Fall 2013 November 10 Friday

48 degrees.  

Middle of a 3 day weekend, which is always nice.  For some reason, I overslept a bit this morning.  I normally wake up without any kind of alarm clock.  Today was one of those weird days when I looked at the clock and thought it said "2:56 a.m.".  I got dressed to walk, looked at the living room clock and it said "1:00 a.m."!  (I hadn't seen the  12, but had seen the 2).  Of course, I went back to bed, but overslept about 20 minutes, which sets my whole schedule back, although on Sunday I can adjust for it.

I haven't used Google+ that much and will need to look at it some more.  I have avoided using it a lot, because (like for having this post automatically posted to Google+ like I do to Tumblr, I would have to to through all kinds of gyrations.  Kind of like Amazon, they seem to want to control your entire life. I am always surprised when Amazon "recommends" items they seem to think I would be interested in.  They are almost never right, they are assuming too much.  

I think one reason I like walking and bicycle riding it is time when I can think (even while listening to a book or music, I still can think without interruption etc.) I can frequently "write a memo" or decide on an action while walking or riding a bike because it seems the lack of intrusions and interruptions provide me a chance to consider all the alternatives and possible consequences etc.

I've been thinking about the persons who live a 'minimalist" life style and don't let "things" control them.  (I am listening to a book that says the urge to own and attachment to things you own is a basic instinct in humans)  I am also reading (slowly but surely), the book "The Laws of Subtraction" and also listen to the Steve Jobs biography who lived somewhat of a minimalist life style and whose Apple products reflect that (sometimes a little too much!).

I have been trying to "unpile" my life, but even books I haven't thought about reading/rereading for years and never well are almost impossible to get rid of.  Of course information I "may" use is even more difficult to get rid of.  Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier to select the "best" of what I want and make the selection that way.  Somewhere I read about someone who puts everything he owns into two suitcases and throws everything else.  I don't know about just two suitcases, but I could, for example, have seveal large boxes and put all the books I want in the boxes and give away everything else.

I also have noted, it is much easier to get rid of stuff if you think it is going to a "good home" and is for someone who actually wants/needs it and will read it or take care of it.  To a small degree, it is easier to recycle something than simply trash it.

I get rid of newspapers and magazines by simply throwing out the old one when the new one comes (actually, I recyle newspapers and give the magazines to the library, as I do the books.  We try to give all clothes etc. that have some life left to the Disable Veterans who come around once a month or so.

Summer 2013 August 17

70/73 degrees this morning, maybe a warmup is coming!  In a way, this has been a "lost summer" in that actual summer weather was sporadic at best.

Listening to a book on "willpower".  My mind wanders, especially after listening to the great book  "Steve Jobs".  I believe there are some books (or maybe subjects/types of writing) which do not just translate well for listening.  Or maybe I'm just not all that interested in the subject.

They did discuss the value of "meditation".  I don't know if my naps can be considered meditation, but I value them.  I take a nap in the morning (every morning) after my exercise and shower, a nap at noon, when possible, and a nap after work.  I find that time is valuable for decision making and preparing.  

I mentioned to someone once that sometimes I could go on a walk or a bike ride and basically write a memo in the head and it would be ready for me to just write down when I got back.  To some degree, meditation is that way, except I almost always take a nap or at least fall into an inactive subconscious state where I am not actively trying to do anything (if that makes any sense).

Although form of meditation I find valuable is writing my thoughts down.  I have gone back to a private journal where I can rage and rant, not random thoughts or plan,  knowing that it is unlikely that anyone (including me) will ever read the words.  

Summer 2013 August 16

66 degrees this morning!  I am ready for the return to hot weather, although the daytime has been nice, weather wise.

Finished reading (actually listening to) "Steve Jobs".  It is a great book on the development of the computer age, regardless of what you may think of Steve Jobs or Apple Computer.  I will probably buy the book just to have it around to re-read.  He made some major mistakes on products (I have several of the latest iPod Shuffles to prove it!), but also some wonderful products (iPhone 5, iMac etc.).

I thought the second of my three original iPod shuffles (the gumstick ones) battery had gone out this morning, but I think it is recharging. I really like the gumstick ones and feel the iPod shuffles after that were basically failures.  I do like the latest iPod Nano.

I started listening to a book on "Willpower".  I'll give it several sessions, but was not impressed by the first listening.  I guess I don't have the willpower to suffer through it!  

The political campaign in Lakeland continues.  Obviously I can't say much about it, except it brings out the worst in some people and the best in others.  Worst of all, it trashes up the environment with signs.  Realize they may be necessary, but I'm not sure why.  In as way it is insulting to voters to assume their votes can be obtained by a large number of signs hoping they will vote based on name recognition like selling soft drinks.  At least is will be over in a month or so.

The last weekend of Redbirds baseball (The Memphis Redbirds, the minor league team for the St. Louis Cardinals).  It has been a lot of fun attending the games.  While both Aliene and I are extreme Chicago Cubs baseball fans, we have become (almost) as extreme St. Louis Cardinal fans since many of the players we have seen playing on the Memphis Redbirds are now stars of the Cardinals.  Hard not to be for them.  The Memphis Redbirds also just are a class organization and the Autozone baseball stadium is wonderful.  We are rapidly becoming diehard (whatever that means) Cardinal fans.

Friday.  While I spend much of my weekend on work activities, it is difference since I am not tethered to the office etc.  Gives me a chance to catch up on work as well as personal activities.  

Summer 2013: August 2

Coolish this morning (70 degrees).  

TGIF.  I am ready for a weekend, although the week seemed to fly by.  Finishing a long process today of final interviews for a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant position.  Three very qualified persons, which means at least it is a positive choice, although a difficult choice.

Listening to "Steve Jobs", who believed in (and practiced) a minimalist life style.  I look around and see how possessions have taken ownership of me, not always a negative.  I tend to hang on to things (especially books and clothes) until they wear out.  

i remember when I first started working I rented everything so I wouldn't have to worry about it.  As the years went by, I accumulated items, and now look aghast at all the stuff.  However, I have a hard time giving away my books, even ones I haven't touched for years, my clothes (I recently lost enough weight to justify keeping some clothes for years on the basis that "I could wear them when I lost weight!, which is a wonderful feeling!  I want to throw away all of my "too large" clothes, but Aliene insists on putting them away "just in case".  

Of course, my Hot Wheels (Matchbox etc.) collection will die with me.  I will always pack them up and take them with me.  I will probably leave them to an orphanage or someplace where they will be used.  Or maybe a museum if there is such a thing as a "Hot Wheels Hall of Fame".  I don't know why I am so attached to toy cars (and similar vehicles), but it is an inexpensive hobby and one that I enjoy.  I actually bought my first "Hot Wheels" car in 1980, when my daughter was less than a year old.  Over the years, I pick them up, with no real purpose in mind, just nice or unique to look at.  I have a lot of race cars.  I don't "play" with them, but I do like to display them and change the displays.  

One reason August was always my favorite month probably was because it was the "birthday month".  John and Mary Anne were born on the same day (August 5) exactly one year apart and I came along 3 years later on August 6. We would aways combine into one big birthday part, usually at the swimming pool.

I can remember the swimming lessons we had when we were kids.  We would actually walk (on mud roads in bare feet" for over three miles to be picked up by a bus and then we would walk back three miles.  (It may be 4 1/2 miles). That is the absolutely truth!