"Whatever you do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it."
-Goethe
Wednesday, September 20
Getting Things Done
I'm getting things done. Honest. I'm just not writing about them.
Once again updating first thing on Sunday morning was thwarted by something unexpected: in this case, it was spending the night in the hospital with Stephen, who had an apnea episode on Saturday afternoon. A little scary for everyone involved, but we all pulled through successfully.
So: catching up on the eternal black hole that is my scripture reading goal. I'm working on it, it's a matter of staying current with my reading (I started the Old Testament last week) and catching up where I'm lacking (mostly in the Doctrine and Covenants). I also need to set a number-of-pages-per-day goal to finish the Book of Mormon this year to keep me motivated. It's not that I'm not motivated to read the scriptures, it's that I tend to make time for other things first.
Lots of projects going for me right now, as usual. I've got most of the first chapter of my murder mystery written, as the other book is necessarily on hold until some people actually return my interview questionnaire. But re: the murder mystery, I've got a good concept, and a good setting, and am working on the character development right now. Best yet, I've already got a killer, a victim, and a motive. I've been writing longhand as I can actually do this while in the living room, or while I'm waiting for Elizabeth to fall asleep. This eliminates the excuse of me not having enough time, or resources, etc.
Once again updating first thing on Sunday morning was thwarted by something unexpected: in this case, it was spending the night in the hospital with Stephen, who had an apnea episode on Saturday afternoon. A little scary for everyone involved, but we all pulled through successfully.
So: catching up on the eternal black hole that is my scripture reading goal. I'm working on it, it's a matter of staying current with my reading (I started the Old Testament last week) and catching up where I'm lacking (mostly in the Doctrine and Covenants). I also need to set a number-of-pages-per-day goal to finish the Book of Mormon this year to keep me motivated. It's not that I'm not motivated to read the scriptures, it's that I tend to make time for other things first.
Lots of projects going for me right now, as usual. I've got most of the first chapter of my murder mystery written, as the other book is necessarily on hold until some people actually return my interview questionnaire. But re: the murder mystery, I've got a good concept, and a good setting, and am working on the character development right now. Best yet, I've already got a killer, a victim, and a motive. I've been writing longhand as I can actually do this while in the living room, or while I'm waiting for Elizabeth to fall asleep. This eliminates the excuse of me not having enough time, or resources, etc.
Thursday, September 14
Wednesday, September 13
And now a life update...
Hey look at me! I'm a Zoo Tycoon! Well, at least I'm getting there, having received the game as a gift on Friday, and having spent a couple of days fiddling with it, playing through the tutorials and some scenarios. Pretty neat stuff, really entertaining. Eventually I might have time to sit and work some more on it, but I've been really busy as of late.
On the second job front: still no word from anybody, and of course what hit me last night was that it would be much easier for me to work an extra hour a day than go find a second job. And, just as profitable, actually. There's plenty of work for me to do at work, so I will focus on that, and when that goes away, it will be time for me to get job #2. But I don't believe that that will be sooner than six months from now. Problem fixed at my end!
I feel bad for my poor wife because sometimes I can get very wrapped up in things. Case in point: Checked out Agatha Christie's "Curtain" -- a book I have been meaning to read for a long, long time -- from the library yesterday. Of course, I finished it last night. My wife got upset with me because I wouldn't "put the book down and acknowledge that she and my daughter were in the room". Well, what I want to know is, my daughter was climbing all over me, and all my wife was doing was watching a baseball game on TV, which I could do while reading the book! Where's the problem? Great book, by the way. I'm not going to count it as one of the 25, as it's not on the list.
And I really need to get caught up with my scripture reading, too... starting the Old Testament this week, if I recall correctly... I can still make my goal of reading the entire Standard Works in one year, but I have to play a bit of catchup. I can do it, though... just need to focus and put my nose to the grindstone, as it were.
I can unequivocally state that I am making progress on the whole "Clean Sweep" thing. Other than the two I updated earlier, I can also add "My workspace is inspiring, tranquil, etc." to the completed side of the fence. I have rearranged my space at work again (with a nice new flatscreen monitor, woohoo!), as well as finally moving my computer space out of the nursery and into the back room, which not only allows me to work more often on the computer, but I can also get up early and get some daily writing in.
