Goals

In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it. - Robert Heinlein US science fiction author (1907 - 1988)

After reading this I had to wonder: do I have clearly-defined goals? would I say I am enslaved by daily trivia?

I was hoping this would be the prompt to an inspiring blog post but I'm not sure what my answers would be.

Are my goals clear? Nope. I want to be a great dad and a great husband, but I don't have any certain plans on accomplishing those things, I just know I want to be that. I want to get work done around the house and make time for my hobbies in a responsible way, but don't have any strategy for doing that.

What I have done is made myself a running "GTD" (Get Things Done) list, complete with check boxes, to hold myself responsible for accomplishing certain things. So far it's menial stuff: clean the oven (check); paint the entrance to the basement (check!); and so on. I'm thinking it should expand to greater things like find a new recipe each week, exercise for 30 minutes at least once this week, do something new with Ellie at least one day each week, surprise C with something good each week... [I'm good with the bad surprises: check out my self-inflicted mullet haircut!]

Anyway, hopefully this quote will push me to better define my goals and recognize the daily trivia in my life. Sorry I didn't reach a better resolution, but hopefully you'll be inspired, too!

Ellie: Walk It Out

Ellie_walk it out from d strong on Vimeo.

No Apologies

For two days this week we had the pleasure of hosting my old college roommate, Chris, who farms in Portland when he's not visiting the Midwest on vacation.  Other than a hasty late night trip to our alma mater I kept our agenda pretty basic: play with baby, feed baby, put baby to sleep. He got to live a couple days in my shoes. I made it a point to not be apologetic about it. And I'm not saying that to sound like a dick, but it's true. Oftentimes I just want to apologize when I catch myself turning a conversation topic to Ellie, or the fact that at any given dinner party, Ellie becomes the focus of attention, but I realize I don't need to do that. Chris got to see a day in my life and I think I can safely say we had a great time. I didn't go out of my way to entertain him; like any best friend, we enjoyed each other's company, and he got to have fun with Ellie. There wasn't a single hiccup in the two days we spent together. I think he appreciated the opportunity to play Uncle during his stay, though I'm pretty confident he's not so worried about having a baby anytime soon. Uncle Chris is good folk for sure. I wish we could hang out more.

Happy New Year: 2011

So long, "oh-ten." It was a great one. 2011 will be even better, no doubt.

One Love, One Income: First day on the job

Yesterday was my first day on the job as Full-time Father, or Mister Mom, or however you fancy... It's one of those "easy" weeks where you get a couple days to adjust, then two weeks of vacation where you see everyone you know who will ask "So how was it?" and you say "well, it's been two days" and not being one to kill a conversation like that you continue to describe what you think it will be like and how you want to take Ellie swimming.

Anyway, the days have been good. Ellie has decided that sleeping at night just isn't her thing anymore. Blargh.

I'm pretty sure both Ellie and I are getting sick, too, which isn't making anything easier. And right before the holidays. Holiday?

The only thing that has me nervous is Winter. Cold weather, snow, and ice are going to keep us inside and our house is small. There aren't too many places to explore in here.

So, our life with one income begins now. I've been stretching my unimaginative brain in all directions trying to think of possible ways to supplement our income, just because a little more money doesn't hurt. Sewing stuff? Painting stuff? I don't know. But seriously, if you are interested in advertising here, let me know. I'll send you the smallest bill in our stack, on a first-come-first-serve basis; meaning you Johnny-come-lately's will have to settle on our car insurance or our property taxes. Don't delay! Call now!

Also, I updated my Linked-In profile headline to describe me now as an "Entrepreneur and Internet Visionary," for obvious reasons.

We hired a mover

Ellie_chair from d strong on Vimeo.

Yeah, she moves

Random: Table for One

Random. Inspired by this very post relating to a subject that fell into my lab that has nothing to do with much of anything but might just be a window into the inner-workings of my brain.

One of my daily stops on the Internet Super Highway, Booooooom!, posted a link to this site, Table for One (Table-for-1.tumblr.com)--a collection of pictures of people sitting alone, eating.

The reason this stood out to me is that I have historically had the opinion that someone eating alone is a sad thing and it usually breaks my heart. I don't know why. It's not like food has been a crazy social thing for me. However, growing up, lunches were in a school cafeteria and dinners were at the family dining table.

These photos confirm my suspicion: not everyone looks lonely or unhappy. Most are just eating, some are working, some look happy and relaxed. Some do look lonely or unhappy, and I guess that's life. It took me a long time to learn that alone time is worth while and important. Sometimes I crave alone time... but usually not.

Anyway, the "eating-alone" thing has always been a point of internal conflict for me and I think I'm understanding my reaction to it better these days.

Ellie shake it

Trying to not abuse the new power

Ellie_Shakin from d strong on Vimeo.