What Makes Us Happy?

Sunday, August 30, 2009

I have been thinking about what makes people happy. What needs must be fulfilled to get the most out of life? I examined my goals and categorized them. In my opinion, happiness falls into four basic categories. They are: health, income, entertainment, and expression.

Health is a necessary ingredient for happiness. Without it, we cannot enjoy all the other things that bring us fulfillment in life. It is the physical ability to live life the fullest. When we feel good, we are able to accomplish more.

Income is essential for survival. It is required to purchase the basic necessities that keep us alive. A source of income also offers much needed security and the ability to purchase the things we desire.

Entertainment encompasses a broad range of activities that offer relief from the demands of every day life. It is anything we do for fun. Our hobbies are the most common form of entertainment.

Expression is the way we show our individuality. It involves social interactions with others and using the creative capacities of our mind. We use expression to differentiate ourselves from others. The most common source of expression are in our hair and clothing styles. Art is also a commonly used to express ourselves.

Different things make people happy, but I feel my list incorporates the essentials for happiness. It may change depending on what part of life I am experiencing, therefore I anticipate my list will change over time.

Back to Blogging

Thursday, August 27, 2009

When I started this blog five months ago, my intention was to document my daily activities, thoughts/ideas, and reviews. Whatever was relevant to me at the time. I wanted to push myself to accomplish new things. "Live The Dash" was my motto. I was in a routine of uploading content everyday. Eventually it became once a week and then nothing at all. I wouldn't say I was living the dash whatsoever. My routine involved work and frittering away what little free time I had. I was falling into a routine and becoming complacent.

I am in the process of figuring out my life plan. I am deciding what I want to get out of life and I am pursing it. Last week, I took my lengthy goal list and realized how everything fits together. My challenge is to combine my goals and hobbies into products/services that have income potential. I have organized everything and it looks feasible in the long-term. This is still a work-in-progress, but I will upload my blueprint by the end of this weekend.

I still have dozens of writing ideas for this site. I realize that I need to pursue ideas when they come to me. This saves me from having the same ideas constantly running through my mind and frees it up for new ideas. Everything I have so far will be uploaded in the coming weeks/months.

Just to update, I moved into an apartment in July. It took 2-3 weeks to get everything set up. I would have to say this was the biggest event of the last few months. Living room in photo above.

Tennis

Monday, June 8, 2009

On Sunday, we played tennis at the high school. We aren't very good, but we enjoy hitting the ball back and forth while getting some exercise. I think we could be decent if we kept practicing. I shot a short first person perspective video with my digital camera. Check it out!

A Day in Williamsport

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Coty and I took a walk in the nicer area of Williamsport. We covered the upper area of Campbell Street and we also walked down Vallamont Drive and Hollywood Circle. The weather was perfect and the houses were awesome. After our walk, we drove to the top of Campbell Street and up into the hills to check out the area. We found a very cool house for sale. Only $250,000! See it here As we were driving, a deer walked out in front of the car. You can see a photo of the deer and our favorite houses by clicking the Photo Gallery link at the top of the page.

Does Karma Exist?

Thursday, June 4, 2009

While doing a good deed will not always result in something positive happening in your life, I think it greatly increases the chances. When you help someone else, they will be in a better mood and that person will be more likely to do something good for another person. At some point, you will probably be the recipient of another person’s good deed. I think this chain of events explains the concept of karma. A good deed creates a positive attitude in someone else which leads to another good deed. This cycle branches out and repeats among various people.

I think whether you receive positive or negative karma largely depends on your personality and attitude. With a positive attitude, you are able to create further positivity in others. A negative person is not likely to have good karma. Negative people attract negativity into their lives because attitudes are contagious. I believe a positive attitude and willingness to help others creates good karma. Give it a try and see what happens!

The Pursuit of Happiness

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Happiness is in your outlook. It is relative. Comparing ourselves to others often determines our level of happiness. To be truly happy, you must be happy with yourself. Happiness cannot be found in material goods or external events. It comes from within. Many people keep themselves busy because they are afraid of their own mind. It is important to take some time to think once in a while. Avoid all distractions and let your mind wander. Think about where you are going in life. Think about where you have been. Allow your thoughts to come and go freely. Decide which actions you need to take to get where you want to go in life. When you arrive at your destination, you will find happiness.

