Thanksgiving (of which I participate in it's entirety) and the holidays in general, have led to some interesting thoughts this year. Of the folks I know, very few actually remove themselves from the holiday games. Most of us (myself included) throw ourselves head-long into the fray, eating like ravenous hyenas, purchasing beyond our means, and wondering why we continue the tradition year after gluttonous year. I am reminded, of late, of the premise in the book "Ishmael" (Daniel Quinn) that there are two groups of people-the "takers" and the "leavers" and into which group most Americans fall. It is during the holidays, when our penchant for excess really kicks into high gear, and we display our desires like the feathers of a peacock. Collectively. As a nation. We announce to the world that we will take all that we can until there is no more to take.
I began to think of the percentages. Could it be said that it's an 80/20 split between those of us who wallow in excess and those of us who exhibit control over our desires during this time of the year? I bet it's more like 90/10 or even 95/5... Does it really matter in an economy stabilized by constant growth? Until we enact a new model, this is it! It's a good thing to get out there an consume! You are putting people to work with each dollar you spend!
Okay. For the sake of argument, I am going to challenge this. In these dire economic times, couldn't we choose to take the hint and see the err of our ways? Utilize the slow-down as a way to jump the rails of this economic system and get onto something new... That's probably ignorant optimism speaking. We are too heavily invested in this way of being. It will require a total meltdown, a total disaster for us to change to existence on a sustainable level. I had temporarily forgotten the golden rule of change within a population: no change happens without pain and suffering. Right.
Onward then into the holidays. Eat into gluttony, drink until drunk, and please, dear god, spend unwisely.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Champion of the Luddites
If you are arguing against renewable energy sources in this day and age, you might as well hang a sign on your face that says: "I am an idiot." Check out the link to the left...
While I believe strongly in a worldwide switch to available renewable energy sources, I don't believe that a "Silver Bullet" technology currently exists to replace our fossil fuel addiction. The expression "Silver Buckshot" more appropriately speaks to the answer. Taken singly, it is easy to criticize PV, wind power, geothermal, tidal energy, biomass, ethanol, etc. Yes, problems exist with each of these sources. If people continue to seek one perfect solution, they will be sorely disappointed. Herein lies the rub: no known renewable energy system is as efficient as burning fossil fuels. Therefore we must accept that they will be used in combination if they are to be used at all.
When it comes to technology, you can run, but you can't hide. Making the argument against renewables because implementing them is complicated is akin to sticking your head in the sand and waiting for the apocalypse. I am not impressed with the scientific analysis presented in the site, or the flip way that the author offers up bicycles as an alternative form of transportation. Yeah, I've been riding a bike for years. This isn't a new concept to me. Perhaps he should take a look into how bikes are made and the real energy balance associated with them. I would posit that a single PV module achieves energy neutrality far ahead of the average bicycle from Korea (that's right. Most of the bikes we own are mass produced in either China or Korea). In this light, maybe he would see that solar electricity isn't such a bad idea.
Way to be a part of the problem.
Want to know more about your bike?
allanti.com/articles/where-was-my-bike-made-pg328.htm
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Gentle Suggestion for the AHJ
Today, I feel completely defeated. I love my job but it lead to a very frustrating question this afternoon: why it is that we as a society continually put people who are underpaid and undereducated in positions of power? This problem is epidemic here. Think about the last time you had a run-in with the law or went to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
As a member of the solar contracting community I have witnessed countless times the unadulterated, abject will of the "Authority Having Jurisdiction" being thrown around a la Godzilla in Tokyo. Okay. I can deal with making some small changes to a PV system after the fact to appease the inspectors, but having to completely rework a system because home-boy was having a bad day is complete bovine caca.
The standing rule is this: Thou shalt not argue with an inspector lest ye awaken the wrath held within. I have enough respect for their sovereignty to listen to their comments with rapt attention and refrain from offering information unless asked for it directly. That's why I chose to rant HERE. You stand the risk of digging yourself a deeper hole by mentioning anything extra (ie. your design choices, your background, your inability to digest shellfish, whatever) much less open a "discussion" about their decisions concerning your system.
A little about me. I am a member of the conscientious group of solar professionals that believe that photovoltaics is still an infant in the contracting world, and that we have a reputation to uphold so that we can continue to do our part in the greening of the planet. As self-righteous as this may sound, I have never once knowingly cut a corner on a job and sacrificed safety, durability, or performance. I not only want the customer to be happy with the result of an install; I want their children to happy with it. Put plainly, I feel the job reflects on me personally. Alright. So you have heard how awesome I think I am. So what gives? I carry a NABCEP cert. which I studied my ass off for. I would argue that I know a thing or two about designing and installing a PV system. Doesn't it make sense that the guy that's inspecting my work carry the same cert. or higher? This obvious truth was made abundantly clear to me today as I realized my inspector-du-jour was completely talking out of his corn-hole.
What I am going to put out there into the electronic mist, as I have mused before, is that counties and municipalities should actually train the people who are responsible for making, what could ultimately be life-or-death decisions for this new branch of construction. I agree that we as contractors need oversight to protect the customer. If this is not to be, then don't send a tubby, gimp-legged, Paul-Newman-in-The-Color-of-Money wannabe, tuna fish smelling, fart-bag to call plays on my shit.
Thanks for reading.
As a member of the solar contracting community I have witnessed countless times the unadulterated, abject will of the "Authority Having Jurisdiction" being thrown around a la Godzilla in Tokyo. Okay. I can deal with making some small changes to a PV system after the fact to appease the inspectors, but having to completely rework a system because home-boy was having a bad day is complete bovine caca.
The standing rule is this: Thou shalt not argue with an inspector lest ye awaken the wrath held within. I have enough respect for their sovereignty to listen to their comments with rapt attention and refrain from offering information unless asked for it directly. That's why I chose to rant HERE. You stand the risk of digging yourself a deeper hole by mentioning anything extra (ie. your design choices, your background, your inability to digest shellfish, whatever) much less open a "discussion" about their decisions concerning your system.
