Life On the 45th

I live in Michigan. I always have, and probably always will. Sure, it's only the 45th parallel, but it gets cold here. Our Alaskan friends claim that Michigan feels colder than Alaska, because the Great Lakes cause a type of wet, humid cold. This may or may not be true, I have never been that far north, nor have I visited the West coast.

Regardless, I consider myself a "Northerner," and I know that everyone who has lived here all their lives, must do the same. We expect the cold, the snow, the freezing rain. It is a part of life here. As much a part of the annual cycle as the scorching Summer heat. Therein is the beauty of life on the 45th. We get it all in even doses.

Which is why I don't understand all the whining, crying, belly-aching moaners that seem to be everywhere I go, sniveling about how cold it is, complaining how much they hate it. I can't even check a book out from the library without the clerk giving me her two cents on how bad and nasty it is to live where it is cold.

Yes, I know, it is ironic that I sit here complaining about complainers, this fact is not lost on me. I just wonder what it is about some people, that they seem unable to allow themselves to be content, ever. These same people complain in the Summer that it is too hot. Is it that we want our lives to be like tepid bath water?

I draw immense satisfaction from walking in the rain and getting drenched. I love the feel of the wind burning my frozen cheeks. Accuse me of masochism, but I get a strange enjoyment out of being sun burned. These conditions, these... states of being all serve to enrich my existence. I cannot imagine living somewhere that everyday was exactly like the day which came before it.

People need to wake up and appreciate life. Savor adversity, cherish it all. /end rant :)

Man Vs. Wild

"I'm going to put myself in the position of someone lost out here, to show you, how to stay alive in one of nature's most dangerous places." - Bear Grylls

Man vs Wild is fast becoming my favorite program on television. In it, Bear Grylls, formerly of British Special Forces, and trained as a survival specialist, plunges neck deep into life or death scenarios, and works through how to exit alive. Bear reminds me of Indiana Jones, only for Bear, the treasure he seeks, is to continue living. This show is a must see for anyone spends a good amount of time outdoors climbing, hiking, or just plain camping. The video below is a 4 minute tribute with highlights from the show.

Tags: Man Vs Wild

Tuning Out: When are Ear buds O.K.?

Had a professor last semester that never passed on a chance to express his disdain for I-pods and ear buds. He claimed it caused those who used them to disconnect from their reality, their surroundings, and each other. At the time I considered these to be knee-jerk responses coming from someone who was anti-technology based media. Until today.

I just did the weekly grocery shopping, and no less than 5 people tried to engage me in conversation, not even realizing that I had head phones on. The greeter, a stocker, other customers. It got to the point that I started to feel I was somehow being rude by even wearing them. That is not the extent of my adventure though, oh no.

As I was leaving, somewhere along the way the laundry detergent I had set on the rack underneath the cart had fallen off. Of course I had not heard it fall, and kept walking until, almost at my vehicle, a woman runs up and grabs me by the arm and hands it to me. Eeep! How far back had I dropped it? How long had she been following me trying to get my attention in order to hand it to me? *(This is where I pause and thank this random stranger, whoever she is, for having the tenacity to actually reunite me with my lost parcel, despite my complete obliviousness!!)*

After today, I have gained a whole new perspective on the effects that wearing ear buds can have on your day to day activities. Maybe there is a time and a place, and grocery shopping isn't one of them..! Have any of you had similar experiences? What are your thoughts on I-pods?

Tags: Ear buds, i pod, Tuning Out

Release Your Hang-ups

We all have a "hang-up." What I mean by that, is there exists within each of us at least one deeply ingrained prejudice. This is usually the result of some type of childhood trauma, or ongoing drama in our life. Deny it all you want, if you think on this long enough, and you are completely honest with yourselves, you will eventually arrive at the truth. Or rather, what your "hang-up" is.

For me, that hang-up is organized religion. Maybe it's all the times I was forced to attend church as a kid, or coerced to memorize bible verses. Maybe it's due to the hypocrisy displayed by the people of faith in my life as I grew up. Maybe it is just that it saddens me that such intelligent people spend their lives in the pursuit of pleasing or obeying a fairy-tale being, no more tangible than a unicorn.

But seriously, what gives any of us the right to judge anyone? Who cares what we believe in, so long as it makes us happy, productive human beings? So long as it is not causing harm, whats the big deal? That being said, I have noticed lately that some of the happiest, most pleasant people I am in contact with, in my adult life, are religious.

I've met so many atheists (and must confess to being one myself), and they just don't seem to be as "happy" as the religious folk. So what does this mean? Is ignorance bliss? I don't think that is the case. It seems to me that religion offers up a moral framework that encourages meaningful interaction and sharing.

Now, I am not saying you should run out and get thee to mass, or pop a squat at the temple, but only that you consider these questions: What can you change in your life that would allow you to be a happier person? Do you have a personal ethical code, and how often do you make exceptions to it? Why?

I can only speak for myself, but, these are things I need to work on.

Tags: Hang-ups

Tattoos and Traditions

What is it that pushes us to be different? Conversely, what motivates us to conform? I look around me, and I see a diverse collection of individuals everywhere I go. At no point in our shared history, have we as a culture displayed such desire for expression. It is as if counter-culture is disappearing. Rebellion has taken a b