Okay, this may come off sounding a bit strange. After all, there is an argument to be made that during my unemployment I should have had Makenzie out of daycare and with me for the duration. There are, of course, plenty of reasons to do as we did, though, not the least of which is that she enjoys her friends and time at daycare.
But without getting into that too much, I want to share just how proud I am of my little girl (who is deep-six napping right now). Before breakfast she let me know that she wanted a Daddy-Date-Day. I make it a rule to say yes whenever I can to this request. I went for a run this morning with Brown Trout with Kenzie in the jogger. She would get out from time to time and run - our pace - for about 200 yards. Then back in the stroller (with a reasonable transition!) to rest before the next set. Awesome.
Then we joined our friends at the park and she went ape on the jungle gym for an hour or so.
Nothing unusual, I know. But It's one of the best days I've had in weeks. And I still got business done! Secured a new sponsor for the Mt. Evans Hill Climb and got a proposal out to another.
Tonight we're going to go see Santa and grabbing a bite out. And I know it will be just as much fun as my day so far.
If I don't get a chance to write again, Merry Christmas everybody.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Rules of Thumb
Recently browsing through one of the free outdoor magazines found at any of our many outdoor stores, I came across an interesting article discussing the author’s (Joe Lavelle, There & Back, 2009) different little “rules of thumb” he has collected over time. Below is a few of the more thought provoking rules of thumb including:
- Rule of Peer Pressure: If “friends” provide friction against good judgment, get new friends.
- Setback Tenent: Never Attribute to bad luck what can be adequately explained by poor judgment.
- Law of Disintegration: Large problems are made up of many little questions; solve large problems by resolving easy questions.
- Role of Instincts: Trust instincts to tell us when something is wrong; do not trust instincts tot ell us when something is right.
- The Error of the Big Pix: It isn’t the accumulation of little mistakes that causes all of the trouble; it is the big mistake we make trying to correct them that does us in.
While these and many more rules definitely pertain to survival in the outdoors, they are certainly not limited to that portion of our lives. We can benefit in our daily lives from their more frequent use. Given the overwhelming wordsy, folksy sounding number of rules out there I think it’s easy for their many messages get lost. For me it leads to one rule of thumb I think is important: learn from our mistakes and especially the mistakes of others. These rules of thumbs are there to help guide us through life. Why not take advantage of them?
Last important rule of thumb provided, which you backpackers will understand is:
Rule of Uncapped Inevitability: A bottle set down with the opening unsecured will spill.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Trepidation
Is there a word for the phenomenon of recurring themes or items that come into your field of vision? Like when you get a new sweater from the Gap and then notice that everyone has that sweater? Okay, maybe a new car – or just one that you’re thinking of? You know what I mean.
There are times when I find these omens, if you will, to be very indicative. They don’t often make sense initially, but at some point you have the “ah ha!” moment and it’s all clear.
But before that revelation occurs, you have no idea why this new and seemingly omnipresent motif is pestering you. And sometimes that’s scary.
Like when it’s nipples.
In the last couple weeks they’ve been everywhere - and not in a good way.
I’m not going to go into details, but until two weeks ago I’d only known academically that a person could have more than two. And my buddy wants to make a bet over a race where the loser pierces their right side.
And speaking of piercing and nipples, there are just some things you never want to know about your sister.
On with Monday…
There are times when I find these omens, if you will, to be very indicative. They don’t often make sense initially, but at some point you have the “ah ha!” moment and it’s all clear.
But before that revelation occurs, you have no idea why this new and seemingly omnipresent motif is pestering you. And sometimes that’s scary.
Like when it’s nipples.
In the last couple weeks they’ve been everywhere - and not in a good way.
I’m not going to go into details, but until two weeks ago I’d only known academically that a person could have more than two. And my buddy wants to make a bet over a race where the loser pierces their right side.
And speaking of piercing and nipples, there are just some things you never want to know about your sister.
On with Monday…
Thursday, November 19, 2009
5 Perfect Questions
I think the idea of a beginner’s mind, one I’ve paid more than lip service too for the better part of two years, might be good in many circumstances but I’m beginning to see when the insight of an expert is required.
The beginner’s mind allows us to appreciate the things we encounter without prejudice. It’s extremely difficult. We’ve got years of support for the ideas we hold and to be able to set those things aside in order to experience something as if for the first time requires a discipline that few are capable or willing to execute. The barriers are not unique to our society today, but there is clearly an argument to be made regarding the “noise” that immerses us daily, hourly and by the minute. And let’s be honest, those predetermined feelings and reactions that we have serve a very important purpose – no less than survival.
