselor! Still a lot to go for both but a really really good sign! My old AWCF isn't exactly fading away either he's being ordained a high priest and is the new assistant to the high priests group leader.
With some of the changes in the ward some folks have wondered if I'm not frustrated at having been in and out of the clerks office for the last 14 years and not having been called to the bishopric. Answer... NOPE! I'm right where I need to be. When our new bishop was called last year I was given not only a full new bishopric but two new assistant clerks to deal with. That's five out of seven people in the bishopric brand new (well the bishop did spend a few months as a counselor then a year on the high council but still...) and the executive secretary had only been in a few months. This time around as clerk is a lot more about teaching and leading as a clerk rather than just serving and doing the work.
I've also spent a year in that span as an assistant to the high priest group leader and then a year as the high priest group leader. If I'm called to be in the bishopric I'll answer the call. If not... well between having been high priest group leader and working in Psycho Social Rehab I've handled my share of 1:00 AM crisis calls. As is I'm in a position where I get to work with people in small groups or one on one (my preferred modis operandi) and I have really gotten to see men and women stand taller and do more than they ever thought they could. I am a servant of the Lord and a tool in his hands. I am serving where he has asked me to and that's where I need to be.
'Nuff said?
Hopefully next week we get to say more about some cool projects... so till then...
{um wait! Patrick you never do one of these without pictures...} True. I can't stand it either...
The Himalaya is coming!
(Now what that means is... well, wait, read and find out!)
Till next time God bless. And remember: First you do what you have to do. Then you do what you can do. Then you do what you can't do. (St Francis)
Lisa is working on dissertation stuff as well as working and with the holidays it's big time for her calling with music. I'm trying to get a novella out by the end of the year as well as the workshop and working on the house...
And that's where the "fun" happens.. been waiting for saw parts for about three weeks. And the temperature when we got up this morning was three (3) not 30 not 33 not 83 but three. It's a good thing I'm trying to focus on writing right now because there is a limit to what kind of home repair and improvement you can do when the temperature is three.
In brighter news we got a new Assistant Ward Clerk for Finance (AWCF) in our ward two Sundays ago and I'm happy to say last Sunday he and our new counselor in the bishopric were counting tithing and my new assistant clerk was actually helping me train the new counselor! Still a lot to go for both but a really really good sign! My old AWCF isn't exactly fading away either he's being ordained a high priest and is the new assistant to the high priests group leader.
With some of the changes in the ward some folks have wondered if I'm not frustrated at having been in and out of the clerks office for the last 14 years and not having been called to the bishopric. Answer... NOPE! I'm right where I need to be. When our new bishop was called last year I was given not only a full new bishopric but two new assistant clerks to deal with. That's five out of seven people in the bishopric brand new (well the bishop did spend a few months as a counselor then a year on the high council but still...) and the executive secretary had only been in a few months. This time around as clerk is a lot more about teaching and leading as a clerk rather than just serving and doing the work.
I've also spent a year in that span as an assistant to the high priest group leader and then a year as the high priest group leader. If I'm called to be in the bishopric I'll answer the call. If not... well between having been high priest group leader and working in Psycho Social Rehab I've handled my share of 1:00 AM crisis calls. As is I'm in a position where I get to work with people in small groups or one on one (my preferred modis operandi) and I have really gotten to see men and women stand taller and do more than they ever thought they could. I am a servant of the Lord and a tool in his hands. I am serving where he has asked me to and that's where I need to be.
'Nuff said?
Hopefully next week we get to say more about some cool projects... so till then...
{um wait! Patrick you never do one of these without pictures...} True. I can't stand it either...
The Himalaya is coming!
(Now what that means is... well, wait, read and find out!)
Till next time God bless. And remember: First you do what you have to do. Then you do what you can do. Then you do what you can't do. (St Francis)
Monday, September 29, 2014
backwards and forwards
First up, a correction and final report...last week's reported bees were actually hornets (I did see a couple of bees in the area leading to the misidentification, but the nest I dealt with was hornets (they are also now dead...))
We go directly from the dead bugs to the project that's been "dead on" bugging me! I actually got the doorway removed and that part of the wall fixed this week, and that bought me to this weeks philosophical moment... the inverse iceberg principle! We've already talked about the iceberg principle, basically for any project there is more to do than what you see... Well, the inverse iceberg principle is that sometimes there is less under the surface than you think... in this case the studs between the foundation wall and the door frame were less solid than the door frame (literally only one nail was left not rusted through and the bottom of the post had rotted). Once I got the door frame out, I removed the post with one hand. The old door frame looked like an early pre-hung door, unfortunately the bottom edge was actually under the cement of the floor and the frame didn't survive removal. So, I'm either building a new frame of buying a new pre-hung door (since I could use this door to replace one on the outside workshop I'm leaning toward buy a new one). speaking of the door frame here's what I found under the door frame and post...
The little room has a separate slab floor that was poured at a different time from the rest of the basement. That bottom layer is actually dirt...
Here's the thing about the inverse iceberg principle, when it comes to projects the inverse principle proves the iceberg principle (there's more work than you see because there is less structure than you see!).
So, I got the doorway out of the way and did the cement work. The floor is now solid there and, if I drew a nose on it, the repair looks like the outline of Grue from Despicable Me (which is OK, because certain people (Lisa) have called me Grue...)
Speaking of Lisa, she has safely arrived in Baltimore and will be doing two conference presentations this week. Next week I'm planning on having her report on the conference and why it is better to order blue crab in Baltimore than in Pocatello.
Ok, so nothing uber exciting this time, but that was this week... maybe I'll do a mid week report with something cooler... in the mean time, for those of you who haven't met Grue (or those who think he's funny)
Have a great week
We go directly from the dead bugs to the project that's been "dead on" bugging me! I actually got the doorway removed and that part of the wall fixed this week, and that bought me to this weeks philosophical moment... the inverse iceberg principle! We've already talked about the iceberg principle, basically for any project there is more to do than what you see... Well, the inverse iceberg principle is that sometimes there is less under the surface than you think... in this case the studs between the foundation wall and the door frame were less solid than the door frame (literally only one nail was left not rusted through and the bottom of the post had rotted). Once I got the door frame out, I removed the post with one hand. The old door frame looked like an early pre-hung door, unfortunately the bottom edge was actually under the cement of the floor and the frame didn't survive removal. So, I'm either building a new frame of buying a new pre-hung door (since I could use this door to replace one on the outside workshop I'm leaning toward buy a new one). speaking of the door frame here's what I found under the door frame and post...