There is no Reality

Monday, June 1, 2009

Reality is defined as: the quality or state of being actual or true. That which exists objectively and in fact.

I don’t agree with this definition of reality. In my opinion, there is no reality. There is only a perception of reality. Multiple people can experience the same thing and come away with completely different realities. For example, if two different people took a walk through New York City, the first person may see a beautiful city full of activity and opportunity. On the other hand, the second person may see a dirty, crowded city full of angry, impatient people. Which scenario is reality? I believe they are both reality. The only difference is the person’s perception. You can view life as a blessing or a battle full of learning opportunities or challenges. I define reality as what you perceive to be true. It is shaped early in life and reinforced or corrected through life experiences and education. Similar to personalities, everyone’s reality is unique.

Angels and Demons Review

Monday, May 25, 2009

We went to see Angels and Demons last Friday. You can read the plot of this movie all over the internet. I will only give my opinion. I never read Angels and Demons, which from what I understand, was written by Dan Brown prior to The Da Vinci code. I read The Da Vinci Code a few weeks before watching the movie based on the book. I thought the book version of The Da Vinci Code was better than the movie (which always seems to be the case). The movie for Angels and Demons is clearly a sequel, not a prequel as Brown intended. Having never read the book, I thought it was an okay movie. I like the mysterious nature of this series, but I feel The Da Vinci code was a better movie. It had a more intriguing plot and, although fictional, created realistic objections to Christianty, which stirred up a great deal of controversy. While still heavily focused on religion, there is little controversy in Angels and Demons. I liked the The Da Vinci Code because it was at least somewhat believable. It is an understatement to call this movie farfetched. I really don’t see the Vatican getting blown up by antimatter any time soon.

I was actually more interested in a preview I saw before the movie. It is called Public Enemies and will be released on July 1st. Check out the trailer below.

Time Management

Sunday, May 17, 2009

I feel that it is very important to make the most of your time. I believe that we only have one chance in life and you need to live it to the fullest. You have no control over the past, but you have full control over the present which turns into the future. What you choose to do with your time is important. Depending on the activity, the impact will be small or large and positive or negative. Your choices make the decision.

I’m not sure whether we always have to be doing something to make the most of our time. In my opinion, thoughts just as important as actions. An hour spent thinking can potentially have greater results than an hour of action. The only real way to waste your time is through mindless activities. Recognize these activities and avoid them at all costs.

To make the most of your time, I feel that you need to have something in life that you are passionate about. This activity creates your drive. Your passion doesn’t have to make money. A hobby or activity that you enjoy can bring happiness and a sense of fullness to your life. Without something you are working toward, life becomes stagnant.

I find that creating a list of goals is a great way to start making the most of your time. Use these goals to create an action plan of activities. Rank these activities in order of importance to you. Start at the top and work your way down. Naturally, over time your goals will change. Feel free to add new goals to the list and remove completed goals and goals you no longer want to pursue. Remember to keep your goals in mind so you can always be working toward achieving them.

Ravensburg Park

Monday, May 11, 2009

On Sunday, I spent some time at Ravensburg Park. It is probably one of the smaller state parks in Pennsylvania, but Ravensburg has some great trails and spectacular views. The park is tucked into the mountainside and there is a small creek that flows through it. Walking around the park is very relaxing. It really gives you some time to think about things that are on your mind and a chance to get away from everything. I always take my camera to the park to get new photos. You can see some of my shots by clicking the Photo Gallery link at the top of the page.

Yard Sales, Lunch, and Fishing

Saturday, May 9, 2009

I woke up early today and went to the community yard sales. I really didn't find much worth buying, but I did purchase two video games. I'm not sure whether I will play them or sell them for profit on eBay. After the yard sales, I took my mom out to lunch for Mother's Day. Later, Casey and I went fishing in Pine Creek. I didn't have much luck, but he caught a few fish. It was a good time.

What Happened Last Weekend?