A little about me. I am a member of the conscientious group of solar professionals that believe that photovoltaics is still an infant in the contracting world, and that we have a reputation to uphold so that we can continue to do our part in the greening of the planet. As self-righteous as this may sound, I have never once knowingly cut a corner on a job and sacrificed safety, durability, or performance. I not only want the customer to be happy with the result of an install; I want their children to happy with it. Put plainly, I feel the job reflects on me personally. Alright. So you have heard how awesome I think I am. So what gives? I carry a NABCEP cert. which I studied my ass off for. I would argue that I know a thing or two about designing and installing a PV system. Doesn't it make sense that the guy that's inspecting my work carry the same cert. or higher? This obvious truth was made abundantly clear to me today as I realized my inspector-du-jour was completely talking out of his corn-hole.
What I am going to put out there into the electronic mist, as I have mused before, is that counties and municipalities should actually train the people who are responsible for making, what could ultimately be life-or-death decisions for this new branch of construction. I agree that we as contractors need oversight to protect the customer. If this is not to be, then don't send a tubby, gimp-legged, Paul-Newman-in-The-Color-of-Money wannabe, tuna fish smelling, fart-bag to call plays on my shit.
Thanks for reading.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Wedding
Reposted from mywedding.com
Wow. We are finally home. What an absolutely epic month this has been.
We are both feeling a cocktail of emotions now that we have the time to relax and think about all that has happened. Rhuta says that she is at once relieved and anxious. I keep thinking that there is something that I've forgotten to do, and I just can't recall what exactly it is. Weddingphobia has become a habit.
Being back in Arizona was surreal. We both commented on how it felt like we had been away for ages, when in fact it has only been three months. As I write this, I realize how difficult it is to quantify the feeling. The weather, however was not difficult to grasp-freaking spectacular. The entire week we spent before the wedding was beautiful with temperatures in the 70's and not a chance of rain.
I spent the weekend before with my good friends, my brothers, in a place called "Paradise Forks," one of the more stunning canyons in Arizona. We camped, drank too much, and climbed too little. It felt somehow disrespectful to be in such a place and not give it 100% of your effort, but we did enjoy the sunshine on our bodies, the stillness of the rocks, and for me, the ability to just BE in that place again.
I had heard and read of the "wave" that sweeps the engaged to the alter the week of the wedding. It is a very real thing. There are things to do, and people to see up until your wedding day. And it all happens quickly. I knew that I was not to see Rhuta on the day of, but had no idea that the separation would begin much sooner. I think we spent our hours together the few remaining days before mainly asleep, dog-tired from fretting over details.
Juniper Well Ranch was the perfect spot for our friends and family to gather. We were given the gift of a free night in the Adobe from Linda Bonham, our hostess there, so we were able to really enjoy the calm before the storm as it were. That cabin was our favorite from the start. What a great example of what can be done with local materials. The adobe blocks kept the structure cool during the day and suprisingly warm at night. We both saw the potential for temporary life in a similarly-sized building on a piece of property here in Colorado. We recognize the need to start small here. I hope that our pictures will do the Ranch justice. Both evenings on the patio were beautiful. The space really comes alive at night with a fire raging and the lights shining in the trees. I hope that all of our guests felt far more comfortable there than I did. Friday night was not without it's wedding-eve jitters.
Surprisingly, the day of our wedding was quiet for me. Rhuta was away dealing with her hair and her dress. I had a few hours to be alone and think about being married and what that might mean. Kids? Life insurance? A mortgage? These are the ways I tortured myself in the few hours that remained. I showered. I played guitar. I waited. It was not until about two o'clock that the rest of the guys showed up at the house. We stood around and joked nervously (at least I did) while Hayes struggled to pin on our boutonnieres. Then, before I knew it, it was time to begin my march to the alter.
There was a little milling about to be done and some more nervous joking, but there wasn't much left of my bachelorhood before it was time to stand up and wait for Rhuta. I took my place in front of the guests, trying hard not to feel weird. I reminded myself that I was there only to get one thing done. The rest was just gravy. A big thank you must go out now to our Reverend, Newton Bunce, for being the calm and stable influence that he was for both of us before and during the wedding. I don't know if anyone noticed how efficiently he guided us into marriage. Certainly what everyone will have noticed was his excellent and moving service, as well as his powerful delivery. What a wonderful voice to usher us into our lives together.
The brides' maids and grooms' men began their march down the aisle as a hush fell over the seated guests. It was on now! The meatball! This is actually what was going through my head at that moment. It would be minutes at best until I had to face Rhuta-the moment I knew would be the most challenging. Keep it together, man. I knew she would look beautiful and damn if she didn't! What a dress... I don't know what other grooms say to themselves as their services progress. I would imagine that it's all pretty much the same. "We're doing this, we're doing this, oh my God, we're really doing this..." I was thinking that too. However, my version was something like, "We're doing this, we're really doing this, don't you freakin' cry man, oh God don't look at Mom, don't look at Mom, whoa! she is really upset, why did you look at her? Okay, eyes straight ahead..." But straight ahead of me was my bride and if I thought too hard about what we were doing and how much she meant to me, that would be it-bawling baby at the alter. So honestly, I just zoned out on Rhuta's face. She looked fantastic in this perfect ray of light shining right into her eyes (I hope she could see). I'm glad that I had a chance to read our service several times before the ceremony. Because I didn't hear any of it the day of. I just stood there in a daze and did what I was told.