The little room has a separate slab floor that was poured at a different time from the rest of the basement. That bottom layer is actually dirt...
Here's the thing about the inverse iceberg principle, when it comes to projects the inverse principle proves the iceberg principle (there's more work than you see because there is less structure than you see!).
So, I got the doorway out of the way and did the cement work. The floor is now solid there and, if I drew a nose on it, the repair looks like the outline of Grue from Despicable Me (which is OK, because certain people (Lisa) have called me Grue...)
Speaking of Lisa, she has safely arrived in Baltimore and will be doing two conference presentations this week. Next week I'm planning on having her report on the conference and why it is better to order blue crab in Baltimore than in Pocatello.
Ok, so nothing uber exciting this time, but that was this week... maybe I'll do a mid week report with something cooler... in the mean time, for those of you who haven't met Grue (or those who think he's funny)
Have a great week
Monday, June 16, 2014
What the 'Trek?
Ok, a couple of important and interesting (yeah in my dreams) things today folks...
The wars continue... The ornamental peas have been subdued (Ok, after clearing the ones around the roses I got really happy on the others with the string trimmer!). We have moved on to one of the classic enemies, spiders. They love to come in in the spring and fall, and find places they like to stay in the basement and stairwell (note: most of them have the sense to stay out of the active workshop area, but less active spots are nice terrain for them). So I have taken to using glue traps...
And some of the spiders have taken to attacking other spiders stuck in the glue traps... Apparently I've brought the La Brea Tar Pits with me and the spiders think they're saber tooth tigers!
They are definitely trying to impersonate LA traffic (actually I was singing while working in the basement (everyone (and everything!) is a critic)).
Second item... As I mentioned last week I started a new blog. Unlike last week, I'm thinking I might put some thinky stuff in this one still as the mood strikes me. The new blog is meant to be a more professional blog for me as a writer and researcher. There is an will be some interesting and cool stuff there (I just won't be talking about rocks and setting things on fire (too much that is!). I'm planning on doing posts for the new one on Fridays (posting schedules help!). Here's a link: http://wordsmeanstuff.wordpress.com/
Third item... Getting ready for the reunion... in addition to working on the plan for the food, I decided to see how some of the amethyst from the reunion mix would 'cook up'...
This is just after a rough tumble. I'm going to say it's coming out pretty nicely! I had plenty of good stuff to fill the medium barrel...
With leftovers!
The batch included a couple big enough to be carvers, some smalls that would be reasonable ear ring size and some pendant stones that I really don't want to have to wait the whole process time for (but I do so oh well!)
Item the fourth...
Some of you know and some of you don't that I am a convert to the church. Something fewer of you know is that part of what lead me to accept what the missionaries were teaching me was an episode of Star Trek the Animated series. What this episode provided was the idea that truth and learning was spread out through out the world, but no one had all the truth, no one had put the pieces together. I came to the conclusion that this also applied to the Christian religion, everyone had parts but no one had the whole of it. I chewed on this idea for a couple years, then I met some friends who introduced me to the missionaries. It was at that time I first heard the story of Joseph Smith. In that discussion I received confirmation that I was right, parts of the truth had been spread through out the earth; however, I was also wrong! Someone else (many someones really, but one in particular) had been looking for that whole truth and was told, as I believed, that none of the factions of his day had the whole truth. That someone, Joseph Smith, had the privileged to be the first modern prophet of God, the first prophet of the restored church of Jesus Christ on the earth. Thanks to him and the prophets and apostles that have come after the church has been restored in our day with all the pieces Heavenly Father sees fit to give us, in the proper place.
Now why did I bring this up?
1: I think it's kinda important!
2: Hulu has recently picked up Star Trek the Animated Series. So, for the first time since 1987 I got to watch the episode! (I'm including a link because it did not want to embed in the blog : ( http://www.hulu.com/watch/638128)
Well, that's it for today...
Already have at least one cool item for next week (two actually). And there's one more that I want to do for next week, but there's only one problem... for weeks I've been wanting rain, and now I need it to stop raining!
The wars continue... The ornamental peas have been subdued (Ok, after clearing the ones around the roses I got really happy on the others with the string trimmer!). We have moved on to one of the classic enemies, spiders. They love to come in in the spring and fall, and find places they like to stay in the basement and stairwell (note: most of them have the sense to stay out of the active workshop area, but less active spots are nice terrain for them). So I have taken to using glue traps...
And some of the spiders have taken to attacking other spiders stuck in the glue traps... Apparently I've brought the La Brea Tar Pits with me and the spiders think they're saber tooth tigers!
They are definitely trying to impersonate LA traffic (actually I was singing while working in the basement (everyone (and everything!) is a critic)).
Second item... As I mentioned last week I started a new blog. Unlike last week, I'm thinking I might put some thinky stuff in this one still as the mood strikes me. The new blog is meant to be a more professional blog for me as a writer and researcher. There is an will be some interesting and cool stuff there (I just won't be talking about rocks and setting things on fire (too much that is!). I'm planning on doing posts for the new one on Fridays (posting schedules help!). Here's a link: http://wordsmeanstuff.wordpress.com/
Third item... Getting ready for the reunion... in addition to working on the plan for the food, I decided to see how some of the amethyst from the reunion mix would 'cook up'...
With leftovers!
The batch included a couple big enough to be carvers, some smalls that would be reasonable ear ring size and some pendant stones that I really don't want to have to wait the whole process time for (but I do so oh well!)
Item the fourth...