Of course, since I dropped my cereal bowl this morning after sleepily staggering into the bookshelves, maybe getting up earlier isn't the greatest thing in the world. :-)
On the second job front: still no word from anybody, and of course what hit me last night was that it would be much easier for me to work an extra hour a day than go find a second job. And, just as profitable, actually. There's plenty of work for me to do at work, so I will focus on that, and when that goes away, it will be time for me to get job #2. But I don't believe that that will be sooner than six months from now. Problem fixed at my end!
I feel bad for my poor wife because sometimes I can get very wrapped up in things. Case in point: Checked out Agatha Christie's "Curtain" -- a book I have been meaning to read for a long, long time -- from the library yesterday. Of course, I finished it last night. My wife got upset with me because I wouldn't "put the book down and acknowledge that she and my daughter were in the room". Well, what I want to know is, my daughter was climbing all over me, and all my wife was doing was watching a baseball game on TV, which I could do while reading the book! Where's the problem? Great book, by the way. I'm not going to count it as one of the 25, as it's not on the list.
And I really need to get caught up with my scripture reading, too... starting the Old Testament this week, if I recall correctly... I can still make my goal of reading the entire Standard Works in one year, but I have to play a bit of catchup. I can do it, though... just need to focus and put my nose to the grindstone, as it were.
I can unequivocally state that I am making progress on the whole "Clean Sweep" thing. Other than the two I updated earlier, I can also add "My workspace is inspiring, tranquil, etc." to the completed side of the fence. I have rearranged my space at work again (with a nice new flatscreen monitor, woohoo!), as well as finally moving my computer space out of the nursery and into the back room, which not only allows me to work more often on the computer, but I can also get up early and get some daily writing in.
Of course, since I dropped my cereal bowl this morning after sleepily staggering into the bookshelves, maybe getting up earlier isn't the greatest thing in the world. :-)
General Update
While I'm not turning out to be an inveterate diarist by any means, I do wish to keep this up on a semi-regular basis. So, naturally, I aim to throw as many things on my project pile as possible, so I can have a good excuse in case my writing ever peters out.
Interestingly enough, the latest project is a writing project. I know, I know... it's stunning. But after all, I do consider myself a writer by profession, even though I have yet to get any paying gigs. And what do writers do? They write!
Monday was the fifth anniversary of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. A couple of the news stations were running coverage of the actual event in real time-- starting at 8:30, they just rolled tape of their coverage starting at 8:30 five years ago. It was an interesting concept, and while I was originally loathe towards the whole idea, thinking it crass and encouraging people to not "let go" (different from moving on), on Sunday I thought different.
Sunday I realized that with all the coverage going on, there was one voice that wasn't being heard: mine. Nowhere were the media talking about young people who were abroad for whatever reason while the attacks occured, stayed abroad for a couple of years afterwards, and thusly came home to a completely different world. There's a disconnect with people like that... with people like me. I always felt that I could never relate to the country, especially people who felt so strongly about the 9/11 attacks, since I only saw maybe 30 seconds of media coverage, and most of it was the year after the attacks.
I decided to make my voice heard. There would be a novel, semi-autobiographical, written: it would chronicle the journey of a young man who was abroad and has that disconnect with the attacks, yet through the years and coming to terms with them, and through other experiences, realizes what it means to be a patriot -- to truly love one's country, and also comes to terms with the attacks and what they truly meant.
The coverage gave me an opportunity I would most likely never get again: the opportunity to relive that day, not walking down a street in France, but rather at work, listening to the news, and waiting with bated breath for the next images and words to come through. I was at a disadvantage, of course: I knew everything that was going to happen in advance, but it was still a good exercise for me. I learned a lot, and it has given me more ideas for the book.
I am interviewing some old friends of mine -- some Americans, some not -- about their experiences with 9/11 and other generally-related concepts. Hopefully I will reap the fruits of those labors soon.