Friday, May 8, 2009

I have been meaning to do a weekend update all week. I really want to keep this blog going. I see it as a place where I can document my daily activities and get ideas out of my head, clearing room for new ones. I realize that once you get out of a routine, it is very hard to get back on it. Anyway, here is what happened last weekend (Friday 5/1-Sunday 5/3).

Friday 5/2-I left work and went to Coty's house. We decided to go to Wal-Mart and took a walk the the dike in Lock Haven. The weather was perfect and the sunset on the river was awesome. At the store, I picked up NBA 2k9 so I have a new basketball game to play. (Review to come).

Saturday 5/3-I got up early and went to some yard sales. I really wasn't looking for anything. I just enjoy checking out the items for sale. Sadly, most of the yard sales were just baby and kid's clothes. I did end up buying a model truck. I used to put them together when I was younger and I thought it would give me something crafty to do. After that, I ate breakfast with Coty's family at the Crest restaurant. I ordered french toast and orange juice. Later Saturday, Coty's brother, Casey, gave me some golfing lessons in the backyard. I definitely feel like I made some improvement. Finally, Coty and I went to Casey's house to watch game seven of the Bulls/Celtics series. I was hoping for a Bulls win, but unfortunately the Celtics won and I lost my betting money.

Sunday 5/4-A fairy boring day. planned to go for a walk, but the weather was not cooperating. I did some cleaning and got rid of some things I no longer use/need. Coty and I watched Wild Hogs. I thought it was a funny movie, but I'm not sure if I would watch it more than once.

I wish I had my camera with me last weekend so I could add some photos of my activities, but you'll have to take my word for it. Check back for updates this weekend.

Camping

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Today was a great day. Coty and I spent the day at her parents' camp. Her entire family was there and we had a great time. The weather was perfect. It was in the mid 80s with a nice breeze and no humidity. We drove her grandmother up and then had lunch. We went for a walk, went down to the water, and we sat in the shade during the afternoon. Later, we ate dinner and celebrated her father's birthday. It is so nice to have a relaxing day like this before going back to work for the week. I guess it is just a preview of what is to come this Summer. Awesome. You can see some of the photos I took by clicking the Photo Gallery link at the top of the page.

My Escapist Activity

Saturday, April 25, 2009

As a follow-up to yesterday’s post, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss my escapist activity: video games. I play them casually for entertainment and to keep my mind busy. They have been a part of my life since my parents bought me a Nintendo when I was five and I have owned nearly every console since. I would consider Video games as one of my primary hobbies. They have provided me with hours of entertainment, but I am disappointed because I don’t really have anything to show for it. It is hard to imagine how much time and money I have lost playing video games. I sometimes wonder how my life would be different if I had invested all that time into something else. I would prefer to spend my time doing something that produces tangible results...yet I continue playing. I have debated purchasing a Playstation 3 for a while, but the cost of the system and a new television are holding me back. I wonder if it is time to stop playing and focus on something else.

Escapism

Friday, April 24, 2009

Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation used to avoid stress and the unpleasant aspects of daily living. Mindless activities such as watching television and surfing the internet are common escapist activities. They allow you to temporarily avoid sadness and/or depression because they keep the mind occupied, eliminating negative feelings and boredom.

Some escapism is necessary for relaxation and entertainment in order to reduce stress. Taken to the extreme, escapist activities can reach an unhealthy level. Because they only offer temporary pleasure, escapist activities sometimes lead to addiction. The most common examples are alcohol and drug abuse. Even healthy activities such as exercise or eating can become escapist activities and lead to addiction. Escapism can negatively affect a person both physically and mentally and ruin relationships with friends and family.

Escapism occurs when people don’t want to deal with their problems. If you think you are suffering from escapism, decide if the activity adds to the quality of your life. It may be an escapist activity if you can’t think of any positive aspects. If you are unhappy, don’t avoid the issue. Sit down with a blank sheet of paper and a pen and write down your feelings and their potential causes. This exercise will help you clear your mind and you might solve your problem instead of running away from it.

New Posting Schedule

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Upon reviewing the monthly traffic to this site, I noticed a significant spike in traffic during each weekend. Because visitors tend to drop off during the weekdays, I will now be limiting new posts to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I am a strong believer in quality over quantity and I feel this will ensure the creation of well-developed posts and will be the best use of my time. I really want each post to be important to me.