Some of you know and some of you don't that I am a convert to the church. Something fewer of you know is that part of what lead me to accept what the missionaries were teaching me was an episode of Star Trek the Animated series. What this episode provided was the idea that truth and learning was spread out through out the world, but no one had all the truth, no one had put the pieces together. I came to the conclusion that this also applied to the Christian religion, everyone had parts but no one had the whole of it. I chewed on this idea for a couple years, then I met some friends who introduced me to the missionaries. It was at that time I first heard the story of Joseph Smith. In that discussion I received confirmation that I was right, parts of the truth had been spread through out the earth; however, I was also wrong! Someone else (many someones really, but one in particular) had been looking for that whole truth and was told, as I believed, that none of the factions of his day had the whole truth. That someone, Joseph Smith, had the privileged to be the first modern prophet of God, the first prophet of the restored church of Jesus Christ on the earth. Thanks to him and the prophets and apostles that have come after the church has been restored in our day with all the pieces Heavenly Father sees fit to give us, in the proper place.
Now why did I bring this up?
1: I think it's kinda important!
2: Hulu has recently picked up Star Trek the Animated Series. So, for the first time since 1987 I got to watch the episode! (I'm including a link because it did not want to embed in the blog : ( http://www.hulu.com/watch/638128)
Well, that's it for today...
Already have at least one cool item for next week (two actually). And there's one more that I want to do for next week, but there's only one problem... for weeks I've been wanting rain, and now I need it to stop raining!
Monday, June 2, 2014
Whose side are you on???
I know, I know people like happy things like pancakes and cool projects. Well, we'll get to those but there are a few other things to say first...
Lately a polling rep took note of the fact that I'm not affiliated with either major party. I could tell in talking with him that he really wanted to know why I'm not a member of his party... "after all we have a number of views in common..." Well, to quote Tree Beard (and for what ever NSA spook is reading this that would be the JRR Tolkien fictional character Tree Beard) "I'm not all together on anyone's side because no one is on my side". One party has Barak Obama (do I really need to say anything else?). The other party has Idaho's attorney general who signed a legal opinion stating that there is no right to bare arms in the second amendment!
Can't, won't and shouldn't vote a straight party ticket for either party. Like so many other things in life one needs to make informed personal choices in voting. Short and sweet why would you choose the guy who doesn't represent your beliefs and interests? Choose the guy who is the best fit for what you want and hold him or her to what they say.
A couple of years ago Lisa and I made it down to LA for a graduation... at the time our sister in law was running for the local school board. Guess what, even though we don't agree on everything, if I were voting for the school board in that area I would have voted for her. It has nothing to do with whether she has a 'D' or 'R' after her name. Actually I'm not sure which party she belongs to (if any!) and it really doesn't matter. If I were voting in that election what mattered was that she was an actual mother of children in those schools who wanted to improve the education of her children. She was someone I could trust to actually look into policies and programs and make the decision that would best benefit her children. I would much rather that than someone who's going to just pick whatever seems popular because it's a stepping stone to the real office or job they're looking for.
Progress is made in this country when every day citizens make informed decisions (not educated because that has a slightly different meaning (and communists, fascists, cult leaders, etc. just love to 'educate' people)). Why do we need the EPA making rules to cut carbon emissions when people are already going that way? For example, people were upgrading to 90+% efficiency heating for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with government regulations even before some of the rules were made. (this time I really do mean educate) Educate people, provide them with good information, teach them how a particular path benefits them, show them what the options are (and the results and consequences of those options), and then back off and let them choose. True some will choose the wrong way, but they know the consequences and get to deal with them. In the case of the heater I'd much rather have the 90% (or better yet 95%) efficiency model than the old 70-80% models that are floating around out here. The higher efficiency ones are cheaper, more efficient and can be vented with a piece of PVC pipe which makes set up and operation cheaper and easier! In the case of elected officials I want the one that will represent my values and principles; that does not necessarily mean membership in a particular party... (actually some days I'd like to elect a Dalek to office... that would make for an interesting filibuster...)
Well enough said on that, well one more thing... we need to be responsible for the choices we make. And how we do that can have fun and interesting results! For example today I was clearing some weeds and putting in some bark mulch. I had some old mulch that I had previously purchased but I needed some more, so I bought some. Unfortunately I chose not to take the time to check on color... so, my old mulch was brown and the new is red... Really didn't feel like returning mulch so I needed a new solution...
solution...
Create a pattern! Now if I do the same thing on the other side it looks like I did something artistic on purpose rather that just "he screwed up and got the wrong mulch"
Ok, for those of you who like pretty stuff or just don't want to deal with scary things like making choices...
The first rose of the year... Just meditate one that...
For those of you who are more adventurey... I kind of uncovered a major ant hill in the yard while I was working outside today. Haven't dealt with it yet but I'm considering something like this...
Ok, so I've got something for the voters, choosers, meditators, artists, adventurers...so how about something we can all (or mostly all) agree on...
The night before cooking mix up
2 Cups flour
2 Cups milk
1 Cup sourdough starter
Use a fairly large bowl 1) you'll be adding more to the bowl and 2) if its warm enough, your starter is strong enough, and the bowl small enough it will try to take over you kitchen! Let it stand over night at room temperature (I like to cover it with a towel to help control it's environment and prevent ideas of world (or kitchen) domination (I hate competition especially from single celled organisms!))
When you're about ready to cook heat up your pan or griddle to 400F.
When the cook surface is just about ready mix into your batter
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Butter your griddle/pan
I use 1/3 cup portions and it makes 12 pancakes that way, but use your own initiative on size of cake and when to flip
The extra flour added structural integrity without adding toughness. You could probably add the 2 tablespoons of brown sugar from my last recipe, but I didn't and they didn't seem to need it (I tend to go for jam or syrup so they don't have to stand entirely on their own sweetness).
Ok, figured it out and just in time for berry season!
That's it for today...
As for next week... Lets see... pan, torch, random aluminum... "Zeek, git the propane"
Lately a polling rep took note of the fact that I'm not affiliated with either major party. I could tell in talking with him that he really wanted to know why I'm not a member of his party... "after all we have a number of views in common..." Well, to quote Tree Beard (and for what ever NSA spook is reading this that would be the JRR Tolkien fictional character Tree Beard) "I'm not all together on anyone's side because no one is on my side". One party has Barak Obama (do I really need to say anything else?). The other party has Idaho's attorney general who signed a legal opinion stating that there is no right to bare arms in the second amendment!