Very good stuff here. Do I think I'm writing the next Great American Novel? No. Am I just selling out to capture a slice of the commercialism pie that has been running rampant for the last five years? Also, no. And thank goodness for that, too... commercialism of certain things really disgusts me. So we'll see. I'm getting an outline together, as well as a cast of characters. I'm pleased with the project.
Other things have happened as well since last Friday, but I want to cover that in a separate post. So, when I get to work, I'll post again.
Interestingly enough, the latest project is a writing project. I know, I know... it's stunning. But after all, I do consider myself a writer by profession, even though I have yet to get any paying gigs. And what do writers do? They write!
Monday was the fifth anniversary of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. A couple of the news stations were running coverage of the actual event in real time-- starting at 8:30, they just rolled tape of their coverage starting at 8:30 five years ago. It was an interesting concept, and while I was originally loathe towards the whole idea, thinking it crass and encouraging people to not "let go" (different from moving on), on Sunday I thought different.
Sunday I realized that with all the coverage going on, there was one voice that wasn't being heard: mine. Nowhere were the media talking about young people who were abroad for whatever reason while the attacks occured, stayed abroad for a couple of years afterwards, and thusly came home to a completely different world. There's a disconnect with people like that... with people like me. I always felt that I could never relate to the country, especially people who felt so strongly about the 9/11 attacks, since I only saw maybe 30 seconds of media coverage, and most of it was the year after the attacks.
I decided to make my voice heard. There would be a novel, semi-autobiographical, written: it would chronicle the journey of a young man who was abroad and has that disconnect with the attacks, yet through the years and coming to terms with them, and through other experiences, realizes what it means to be a patriot -- to truly love one's country, and also comes to terms with the attacks and what they truly meant.
The coverage gave me an opportunity I would most likely never get again: the opportunity to relive that day, not walking down a street in France, but rather at work, listening to the news, and waiting with bated breath for the next images and words to come through. I was at a disadvantage, of course: I knew everything that was going to happen in advance, but it was still a good exercise for me. I learned a lot, and it has given me more ideas for the book.
I am interviewing some old friends of mine -- some Americans, some not -- about their experiences with 9/11 and other generally-related concepts. Hopefully I will reap the fruits of those labors soon.
Very good stuff here. Do I think I'm writing the next Great American Novel? No. Am I just selling out to capture a slice of the commercialism pie that has been running rampant for the last five years? Also, no. And thank goodness for that, too... commercialism of certain things really disgusts me. So we'll see. I'm getting an outline together, as well as a cast of characters. I'm pleased with the project.
Other things have happened as well since last Friday, but I want to cover that in a separate post. So, when I get to work, I'll post again.
Friday, September 8
Things I want to do before 9/8/2007
Now is as good a time as any to revisit some goals and create new ones for the upcoming (birth) year. Hey, I'm a goal-oriented person looking to constantly improving myself, so... why not?
First off is going to be a couple of ideas from the "25/25/25" blog that I previously mentioned.
I have obtained from a friend of mine who had a collection of "essential knowledge" books a reading list, featuring many classic books that ideally should be read by the end of high school. Since I only went to high school for three years and did not get a lot of reading done while I was there, there is a lot missing. I do not know off the top of my head how long the list is, however, I can confidently state that I have not read at least 25 of those books. So, starting with books on that list that I have not read, I will read 25 books before 9/8/2007. I will even cheat, as I am currently reading a book on that list, and have been for a few days now. If I get more than 25, great, if not, well, then that's good too. I am going to throw myself at the mercy of the local library for this one, but I will also take responsibility to ensure that I have an adequate amount of books ready to read... i.e. I always have something checked out or ready to pick up on reserve.
I will also select 25 movies from the IMDB Top 100, again, ones that I haven't seen, and watch those. This may be more difficult for me, as I do not want to watch any R-rated movies, however, I'm confident that I can watch a movie every two weeks or so to accomplish this goal. I have some gift certificates, but I also have other resources to which I can apply myself to accomplish this goal.
The 25 cultural events I will not commit myself at this time, however, there is a wonderful local independent newspaper which advertises all of this stuff, so it is not beyond the realm of expectation that I should at least be informed of what is going on in this city. We will work as a family to attend as many cultural events as feasible, with an emphasis on Saturday afternoons. Besides, it's cooler outside. Much, much cooler. It's hard to get things done when one feels like they're standing on the sun.
