General Thoughts

Yeah, I’ve Got Goals

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[audio:https://www.brainofshawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/yeahivegotgoals.mp3]
photo-23.jpgI keep reading how important it is to set goals. Not just set them, but write them down. I’ve never really been one to do that, and at the same time, I rarely meet the goals I do have (but not written.) So here’s the deal. I’m going to write some down. You do the same. I don’t really care where you do it. On your blog, on a napkin, on your baby’s head — anywhere will do. Here are some of mine. You can steal them if you wish, but don’t brag if you beat me to crossing them off.

  1. I want to be vegan. When I eat vegan, I feel healthier, look healthier, fit into smaller clothes, eat tastier foods, etc. The problem is that eating vegan requires work. It’s expensive. You have to shop, and cook, and dice, and simmer, and… It’s hard. McDonald’s is quick, easy, and they finally have tasty coffee. You give me a bagel sandwich, and for 5 minutes, life is good. Then I get bloated, realize I’m fat, and become conscious that my heart seems to be laboring as it beats. I like being the guy that eats tofu. I just need to take the time to DO it.
  2. I want to ride either a bicycle or an electric scooter to work every morning. Yep, an electric scooter. I don’t want that kind with a seat and basket — I want the skateboard with handlebars. I’ll drive that sucker in the middle of winter (which is significant where I live), and I’ll love the fact that I can charge it at work, and never pay insurance. Honestly though, if I can manage #1, perhaps I’ll be happier on a bicycle anyway. Right now I don’t want to get that sweaty on the way to work.
  3. I want to sell books. No, I don’t want to work at Barnes and Nobles or anything, I mean I want to write the books, and have people buy them. I’d actually like them to enjoy reading them too.
  4. Someday, I’ll own a refrigerator with an ice dispenser in the door. I don’t really care if it has water and/or crushed ice — but I MUST own a fridge with an ice dispenser in the door. I really must.
  5. I want to be a radio DJ. This has been a goal of mine for a long time, and I think I might open that goal up to Internet radio, because it’s pretty cool too. I really want people to actually hear me though — so just talking into a microphone doesn’t count.

Ok, that’ll due for now. How about you? What are your goals?

Click here to download the audio file

You’re Not in my Brain?

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image001.jpgI just realized (OK, my wife realized for me, bless her heart), that although I talked about my awesome t-shirt gift that no one understands, I didn’t give any credit to the givers! I guess I just assume my brain is open for all to see, and expect you to read what I think, not what I type.

So here’s an after-the-fact-but-still-sincere thank you to Jessica and Brad. You guys rock. And Jess, good luck on the Pellston job! I hope you get it!!

This cute picture is me apologizing for my thanklessness. (Click to embiggenate)
[audio:https://www.brainofshawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/yourenotinmybrain.mp3]
Click here to download audio

Bye-bye, $200

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I suck.

Apparently, it’s a law that one must fully stop at the end of a private drive before entering traffic. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t know that was a law — but unfortunately, the police officer that pulled me over was quite aware.

I don’t really want to talk about it.

Sometimes Great Things Happen

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Back in 1985, things were cool. If you disagree, you’re either too old or too young. The 80’s were my heyday, and I’ll always identify with everything from that decade. I was a bit younger than most people who identify with the 80s, but really, that’s the time I identify with my youth.

One of the coolest, awe inspiring things that took place in 1985 was “USA For Africa” singing “We Are The World.” 45 pop artists got together, and made a song to raise money for starving folks in Africa. If you were a music fan in the 80s, just watching the video will choke you up a bit. Here were the superstars of the time, getting together and doing something great. And it wasn’t about them, it was about people in need. The song is amazing, but the video is absolutely incredible. There’s a 20 year anniversary DVD with behind the scenes footage. I just discovered it existed, and I’m going to order it from Amazon. Here’s a link if you want to do the same. “We Are The World” is one of those shining points of the 80s that makes me proud to claim that decade as my own. Check out this terribly low quality recording from MTV:

[flv:https://www.brainofshawn.com/videos/wearetheworld.flv 320 212]

I Got Old

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I slowly see myself growing up. Sometimes it catches me off guard, and makes me look back at the days of less stress and less responsibility. It’s funny for me to consider paying off our current vehicle, and then saving thousands of dollars to get a new minivan when this one finally drives to it’s last soccer game. It wasn’t too long ago I’d save all summer to buy a $250 car, and expect it to last forever, because once I started paying insurance and gas, there was no more saving possible.

It was only a decade ago that rent was less than $400/month, and even that was seemingly insurmountable. I look back and think that we were way to irresponsible, and downright dumb to have children. And we were. But we did it, and our children are wonderful and healthy. Now, we have the $1000 mortgage payment, $200 electric bill, car payment, gas bill, garbage bill, satellite bill, phone bill, etc, etc. Life got complicated.

It’s not all money either. Job responsibility, church leadership, family needs, prescription medicines — all these things are more complicated as you get older. It’s also not all serious stuff. I’m not sure what age it is for most men, but for me, at 31 years old, my nose decided it was time to grow hair. And protruding hair at that! I mean, what’s up with the need to pluck NOSE HAIR!?!! I didn’t sign up for that at all.

So what’s my point? Honestly, I long for simpler times. I think memories have a way of highlighting only what you’re looking for, so I’m sure there are many things that were difficult about that post-college time. I also know that along with all this responsibility I also have some ability that I didn’t have before too. Sure, money is tight, but if I had to spend $100 on something, I wouldn’t have to save for half a summer to do it.

So to you 20 somethings that read my blog: don’t let this time slip away from you. While you may not have much money — make sure to take the time to enjoy the freedom you have. While I won’t lie, some things do in fact get easier, so many things get much more complicated. In the words of Robin Williams, in one of my favorite movies, Carpe Diem. Seize the Day.

[audio:igotold.mp3]
Download Audio File Here

Quick revision

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OK, I’ve already changed my mind on the “every article in MP3 thing.” Mainly because I’ve avoided posting because I’m not in a place I can record myself, and also because some things are too lame to have an audio version.

“I think I should mow my lawn today” Has no place in a podcast, unless that podcast is a look that the secret world of lawn-based lifeforms. Perhaps the mowing is a periodical pruning of the oldest lawn members, and it overthrows the larger grass dictatorships. If that’s true, smaller, ground hugging greenies will most likely take over the lawn as they survive the mowings.

All hail the Creeping Myrtle!

Comics in the Header!!!

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I had a big ol’ bunch of white space in my header graphic — and I thought it would be cool to have some comics in there. I created a comic with the “Comic Strip Generator“, and Photoshopped it into the graphic. It gave me great joy.

Then I thought it’d be pretty fun to have another comic. The problem was that I still liked my original comic, and wasn’t ready to retire it. So, I added a script to randomly put a header image up there. The more comics I create, the more comics will be in the pool for randomness. Isn’t that geeky cool?!?!

I really want to get a Wacom tablet, so I can actually draw my own pathetic comics — but they’re kinda pricey, so we’ll see what happens.

[audio:comicsintheheader.mp3]
Download Audio File Here