If I could do anything differently, I think it would have been this: rethinking the boxes we put the rings into for our ring bearer, Asher. Each was placed in a silk-covered box that reminded me a little of coin purse (the type you squeeze to open), and then both of these were placed in a silk bag with a drawstring closure. It was not our intention for Asher to have any trouble opening this set-up, but for him, it was like breaking into Fort Knox. Eventually, with help form Kurt, he got into the bag, but not without some struggle. I guess no wedding goes off completely without a hitch, but I definitely wondered for a moment if we were going to have the exchange of rings as part of the ceremony.
After the rings were on our fingers, it felt as if things started moving faster and faster, and before you knew it we were kissing and being announced as a married couple. Then the serious weeping got into full swing. Everyone was wiping their eyes and hugging and kissing. I wasn't even able to see everyone exit down the aisle. And this is the truth: I have never seen my father looking so upset. I know he was happy for me, but I felt as though I had somehow hurt him. It was horrible and beautiful all at once. The best moment, the moment that I will remember for the rest of my life was of him completely breaking down as he hugged my wife for the first time. I knew then that she is as much a part of his family now as I am.
Then of course, after a short delay as the photographer had her way with all of us, the party got into gear. What a luxury to have your reception 50 feet away from the alter. A big thank you to Miguel and Deb for providing quite a feast for us all. You come highly recommended for a reason. I know that everyone enjoyed the food as much as we did.
I must also thank my favorite high-school friend, Chris Casey, for making sense of the very ragged slideshow that I couldn't get to work the night before. It was so important to me to be able to show those friends and relatives that didn't know Rhuta what her life was like before she met me, and to give her relatives that chance to know me as well. In many ways I felt that this would be a great way to honor the people who have had a hand in making us who we are, as well as the places and landscapes that have been so important to us both.
Despite the fact that Rhuta began to feel the effects of the flu after dinner, and had to turn in early, we called the day a success. Weeks and months of planning paid off in a fantastic good time. May we both never have to do it ever again!
Wow. We are finally home. What an absolutely epic month this has been.
We are both feeling a cocktail of emotions now that we have the time to relax and think about all that has happened. Rhuta says that she is at once relieved and anxious. I keep thinking that there is something that I've forgotten to do, and I just can't recall what exactly it is. Weddingphobia has become a habit.
Being back in Arizona was surreal. We both commented on how it felt like we had been away for ages, when in fact it has only been three months. As I write this, I realize how difficult it is to quantify the feeling. The weather, however was not difficult to grasp-freaking spectacular. The entire week we spent before the wedding was beautiful with temperatures in the 70's and not a chance of rain.
I spent the weekend before with my good friends, my brothers, in a place called "Paradise Forks," one of the more stunning canyons in Arizona. We camped, drank too much, and climbed too little. It felt somehow disrespectful to be in such a place and not give it 100% of your effort, but we did enjoy the sunshine on our bodies, the stillness of the rocks, and for me, the ability to just BE in that place again.
I had heard and read of the "wave" that sweeps the engaged to the alter the week of the wedding. It is a very real thing. There are things to do, and people to see up until your wedding day. And it all happens quickly. I knew that I was not to see Rhuta on the day of, but had no idea that the separation would begin much sooner. I think we spent our hours together the few remaining days before mainly asleep, dog-tired from fretting over details.
Juniper Well Ranch was the perfect spot for our friends and family to gather. We were given the gift of a free night in the Adobe from Linda Bonham, our hostess there, so we were able to really enjoy the calm before the storm as it were. That cabin was our favorite from the start. What a great example of what can be done with local materials. The adobe blocks kept the structure cool during the day and suprisingly warm at night. We both saw the potential for temporary life in a similarly-sized building on a piece of property here in Colorado. We recognize the need to start small here. I hope that our pictures will do the Ranch justice. Both evenings on the patio were beautiful. The space really comes alive at night with a fire raging and the lights shining in the trees. I hope that all of our guests felt far more comfortable there than I did. Friday night was not without it's wedding-eve jitters.
Surprisingly, the day of our wedding was quiet for me. Rhuta was away dealing with her hair and her dress. I had a few hours to be alone and think about being married and what that might mean. Kids? Life insurance? A mortgage? These are the ways I tortured myself in the few hours that remained. I showered. I played guitar. I waited. It was not until about two o'clock that the rest of the guys showed up at the house. We stood around and joked nervously (at least I did) while Hayes struggled to pin on our boutonnieres. Then, before I knew it, it was time to begin my march to the alter.
There was a little milling about to be done and some more nervous joking, but there wasn't much left of my bachelorhood before it was time to stand up and wait for Rhuta. I took my place in front of the guests, trying hard not to feel weird. I reminded myself that I was there only to get one thing done. The rest was just gravy. A big thank you must go out now to our Reverend, Newton Bunce, for being the calm and stable influence that he was for both of us before and during the wedding. I don't know if anyone noticed how efficiently he guided us into marriage. Certainly what everyone will have noticed was his excellent and moving service, as well as his powerful delivery. What a wonderful voice to usher us into our lives together.
The brides' maids and grooms' men began their march down the aisle as a hush fell over the seated guests. It was on now! The meatball! This is actually what was going through my head at that moment. It would be minutes at best until I had to face Rhuta-the moment I knew would be the most challenging. Keep it together, man. I knew she would look beautiful and damn if she didn't! What a dress... I don't know what other grooms say to themselves as their services progress. I would imagine that it's all pretty much the same. "We're doing this, we're doing this, oh my God, we're really doing this..." I was thinking that too. However, my version was something like, "We're doing this, we're really doing this, don't you freakin' cry man, oh God don't look at Mom, don't look at Mom, whoa! she is really upset, why did you look at her? Okay, eyes straight ahead..." But straight ahead of me was my bride and if I thought too hard about what we were doing and how much she meant to me, that would be it-bawling baby at the alter. So honestly, I just zoned out on Rhuta's face. She looked fantastic in this perfect ray of light shining right into her eyes (I hope she could see). I'm glad that I had a chance to read our service several times before the ceremony. Because I didn't hear any of it the day of. I just stood there in a daze and did what I was told.