If you are new to this site, take some time to look at my previous posts. Also, please vote for the type of posts you would like to see in the future. So far, they seem to fall into four categories: original writings, daily happenings, rants, and product reviews. The poll can be found in the sidebar to the right.

Don't forget to check back Friday for my next post. I will be discussing escapism.

What Happened to Job Security?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Employers view wages as variable expenses. They do not hesitate to cut workers during tough times if it helps the bottom line. Employees can be eliminated and rehired at a later time as needed. There are no guarantees for future employment. The job you go to today may not be there tomorrow. Jobs are scarce and there is a gross oversupply of qualified applicants for the few open positions. Your occupational future is not in your control. Job security no longer exists.

FYI-This Is A Rant

Monday, April 20, 2009

I hate the phrase FYI (for your information). I find it to be condescending and completely unnecessary. Any phrase or comment can be completed without first saying FYI. Try it...you will quickly notice how pointless FYI is. Because of this, it makes me wonder why people insist on using it. Maybe they feel like what they are about to say is so important they need to introduce it with FYI. They are implying you should add their wisdom to your brain for later access. Or maybe they just want to feel good about themselves because they are telling you something they know but you don't.

In my opinion, the only thing FYI is good for is inspiration for a rant blog. Other than that, nothing at all. I don't want to get too personal with this, put I want to thank my coworker/s for the inspiration for this rant. Long Mondays leave me short on ideas.

Working on My First Painting

Sunday, April 19, 2009

I started working on the painting today. I thought it would be best to put a down a base layer then add highlights and details afterwards. I started with the sky and I am working my way forward. The two trees and path still need painted and there is a lot of detail work to do. I plan to add some clouds to the sky. The trees and mountains will have fall leaves. I also want to detail the grass with some light green and yellow paint. Lastly, I will be adding shadows to the shack and trees to add realism to the painting. Keep checking back for updates.

Competitive Mowing

Saturday, April 18, 2009

I woke up later than usual today. It was a bright, sunny morning and a perfect Spring day. After accomplishing nothing all morning, I spent the afternoon mowing Coty's grandmother's yard. Once I started mowing, I noticed more and more people begin mowing their yards. It was as though I started a chain reaction around the neighborhood. By the time I left, nearly everyone had mowed or started to mow. This made me wonder how many people mow just because their neighbor mowed. No one wants to be the person in the neighborhood with the long grass.

While I enjoy mowing, most people probably find it a chore. I feel that mowing gives you time to think and my mind tends to wander the entire time. Today I thought, What if everyone made an agreement not to mow their yards for one month? Sure everyone's grass would be longer; but I don't think it would matter because all the yards would look the same. There would be no mowed yards to compete with. This principle can apply to almost anything. When you stop trying to keep up with others, they can stop trying to keep up with you. In the end, everyone is better off.

Work For Yourself

Friday, April 17, 2009

I look at life as something that is finite. You only have one chance and you will never get this day back again. Why spend the majority of your life doing something you don’t enjoy?

The standard work week in the United States is forty hours. Most people spent that time working for another person or company in exchange for a paycheck. It is so easy to become complacent at our jobs and accept that paycheck as compensation for our lost time. The security and benefits keep us from living our dream. But my question is: What if you took a risk and spent that forty hours working on your own agenda and accomplishing your goals instead of someone else’s?

I assume most people would choose one of their hobbies as their new “job”. If this is true, a few challenges arise. First, you would need to select a hobby you are passionate enough about to do for forty hours each week. When you no longer enjoy yourself, you hobby becomes work. Also, because this will be your new job, the real challenge will be finding a way to make money doing this activity. Fortunately, many hobbies can be transformed into businesses. There is a market for almost any good or service; You just have to do it better than the competition. Before leaving your “secure” job, try it on a part-time basis to see if it is truly your passion and attempt to build a positive cash flow.

I truly believe that if you spend forty hours a week on something, you will be good at it. Over time, you will gain the necessary experience to perform your chosen task proficiently. While talent is helpful, perseverance is necessary. Live your dash to the fullest and happiness will follow.