Can't, won't and shouldn't vote a straight party ticket for either party. Like so many other things in life one needs to make informed personal choices in voting. Short and sweet why would you choose the guy who doesn't represent your beliefs and interests? Choose the guy who is the best fit for what you want and hold him or her to what they say.
A couple of years ago Lisa and I made it down to LA for a graduation... at the time our sister in law was running for the local school board. Guess what, even though we don't agree on everything, if I were voting for the school board in that area I would have voted for her. It has nothing to do with whether she has a 'D' or 'R' after her name. Actually I'm not sure which party she belongs to (if any!) and it really doesn't matter. If I were voting in that election what mattered was that she was an actual mother of children in those schools who wanted to improve the education of her children. She was someone I could trust to actually look into policies and programs and make the decision that would best benefit her children. I would much rather that than someone who's going to just pick whatever seems popular because it's a stepping stone to the real office or job they're looking for.
Progress is made in this country when every day citizens make informed decisions (not educated because that has a slightly different meaning (and communists, fascists, cult leaders, etc. just love to 'educate' people)). Why do we need the EPA making rules to cut carbon emissions when people are already going that way? For example, people were upgrading to 90+% efficiency heating for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with government regulations even before some of the rules were made. (this time I really do mean educate) Educate people, provide them with good information, teach them how a particular path benefits them, show them what the options are (and the results and consequences of those options), and then back off and let them choose. True some will choose the wrong way, but they know the consequences and get to deal with them. In the case of the heater I'd much rather have the 90% (or better yet 95%) efficiency model than the old 70-80% models that are floating around out here. The higher efficiency ones are cheaper, more efficient and can be vented with a piece of PVC pipe which makes set up and operation cheaper and easier! In the case of elected officials I want the one that will represent my values and principles; that does not necessarily mean membership in a particular party... (actually some days I'd like to elect a Dalek to office... that would make for an interesting filibuster...)
Well enough said on that, well one more thing... we need to be responsible for the choices we make. And how we do that can have fun and interesting results! For example today I was clearing some weeds and putting in some bark mulch. I had some old mulch that I had previously purchased but I needed some more, so I bought some. Unfortunately I chose not to take the time to check on color... so, my old mulch was brown and the new is red... Really didn't feel like returning mulch so I needed a new solution...
solution...
Create a pattern! Now if I do the same thing on the other side it looks like I did something artistic on purpose rather that just "he screwed up and got the wrong mulch"
Ok, for those of you who like pretty stuff or just don't want to deal with scary things like making choices...
The first rose of the year... Just meditate one that...
For those of you who are more adventurey... I kind of uncovered a major ant hill in the yard while I was working outside today. Haven't dealt with it yet but I'm considering something like this...
Ok, so I've got something for the voters, choosers, meditators, artists, adventurers...so how about something we can all (or mostly all) agree on...
Pancakes!
Saturday I actually achieved criterion fluff-age!
I realized that my starter was being a bit thin and liquidy and that the eggs would make it more so, so I added a couple tablespoons of flower to the mix just before the eggs and got the seriously fluffy and tender sour dough pancakes I'd been looking for.
Found the Fluff Sourdough Pancakes by Patrick
The night before cooking mix up2 Cups flour
2 Cups milk
1 Cup sourdough starter
Use a fairly large bowl 1) you'll be adding more to the bowl and 2) if its warm enough, your starter is strong enough, and the bowl small enough it will try to take over you kitchen! Let it stand over night at room temperature (I like to cover it with a towel to help control it's environment and prevent ideas of world (or kitchen) domination (I hate competition especially from single celled organisms!))
When you're about ready to cook heat up your pan or griddle to 400F.
When the cook surface is just about ready mix into your batter
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Butter your griddle/pan
I use 1/3 cup portions and it makes 12 pancakes that way, but use your own initiative on size of cake and when to flip
The extra flour added structural integrity without adding toughness. You could probably add the 2 tablespoons of brown sugar from my last recipe, but I didn't and they didn't seem to need it (I tend to go for jam or syrup so they don't have to stand entirely on their own sweetness).
Ok, figured it out and just in time for berry season!
That's it for today...
As for next week... Lets see... pan, torch, random aluminum... "Zeek, git the propane"
Monday, May 26, 2014
Memorial day, life and more
It is Memorial Day...
For those of you who don't remember my last post (and those who do) let's start with a video...
Also relating to last weeks post a serious injustice was done in local elections by a whole 80 (that's eight zero) votes with roughly 10,000 votes cast. Now, other than the injustice part (which is an issue for another day...), my problem with this is that only 34% of the registered voters voted. So, for those out here in Pocatello land (and any where else in our country for that matter) who didn't vote... IF THE ELECTION DIDN'T GO THE WAY YOU WANTED BY THAT CLOSE OF A MARGIN AND YOU DIDN'T GET OFF YOUR BUTT TO VOTE IT'S YOUR FAULT!!! As for myself and Lisa we voted our conscience and will follow our beliefs and understanding of truth what ever the road ahead.
Ok, on to other and somewhat more fun things... But first... Jail Break!!!
I also got... My second sonic screwdriver... Here's a picture of the two of them...
One of them is more sonic and the 4th Doctor model... The other is better at driving screws, so it works out over all.
Also in the news this weekend we got the tomatoes and peppers out and in our little garden...and for the first time in our back yard... Garlic (With a nod to my dad and Frederica up in the North East and Popsie). I have also been putting out some new grass seed.
Now...
Question...
If I string these up on the line around the newly seeded area will it help people take the hint and not step on the new grass?
(Yes, I actually own a set of mine flags (what part of "I shop at surplus stores" is hard to understand?))
For those who worry about such things... yes there are more rocks, fires and other fun stuff comming!
I now have my Lortone which is in the rock shop, and a new tumbler for the metal shop...