If I could do anything differently, I think it would have been this: rethinking the boxes we put the rings into for our ring bearer, Asher. Each was placed in a silk-covered box that reminded me a little of coin purse (the type you squeeze to open), and then both of these were placed in a silk bag with a drawstring closure. It was not our intention for Asher to have any trouble opening this set-up, but for him, it was like breaking into Fort Knox. Eventually, with help form Kurt, he got into the bag, but not without some struggle. I guess no wedding goes off completely without a hitch, but I definitely wondered for a moment if we were going to have the exchange of rings as part of the ceremony.
After the rings were on our fingers, it felt as if things started moving faster and faster, and before you knew it we were kissing and being announced as a married couple. Then the serious weeping got into full swing. Everyone was wiping their eyes and hugging and kissing. I wasn't even able to see everyone exit down the aisle. And this is the truth: I have never seen my father looking so upset. I know he was happy for me, but I felt as though I had somehow hurt him. It was horrible and beautiful all at once. The best moment, the moment that I will remember for the rest of my life was of him completely breaking down as he hugged my wife for the first time. I knew then that she is as much a part of his family now as I am.
Then of course, after a short delay as the photographer had her way with all of us, the party got into gear. What a luxury to have your reception 50 feet away from the alter. A big thank you to Miguel and Deb for providing quite a feast for us all. You come highly recommended for a reason. I know that everyone enjoyed the food as much as we did.
I must also thank my favorite high-school friend, Chris Casey, for making sense of the very ragged slideshow that I couldn't get to work the night before. It was so important to me to be able to show those friends and relatives that didn't know Rhuta what her life was like before she met me, and to give her relatives that chance to know me as well. In many ways I felt that this would be a great way to honor the people who have had a hand in making us who we are, as well as the places and landscapes that have been so important to us both.
Despite the fact that Rhuta began to feel the effects of the flu after dinner, and had to turn in early, we called the day a success. Weeks and months of planning paid off in a fantastic good time. May we both never have to do it ever again!
A Little Bit About My Watch Obsession
I recently celebrated my 35th birthday. I wanted to give myself a nice gift. I wanted something that I deemed a 100% luxury item. Something that would just make me feel good for no reason. I wanted a watch.
A little backstory here. I can remember being in fifth grade, maybe ten years old, and being with my Dad when he bought his first Seiko. It was a memorable moment for me, even though I realize now that it wasn't like making the leap into a Rolex, or Omega purchase. He was really proud of that watch. It looked great. I remember him changing out the strap to better suit the watch and make it a bit classier. It was great to see him in that light.
Things are a bit different now. I realize that watches, especially in this day and age, are basically man-jewelry. We all carry really accurate timepieces that are constantly updating all the time: our phones. All the better in my mind. The watch purchase would be totally unnecessary and frivolous. I of course first looked at Seikos, because I am kind of a dork when it comes to tradition. I will always try to create a lineage in everything. It's like building heritage around you all the time. Kind of lame, but that's another story...
I've noticed Seiko watches on wrists for years. I have shopped for them on and off when I had an opportunity to try them on. I never had a good excuse to pull the trigger on one though. So this is how men work, right? We make an excuse. Now that I had one, I started looking in earnest. It was like cracking open Pandora's box. I am intensely anal about making any purchase over a couple hundred dollars. I want the best of the best in my price range, and because of the power of the internet, I am under the belief that the deal of the century is there if you are willing to dig deep enough. So I started searching.
As you would expect there are Seiko models that are available everywhere for just about the same price. There are nice watches here, no doubt. I simply wasn't seeing the kind of exclusivity I was seeking. There had to be more, and believe me there is. I had no idea that there existed this world of watch fanatics out there in the electronic mist. I guess I'm not all that shocked. You can search anything and there's a community of people out there that are so stoked to be connected with each other... Banana-eaters.com, Teapotcozyknitters.org, Weaselhunters.net, ad infinitum. The beauty of the internet lurks in these corners. So I am Alice, and down the rabbit-hole I go. Honestly, it has been a blast.
Originally, I was interested in the "Kinetic" series of watches, because after all, renewable energy is my gig. I didn't really know how this system worked at first, but it sounded really good. The back and fourth of your wrist throughout the day charges a small capacitor, which in turn runs the movement. That is, without a doubt, a very cool technology. But that's just it. The Kinetic system is a push into the future of what is fast becoming an "obsolete necessity." In an effort to continue to make watch sales in an environment that is less dependent on them, watches are stacking more and more functions (chronographs, altimeters, barometers, etc.) or are becoming more "bling," for a lack of a better expression. The middle ground is faltering. Or is it?
Deeper into the rabbit-hole.
I really cracked it open when I discovered, quite by accident, this page about the history of one particular Seiko model, which has never been available in the US. It was called the "Alpinist," and has been produced since the early sixties. The hook was in my mouth. There was no picture of this watch at the beginning of the article, only a beautiful Japanese print of a snowy landscape and mountains. Apparently, Japan has a rich history in mountaineering. As much so as Europe and the United States. The watch was designed especially for these intrepid souls who venture into the hills to conquer peaks and ultimately themselves: the Yamaotoko, the mountain-men. Or something like that. I totally fell victim to the romantic marketing, even though I was not the intended target. I have done a lot more climbing on rock than trudging up snow slopes, but I felt like this was about as close as I was going to get to a watch designed especially for climbers. And it was steeped in Japanese watchmaking tradition. Hook firmly set.
http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2009/02/14/the-alpinist-%E2%80%93-the-summit-of-seiko-branding/
As you can possibly imagine, these things aren't available in the checkout line at your local Target. They are relatively hard to come by. They can only be purchased from stores in the far east, and you have to wade through the dealers to find a reputable one. And then there's the price. A good two to three hundred dollars more than the locally available models. So what. I am not a rich man, but I'm not a poor man either. I liked the idea of purchasing something unnecessary from Japan. But I wasn't ready to wire the cash. There have been a few other speed bumps to slow me down on this purchase.
