Big Trapeze

I’ve been going through a phase lately—a slump, you might call it. Maybe it’s a pre-midlife crisis. The resounding theme of this phase is that I’m really getting tired of modern technology. I love my Mac, I love being creative with programming and design, and I’m a gadget junkie—so this doesn’t make a lot of sense to me yet. But lately I’ve had a yearning to cut myself off from text-messages, IM’s, Facebook profiles, iPhone hacking, and all manner of voice- and e-mail, and just return to a few pieces of paper and pencil as my only outlet for creativity and communication.

Maybe this phase is happening because what I’m doing lately doesn’t fulfill me anymore. It got me thinking, what would fulfill me? What would make me happy? If you had unlimited money, unlimited time, and no other responsibilities, what would you do with your life and your time that would fulfill you and make you happy?

I’ve thought about this question for a few days now. Things like traveling the world or sailing sound great to me–they would be very fulfilling, but they don’t satisfy my need to be creative. And after many similar notions, I hit on one that really makes sense to me: writing. I can be as creative with a pen as I am with a program, and the very act of stringing words together in abnormal ways is very fulfilling to me. The funny thing is, I’m not a writer. I took one or two English courses in college, never a writing course, and I’m shamefully under-read. In the past few months I’ve begun reading some classic American authors like Thoreau (maybe Walden is where this whole anti-technology rant is coming from) and Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. As for writing experience, I actually wrote a haiku that was published in USA Today a few years back, and have a notebook full of unfinished partials of others. For now, I think it best to continue with reading–because I do believe to be a good writer you must have the benefit of being a patient and well-read reader.

The unfortunate part is that most of us don’t have the unlimited money or time to chase the dreams that fulfill us best. I’ve got the responsibility of a family to raise, and writing poetry or short stories for my own satisfaction isn’t going to pay the bills anytime soon. I’ll have to rely on modern technology for that, so I won’t become the reclusive hermit just yet.

In the meantime, I’ll still read 37signals and turn out fun little web-apps, but if you know of an old school manual typewriter for sale, let me know.

Moo.com
I’ve only recently been introduced to the awesomeness of moo.com. If you need business cards, note cards, stickers, or just want to see a cool site, check out moo.com.

Stacks in Leopard
I realllly like Mac OS X Leopard’s Stacks. For the first time in my life, I’ve had an uncluttered desktop for more than a month straight. Normally, you could barely see the underlying wallpaper from all the folders, images icons, and downloads on my desktop. Stacks help me keep organized, and that’s tough to do.

Mike Huckabee
I’m not even voting Republican, but if I had to vote on that side of the fence, I’d vote for this guy. He’s a great speaker, seems earnest and sincere, and doesn’t quit. The “not quitting” thing is what I like the most–the dude knows he’s beat and he’s sticking it out. There’s just something cool about a never-say-die attitude.

Neil Diamond
He evokes fond memories of sitting in front of my dad’s big stereo speakers watching Love on the Rocks spin on his record player. And how can anyone (except Yankee fans) not love Sweet Caroline?

Subway Sandwich: Tuna
Tuna on wheat, no cheese, tomato, onion, parmesan, light mayo, and pepper.