I'll post the list of movies in the near future. Books, I think, will have to be done more by personal preference, as I am someone who tends to read according to my mood: I've never been one to sit down and force myself to read something, but if I enjoy reading something, you can't take me away from the book (just ask my poor wife).
I feel good about this. So good, in fact, that I can make the commitment to post a little blurb about the book, with insights and what have you, upon completion. I will do my best to refrain from reading others' reviews or "why I should read this book"s, so I can form my own independent judgment and see if I can make this a part of my own personal literacy.
First off is going to be a couple of ideas from the "25/25/25" blog that I previously mentioned.
I have obtained from a friend of mine who had a collection of "essential knowledge" books a reading list, featuring many classic books that ideally should be read by the end of high school. Since I only went to high school for three years and did not get a lot of reading done while I was there, there is a lot missing. I do not know off the top of my head how long the list is, however, I can confidently state that I have not read at least 25 of those books. So, starting with books on that list that I have not read, I will read 25 books before 9/8/2007. I will even cheat, as I am currently reading a book on that list, and have been for a few days now. If I get more than 25, great, if not, well, then that's good too. I am going to throw myself at the mercy of the local library for this one, but I will also take responsibility to ensure that I have an adequate amount of books ready to read... i.e. I always have something checked out or ready to pick up on reserve.
I will also select 25 movies from the IMDB Top 100, again, ones that I haven't seen, and watch those. This may be more difficult for me, as I do not want to watch any R-rated movies, however, I'm confident that I can watch a movie every two weeks or so to accomplish this goal. I have some gift certificates, but I also have other resources to which I can apply myself to accomplish this goal.
The 25 cultural events I will not commit myself at this time, however, there is a wonderful local independent newspaper which advertises all of this stuff, so it is not beyond the realm of expectation that I should at least be informed of what is going on in this city. We will work as a family to attend as many cultural events as feasible, with an emphasis on Saturday afternoons. Besides, it's cooler outside. Much, much cooler. It's hard to get things done when one feels like they're standing on the sun.
I'll post the list of movies in the near future. Books, I think, will have to be done more by personal preference, as I am someone who tends to read according to my mood: I've never been one to sit down and force myself to read something, but if I enjoy reading something, you can't take me away from the book (just ask my poor wife).
I feel good about this. So good, in fact, that I can make the commitment to post a little blurb about the book, with insights and what have you, upon completion. I will do my best to refrain from reading others' reviews or "why I should read this book"s, so I can form my own independent judgment and see if I can make this a part of my own personal literacy.
Cultural Literacy
I might have talked about this before, however, I haven't really done anything about it except get a book out which I never really read. Anyway, "Cultural literacy" -- or the things that people who write expect their audience to know -- has become a big thing for me, not only because I feel that my education as a youth was stunningly lacking in the liberal arts, but also because I feel I would need to know this in the event that I find myself on a quiz show in the future.
I have found a website which recreates some cultural literacy evaluations which are found in a popular book on the subject, and another website which has another authoritative book online. It's definitely something for me to do in my spare time, for example, as I sit here at work waiting for documents to scan. :-) I've taken some of the evaluations, and I did OK, however, there are some tests that I do not feel comfortable at all (world literature, for example) taking. I'll have to read up on those sections in the New York Times Book of General Knowledge that I have.
I'm glad to see that this isn't an isolated pursuit of mine only, that there are other people out there willing to enrich themselves and pursue other knowledge. There is a website called "25/25/25" where the authors endeavor to read 25 books, watch 25 movies, and attend 25 cultural events over the course of one year. That's a pretty good goal, and while I don't see myself doing that (it's hard to get out of the house when you have no money and two small children!), I can at least do some of the things which would cost less money, such as reading books. I can also prepare at least a list of movies that I would like to see. The books is a good goal, as I have lots of dead time on the bus every day, and in fact have begun doing some reading already.
So... this is turning into another goals post, so I'm just going to go ahead and continue this idea in another post.