Pardon me, as I wax poetic... I wanted to look into the watch thing a little more if I was going to drop the mad coin on a piece of man-bling. What does "automatic" really mean? What's the real difference in movements? What are "jewels," and why does it matter if there are 21 or 23 or 25? I had a lot of questions. Enter Watchuseek. What a great site. Finding this was like adding a new room to the ManCave. I have a link to the site on this page, so I won't bore you with details that you can surely check out on your own. Besides, answering those questions was what I found really fun and interesting about the forums. The big deal, horologically speaking (you like that?), is the quality and artistry of design that goes into the build of a good watch, not to mention the precision of it's timekeeping ability. I was learning all kinds of stuff. And it made sense. If you are going to buy something like this, shouldn't it reflect your values in some way, however abstract?
I am not a luddite at all. I really dig the iPhone, fancy cars and haute-technology in all of it's forms. Having said that, I also have the heritage and tradition thing to contend with. There is beauty to me in the history of watchmaking. It was at one time, a cutting-edge science. Wearing a well designed and thoughtful mechanical watch seems to pay respect to this field of engineering that was made obsolete by the advent of the quartz movement and the computer chip. Even with my rudimentary knowledge of the subject, I can say without question that I would not want to own a quartz watch at this point.
So, this is the beginning of this saga. I have not purchased the Alpinist. Yet. It is still, after a month or so of research into all kinds of different brands, movements, styles, etc. is the one that I'm smitten with. I can see how a guy could slip into an unhealthy compulsion with purchasing watches. These dudes are out there in droves. I can't see myself in this group. For one, I don't have the cash for it if I am to continue to ride bikes and learn to ski, and have other expensive pusuits. But I am excited to have unearthed a new science that I can appreciate from my couch... with a finely crafted malted adult beverage in my hand.
A little backstory here. I can remember being in fifth grade, maybe ten years old, and being with my Dad when he bought his first Seiko. It was a memorable moment for me, even though I realize now that it wasn't like making the leap into a Rolex, or Omega purchase. He was really proud of that watch. It looked great. I remember him changing out the strap to better suit the watch and make it a bit classier. It was great to see him in that light.
Things are a bit different now. I realize that watches, especially in this day and age, are basically man-jewelry. We all carry really accurate timepieces that are constantly updating all the time: our phones. All the better in my mind. The watch purchase would be totally unnecessary and frivolous. I of course first looked at Seikos, because I am kind of a dork when it comes to tradition. I will always try to create a lineage in everything. It's like building heritage around you all the time. Kind of lame, but that's another story...
I've noticed Seiko watches on wrists for years. I have shopped for them on and off when I had an opportunity to try them on. I never had a good excuse to pull the trigger on one though. So this is how men work, right? We make an excuse. Now that I had one, I started looking in earnest. It was like cracking open Pandora's box. I am intensely anal about making any purchase over a couple hundred dollars. I want the best of the best in my price range, and because of the power of the internet, I am under the belief that the deal of the century is there if you are willing to dig deep enough. So I started searching.
As you would expect there are Seiko models that are available everywhere for just about the same price. There are nice watches here, no doubt. I simply wasn't seeing the kind of exclusivity I was seeking. There had to be more, and believe me there is. I had no idea that there existed this world of watch fanatics out there in the electronic mist. I guess I'm not all that shocked. You can search anything and there's a community of people out there that are so stoked to be connected with each other... Banana-eaters.com, Teapotcozyknitters.org, Weaselhunters.net, ad infinitum. The beauty of the internet lurks in these corners. So I am Alice, and down the rabbit-hole I go. Honestly, it has been a blast.
Originally, I was interested in the "Kinetic" series of watches, because after all, renewable energy is my gig. I didn't really know how this system worked at first, but it sounded really good. The back and fourth of your wrist throughout the day charges a small capacitor, which in turn runs the movement. That is, without a doubt, a very cool technology. But that's just it. The Kinetic system is a push into the future of what is fast becoming an "obsolete necessity." In an effort to continue to make watch sales in an environment that is less dependent on them, watches are stacking more and more functions (chronographs, altimeters, barometers, etc.) or are becoming more "bling," for a lack of a better expression. The middle ground is faltering. Or is it?
Deeper into the rabbit-hole.
I really cracked it open when I discovered, quite by accident, this page about the history of one particular Seiko model, which has never been available in the US. It was called the "Alpinist," and has been produced since the early sixties. The hook was in my mouth. There was no picture of this watch at the beginning of the article, only a beautiful Japanese print of a snowy landscape and mountains. Apparently, Japan has a rich history in mountaineering. As much so as Europe and the United States. The watch was designed especially for these intrepid souls who venture into the hills to conquer peaks and ultimately themselves: the Yamaotoko, the mountain-men. Or something like that. I totally fell victim to the romantic marketing, even though I was not the intended target. I have done a lot more climbing on rock than trudging up snow slopes, but I felt like this was about as close as I was going to get to a watch designed especially for climbers. And it was steeped in Japanese watchmaking tradition. Hook firmly set.
http://www.gmtplusnine.com/2009/02/14/the-alpinist-%E2%80%93-the-summit-of-seiko-branding/
As you can possibly imagine, these things aren't available in the checkout line at your local Target. They are relatively hard to come by. They can only be purchased from stores in the far east, and you have to wade through the dealers to find a reputable one. And then there's the price. A good two to three hundred dollars more than the locally available models. So what. I am not a rich man, but I'm not a poor man either. I liked the idea of purchasing something unnecessary from Japan. But I wasn't ready to wire the cash. There have been a few other speed bumps to slow me down on this purchase.