For those staring in wonderment at why I would buy the Harbor Freight version... the barrels on the first Harbor Freight I bought have held up well and two equivalent barrels from Lortone would cost more than this whole machine (including the extended warranty). I have also learned a lot about maintenance and care for the little devils since then. And since this one is destined for the metal shop not the rock shop the primary run time would be one barrel (3lb) for two hours (with a max around two barrels (6lb) for two hours ) as opposed to 1 large and 1 small (4.5lb) or three small barrels (4.5lb) (with a max of two large barrels (6lb)) for ten (10) days. Trust me this lil guy is going to spin up a lot of shiny metal and steel shot before it's 'shot' (and if it doesn't I take it back and they give me a new one)
For the professional and mental accountants out there (and people who buy machines), I don't just say yes to the extended warranty or protection plan; I make the determination on the basis of unit cost and the likely hood of me blowing the thing up!
Well, that's it for now... next week: ummm, it's Monday of this week, do you mind if I wait to worry about next week till after lunch!
For those of you who don't remember my last post (and those who do) let's start with a video...
Ok, on to other and somewhat more fun things... But first... Jail Break!!!
Yep, ol' SUDDEN DEATH!!! managed to finally get away from me this week after trying to play dead... maybe I should have named it FOOLED YOU!!!
As far as the whole birthday thing... Thanks for the presents, cash, gift cards, good wishes and so on!
Some of you know I'm a Dr Who fan and I ended up with seven full story arcs of classic Doctor (mostly Doctor Four and one Doctor Five) and the "Five Doctors" special that aired for the 20th anniversary (two disk set, 20th and 25th anniversary versions (do your research... flippin fan-boy wannabe ('cause you know there's one out there...)))
I also got... My second sonic screwdriver... Here's a picture of the two of them...
One of them is more sonic and the 4th Doctor model... The other is better at driving screws, so it works out over all.
Also in the news this weekend we got the tomatoes and peppers out and in our little garden...and for the first time in our back yard... Garlic (With a nod to my dad and Frederica up in the North East and Popsie). I have also been putting out some new grass seed.
Now...
Question...
If I string these up on the line around the newly seeded area will it help people take the hint and not step on the new grass?
(Yes, I actually own a set of mine flags (what part of "I shop at surplus stores" is hard to understand?))
For those who worry about such things... yes there are more rocks, fires and other fun stuff comming!
I now have my Lortone which is in the rock shop, and a new tumbler for the metal shop...
For those staring in wonderment at why I would buy the Harbor Freight version... the barrels on the first Harbor Freight I bought have held up well and two equivalent barrels from Lortone would cost more than this whole machine (including the extended warranty). I have also learned a lot about maintenance and care for the little devils since then. And since this one is destined for the metal shop not the rock shop the primary run time would be one barrel (3lb) for two hours (with a max around two barrels (6lb) for two hours ) as opposed to 1 large and 1 small (4.5lb) or three small barrels (4.5lb) (with a max of two large barrels (6lb)) for ten (10) days. Trust me this lil guy is going to spin up a lot of shiny metal and steel shot before it's 'shot' (and if it doesn't I take it back and they give me a new one)
For the professional and mental accountants out there (and people who buy machines), I don't just say yes to the extended warranty or protection plan; I make the determination on the basis of unit cost and the likely hood of me blowing the thing up!
Well, that's it for now... next week: ummm, it's Monday of this week, do you mind if I wait to worry about next week till after lunch!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Thinking about tommorrow, today!
Some of you know my birthday is coming up... well... that's not what I'm talking about today. It will happen whether I want it to or not, I've had a few already, I will have another next year, and I'll know more about what happens with it next week, so I'll talk about it next week.
More significant at the moment, tomorrow is the primary election here in Idaho, and I bet the rest of you in the USA have had them in the recent past or are having them in the very near future. A second thing of great import is Memorial day is coming up next week.
"Er, um, what. Patrick what do these things have to do with each other?" Well, memorial day is the day we honor those men and women who gave their lives for this country, even for you and me. One of the things they fought for was your right to vote, not just vote, but to have a voice and an influence in how things are done in your city/town, state, and country. That means that you have a responsibility to get out and vote. People have died to give you that right.
If you are not voting, and putting the effort in to know who and what you are voting for, you are selling the lives of my family and yours cheap.
Ok, Nuff said, well once more: GET OUT AND VOTE!
If you're not old enough to vote yet, well you can still talk about the issues and encourage those who are old enough to get out and vote.
Now then, who and what should you vote for? I'm not telling you specific people or ways to vote on issues, vote for the people who will support and fight for the things you believe and want; on issues, vote your principals. If you want to vote for special rights for people, or for the person I don't agree with, well that's your choice. I'm voting for who and what I believe in too and I'm not going to take that from you!
On the other hand don't call giving someone special rights and protections equal rights! By definition saying that one group in particular can't be discriminated against is putting them in a superior position, and that's not equal. If you're voting for an incumbent who's lied, cheated and done nothing for you; just because you think he/she's the one who will win, someone tells you to, "he's cool", "I wont to be cool", or any other reason that's not supporting your values and interests...you kind of deserve what you get!
Like I said, at this point I'm not telling you how to vote or for whom; however, you need to get out and vote, you need to know who and what you are voting for and you need to DO SOMETHING to support what you believe in.
I'm going to end today's post with a link to a YouTube video. The song: "A Light in the Black". The band: Sabaton (they're a Swedish band that knows more about our history than some of my own countrymen!). Sabaton sings about historical peoples and events, in this case the Korean War (BTW Lisa's grandfather, Popsie served in this war so people related to that family might want to take note). I think this song sums up a lot of what our family in the military have done for us and the world, and in it's own way the things I'm talking about in this post (and in some ways better than I could say them!)
Ok, nuff said. I think I will probably post the cool shop stuff I had in mind later in the week, but this was just too important to be left unsaid.
More significant at the moment, tomorrow is the primary election here in Idaho, and I bet the rest of you in the USA have had them in the recent past or are having them in the very near future. A second thing of great import is Memorial day is coming up next week.
