Do Crime!

Author: BigJim

  • We are plain, quiet folk and have no use for adventures.

    I’ve been doing a bit of reading the last few days, about stoicism, Thoreau, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

    A lot of the essay’s focus on stoicism, of course, as well as the notion of the “hedonistic treadmill,” and the concept of travel.

    I think about the concept of traveling a lot. It seems to be the buzzword, “hobby” of this generation. The ideal that you’re not fully living your life, if you aren’t going somewhere new, often.

    I have mixed feelings on travel, and I say this as someone who has been to 48 states, and 6 countries, and has lived in 3 different states. While the idea of a getaway is nice, I feel like so many people are getting wrapped up in this belief that as their world crumbles around them, getting away can refresh their mind and soul. But, the old saying “wherever you go, there you are” seems to hold true.

    Traveling doesn’t make you better, or fix your problems. It just let’s you step away for a moment, let’s those issues build up, because you stepped away, and didn’t resolve them.

    Face your problems, don’t travel thinking it’ll get better. Your messy home is still there, your love of self-induced drama, the bills you can’t pay because you live your life on credit card financing.

  • Some competition is okay

    Yesterday, my wife competed in her first CrossFit competition. She did pretty well for it being her first event.

    I used to be one of those people who claimed they were “anti-competition,” and that it wasn’t all that great. It was probably my most communist view. But, I’ve realized, it’s not that I’m anti-competition, it’s quite the opposite. I’m very competitive. I learned this last year doing my first Strongman competition. It started as a way for me to try out something new, and after the first event, I was in first place, and that immediately broke my brain.

    For the rest of the event, I was worried about my placement, even though I started to taper off after the second event (where I injured myself.)

    I ended up 4th overall, out of 20, and while sitting here now, I feel like that was a noble debut, at the time, it really broke my brain.

    These days, I think I’ve worked through that a bit. I think competition, and challenging yourself is good, but I think letting it control your life isn’t. Be cautious, and know yourself.

  • 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?