Pardon me, as I wax poetic... I wanted to look into the watch thing a little more if I was going to drop the mad coin on a piece of man-bling. What does "automatic" really mean? What's the real difference in movements? What are "jewels," and why does it matter if there are 21 or 23 or 25? I had a lot of questions. Enter Watchuseek. What a great site. Finding this was like adding a new room to the ManCave. I have a link to the site on this page, so I won't bore you with details that you can surely check out on your own. Besides, answering those questions was what I found really fun and interesting about the forums. The big deal, horologically speaking (you like that?), is the quality and artistry of design that goes into the build of a good watch, not to mention the precision of it's timekeeping ability. I was learning all kinds of stuff. And it made sense. If you are going to buy something like this, shouldn't it reflect your values in some way, however abstract?
I am not a luddite at all. I really dig the iPhone, fancy cars and haute-technology in all of it's forms. Having said that, I also have the heritage and tradition thing to contend with. There is beauty to me in the history of watchmaking. It was at one time, a cutting-edge science. Wearing a well designed and thoughtful mechanical watch seems to pay respect to this field of engineering that was made obsolete by the advent of the quartz movement and the computer chip. Even with my rudimentary knowledge of the subject, I can say without question that I would not want to own a quartz watch at this point.
So, this is the beginning of this saga. I have not purchased the Alpinist. Yet. It is still, after a month or so of research into all kinds of different brands, movements, styles, etc. is the one that I'm smitten with. I can see how a guy could slip into an unhealthy compulsion with purchasing watches. These dudes are out there in droves. I can't see myself in this group. For one, I don't have the cash for it if I am to continue to ride bikes and learn to ski, and have other expensive pusuits. But I am excited to have unearthed a new science that I can appreciate from my couch... with a finely crafted malted adult beverage in my hand.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Excellent Responses...
This was the first response to the post "Let's get this started..." Thanks for the input.
i did get a chance to see the blog (awesome photo) and i read the jesus camp entry. i too struggle with the issue you bring up; if being liberal means being open-minded and respecting diversity, how do we reconcile that with the instinct to eschew the Sarah Palins of the world? (name omitted) and I talk a couple times a week, on the phone and in-person. He's conservative, and voted for McCain, etc. I treasure my friendship with him for reasons beyond politics, obviously, but i enjoy our political discussions, because he is a real person with principles who is trying to muddle through the media mess just like me. I guess my point is any political philosophy is in danger of being turned into a two-dimensional cartoon when its major exposure comes from such obviously partisan sources, e.g your Fox news and your Huffington Posts of the world. Unfortunately I believe this media influence is also changing the norms of how we interact with people who are different from us- feeding this idea that "if you disagree with me it is because you hate America, or because you are ignorant and stupid!" Now if we can just get all those stupid ignorami to listen to us...
i did get a chance to see the blog (awesome photo) and i read the jesus camp entry. i too struggle with the issue you bring up; if being liberal means being open-minded and respecting diversity, how do we reconcile that with the instinct to eschew the Sarah Palins of the world? (name omitted) and I talk a couple times a week, on the phone and in-person. He's conservative, and voted for McCain, etc. I treasure my friendship with him for reasons beyond politics, obviously, but i enjoy our political discussions, because he is a real person with principles who is trying to muddle through the media mess just like me. I guess my point is any political philosophy is in danger of being turned into a two-dimensional cartoon when its major exposure comes from such obviously partisan sources, e.g your Fox news and your Huffington Posts of the world. Unfortunately I believe this media influence is also changing the norms of how we interact with people who are different from us- feeding this idea that "if you disagree with me it is because you hate America, or because you are ignorant and stupid!" Now if we can just get all those stupid ignorami to listen to us...
Excellent Responses...
A good friend and long-time sounding board wrote this in response to the above posting:
(name deleted for privacy), I believe you are absolutely correct. The media has fed us this line that conservatives and liberals must be at war with each other. I have known many right wing, conservative, religious folks (they are of course hard to avoid in Prescott) and some of them I have even respected and liked very much. Others are just zealous idiots that need a good beat down to knock some sense into them. Sadly, that can be said of many liberals as well (they are of course hard to avoid on the small island that is Prescott College and most universities for that matter).
Unfortunately, I believe that a lot of Americans are lazy morons that wholly buy into the BS that Fox Newses and Huffington Posts try to feed us. I’m going out on a bit of a limb here since I haven’t actually paid much attention to either. But the source isn’t that important, the key is that these organizations play on human fears, emotions and strongly socialized xenophobia. It’s just a lot easier to make complex issues black and white – us and them, good and bad etc. etc. The problem with this is that good, innocent people suffer because of this and shit-talking idiots tend to flourish and gain power (the Minutemen and Rush Limbaugh come to mind as good examples of this). Polemic is easy, makes for good headline material and gives us someone to blame so we don’t have to look at ourselves and take responsibility for our part. Actually solving problems is hard work that requires personal introspection and accountability; neither of which are all that dramatic or glamorous.
I think that zealotry in any capacity is more often than not extremely dangerous and destructive. When someone straps on a couple pounds of C-4 and walks into a crowded marketplace or bombs planned parenthood in the name of god, words can’t describe how thoroughly appalled I am. I think there is a profound disconnect between the universal truths of kindness, compassion, understanding, peace and love that most traditions seem to espouse in some capacity and fear based myth that regrettably, almost always come along for the ride.
Unfortunately, this is the way powerful societies are built – by manipulating people. Set up a system that requires everyone to work obscene amounts so we are too tired to care or think on our own then bombard us with lies to make us patriotic and hate the “other”. Throw in some religion to appeal to our need for deeper meaning and it’s a winning formula. That is until people are pushed too far and those in power get too greedy. Then you have a revolution and some idealists force their way into power and eventually follow the same path and become simply a different brand of tyrant. The oppressed become the oppressor – Israel always strikes me as a good example of this, although that probably isn’t a very popular opinion. Maybe Palestinians aren’t being herded into gas chambers but oppression is oppression no matter the severity.