"Er, um, what. Patrick what do these things have to do with each other?" Well, memorial day is the day we honor those men and women who gave their lives for this country, even for you and me. One of the things they fought for was your right to vote, not just vote, but to have a voice and an influence in how things are done in your city/town, state, and country. That means that you have a responsibility to get out and vote. People have died to give you that right.
If you are not voting, and putting the effort in to know who and what you are voting for, you are selling the lives of my family and yours cheap.
Ok, Nuff said, well once more: GET OUT AND VOTE!
If you're not old enough to vote yet, well you can still talk about the issues and encourage those who are old enough to get out and vote.
Now then, who and what should you vote for? I'm not telling you specific people or ways to vote on issues, vote for the people who will support and fight for the things you believe and want; on issues, vote your principals. If you want to vote for special rights for people, or for the person I don't agree with, well that's your choice. I'm voting for who and what I believe in too and I'm not going to take that from you!
On the other hand don't call giving someone special rights and protections equal rights! By definition saying that one group in particular can't be discriminated against is putting them in a superior position, and that's not equal. If you're voting for an incumbent who's lied, cheated and done nothing for you; just because you think he/she's the one who will win, someone tells you to, "he's cool", "I wont to be cool", or any other reason that's not supporting your values and interests...you kind of deserve what you get!
Like I said, at this point I'm not telling you how to vote or for whom; however, you need to get out and vote, you need to know who and what you are voting for and you need to DO SOMETHING to support what you believe in.
I'm going to end today's post with a link to a YouTube video. The song: "A Light in the Black". The band: Sabaton (they're a Swedish band that knows more about our history than some of my own countrymen!). Sabaton sings about historical peoples and events, in this case the Korean War (BTW Lisa's grandfather, Popsie served in this war so people related to that family might want to take note). I think this song sums up a lot of what our family in the military have done for us and the world, and in it's own way the things I'm talking about in this post (and in some ways better than I could say them!)
Ok, nuff said. I think I will probably post the cool shop stuff I had in mind later in the week, but this was just too important to be left unsaid.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Early post!
Ok, I know I usually post on Mondays (and we will have some stuff to talk about next Monday), but I wanted to get this out of the way...
For any one who has ever said "that bites" well...um...
Sometimes it does, even when your huntin' rocks!
Um lets see... "I've always wanted to write something that has a bite to it...."
(I really need another prop in there for this one...) "some times you have to fight tooth and nail for what you want..."
<insert annoying pun here>
Lets look at that again...
Those are real sharks teeth we found in some gem gravel... and real amethyst, real citrine, real rose quartz, a couple real tourmies... sadly that's not real gold...it's real pyrite!
Remember sometimes life bites, but sometimes there is an opportunity there too, like a chance to bite life back with it's own teeth!
Have a great Easter (and lets try to get the puns out of our systems by Monday, because there are serious things to talk about (Honest I can be serious for two maybe even three whole minutes!!!))
For any one who has ever said "that bites" well...um...
Um lets see... "I've always wanted to write something that has a bite to it...."
(I really need another prop in there for this one...) "some times you have to fight tooth and nail for what you want..."
<insert annoying pun here>
Lets look at that again...
Remember sometimes life bites, but sometimes there is an opportunity there too, like a chance to bite life back with it's own teeth!
Have a great Easter (and lets try to get the puns out of our systems by Monday, because there are serious things to talk about (Honest I can be serious for two maybe even three whole minutes!!!))
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
You made a what???
(Note: this one is out a day late for a classic reason. I like to have Lisa look over these things before I post them, unfortunately her editing pass was delayed. Lisa's editing was delayed due to a Monday night class in which the group assigned to report on group work could not work as a group (got that?) resulting in them giving three separate presentations.)
Ok one of the points to today's post is to encourage feedback. Feedback is a good and sometimes fun thing (not to mention me being a little jealous of Lisa's comments when I haven't gotten any comments yet). I know a couple people have opted to email me because they didn't want to (or couldn't) comment, and I'd like to encourage those too, so if you can't or don't want to comment email me at psknewone@yahoo.com.
Anyway to encourage comments/emails... I realized that I really haven't named my sourdough starter and at least in the online community, names for your starter seem to be really, really important so... I am announcing the official Adventures of Patrick and Lisa Shameless Plug to Get Comments Name that Starter Contest! That's right, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls (and any in laws, out laws, or other readers of this blog that for some reason don't fit into one or more of those categories) comment or send an email with a name for my sourdough starter. We'll choose the one that we like best (or the one that strikes us as funny) and name the starter (Note for those of you going to the Layne family reunion: we are planning on making sourdough biscuits as part of the breakfast for our day so you may actually have to eat your words (I'm just saying...)). If your name is chosen will you get a prize? Possibly, probably, (I haven't gotten that far in thinking this through yet!) at a minimum you will get glory (or infamy) in this blog when your name is announced, you might also get a prize (and it may be featured in this or an up coming post). Please have your comments/emails in by May 4, 2014 and the announcement of the winner should happen by May 12 (I'm actually hopping for May 10th (just in case some happy or suicidal person chooses to name it for their mother!))
Second point: Talk about one of my favorite topics creativity. (Don't worry I'm not going for the big preach here and there will be pretty pictures). When we're talking about creativity there are a lot of definitions or ideas 'out of the box' thinking, novel behavior, seeing/discovering things. For my purposes right now, creativity is finding uses for things that are positive (i.e. solving a problem, enhancing your environment, or in some way creating or increasing value) or creating something new.
Example the first...
At the moment, that box has become a very useful tool in keeping some of my projects from being permanent residents of the workshop. A little tape and a sharp craft knife and I have a custom tray for holding the stones.
Example the second...
We picked up some Mandarin oranges at a case lot sale last month. Problem we both missed the fact that the oranges were packed in juice not syrup (and not particularly sweet juice at that); we don't want to use them in some of the standard recipes because they are more acidic and could create problems for jello and so on...