Landscape Painting (Part 1)

Thursday, April 16, 2009

One of my goals is to express my creativity so I decided I would start painting to see if it is something I enjoy. For my first real painting, I decided to do a landscape. I thought up a design and drew a rough layout of what I want to paint. I decided to keep it simple by only including a barn, field, and a few trees. I've had no instruction on painting outside of junior high school art classes so I will be learning as I go. I plan to complete the painting on Sunday so check back to see the final product (good or bad).

Tax Day!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Today is the last day to do your taxes. If you haven't done them yet, it probably means you have to pay in. Fortunately, I already did my taxes and I received a return this year. But I was not fooled. I know it was just money that I had already earned, not a bonus from the government.

I understand why we pay taxes, but how can you owe the government money after paying them all year? This also brings the occupational privilege tax to mind. Where I work, there is a $52 annual tax for the "privilege" to work. Last time I checked, working was not a privilege. These taxes make me wonder: What is our motivation to work? For each dollar we earn, we are penalized more and more. I guess taxes are a necessary evil in life.

You, Me and Dupree Review

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

I found this movie in the $5 bin at Wal-Mart. With dvd prices almost as low as rental fees, I figured I would buy it. Just watch it a few times and it is worth the money spent.

Plot
Recently married Carl and Molly Peterson are just starting their lives together. Things are fine until Carl discovers that his best friend, Dupree, lost his job and has nowhere to live. Carl invites Dupree to stay on his couch for a few days while he looks for a job. Dupree quickly overstays his welcome and his antics become too much for the Petersons to handle.

My Opinion
Dupree's carefree attitude and his interactions with the uptight Petersons creates some funny moments. It is worth watching at least once. I would recommend renting the movie or watching it for free on television, but if you can get it for $5, go for it.

Dentist Appointment (almost a rant)

Monday, April 13, 2009

Last week I suddenly developed a sensitive spot on the outer side of one of my teeth near the gum line. I called the dentist and they were able to get me an appointment for today. After examining the problem area, my dentist informed me that due to my high stress level, I tend to grind my teeth while I sleep. The grinding causes pressure on my teeth, which in turn weakened an older filling on the side of my tooth. The filling then coincidentally came out while I was brushing my teeth. He replaced the filling and I was on my way.

Tooth problem solved. Grinding problem...not so much. I'll have to write a blog about stress some other time. I'll try to determine what is causing my stress. Anyway, I fully expected a bill of $100 or more, but they only charged me for an office visit ($52). This blog was going to be a rant about the cost of dentistry/insurance, but I'm really glad it doesn't have to be.

Easter With The Family

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter dinner! This photo was taken right before dinner. It was a full house. You can see the rest of the photos by clicking the Photo Gallery link at the top of the page. Note: The animal running through the grass isn't a rabbit. Its Horton, the new puppy.

Procrastination

Saturday, April 11, 2009

I have to admit that I am a procrastinator. I always seem to put things off until a later time. It seems like I need the pressure of a deadline to actually get something done. I find the easiest way to avoid procrastination is to make a list of things that need to be done. Order the list from most important to least important and start working your way down. Most people need structure and the list is a great way to organize your thoughts. You also have to remember that the hardest part is getting started. Once you get into a project, it becomes much easier.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Friday, April 10, 2009

I started watching Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles on Monday night after the recommendation of a coworker. I usually don't watch television shows, but I am a huge Terminator fan and I found a website where I can watch both seasons at my convenience and without commercials (my two problems with regular television). The first season is only nine episodes and I have been watching a few episodes each night this week. I watched the final episode tonight and I am very impressed with the show. The finale of season two aired tonight on Fox so I am a little behind in the series. I plan to start watching season two online. With more than double the episodes, it will probably take me two weeks to see them all. I will review the entire series when I finish watching.

Self-Help Books I Have Read

Thursday, April 9, 2009

This is a short video showing the self-help books I have read up to this point. It is also available on my You Tube channel.

Your Attitude Creates Your Reality

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

External circumstances mean nothing until you associate a feeling to them. For example, do you ever notice that it is harder to get out of bed Monday morning than it is on Friday morning? There is no difference between the two days. Your attitude is the deciding factor. On Monday, you think about the week ahead and everything that needs done. On Friday, you think about the weekend that is right around the corner. In most cases, Friday does turn out to be a better day than Monday because your thoughts alter your attitude and your attitude alters your experiences.

