Do Crime!

Recents

  • It’s the little things

    Sometimes it really is the little things that make your day better.

    My job is mostly in an office setting, calling clients and setting appointments, as well as chasing them for past due payments.

    Every now and then I get to go out and do some field work (when it’s scheduled, it’s great, when it’s because a technician calls out last minute, it’s such a drag,) but today, I got to do my favorite activity, which is rebuild equipment.

    Specifically, I got to rebuild a diaphragm pump attached to a honda 120cc OHV motor. I’ve never done this before, and it took about an hour and a half, but it was great fun. Only busted one knuckle.

    So the key take away from today: Look for the little things that bring you joy.

  • Voting is not enough

    I have so many friends who look at the world, and they have issues with it. Don’t we all?

    And they all say the same thing. “Everyone needs to get out and vote.” Sure, that’s great, but it’s not enough.

    Everyone needs to get involved. If there’s something you care about, do more for it. And do it actively. The $5 donation slacktivism isn’t enough. Volunteer your time.

    Find a local organization that stands for something you believe in, and get involved. Offer to help with marketing, do a volunteer shift at one of their events, raise awareness as you go.

    Beyond that, start paying attention to your local politics. Go to a town meeting, run for a local school board position, get involved.

    March in the streets! Do crime!

  • Building a better community

    This is a short one today.

    I had this thought on the way to work this morning. We destroyed communities through the redlining process, and systemic racism.

    What is the distinction between healing these wounds, and gentrification?

  • We’re doing the wrong hard things.

    I feel like over the last few years, creeping into our zeitgeist has been this notion of us need to “do hard things.”

    I’m sure part of it came from the book “The Comfort Crisis,” which came out in 2021. There’s some points in the book that I agree with, actually quite a lot of points.

    The issue I have, is that the hard things they talk about in the book are the wrong ones. Sure, take a cold shower, or ice plunge, or do a million burpees in the sauna.

    But can you call your local representative? Can you coherently talk on the phone? Can you do anything other than melt into entropy at the end of your work day?

    Maybe instead of the ice bath, talk a public speaking course. Afraid of heights? Go rock climbing. Volunteer for a local organization. Coach little league. Pick up trash.

    The comfort crisis isn’t just sitting in climate control all day, it’s also about putting off the uncomfortable little things in your day. Do those, then take the plunge.

    Do hard things. Volunteer. Donate. Smash your phone with a hammer. Maybe you are physically exhausted at the end of your day, and you do want to watch Netflix. Instead of doomscrolling while watching, learn to sew and fix your ripped clothes. Don’t throw them out. Compost instead of putting everything in the trash. Learn to reduce your consumption, don’t just lean on reuse and recycle.

    Do crime. Throw round up on a golf course green.

  • Everything comes down to what they say about you when you’re not around.

    The title of this post comes from the song “Dead, Drunk and Naked,” by the Drive-by Truckers. I think about this song lyric a lot. It’s probably one of my favorite lyrics. (Maybe I should start another page of all my favorite song lyrics.)

    It gets followed up with the line “And I wish that he was here now, I’m sure he would be proud, No one talks about me now.”

    When you think about it, that’s all we really are, isn’t it? Our reputation? No one gives a shit about our jobs, or our hobbies, how many video games we’ve played, or what shows we’ve watched on Netflix.

    What they do care about is: Do we show up when they need us? Are we honest? On time?

    This actually has caused a bit of an existential crisis in me lately. I always strive to be the kind of friend I’d like to have. I volunteer to help move, I’m always reaching out to check in, or make plans. I try never to cancel them. But, I’m not grappling with the fact that it may not be entirely altruistic.

    There’s another band, Shelter, who are a “Krishnacore” band, and their lead singer has an interview where he talks about playing music, and whether or not it’s maya or divine. He also tells the story in his book. But, basically, one of his mentors asked him once if he was playing music in worship of Krishna, or if it was because he was trying to be “god,” that is, if he was doing it for the positive attention.

    When I heard him say that, it really sent me into a spiral. Am I trying to be a good friend, or am I performing maya (I’ll be honest, I don’t know if I’m spelling or using this phrase right) by wanting people to talk about me in a positive light when I’m not around. I’m grappling with this, and I’m worried it’s similar to the “nice guy” effect. Which is creepy and gross. I don’t want to be creepy and gross- at least in that “look at me!” kind of way.

    That’s all I’ve got. Listen to The Drive-By Truckers, listen to Shelter. Do crime. Plant a garden where you shouldn’t.