Solution (sort of): orange chocolate biscuits. This is one that didn't really work right out of the gate but did answer some questions and is leading to new ideas... the oranges brought a lot of liquid to the party and some extra acidity meaning they didn't act quite like the usual versions of the recipe:
These particular stones are in the mix of stuff that will be going up to the reunion. They are (from left to right) obsidian, moss agate, mookaite jasper (fairly new out of Australia), gold stone (its a synthetic, but it's cool enough I wanted to throw a piece in), another cool but unnamed jasper, and chrysocolla (a bit softer and more of a pain in the #%$$#%@#$@ to work with some times but I have seen it in some very cool and very real antique scabbards, knives and swords... (note on the note: in checking the spelling on this I realized one of my favorite sources has it marked out of stock... which is making me want to order some of their bags of random tumbling rough in hopes of getting more. Somebody stop me, or at least call my bank and tell them I need another safe deposit box!)
Ok one of the points to today's post is to encourage feedback. Feedback is a good and sometimes fun thing (not to mention me being a little jealous of Lisa's comments when I haven't gotten any comments yet). I know a couple people have opted to email me because they didn't want to (or couldn't) comment, and I'd like to encourage those too, so if you can't or don't want to comment email me at psknewone@yahoo.com.
Anyway to encourage comments/emails... I realized that I really haven't named my sourdough starter and at least in the online community, names for your starter seem to be really, really important so... I am announcing the official Adventures of Patrick and Lisa Shameless Plug to Get Comments Name that Starter Contest! That's right, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls (and any in laws, out laws, or other readers of this blog that for some reason don't fit into one or more of those categories) comment or send an email with a name for my sourdough starter. We'll choose the one that we like best (or the one that strikes us as funny) and name the starter (Note for those of you going to the Layne family reunion: we are planning on making sourdough biscuits as part of the breakfast for our day so you may actually have to eat your words (I'm just saying...)). If your name is chosen will you get a prize? Possibly, probably, (I haven't gotten that far in thinking this through yet!) at a minimum you will get glory (or infamy) in this blog when your name is announced, you might also get a prize (and it may be featured in this or an up coming post). Please have your comments/emails in by May 4, 2014 and the announcement of the winner should happen by May 12 (I'm actually hopping for May 10th (just in case some happy or suicidal person chooses to name it for their mother!))
Second point: Talk about one of my favorite topics creativity. (Don't worry I'm not going for the big preach here and there will be pretty pictures). When we're talking about creativity there are a lot of definitions or ideas 'out of the box' thinking, novel behavior, seeing/discovering things. For my purposes right now, creativity is finding uses for things that are positive (i.e. solving a problem, enhancing your environment, or in some way creating or increasing value) or creating something new.
Example the first...
I mentioned out of the box thinking, well what about empty box thinking... beyond the typical store stuff in it and recycle it answers how can this lowly piece of packaging help out in the workshop?
Well, lets take a look at one real use answer: I needed a way to glue some caps on tumbled stones. Problem 1: the glue
needed is epoxy and there is no way to be sure it won't ooze around the
fingers of the cap to touch the workbench or what ever else I lay them
on so I need to keep the top off the ground. Problem 2: except for one, none of the stones are going to stand up on their own. Problem 2a: since the shapes are random and sizes vary standardized things like soda caps and ice trays failed to do the job.
Solution:
Example the second...
We picked up some Mandarin oranges at a case lot sale last month. Problem we both missed the fact that the oranges were packed in juice not syrup (and not particularly sweet juice at that); we don't want to use them in some of the standard recipes because they are more acidic and could create problems for jello and so on...
Solution (sort of): orange chocolate biscuits. This is one that didn't really work right out of the gate but did answer some questions and is leading to new ideas... the oranges brought a lot of liquid to the party and some extra acidity meaning they didn't act quite like the usual versions of the recipe:
As you can see they ended up flatter, and browned faster than intended (yes that lead to burning...); they also didn't taste as great as I'd hoped. But, this one has signaled that I can probably deal with some other wetter ingredients than I had done (just not as wet as the oranges) and led me to ask "how do I get more orange flavor in there?" which leads me to dealing with some of the flavorants at my favorite spice places and thinking about using orange zest. True the recipe itself goes down as a 'mission failed' but it leads me to asking new questions that will lead to better/new things in the future (I hope) and thse things would not have come up if I had not tried for a creative use of our fairly useless oranges.
example three...wait what is that?
Actually there is no third example. Instead I'm going for the audience participation thing. I have a real love for 'shop made' problem solvers; these are things that people have made or modified to do what they do and run the gamut from things that people piece together for their hobby (often so they don't have to buy one or to make it do something people say it can't), to household items that get modified to solve problems, to items used in real live professional shops and businesses (artists, farmers, construction types do these things all the time and really should get more respect for it!). So, what are some of the things that YOU have built to solve problems? Comment or send an email. Like I say I like this stuff and will be talking about shop made stuff again (note: if you email you can specify whether you are willing to let me mention your stuff in a post (you can also send pictures) if you comment I'm going to assume you're ok with it being mentioned since you're the one who mentioned it in the blog).
Ok, two more teasers and another picture of our box...
This is a collection of stone that we will be following through a couple of linked posts in the near future (split between a couple of posts because the total process time is about 40 days (though the hands on time is considerably less). I'm doing these to answer some questions people have had about what I do with some of the stones I get (and potential questions about what to do with stones that will come from the up coming Layne reunion.
Speaking of the reunion:
Monday, March 24, 2014
Red wire... blue wire...
As good as my intentions were there aren't any cool projects or recipes that are "blog ready" today. While I was greatly annoyed by this I realize that the situation is do at least in part to my choices. A week ago I chose to sign up to help clean up at the church house on Saturday, and later I chose to attend the temple with my wife (killing the rest of Saturday). Don't get me wrong both of them were good choices and positive things came out of them, but they did cut into my project time and as a result nothing is ready to post today. This lead me to think about the cause of, and solution to most of life's problems... choices.
The title from today's post is that old question from movies and tv, 'should I cut the red wire or the blue wire'. Usually one sets off the bomb and the other disarms it (Note: as an undergrad I and my theater major room mate talked this one over and decided that if we ever write this scene all the wires are going to be the same color...). Sorry to disappoint the NSA watch dogs (and a few teenage boys) this blog post is really about choices, not bombs (or scene writing). How do we make choices; how do we deal with the consequences of them; and what if we want more than one thing?