This theory can also be tested on a day you are running late. Your mind tells you to hurry and things seem to go wrong or take longer than usual because you are frantically trying to make up lost time. Instead, if you accept the fact that you are late and make a point of staying calm, you will be more efficient and in control. You can believe the world is against you or you can believe everything is in alignment for you. Either way, you will be right because your attitude creates your reality.

Comic Book Reviews

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

One of my future goals is to write a graphic novel. I have been wanting to start reading comic books for a while. I recently found a comic book store in town so I went there last Friday and purchased four comics. They are:

GI Joe Issue 4 (IDW)
The Amazing Spiderman Issue 590 (Marvel)
Terminator Salvation Issue 3 (IDW)
Captain America Comics 70th Anniversary Issue 1 (Marvel)

After reading, I decided to review each comic based on four categories: cover, story, artwork, and quality. Since I have very little knowledge of comics, I will simply judge them against each other and give my opinion.

Cover
This was a difficult decision for me. The cover of Spiderman has a well drawn, colorful design. Terminator has a more realistic, intimidating design that fits well with the movie. In the end, Spiderman gets the win with Terminator a close second. The Captain America cover is less exciting, which gives it the third spot. Lastly, the GI Joe cover is boring and by far my least favorite.
1. The Amazing Spiderman
2. Terminator Salvation
3. Captain America
4. GI Joe

Story
I will not get into the specifics of each comic's story. I will say GI Joe and Captain America comic both had weak stories. Captain america takes last place because half the pages consist of a chase. Not much story to be found.
1. Terminator Salvation
2. The Amazing Spiderman
3. GI Joe
4. Captain America.

Artwork
Spiderman easily wins for best artwork. The pages are full of color, characters, and have great backgrounds. While the characters aren’t as well drawn, Terminator’s artwork creates the perfect atmosphere for the story. The artwork in GI Joe was the worst of the group.
1. The Amazing Spiderman
2. Terminator Salvation
3. Captain America
4. GI Joe

Quality/Bonus Features
The IDW comics have a harder cover and thicker pages than the marvel comics. Marvel makes up for this by charging $1 less for The Amazing Spiderman. Captain America features a classic CA comic in the second half of the book, but it does little to make up for the poor story quality of the new issue.
1. TIE: GI Joe/Terminator Salvation
2. The Amazing Spiderman
3. Captain America

Overall Winner

It was a close race between Spiderman and Terminator. Spiderman has the best cover and artwork, but came second to Terminator in Story. Terminator has better quality, but Spiderman costs $1 less. Based on these conclusions, The Amazing Spiderman is the winner because it is a more complete package and is a superior comic to Terminator Salvation (although it was a close battle). I would buy both again.

Click Here to see all the covers and samples from the comics!

Things Always Seem To Work Out

Monday, April 6, 2009

I have noticed that things in life always seem to work out for the best. Even when they don’t go as intended, things eventually turn out as expected or sometimes better. It is easy to wonder “why me?” when something bad happens or didn’t go as planned. Only later do you realize the why this event unfolded the way it did and how it brought you to where you are today. These events lead you to new opportunities or they teach you a necessary life lesson. They turn out to be exactly what was needed at that time.

Life has a way of taking unplanned twists and turns but always seems end up at its intended destination. Don’t worry about things you have no control over. I am not suggesting taking no responsibility in your life. Make the best possible decisions using all of the available information. Good things and bad things will naturally happen in life. Both lead you to where you need to be when you need to be there. Appreciate the good and learn from the bad. In the end, things will work out.

Rails To Trails Walk

Sunday, April 5, 2009

For our weekly walk, we decided to do Rails to Trails, which is an old railroad track that was taken out and converted into a walking/bicycle path. It is located in Pine Creek, PA. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the temperature was perfect. It feels like Spring is finally here. I took some photos of the walk and got a short video of the water with my digital camera. Click the photo gallery and You Tube link at the top of the page to see them.