It’s sad and humbling to realize that we swim in these waters every day. And no matter how great or special we like to think America is, we are no different. Our lives are intimately controlled by major corporations and the politicians that are bought and sold by them to a frightening and insidious degree.
My only hope is that some day, humanity will evolve and grow beyond all this. I don’t see it happening in my lifetime but you never know. I like to think that every person who wakes up to these lies can make a big difference and eventually the sands will collapse at a critical mass. I keep thinking about Bob Marley’s redemption song. “Free yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our mind”. Until more of us heed this advice, the Sarah Palins and Bill O’Reillys will continue to peddle their own brand of fear based mythology and promises of salvation and we will continue to swallow it whole.
For me, I believe that we all have our fears, we all have our faults and prejudices. We have all done things that have harmed another at some point in our lives. I have to continually remind myself that no matter how despicable I find another human being, we are connected. We are one and the same and every fear that he or she acts out, I live in that fear as well, to some degree. I am no greater and no less. We are all in this boat together and no matter how enlightened I like to think I am, I can’t go it alone. It seems that the true value of religion/spirituality lies in this understanding. And it’s not about making ourselves to be evil sinners; that’s just bullshit. It’s about understanding our humanity and accepting it. It’s also about realizing our sacredness and divinity. The fact is that we’re all just shooting in the dark here no matter how loud we yell and scream that we have the answer.
I could go on but I should stop rambling. I think I just need to remind myself of these things from time to time. And the Buddha said it all just a little better anyway.
Peace my friends.
(name deleted for privacy), I believe you are absolutely correct. The media has fed us this line that conservatives and liberals must be at war with each other. I have known many right wing, conservative, religious folks (they are of course hard to avoid in Prescott) and some of them I have even respected and liked very much. Others are just zealous idiots that need a good beat down to knock some sense into them. Sadly, that can be said of many liberals as well (they are of course hard to avoid on the small island that is Prescott College and most universities for that matter).
Unfortunately, I believe that a lot of Americans are lazy morons that wholly buy into the BS that Fox Newses and Huffington Posts try to feed us. I’m going out on a bit of a limb here since I haven’t actually paid much attention to either. But the source isn’t that important, the key is that these organizations play on human fears, emotions and strongly socialized xenophobia. It’s just a lot easier to make complex issues black and white – us and them, good and bad etc. etc. The problem with this is that good, innocent people suffer because of this and shit-talking idiots tend to flourish and gain power (the Minutemen and Rush Limbaugh come to mind as good examples of this). Polemic is easy, makes for good headline material and gives us someone to blame so we don’t have to look at ourselves and take responsibility for our part. Actually solving problems is hard work that requires personal introspection and accountability; neither of which are all that dramatic or glamorous.
I think that zealotry in any capacity is more often than not extremely dangerous and destructive. When someone straps on a couple pounds of C-4 and walks into a crowded marketplace or bombs planned parenthood in the name of god, words can’t describe how thoroughly appalled I am. I think there is a profound disconnect between the universal truths of kindness, compassion, understanding, peace and love that most traditions seem to espouse in some capacity and fear based myth that regrettably, almost always come along for the ride.
Unfortunately, this is the way powerful societies are built – by manipulating people. Set up a system that requires everyone to work obscene amounts so we are too tired to care or think on our own then bombard us with lies to make us patriotic and hate the “other”. Throw in some religion to appeal to our need for deeper meaning and it’s a winning formula. That is until people are pushed too far and those in power get too greedy. Then you have a revolution and some idealists force their way into power and eventually follow the same path and become simply a different brand of tyrant. The oppressed become the oppressor – Israel always strikes me as a good example of this, although that probably isn’t a very popular opinion. Maybe Palestinians aren’t being herded into gas chambers but oppression is oppression no matter the severity.
It’s sad and humbling to realize that we swim in these waters every day. And no matter how great or special we like to think America is, we are no different. Our lives are intimately controlled by major corporations and the politicians that are bought and sold by them to a frightening and insidious degree.
My only hope is that some day, humanity will evolve and grow beyond all this. I don’t see it happening in my lifetime but you never know. I like to think that every person who wakes up to these lies can make a big difference and eventually the sands will collapse at a critical mass. I keep thinking about Bob Marley’s redemption song. “Free yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our mind”. Until more of us heed this advice, the Sarah Palins and Bill O’Reillys will continue to peddle their own brand of fear based mythology and promises of salvation and we will continue to swallow it whole.
For me, I believe that we all have our fears, we all have our faults and prejudices. We have all done things that have harmed another at some point in our lives. I have to continually remind myself that no matter how despicable I find another human being, we are connected. We are one and the same and every fear that he or she acts out, I live in that fear as well, to some degree. I am no greater and no less. We are all in this boat together and no matter how enlightened I like to think I am, I can’t go it alone. It seems that the true value of religion/spirituality lies in this understanding. And it’s not about making ourselves to be evil sinners; that’s just bullshit. It’s about understanding our humanity and accepting it. It’s also about realizing our sacredness and divinity. The fact is that we’re all just shooting in the dark here no matter how loud we yell and scream that we have the answer.
I could go on but I should stop rambling. I think I just need to remind myself of these things from time to time. And the Buddha said it all just a little better anyway.
Peace my friends.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Let's Get This Started With a Big Bang! or not.
Here's a resounding shot-over-the-bow to those of you who may be interested in my socio-political viewpoint.
Disclaimer: It is not my intention to start a ruckus here, only to sound off on my own personal thoughts about the state of the state, how whacky things have gotten, and how we create ways of elevating ourselves "above" the rest of society.
