The Cowtown Chronicles

Jenna and I had an interesting discussion today about art as an existential concept.

We agreed that we both felt like while we could appreciate art for art’s sake, that we both felt like it was much more fulfilling to enjoy something practical and useful that’s also beautiful and “artistic.” I suppose that’s what draws us both so strongly to the Arts and Crafts movement and to early mid-century modernism. Both focused on the purity of the object as the basis for its beauty.

I’ve been thinking about art a lot lately, or perhaps less “art” as the concept is widely understood, but really thinking about Craft as something distinct but necessary for art.

This is probably because of all of the baking I’ve been doing lately, something that I’ve discovered is just as much craft as it is science and following recipes. In baking I’ve found something that I really enjoy doing that really makes me feel good both while doing it and because of what I’ve created. Few things in my life have made me feel as good as being complimented on something nourishing and delicious that I’ve made.

For a long time I’ve felt like I wanted to have a skill or a trade. Something like woodworking or blacksmithing that involves strength tempered with finesse and attention to detail. I decide that I’m going to find someone to apprentice with and try to go out into the world to earn my living as a craftsman. Then all of the typical self-doubt happens, where I question how I’m going to sell my work, how I’ll support myself while I’m learning, and so on. I have boundless admiration and respect for the people who’ve managed to ignore those things and gone out and just done whatever it is they’re passionate about.

I’ve been thinking a lot about business and the economy lately. Like, macro-level stuff, not everyday operations thoughts. Also thinking about culture (American culture in particular) and how it affects the business climate and our economy.

Been having a lot of thoughts as well on technology — as you probably know, I’m a pretty big fan of technology. I’m tired of “technology for technology’s sake,” though. Planned obsolescence, stuff like that.

Mostly I’ve been thinking about how I’m going to use my degree in Geography (with minor in Environmental Science) once I’ve completed it.

More fleshed out thoughts on this once finals are over and I’ve had time to decompress.

You obviously came here for a reason — some of you subscribe to my feed, some of you searched Google for “what goes with pizza” (the answer is beer, BTW), some are looking for pictures of the “prettiest dog“, and then there are those loyal few who just come directly to the site and read whatever’s on my mind for the day.

Here’s what’s on my mind today — What do YOU want me to write about? What’s on your mind?

Today has really been a completely wasted day for me. I’ve gotten almost nothing done, it seems that most of my colleagues are about as productive, and it’s a BEAUTIFUL day outside.

What a crapper. I wish I had a window.

Now you’ve wasted part of your Friday reading this drivel. I’ll bet you wish you hadn’t.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about sustainability. I realize that “sustainability” is a VERY broad concept, and that’s why I’ve been thinking so much about it, because I’m really good at big picture things and not so good at detailed, incremental things.

Anyway, expect more posts on this topic over the coming months.

I’ve been informed that I’m a jackass, and that my complaints about the child tax credits I don’t receive doesn’t take into account just how damn expensive it is to raise a kid these days.

I seem to have also missed the point that a healthy and well-educated citizenry (even a young one) benefits all of society, and that I should be glad to be paying for these kids who will eventually be paying for my Social Security.

So, I take it back. Now my least favorite tax is the tax on the interest earned by my savings and investments. It’s a sad day when there are more tax advantages to debt (mortgages and student loan interest) than savings and self-sufficiency.

I have this long list of things that I WANT to start doing –

• Exercise
• Cook ALL meals at home
• Spend more time outdoors
• Read more
• Fix things around the house
• Write an article for a magazine
• Write for the blog more consistently

And so on. The list is HUGE (and mostly in my head), but everything on it is something that I’m capable of and generally enjoy. Then why the hell can’t I seem to DO any of them?

Instead of getting up and exercising (which I know makes me feel better and gives me MORE energy), I lie in bed and whine about how cold it is or how tired I am. I use more energy making excuses than I do actually DOING the things on my list.

What is it about me that causes me to be so non-motivated? How do I find my motivation and then act on the things I want to do? Most of the advice I see says I just need to START, but that seems to be the part that I have the most difficulty with. How do YOU get started every day?

Huh… It’s taken me 3 years almost to figure out what blogging/podcasting is all about…

It’s about the people you meet and the ones you touch through the things you create. It’s such a democratic medium that there’s not nearly the polish that one would get from a “mainstream” news outlet. But that’s okay. I think there are a whole lot of people out there who don’t want that. They’re tired of the sanitized and watered-down “news” they get from the big media outlets. They want context, and raw input. They want to be brought along on the pub crawl or listen to the podcast interview done “man-on-the-street” style, vs. the highly packaged and processed content they get from “traditional” outlets.

More than anything else, though, people want to feel as if their voices are heard, and there’s no better outlet for that than blogs, podcasts, and social networks. I know that’s why I got into all of this, and two years later, I can’t tell you how glad I am that I did. I’ve met so many amazing people — many that I haven’t written about — and honestly that’s worth every penny I’ve spent paying for web hosting and all the rest.

I can’t tell you how excited I am about 2009 in terms of what you’re going to be seeing and hearing from me and the rest of the Panther City Media crew. If you thought last year was good, hold on to your hat and prepare to have your socks knocked off in 2009!

Some of you probably recognize the Kenny Chesney lyric in the title of this post. I didn’t until about a week ago.

Since my trip to visit Jenna’s dad in St. Croix, I’ve had a lot of time to think about not only what life’s all about, but also what REALLY matters in the grand scheme of things.

What I’ve figured out is that everyone decides for themselves what constitutes happiness.

I know that sounds like a cop-out, but it’s true. I think that eventually everyone will have their “ah ha!” moment, during which they’ll figure out what it is that’s most important to them.

For some people, that will be working their asses off to make a name for themselves, garner world-wide renown, and be “famous.”

For others, it will be to have as many kids as they can and to pass their values and worldview on through them.

For me, though, I think that it is to enjoy every day that comes to me and to be thankful for the opportunities I’ve had and the things that I’m surrounded with.

I’m not wealthy, I’m not beautiful. I’m not a talented singer, writer, musician, or actor.

And that’s okay.

I do the best I can; I work a job that’s not going to change the world directly, but I hope that I can help someone on our faculty teach someone who will change the world in a positive way.

I earn a decent living, which is enough to feed my family and to pay for not only the necessities of life, but also many of the little luxuries, like being able to shop at Central Market instead of Albertson’s, and Eddie Bauer instead of Wal-Mart. I know that there are a lot of people in the world who don’t have that option, and I’m truly grateful that I’m in a position to enjoy the life that I have.

I don’t live to work, I work to live.

I may not ever be a “Captain of Industry,” but honestly, that’s okay. I don’t know if I want the stress that comes with that.

I’ll probably never be “rich” in the financial sense, but I hope that I’ll be “rich” in friendship and community, enjoying the little things that so often get overlooked while chasing fame and fortune.

I truly wish and hope that I can enjoy every day that I’m fortunate enough to experience, and that I can be an example to my friends who are struggling with their own place in life. I know that the path I’m choosing isn’t right for everyone, but I hope that I can at least live the example that if one chooses not to run the “rat race,” that life can still be a beautiful and fulfilling experience.

In keeping with the current theme of my life — “improvement,” I hope to be able to spend some time working on the design and layout of this site over the weekend. Don’t hold me to that, though, as there are a TON of things for me to do around the house and in preparation for our trip to St. Croix next month.

In the meantime, feel free to click on the “vote” button in the pane on the right. I’ve entered that photo of Barley in a contest, and I’d appreciate your support!