I have found a website which recreates some cultural literacy evaluations which are found in a popular book on the subject, and another website which has another authoritative book online. It's definitely something for me to do in my spare time, for example, as I sit here at work waiting for documents to scan. :-) I've taken some of the evaluations, and I did OK, however, there are some tests that I do not feel comfortable at all (world literature, for example) taking. I'll have to read up on those sections in the New York Times Book of General Knowledge that I have.
I'm glad to see that this isn't an isolated pursuit of mine only, that there are other people out there willing to enrich themselves and pursue other knowledge. There is a website called "25/25/25" where the authors endeavor to read 25 books, watch 25 movies, and attend 25 cultural events over the course of one year. That's a pretty good goal, and while I don't see myself doing that (it's hard to get out of the house when you have no money and two small children!), I can at least do some of the things which would cost less money, such as reading books. I can also prepare at least a list of movies that I would like to see. The books is a good goal, as I have lots of dead time on the bus every day, and in fact have begun doing some reading already.
So... this is turning into another goals post, so I'm just going to go ahead and continue this idea in another post.
Thursday, September 7
Clean Sweep Update
I was planning on doing these weekly, but I have made some progress and wanted to update it today. I'll move the updates on Clean Sweep to the weekly goals and review posts I am going to start on Sundays again.
Well-Being
6. I walk or exercise at least three times per week. With the start of me working at the office again, I am now walking at least two miles a day, five days a week. This week will only be three, due to Monday being the holiday and today being stormy, but that's at least three times per week, and I feel good about it. I'm using my walking time to get caught up on learning Italian, by listening to audio lessons. On the bus, I'm reading a book from a book list that I had laying around. Basically, it's "Every Book I Should Have Read in High School, But Didn't." Current book is J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. So far, so good. OK, end of tangent.
Money
8. My assets (car, home, possessions, treasures) are well-insured. Yes -- my car is now insured, and it feels great being able to legally drive everywhere again, rather than driving as incognito as possible. Great weight lifted off my shoulders, even though it took money away from other things that are just as necessary/important, it's a good thing.
Well-Being
6. I walk or exercise at least three times per week. With the start of me working at the office again, I am now walking at least two miles a day, five days a week. This week will only be three, due to Monday being the holiday and today being stormy, but that's at least three times per week, and I feel good about it. I'm using my walking time to get caught up on learning Italian, by listening to audio lessons. On the bus, I'm reading a book from a book list that I had laying around. Basically, it's "Every Book I Should Have Read in High School, But Didn't." Current book is J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. So far, so good. OK, end of tangent.
Money
8. My assets (car, home, possessions, treasures) are well-insured. Yes -- my car is now insured, and it feels great being able to legally drive everywhere again, rather than driving as incognito as possible. Great weight lifted off my shoulders, even though it took money away from other things that are just as necessary/important, it's a good thing.
Sunday, September 3
Making a clean sweep of things
Clean Sweep Assessment
I had done this before, but neglected to really track it. Again, since the birthday is coming up soon, I thought it would be good to see where I stood. I know the biggest challenge are for me will be "Money", as I have none at the moment, but even in there I can still do some things.
I've also noticed that some of the items in here are very general and could use some elaboration. More importantly, I've noticed that there are some items on here which would be true, I'm sure, if I paid more attention to them. Anyway, an interesting exercise, and although it's 3 AM now that I'm done with the post, I feel good.
Total score: 69/100
I had done this before, but neglected to really track it. Again, since the birthday is coming up soon, I thought it would be good to see where I stood. I know the biggest challenge are for me will be "Money", as I have none at the moment, but even in there I can still do some things.
I've also noticed that some of the items in here are very general and could use some elaboration. More importantly, I've noticed that there are some items on here which would be true, I'm sure, if I paid more attention to them. Anyway, an interesting exercise, and although it's 3 AM now that I'm done with the post, I feel good.
- Physical Environment: Total: 16/25
- My car is in excellent condition. (Doesn't need mechanical work, repairs, cleaning or replacing)
- My home is clean and tidy. (Vacuumed, wardrobes and drawers organized, desks and tables clear, furniture in good repair; windows clean).
