Do Crime!

Author: BigJim

  • 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?

  • 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.