ianspiers.com » Monotony

The Hard Way

Ian — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 10:25:03 +0000

Many years ago, I was visiting my brother on a late Saturday morning. He was in his living room, sitting on his couch, watching a motorcycle race on TV. He made a comment about one of the racers, saying something about brakes on a motorcycle. Not being raised around the sport like my brother was, I asked him to explain.

He told me that he’d seen an interview with the rider he’d been talking about, and that during that interview the rider had commented that one of the first things his mechanics did for him with his bikes was to remove the brakes. “They only slow you down,” the racer said.
That’s one of my favorite stories. That profound statement really hit home with me; I’ve carried it’s irony with me ever since. I’ve tried to adopt a model of thought that allows this concept to influence many of my decisions.
That said, I must admit that my thought is oddly preoccupied with one of the concepts that been raised in the Econ class I’m taking at Shoreline. Carefully weighing my”Opportunity Cost“, I’ve chosen to let school to take the back burner since summer I work to gather the resources I need to free my creativity. As a result, I’ve added a number of key components to my creative arsenal. My progress is substantial.
Unfortunately, this all comes at a price. Going to school full time and working full time leaves little time for much else. I try to get out of the house to upwind for a few minutes here and there, indulging in the occasional frivolity, but the 15-minute blocks in my schedule don’t allow for the absorption in any craft, and that’s a problem.
For the time being I’ll maintain this pace. I’m within reach of a few more goals that will allow me to explore new possibilities that have been out of reach for far too long, and that makes it worth it.

Missing Narelle

Ian — Sat, 19 Feb 2005 18:24:05 +0000

I did get a card from my dear friend, Narelle, but I want my phone call. I tore my room apart looking for her new phone number. I did find it, but the number I have written down is disconnected. I'm totally at her mercy at the moment; I hope to hear from her soon. Continue reading →

Housekeeping

Ian — Fri, 02 Jan 2004 17:06:39 +0000

Continuing yesterday’s theme, I’ve been tending to a variety of “housekeeping” chores today. My thought is still occudiep with trying to make the most of this year, and I recognize that these tasks are a natural result of this trend in thought.

While organizing my ideas, I decided starting to develop a new, much-needed “Procrastination List.” Sure, I have a dayplanner and long list of goals for the year, as well as the frequent Things To Do Today list, but I’m still seeing too many tasks slip through the cracks. I want to accomplish more, and see no excuse for much of my procrastination. I hope that culling some of my more formidable and delinquent tasks will better affect their achievement. (It’s an ugly little list.)
One neglected chore caught my attention as I was considering this list, drawing my immediate attention. I conceded to better judgment, gong through the each of the blog image files on this site’s server and updated them to my current naming conventions. I’ve needed to clean up this kind of behind-the-scenes issues for this web site for quite some time

The Rain

Ian — Mon, 06 Oct 2003 19:34:09 +0000

The weather today was the kind typical to Ballard for this time of year. Colorful leaves whirled near sidewalks and drifted from trees as I made my way into the gym this morning. The gentle drizzle, which had started sometime before sunset, continues tonight, and I can hear the rainfall outside my window.

Despite my best intentions, I’ve remained inappropriately distracted today. I’ve managed some light reading and I’ve poked at a few projects, yet I feel listless.

Monopoly

Ian — Fri, 12 Sep 2003 22:40:00 +0000

Kelsey’s back for the weekend. This weekend’s visit is off-schedule for some unknown reason, not that that’s not a problem. We made tacos for dinner and stayed up a bit late playing Monopoly. She was oozing beginners luck, and soundly kicked my ass in the end, rebounding from a considerable deficit. She was talkative and pleasant. I had fun.

I’m tired and ready for bed. I’m too tired to think about any of the things I’ll want to get done this weekend. Think I’ll do a little reading tonight, the traditional kind.

Dismissed

Ian — Thu, 19 Jun 2003 22:24:38 +0000

To the relief of all the jurors, jury duty was completed this afternoon. (The two remaining cases for this week have been pushed to next week, which makes them someone else’s problem.) I have been called to three separate court cases over the last three days, and I am satisfied that my involvement has followed my highest sense of honesty and sincerity. I’ve definitely learned a lot more than I’d bargained for.
Having this obligation lifted early frees me to attend to some other rather important details. I’ve compiled a suitable list of tasks, and look forward to prioritizing my agenda tomorrow morning.