My Mission Statement

The hundreds of pages within the folder, notebooks, and drawing book in the photo above contain two years of my ideas. Inside are writing/book ideas, business plans, quotes, journals, clothing designs, and life goals. They also contain rough sketches I would like to turn into drawings or paintings. The information and ideas written on these pages are the reason I created this blog. Living the dash is to live life to the fullest and I feel the best way to accomplish this is to bring my ideas to life and accomplish my goals. This blog is my motivation. It is a daily reminder to work toward my destination while enjoying the journey.

Friday Night Art Exhibit

Saturday, April 4, 2009

After work last night, I went to the Community Art Center to see an art exhibit titled "A World Destined by Oil." It is the work of a Lycoming College student named Sam Foreman. I was impressed by the variety of his collection. Because I arrived early, I beat the crowd and was able to get some photos. You can see his other pieces by clicking the Photo Gallery link at the top of the page.

Opening A Closed Mind

Friday, April 3, 2009

It is pointless to argue with someone who refuses to accept anything other than what they believe to be true. When debating (or arguing), it is important to listen to and consider the other person’s views on the subject. Instead of immediately forming a rebuttal, you must listen to the other person’s stance and decide if it is true or makes more sense than your stance. If it does, tell that person they make a good point. You don’t have to blatantly admit that you are wrong (and you probably won’t), just agree and drop it. You may initially feel that you lost, but in reality, you both win. On the other hand, if the other person is clearly wrong, explain the reasons they are wrong and hopefully they will consider your view and go through the same process described above. This solution will save you both time and energy.

People need to give up their ego and admit when they are wrong. Some people find it more important to fight for their point than actually be correct. Always try to learn from other people. This will help you make better judgements and increase your level of knowledge. And lastly, do not make judgements when you have no knowledge or experience on a subject.

A Trip Into The Mind of Jim Morrison

Thursday, April 2, 2009

I have been listening to this album for the past few days so I thought I would review it and give my opinion.

An American Prayer by The Doors

This album features Jim Morrison reciting his poetry and it is backed with instrumentation by The Doors. Morrison recorded his vocals on his birthday in 1970. He speaks calmly and clearly throughout the session. Unfortunately, Morrison died roughly one year later so his plans for his poetry were never realized. After Morrison’s death, the surviving members of The Doors added music and sound effects to his words. This amazing combination creates a movie for the listener’s mind. The album was finally released in 1978. It is unknown whether Morrison intended for music to accompany his words, but the result is a very unique album with a hypnotic quality. I recommend it to anyone interested in Jim Morrison, The Doors, poetry or rock music. You have to listen to it completely to fully appreciate what the album has to offer.

The Most Worthless Coin

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Yesterday, a coworker borrowed some money from me to buy lunch and he paid me back today as promised. The problem is this: He repaid me with a half dollar/fifty cent piece. I realize the coin is worth 50 cents and can be used to buy goods and services, but in reality these coins are worthless because they can’t be used in any common device that exchanges currency for products.

When you receive a half-dollar, your immediate reaction is get rid of it as soon as possible. Your only hope is to pass it on to someone else, take it to your bank, or put it in a Coinstar machine. I can’t be sure, but I think almost everyone hates half-dollars/fifty cent pieces. Whatever you call them, receiving one is a horrible experience.

Success Is Not An Accident by Tommy Newberry

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

This book’s title caught my eye at my recent library book sale. But its catchy title can't save this book. It has a generic green and red cover and features a very shady looking Tommy Newberry standing there with his arms stretched out. Reading the book, I immediately noticed the wasted pages. Lists, clip art, and bulleted boxes are all used as page fillers. Even with these flaws, I decided to purchase it. My $2.00 bag contained 14 books. Overall, I think this book was worth the 14 cents I paid for it.

To save you from buying or reading this book, here is Tommy Newberry’s guide to success:
1. Decide what success means to you.
2. Write a personal mission statement to get you on that path.
3. Write down your life goals.
4. Use your time efficiently.
5. Mentally prepare yourself to be successful through “self-talk.”
6. Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself completing your goals.
7. Eat healthy, exercise, and be well-rested.