Here we go. I just witnessed the spectacle that is "Jesus Camp," the documentary film by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. By "spectacle" I am not insinuating that it was by any means horrifying to me, panic-inducing, or that it ripped open my consciousness in a brand new way. It felt more like a reminder that hardcore religious fanaticism is alive and well in our country, and, as we all are too well aware, the rest of the world. What was most interesting to me about the film was that it centered around the children of evangelical Christian parents, who apart from their intelligence, seemed to be masters of their faith's rhetoric at such a young age (average 8 or so). They all speak with surprising eloquence about their dedication to their Lord. They all speak of their personal moments of "salvation" as naturally as talking about brushing their teeth. Their interactions with adults seem, well, very adult.
I wondered if it was the camera in their face, the attention, or the fear of punishment from their parents that was driving these children to express on film their unending love for Christ. Honestly, it just didn't seem natural. All of their decisions were guided by the judgement of the church. To me, children should act like children. Or, to put it a better way: children should have a childhood. You know, run around. Play. Get into trouble. Test the boundaries. From my perspective, this seems like the way most of us learn to be in society. We must feel the sting of being burned, so to speak, in order to know we don't want to be burned. Right? More than anything now, I want to see the result in five to ten years of this kind of up-bringing on these kids. I sat on my couch and continued to watch, thinking again and again one thought: backlash!
What the film did a really great job in explaining, is how these kids come by this existence and why they accept, without any question, this "faith" and all that it entails. Apparently the formula is extremely simple: it's all they know and are allowed to know by their parents. Seems obvious. The parents spend a ridiculous amount of energy isolating their children from society, limiting their friends to those of the same faith, and the biggie-home schooling. In some sense, this is admirable. One mother states in the film, "God didn't give me these children to abandon them for eight hours a day..." I can respect that. However, this allows almost zero exposure to any viewpoint that might conflict with those of the parent. This limits the child from ever having to do any critical thinking. From ever having to decide for themselves what's right and what's wrong. Wow. What a luxury.
I've often wondered how seemingly intelligent people could wind up with really closed-minded ideals, which they often will defend quite adamantly. There is a scene in which a speaker on an evangelical radio show professes that we should utilize all of our natural resources to the last stick of wood and the last drop of oil because, as he says, most people "just don't get the point. Jesus is coming. This is just one plane of existence. We are all going to be taken out of here." That's a very romantic idea, but one that does not leave much of a safety net. Apparently, this gentleman is a bit of a risk taker. I would like to see his stock portfolio. The connection to the children in the film was obvious. Little people with limited vision become big people with limited vision. That may seem harsh, but I'd like to add that this man spoke intelligently (however vehement) and confidently on his subject. And this is why I find this so compelling.
I think that the prevailing attitude of most folks is that they are somehow better than everyone else and that they've got the world wired pretty well. I fall victim to this belief often enough. It is probably a defense mechanism that people have to be able to deal with the competitive world that we all share. However, I have to admit that I think this attitude, as with anything else has to be tempered with some degree of healthy moderation. When you enforce your belief system on your children to the exclusion of all others, what real favor are you doing them? Have you, perhaps taken your defense mechanism to the next level?
I guess what makes this okay, is that it could all be chalked up to attentive parenting. And, incidentally, parenting has a long tradition. And tradition has led to more bad things being deemed good than anything else I can think of. What occurred to me halfway through my viewing, was that many of the same "features" of this method of child-rearing closely resembled the way that so-called cults indoctrinate their members. Better not say that too loud.
With further thought, I had a bit of an epiphany. Stop reading now if you are offended by gross statements of the obvious.
Although I do not agree with the majority of what I saw during this film, I believe that evangelical Christians have a right to their beliefs. The problem, as it pertains to me, is that I cannot relate in any capacity to these folks. I have successfully isolated myself from that world as much as they have isolated themselves from me, a liberal-minded long-hair. Before I go any further, this isn't about being more forgiving, or sensitive. I'm already sensitive enough. What this is about is the creation of a boundary around your life that prevents any kind of awareness of anyone that doesn't do what you do. I actively tune out stations on the radio that involve any mention of Jesus. I actively avoid reading anything from a conservative source, be it political or religious. I actively avoid, like the plague, anyone that would want to talk to me about religion in an effort to convert me. I'm doing just fine, thanks. Ironically, I surround myself with things I'm already intimately aware of. I read magazines that cover subjects I already know about. I hang out with people that do what I do. Not so strange. I think we all do this.
So this brings me to my point. Listen up liberals. We are supposed to be the people that are going to change the world for the better. Lead the charge on things like the environment, education and healthcare with revolutionary ideas and a willingness to face the problems. What I am seeing among my peers (the ones I choose to know) and something I see in myself is something more akin to what I would label conservatism. It is a brand of apathetic misunderstanding of the other team that I previously would have only accused conservatives of: taking the shortcut of institutionalizing a prejudice. I fear that we are creating or may have already created a new status quo in liberal thinking. That you have to be an idiot, living in a static bubble of 1950's thought to be religious, a republican, or a conservative. That we as liberals own the patent on a world future that doesn't mean self-destruction. That we are entitled to our righteousness because everyone else doesn't seem to care...
I think if we are to live up to our reputation as the more aware, more compassionate, more understanding portion of humanity we are obligated to face opposing viewpoints with the open minds we tell the world we have. However uncomfortable it may be to educate ourselves about them.
Something interesting I just found (Nov. 21st):
Christianity, with its roots in Judaism, was a major factor in the development of the Western worldview.... A basic Christian belief was that God gave humans dominion over creation, with the freedom to use the environment as they saw fit. Another important Judeo-Christian belief predicted that God would bring a cataclysmic end to the Earth sometime in the future. One interpretation of this belief is that the Earth is only a temporary way station on the soul's journey to the afterlife. Because these beliefs tended to devalue the natural world, they fostered attitudes and behaviors that had a negative effect on the environment. ~Donald G. Kaufman and Cecilia M. Franz, Biosphere 2000: Protecting Our Global Environment, 1996
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