I myself prefer the considered choice but there is a time for both (if the timer on your bomb is at five seconds you don't have a lot of time to chat (or trace wires)...). Now here's where this gets funny, sometimes it looks like someone's making a blind choice but they really aren't. Experience can help you make the choice faster. (Non exploding example) If the soda fountain has Coke and Pepsi products I probably won't be spending a lot of time comparing the relative merits of regular or diet, or Coke or Pepsi. I go straight for the Diet Dr Pepper because It's my favorite. It's not a blind choice it's one I already know the answer to. If the Diet Dr Pepper is out, then I really do have to spend a bit more time thinking about it.
It's been said that you can make choices but you can't choose the consequences of the choice. Well, that's true part of the time, kind of. All choices have consequences, and the rule of "no takesy backsy" does apply. Once you make a choice you take the consequences that come with it; however, remember that considered choice thing? If you stop and think about the choices you make before you make them you have some control over the consequences you receive. If you just blindly choose a soda flavor you get the flavor you get. If you get one you don't like you could pour it out and get another, but that's another choice with it's own consequences. If you stop, look at the flavors and choose the one you like then you get a positive result the first time (unless something goes wrong).
This factor also has complications in that we can't see all the factors or predict all of the consequences of a choice. The flavor you want may be out, there may be no pattern at all to the color of the wires, the power could fail and render the expected outcomes of both examples moot. We can't completely know what the consequences of our choices are until they happen, but when we make a considered choice we are better able to predict what the consequences will be. When we stop and think we can make a choice that has a better chance to give us an outcome we want.
There is a lot more to this topic and I will probably be coming back to it from time to time. For today the take home message is that we have the capacity to influence what happens in our lives by the choices we make. That means learning to make considered choices and really looking at what the options, and consequences, are before we do things. The good news is as we learn we get better at it. By the way if there's five seconds to go before the bomb goes off choose the green wire ("But Patrick all the wires are purple!" Well, you're on your own then!). Sorry there aren't any pretty pictures this time.
Patrick
The title from today's post is that old question from movies and tv, 'should I cut the red wire or the blue wire'. Usually one sets off the bomb and the other disarms it (Note: as an undergrad I and my theater major room mate talked this one over and decided that if we ever write this scene all the wires are going to be the same color...). Sorry to disappoint the NSA watch dogs (and a few teenage boys) this blog post is really about choices, not bombs (or scene writing). How do we make choices; how do we deal with the consequences of them; and what if we want more than one thing?
First, blind or considered choices
Ok, so first lets go for how we make choices. There are lots of factors that go into making choices (whole books worth actually); I am going to stick to one for right now, blind versus considered choices. Using our red wire blue wire scenario you could just choose a color on impulse and go. That would be one form of a blind choice. You put no thought into it you just choose one and go (with a 50-50 chance of blowing yourself away!). Other options would be to try to trace the wires to components, call someone who knows more than you do about bombs, or for you religious types pray for guidance (I know, kinda the same as the call a friend option but I three is a good number...) and then choose a wire and cut it. This would be what I call a considered choice; you took some time to get some information to guide you in what to choose and or what the consequences of a choice will be.I myself prefer the considered choice but there is a time for both (if the timer on your bomb is at five seconds you don't have a lot of time to chat (or trace wires)...). Now here's where this gets funny, sometimes it looks like someone's making a blind choice but they really aren't. Experience can help you make the choice faster. (Non exploding example) If the soda fountain has Coke and Pepsi products I probably won't be spending a lot of time comparing the relative merits of regular or diet, or Coke or Pepsi. I go straight for the Diet Dr Pepper because It's my favorite. It's not a blind choice it's one I already know the answer to. If the Diet Dr Pepper is out, then I really do have to spend a bit more time thinking about it.
Second, consequences
Ok, second factor: the consequences of our choices...It's been said that you can make choices but you can't choose the consequences of the choice. Well, that's true part of the time, kind of. All choices have consequences, and the rule of "no takesy backsy" does apply. Once you make a choice you take the consequences that come with it; however, remember that considered choice thing? If you stop and think about the choices you make before you make them you have some control over the consequences you receive. If you just blindly choose a soda flavor you get the flavor you get. If you get one you don't like you could pour it out and get another, but that's another choice with it's own consequences. If you stop, look at the flavors and choose the one you like then you get a positive result the first time (unless something goes wrong).
This factor also has complications in that we can't see all the factors or predict all of the consequences of a choice. The flavor you want may be out, there may be no pattern at all to the color of the wires, the power could fail and render the expected outcomes of both examples moot. We can't completely know what the consequences of our choices are until they happen, but when we make a considered choice we are better able to predict what the consequences will be. When we stop and think we can make a choice that has a better chance to give us an outcome we want.
Third, multiple desired outcomes
This leads us to the next complication... what if we want more than one outcome. This actually happens and can be paralyzing because we have to choose between two things we want, or are equally drawn to. There is a word for this: Ambivalence (yep it really means that we are equally drawn between two or more choices and not that we don't care). I'm actually going to back off this one for right now because ambivalence and how to deal with it does have whole books written about it (I could include it all now but I don't choose to bore anyone to death). For now be aware that we can be really stuck (ambivalent) and it can take some real thought, soul searching, study and good old fashioned advice and help to get us out (by the way advice and help are among the reasons there are whole books written about this trying to affect another person's choice can have all kinds of unforeseen consiquences (That's part of why I'm backing off this for now))There is a lot more to this topic and I will probably be coming back to it from time to time. For today the take home message is that we have the capacity to influence what happens in our lives by the choices we make. That means learning to make considered choices and really looking at what the options, and consequences, are before we do things. The good news is as we learn we get better at it. By the way if there's five seconds to go before the bomb goes off choose the green wire ("But Patrick all the wires are purple!" Well, you're on your own then!). Sorry there aren't any pretty pictures this time.
Patrick
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