Customized Kids and Minimalization

I wish disciplining children was easier. It sucks! Why can't they just come with built in obedience and a constantly sweet-nature? I can tell you right now those are not standard features on my models. I guess we will just have to keep pushing through the pains of this early childhood consistent customization process.

In a separate, but somehow vaguely related note, I have been spending a significant amount of time wishing for a more Amish-esque lifestyle lately. The book I have reading delves deeply into the relationship of technology with human productivity and overall happiness. I am in no way an anti-technology/industrial revolution nut (which should be self evident in the fact I am typing this on a laptop computer right now), but I do believe most of us are in a state of serious techno overdose. Technology makes a significant portion of our lives better, but how much of it is making our lives worse. Are there less dishes in the sink because of my automatic dishwasher? Is the laundry pile smaller because of my washer/dryer? Do we have to work out at the gym twice as long because we ride a mower instead of push one? Do we appreciate food more because we can push a cart down an isle gathering a months worth of groceries within minutes instead of months spent in dirt by hand and sweat? Are my machines working for me to accomplish necessary menial daily tasks quicker, or are they just creating additional unnecessary menial tasks? Do I control the technology surrounding me, or is it controlling me?

I am ready to slow down and get off this bullet train. I want to raise a barn with family and friends. I want to read books under flickering lamp light after finishing my job each day with tangible results and satisfaction. I want food that traveled no more than 100 yards to my plate. I want to socialize on a front porch or just sit there listening to creatures around me. I want to milk a cow twice a day. I want to not feel the need for a vacation to get away from it all. I want to walk to the local store (without carrying a gun). I want peace and quiet, callused hands, and meaningful relationships. Can any of my technology do that?

*Picture from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Barn_raising_in_Lansing.jpg

Gasless

I once knew a guy who told everyone his Halloween costume was the scariest thing imaginable, and then he showed up to the party wearing signs front and back advertising unleaded gas at $4/gallon. He stated he was "rising gas costs." As our local fueling stations' cost per gallon nears four bucks, I say kiss my butt gasoline. I own a reel mower, a bicycle and some muscular strength. Drinking water is a heck of a lot cheaper than a fill up at the pumps.

Our Park

This is part of the city park by our house where we play all the time. It was especially beautiful today. I wish I would have taken the camera instead of just cruddy phone pictures.

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Anniversary

Sixteen years ago I asked this girl to go to the movies with me. Nine years ago we got married. We had no money, no real jobs, and no house. We were both in school. We were moving into an apartment in the ghetto (one bullet hole through the window and one gang shooting witnessed thirty feet away would convince us to move). Our idea of a special date night was splurging on something from the Jack-in-the-Box dollar menu. We didn't have much, but we had dreams of a long future together with kids and careers. Little me and little her would have never guessed the ridiculous paths life has taken us. Things are different than we planned, but things are great. And best of all no more Jack-in-the-Box.

Surfin' USA

I spent the day before yesterday making a miniature longboard for my niece's upcoming birthday (part of the decor).

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Dark Road Trip

We are on the road to stay at Cedar Park Farm for a few days. I love driving to the country, but unfortunately a family funeral is our undesirable primary purpose.

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Mudding for Money

A portion of my days this week has been spent driving a 4-wheel drive ATV down trails, around parks and through densely wooded areas. Do you understand what I am trying to say here? I am getting paid for this people. I am getting money to drive an ATV in the woods! It feels like I am committing theft. So, unless you can find a job that pays fat dough to sit on your butt drinking a beer while watching TV at your own casa I think it is safe to say mine is the best job ever!

Summer Bliss

Thanks to some pretty consistent rain the garden is getting heavy with goods. We have already enjoyed some harvested cucumbers, peppers and onions. This is shaping up to be the most successful year I have ever had growing grub. I want to grow so much that I have to give away bags filled with fresh produce to friends.

Speaking of friends...IT'S SUMMER! It is time to set up the table and chairs outside in the green grass under the giant shade tree. It is time to light the candles in mix-matched jars dangling from limbs high above, and pull a freezing cold bottled drink out of an old metal bucket filled with ice. It is time to laugh together, and play our own strange version of croquet since no one really knows the rules. It is time to eat the juiciest red watermelon and grill-scarred hotdogs. It is time to let the kids run wild through the sprinkler. It is time for wine after dark, and enjoying the stars. It is time for warm winds and warmer friendships. So, come on over friends. We miss you. You are formally invited to a summer evening on us.

Peepers

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Here Comes the Heat

How sad is it that I am already wishing it was Autumn?

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Old Just Means Potential

I think my favorite thing in life is repurposing old junk into useful new pieces. I don't have cable tv but while I was at work I watched a show on History Channel called American Restoration...those guys have skills!

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Same Circle

He wakes up at least an hour before his body is ready to the sounds of children squawking through tiny speakers on nightstands. He stumbles droopy-eyed to the bathroom to relieve the water he drank during the restless night of excessive jaw-clinching. He says good morning to all with affection and humor. He unloads the dishwasher. He makes breakfast, which typically consists of biscuits, waffles, cereal, eggs, oatmeal, or pancakes. He eats. He considers running. He is tired. He has a stomach ache. He needs to run errands. He needs to come up with any excuse to continue letting his physical health and appearance melt into gooey softness. He loads the dishwasher. He watches Toy Story 3. He draws pictures. He plays cars. He plays doll house. He makes the beds and picks up toys. He wrestles. He tootles around outside on various projects. He shaves. He applies copious amounts of deodorant to his underarms. He puts on all black clothes. He eats lunch. Sometimes he forgets. He packs his dinner into an insulated bag, which is frequently a turkey sandwich on wheat bread, a ziplock filled with carrots, an apple, and the homemade treat of the day. He puts on several more layers of black despite the temperature. He goes to work. He works. He drives home. He cannot sleep. He watches something not worth the time or money on Netflix. He reads. He sleeps. He wakes up at least an hour before his body is ready...

He is happy, but he is blah.

Porch Swinging and Too Much Cake

Sorry about the extended lack of updates. Following Izzy's birthday we made a journey to the country to celebrate her birthday again and celebrate Granddad's birthday too. Let's just say we have destroyed a significant amount of cake in the last week. I am in serious need of some consistent exercise and diet regulation. Our time with the family has been great, but today we say goodbye to porch swing nights listening to the Whippoorwill bird ushering in summer, and the quiet peaceful mornings of yawning dog stretches. What a contrast to the city mornings filled with sirens squawking their way through syrup thick traffic to get to major accidents on the freeway, and a sky filled with jets blasting across the sky carrying business men to their next important endeavor. The city sucks butt. I am beginning to plan my escape.