Which leads to the power of expertise. There are situations that demand that we take action based on previous experience. Beyond that everyday expertise, there are those that seem to be gifted with an insight that knows when it’s right to take a new route, when a stranger is to be trusted (or not) and whether the water is too deep to cross.
Many situations demand one skill or the other. I have no need for expertise, for instance, when I watch the sunrise or see Makenzie’s face beam with pride and joy when she blasts through a puddle on her bike. Conversely I would argue that I do not need a beginner’s mind when confronted with a storm high on a fourteener. And clearly there are times when both are needed.
But it’s difficult to flip from one to the other – just as it is when looking at an optical illusion of a 3D cube or the negative space of an image. What I would like to develop is a series of questions that could be used to evaluate any given situation with both expertise and openness. Something I could have available in my wallet or coat pocket. Maybe tattooed.
I’ll start with questions that would help to determine the relevance, severity, return and consequence of the situation (expertise). Then I’d work through issues of legitimacy, assumptions and point of view (beginner’s mind). Formulating and evaluating solutions would come next, and I’d try to develop these with a hybrid approach – one that takes the viewpoint of other individuals or disciplines into account as well as my own along with novel or non-traditional solutions that may prove effective. Finally, I’d evaluate the solution in the same manner that I did the situation – the relevance, severity, return and consequence – short and long term.
I’ll limit this to five questions: a convenient number for one hand. I welcome your input and encourage you to stay tuned. I plan on having this complete within the month.
Okay, time to get out and ride.
The beginner’s mind allows us to appreciate the things we encounter without prejudice. It’s extremely difficult. We’ve got years of support for the ideas we hold and to be able to set those things aside in order to experience something as if for the first time requires a discipline that few are capable or willing to execute. The barriers are not unique to our society today, but there is clearly an argument to be made regarding the “noise” that immerses us daily, hourly and by the minute. And let’s be honest, those predetermined feelings and reactions that we have serve a very important purpose – no less than survival.
Which leads to the power of expertise. There are situations that demand that we take action based on previous experience. Beyond that everyday expertise, there are those that seem to be gifted with an insight that knows when it’s right to take a new route, when a stranger is to be trusted (or not) and whether the water is too deep to cross.
Many situations demand one skill or the other. I have no need for expertise, for instance, when I watch the sunrise or see Makenzie’s face beam with pride and joy when she blasts through a puddle on her bike. Conversely I would argue that I do not need a beginner’s mind when confronted with a storm high on a fourteener. And clearly there are times when both are needed.
But it’s difficult to flip from one to the other – just as it is when looking at an optical illusion of a 3D cube or the negative space of an image. What I would like to develop is a series of questions that could be used to evaluate any given situation with both expertise and openness. Something I could have available in my wallet or coat pocket. Maybe tattooed.
I’ll start with questions that would help to determine the relevance, severity, return and consequence of the situation (expertise). Then I’d work through issues of legitimacy, assumptions and point of view (beginner’s mind). Formulating and evaluating solutions would come next, and I’d try to develop these with a hybrid approach – one that takes the viewpoint of other individuals or disciplines into account as well as my own along with novel or non-traditional solutions that may prove effective. Finally, I’d evaluate the solution in the same manner that I did the situation – the relevance, severity, return and consequence – short and long term.
I’ll limit this to five questions: a convenient number for one hand. I welcome your input and encourage you to stay tuned. I plan on having this complete within the month.
Okay, time to get out and ride.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Good times, bad times, you know I've had my share...
Hard times demand introspection. Thank God for the recession! I’ve rediscovered myself and been forced to evaluate my values in more direct a manner than I ever would have on my own - cut this, sell that, forget that vacation…
It’s all whittling down to my core. Like a financial cleansing.
I’ve been called naïve for looking for something that is “fulfilling” in my career. Funny, seems there are two camps – find work or find work that matters. I’m still sticking to the latter, but I have to admit I’m beginning to wonder if it’s a just or prudent decision.
I guess it comes down to what you consider to be “making a living”. I tend to think that settling on any career (job) that pays is “making a paycheck”. Not interested. But I don’t know why – it would be so much easier (I tell myself) to just suck it up and go to work – keep your head low and get the job done. It’s gotten me this far, after all.