In his afterword, Newberry rants about America’s hatred of successful people. He feels that we should live in an “every man for himself” society where the rich aren’t taxed as heavily and the poor are more reliant on themselves for their own needs. He explains how the United States has become more socialist and feels we have a “Gold Medal Tax” where the winner (successful people) of an event (life) must melt down his gold medal and share it with the losers (unsuccessful people). This entire section felt out of place and could have been omitted from the book.

Newberry makes it clear that you are responsible for your success. He divides the book into seven lessons and provides exercises to further your progress. There isn’t really anything new in this book, but it is worth a read. If you happen to choose this book to lead you toward success, it will not be a waste unless you have to pay more than 14 cents for it.

Blog Templates

Monday, March 30, 2009

I got home from work around 7:30pm tonight. I immediately began searching for a template to use on this blog. After spending a significant amount of time searching and trying different templates out, I decided to go with the one I have been using from the beginning. Although it is very basic, I really like the style and the customization aspect of it. Besides, if you are reading this, you are probably more interested in content anyway.

Most of the templates I sampled had very little customization and/or were not what I was looking for. Some were just awful. The worst part about changing templates is that I lost everything I changed except for my posts. I had to manually go back and change the fonts and colors back to how I originally had them. As a result, I made no progress today. Check back tomorrow evening for my review of "Success Is Not An Accident" by Tommy Newberry.

Are You Living The Life You Imagined?

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Today is cool and rainy. It is a perfect Sunday to relax and recharge for the upcoming week. I decided to include one of my writings in the blog today. I have about twenty different topics I want to write about and this one seemed like a good place to start. It is called “Are You Living the Life You Imagined?” and it raises some questions about life goals and provides some thoughts on the effect of society and advertising on our happiness.

Are You Living The Life You Imagined?

How many of us live the life we imagined for ourselves as children? What is holding you back from your dreams? Most people would say it's lack of money. Money should not stop you from achieving your goals. If you are passionate about something, you should ask yourself: What can I do today to get where I want to be tomorrow? Find a way to make every day a new adventure.

While this seems like a daunting task, the first place to look is your job. Work is necessary to provide for your needs (and wants). While it may be necessary to work until you are financially and emotionally ready to pursue your passion, there will be other obstacles to overcome. Our society is extremely status-based, which causes us to focus on living up to the standards set or expected by others. In many people’s minds, what you do is more important than who you are. You must accept that people will judge you. We are defined by our physical appearance, education, occupation, and material possessions. Society creates stereotypes that are not always true. Is a doctor a better person than a garbage man? If you chose the doctor, how can you tell?

Because of society’s standards, we live the life others think we should live, not the life we imagined for ourselves. We live in a society dominated by the media and advertising. Advertisers tell us we are unhappy. They tell us the products they offer will solve our problems and increase our happiness. Advertising persuades people to emulate unattainable wealth, striving for material possessions that, in reality, do nothing to increase happiness. It is proven that an individual’s happiness level increases very little once his/her basic needs are met. There may be initial spikes in happiness caused by external events, but his/her happiness level will always return to a predetermined baseline. Lottery winners often experience this surge in happiness and its eventual collapse. The only way to true happiness is to look inside yourself. You must be the person your truly are. Live your dash.

Afternoon Walk on a Cloudy Day

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Spring is finally here and the weather is getting warmer. One of my new favorite things is taking weekend walks with my fiance, Coty. I love the fresh air and exercise. It is a great way to spent time together without all the usual distractions. We have been walking in a new location for the past few weeks. This week we traveled to Linden, PA. I brought my camera along today and got a few photos of some farms and animals we saw along the way. Click the Photo Gallery link on the sidebar to see them all.

Grilling Extravaganza!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Today was our office cookout. Burgers, hot dogs, chips, and soda were had by all. I posted a short video of the food cooking on my You Tube channel. If you are a grilling enthusiast you may enjoy it. Otherwise it's pretty boring. Click the link in the sidebar to view it. And remember: Nothing beats a Friday cookout at work!

Follow Me on Twitter

Thursday, March 26, 2009

You can now follow me on Twitter. I will also be uploading videos to You Tube in the near future. The links are in the sidebar.

Come back Friday March 27th to see my first post!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Office cookout planned!