- I consistently have adequate time, space and freedom in my life.
- I am not tolerating anything about my home or work environment.
- My work environment is productive and inspiring. (Synergistic, ample tools and resources; no undue pressure).
- I back up my hard drive at least monthly.
- My bed is made daily.
- I drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
- I have nothing around the house or in storage that I do not need.
- Well-Being: Total: 18/25
- My teeth and gums are healthy. (Have seen dentist in last 6 months).
- My weight is within my ideal range.
- I have no habits which are unacceptable to me.
- I have just the right amount of sleep.
- I do not suffer.
- I walk or exercise at least three times per week.
- I hear well and protect myself from loud noises / concerts / music.
- Money: Total: 12/25
- I currently save at least 10% of my income.
- I know how much I must have to be minimally financially independent and I have a plan to get there.
- I have returned or made-good-on any money I borrowed.
- I have written agreements and am current with payments to individuals or companies to whom I owe money.
- I have 6 months' living expenses in an easily accessible account.
- I live on a weekly budget which allows me to save and not suffer.
- I currently live well, within my means.
- My assets (car, home, possessions, treasures) are well-insured.
- I have a financial plan for the next year.
- My will is up-to-date and accurate.
- I am on a career / professional / business track which is or will soon be financially and personally rewarding.
- I am putting aside enough money each month to reach financial independence.
- My earnings outpace inflation, consistently.
- Relationships: Total: 22/25
- I put people first and results second.
- I receive enough love from people around me to feel good.
- I have fully forgiven those people who have hurt/damaged me, intentional or not.
Total score: 69/100
Friday, September 1
Choices I've made
So basically I'm fed up with the direction my life has been going recently -- granted, a lot of it has been not under my control for a while now, but... I am working to change that. Firstly, I've decided that I'm not going to be intimidated by anything anymore. That's an emotional response that I feel that I can control. I don't think I'm currently intimidated by anything in specific, but I know that there are some things that in the past have caused me concern, and I feel that I can conquer that.
Secondly, I'm getting the six-pack out of the fridge. I just took a health assessment this morning, and that (and my clothes, heh) suggest that I could stand to lose a few pounds. So, I'm going to work on getting the fat out of my diet, and out of my body. That means more exercise as well as a better diet. So, I'm going to figure out a way to get me some exercise, instead of constantly making excuses as to why I don't get it done.
Thirdly, I'm going to make an effort to be more useful. What does that mean? It means that I'm going to be less lazy and more productive, and really apply myself to the things that need to get done around the house and in my life. I know that's something I can easily take care of: things like fixing the front door (it's crooked), getting things taken care of out in the AZ room to make it more of a fitting office for me, getting my scriptures read, and most importantly, not half-assing anything I do. I've been able to get by with that, but it's a new month, a new week, and most importantly, a new year (for me at least)... I should be mature enough to motivate myself and get the job done right.
This is somewhat disjointed, I know, but it's really something that needs to get done, and I'm sick of stewing about it.
(EDIT: Holy poop on a stick, that's a lot of typos.)
Secondly, I'm getting the six-pack out of the fridge. I just took a health assessment this morning, and that (and my clothes, heh) suggest that I could stand to lose a few pounds. So, I'm going to work on getting the fat out of my diet, and out of my body. That means more exercise as well as a better diet. So, I'm going to figure out a way to get me some exercise, instead of constantly making excuses as to why I don't get it done.
Thirdly, I'm going to make an effort to be more useful. What does that mean? It means that I'm going to be less lazy and more productive, and really apply myself to the things that need to get done around the house and in my life. I know that's something I can easily take care of: things like fixing the front door (it's crooked), getting things taken care of out in the AZ room to make it more of a fitting office for me, getting my scriptures read, and most importantly, not half-assing anything I do. I've been able to get by with that, but it's a new month, a new week, and most importantly, a new year (for me at least)... I should be mature enough to motivate myself and get the job done right.
This is somewhat disjointed, I know, but it's really something that needs to get done, and I'm sick of stewing about it.
(EDIT: Holy poop on a stick, that's a lot of typos.)
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