But there’s this voice in the back of my head that says there’s more to it. Stick it out and be true to this vision.
Everything is going to be okay.
Right?
It’s all whittling down to my core. Like a financial cleansing.
I’ve been called naïve for looking for something that is “fulfilling” in my career. Funny, seems there are two camps – find work or find work that matters. I’m still sticking to the latter, but I have to admit I’m beginning to wonder if it’s a just or prudent decision.
I guess it comes down to what you consider to be “making a living”. I tend to think that settling on any career (job) that pays is “making a paycheck”. Not interested. But I don’t know why – it would be so much easier (I tell myself) to just suck it up and go to work – keep your head low and get the job done. It’s gotten me this far, after all.
But there’s this voice in the back of my head that says there’s more to it. Stick it out and be true to this vision.
Everything is going to be okay.
Right?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A Dip in the Pool
Last night a friend of mine mentioned he was taking a trip to Glenwood Springs for a soak in the hot springs. I was immediately reminded of my trip there this fall along with the time I spent at the local swimming hole this summer. Needless to say the memories were not good!
What came to mind is that I can’t help but think the human body shouldn’t age that bad. It just doesn’t seem normal to me. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that aging is a process we can’t stop but I can’t help but think a bit of exercise and a more healthy diet would improve our appearance in swim wear. Young and old alike seem to be headed in the wrong direction when it comes to health.
Buying and Selling
Patagonia (the clothing manufacturer) has a way of getting to me. I'm a classic catalog target for them. They load the thing with amazing pictures and personal accounts and stories that get my blood pumping every time - whether it's about climbing Fitz Roy, fly fishing in Alaska or surfing a break off Baja. And, of course, amidst all this is some of the finest technical wear money can buy. I've been very happy with their wares, but know that I could get by with less. But I continue to pay Pata-Gucci prices to support a company that embraces my own environmental and quality values (despite their recent run to China for manufacturing - I'll let Kevin expound on that issue).
I'm learning, though, that the novelty of a new item wears off quickly. I don't need much in terms of gear or clothing anymore (with the exception of a good fleece mid-layer...).
In fact, I'm selling more than I'm buying right now. But not my gear - my daughter's. She's outgrown the baby jogger, back pack carrier and Strider bike. Renee has taken multiple loads of used clothing to the consignment store as well. Our baby is growing up fast.
So I seem to be edgy on two fronts - I'm anxious for future trips and climbing - and this ski season - but I'm also shocked at how fast time passes and want to hold on to my little girl for as long as I can.
Two good arguments for living in the present.
I'm learning, though, that the novelty of a new item wears off quickly. I don't need much in terms of gear or clothing anymore (with the exception of a good fleece mid-layer...).
In fact, I'm selling more than I'm buying right now. But not my gear - my daughter's. She's outgrown the baby jogger, back pack carrier and Strider bike. Renee has taken multiple loads of used clothing to the consignment store as well. Our baby is growing up fast.
So I seem to be edgy on two fronts - I'm anxious for future trips and climbing - and this ski season - but I'm also shocked at how fast time passes and want to hold on to my little girl for as long as I can.
Two good arguments for living in the present.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
It's going to be 75 in Denver tomorrow. I'm going skiing. This is ridiculous. I like nice weather as much as the next guy, but you know what else I like? WINTER!
Bring it.
Okay, here's a not-so-random thought that I've been working on. I was listening to a podcast about "Hellhouse" - a shameful display of absolute crap meant to scare an impressionable youth to Jesus. They re-enact things like the Columbine shootings, a gang rape at a rave, an bloody abortion (of course), and a gay suicide. Not sure what a gay suicide is really, but I'm sure the rope is coordinated with the tight jeans.
Got me thinking - you know we hear about recruitment for extremist groups and gangs being successful because the create an atmosphere of family for the likewise impressionable youth they attract.
Doesn't it seem that they're using the wrong tools? Christians (?) using hate and gangs using love. How perverse is that?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Buenas Dias, Shitheads
Let's not beat around the bush. This blog is not a family-friendly, politically correct collection of poetry, vacation hot-spots, or recipe exchange. It's going to be honest, rough, and very rarely of any practical use whatsoever. If you've been invited to write here, it's because I respect your opinion - sometimes. If you're reading this, I apologize for wasting your time. If you want to write, there's an application process with one rule - make it interesting.
Trout Pond Review is Open.
Sincerely,
Nuke
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