More Little Details

Ian — Mon, 16 Jun 2003 22:33:24 +0000

I’ve called all of my immediate creditors and provided them with the name and phone number of my bankruptcy attorney. I’ve been able to follow this course without feeling overwhelmed by negativity. In fact, I’m pleased to report that I have had only one ugly confrontation during this challenge, and that one exchange was not negative from my side.
Following up on a consideration I’ve entertained for quite some time, I’ve initiated the process of becoming a web-hosting reseller. As a reseller I’ll be able to offer web-hosting directly to my design clients at competitive rates. I should also be able to exercise more direct control over the sites I host.
Also, I finally picked up Amanda’s camera today. It’s a slick little Nikon Rebel 35mm. It has a lot of automatic features, which should simplify the task of taking her photos this weekend. I’ll try experimenting with it as time allows.
Tomorrow begins my obligation to jury duty. I hope to use this down time wisely.

Mother’s Day

Ian — Sun, 11 May 2003 21:32:35 +0000

I haven’t been too active today. I did study a bit, but mostly I’ve allowed myself the trivial indulgences of the day; taking a little rest from the pace I’ve been keeping. While advancing towards personal goals, it’s critical to keep my priorities straight. My sixth sense is telling me that now is a good time to get nice and quiet. I plan on tomorrow beginning quietly, as well. There are a lot of ideas unfolding about this week, and I want to be prepared and willing to do as I should.
I’m really in my head at the moment. I don’t have anything more to add.

Ping Du Jour.

Ian — Tue, 06 May 2003 22:49:35 +0000

I think the quarter really dropped last night. I’m still working it through right at the moment, so I’ll have to pass on going into details. For now, I’ll just say that I’m grateful.
In other news: Today marked another series of significant pushes into geekdom. Among them, I managed to set up a new email account (lifealdente@attbi.com) and a web space (http://lifealdente.home.attbi.com) for Mary on my existing AT&T Broadband account. It really didn’t take long to set her up, and the details she needed for administering the space were readily available. I even set her new email address to forward to her old AOL address.
After the testing the email forwarding and reviewing the space, we walked through the basics of using Transmit for FTP’ing her HTML documents. I was still making breakfast by the time she announced her first content edit. Of course, feeding her curiosity, she quickly returned to the SAMS lessons.
This is way cool! Mary is a voracious reader with a humility complex

Willy!

Ian — Sun, 04 May 2003 22:56:57 +0000

Willy cracks me up. Have no doubt about his involvement over here: Whether he’s sprawled out under the wall heater, staring out the window at the neighbors and birds, or testing our patience with his relentless energy, he’s an integral part of the package over here.
You know, I’ve made a point of staying away from pets since I had to put my cat down. I don’t mean to be acting like some victim or something, but I think it’s kinda’ ended up that way. Zane got to the point where she couldn’t eat without suffering, so I did what I felt had to be done. Although it was both necessary and humane, it was definitely one of the more difficult things I had to do. I guess I never really felt like that one was resolved.
As you may discern, some recent unfoldments have been drawing on lessons I’ve been in the habit of dismissing. In fact, it’s been pretty direct, so I’m continuing to reevaluate my motives.
Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! (Mark 10:23)
That’s an excerpt from the bible revolving around the subject of inheriting “eternal life.” I’m guessing that some might initially be stuck on the instruction to give up worldly possessions, but this limitation is only associated with the interpretation of those possessions. Personally, I find the notion of ridding myself of “worldly possessions” of great and increasing appeal.
I don’t have anything on hand to reference here, but at the reader’s indulgence I’ll carry the drift of thought a little futher.
The common American concept of “possessions” is something that is not shared by all cultures. The few examples that readily come to mind include Buddhists, Aborigines and American Indians. (Hmmm,I recall a previous discussion about American Indians finding the white man’s concept of owning land completely alien,.)
Anyway, one step further: It has nothing to do with anything physical. An individual is not the sum of his or her physical possessions. Being locked in jail for twenty years doesn’t make a person a criminal any more than money makes one kind or loving.
So, it’s less about “possessions” and more about “baggage.” I wrap myself up in these “riches” and carry on the day, and then wonder why I feel unsettled and unfulfilled. Hell, I even get uncomfortable about being this honest