Peeved

One of the things that I have a pet peeve about just happened, and it's frustrating.

Say I suggest doing something, so activity somewhere, and then invite you. Wouldn't you likely assume that since I initiated the activity, I would also take the initiative to plan it and bring it to fruition? Yea, me too.

So why then does it happen time and time again that someone brings something up, asks me if I'm interested, then the task of making it happen gets passed to me? Because I'm responsible enough to make it happen and you're not? Great, so then don't try to plan shit if you can't make it happen.

In case you can't figure it out, a friend of mine asked me and my wife if we wanted to join them on a trip somewhere. Sure of course we would. My wife then informs me today that I've been tasked to be the one to buy the tickets. Great, thanks for asking me if I wanted to join you on the trip...

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Dreams

Every once in a while I start thinking about something and relate it in a conversation I am having with someone. But then I get this weird feeling that it never really happened, that I dreamed it. It's sort of weird, and it happens from time to time like this, where a dream I had manifests itself as a memory, and then I'm not sure if it actually happened or if I dreamed it. I've noticed it happens when I'm especially consumed with work, and am thinking about it more than I would like to. So my dreams start centering around work, and then in the morning or a couple days later I don't know if these things really happened or if I dreamed that they happened. It's kinda weird.

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I'll never understand it

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't understand the macho businessman attitude. The whole "I worked later than you did last night" thing. What is with people who'd rather be holed up in an office at 10 at night, as opposed to being home relaxing and enjoying themselves. I shouldn't say I don't totally get it, I mean, I understand enjoying what you do, and taking pride in your work and your passions, (and if your work is your passion, I envy you), but seriously how is working 12 hours a day worth it when it costs you your relationships, with your family and kids, and when it sucks so much out of you that you can't even enjoy what little waking time you have outside of work?

Typical lines I hear regularly:

Taking a half day today? (said when someone is leaving at 6:00 after working 8 hours)

Don't complain to me, I was here 'til 10:30 last night

I was working this weekend, where were you? (in response to a "How was your weekend?" question)

And a new one, in reply to the "taking a half day?" comment

Noooo. I'm just getting warmed up! (said while i'm watching the clock wondering how much lnger til the end of the day)

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I'm not in CT any more, that's for sure

So when I moved to San Diego from CT some 6 or 7 years ago, I lived at the beach and it appeared to me that all was good in San Diego. Everyone was good looking, every one had money (or acted like they did), and I couldn't for the life of me imagine where a ghetto was in this beautiful beach city. Hell, I barely even saw anyone who wasn't white. I had friends visit who mentioned this as well (the only white people thing and how nice everything was). After a couple years, I finally realized that this was hardly an accurate portrayal of San Diego.

At my first job out here, I worked with people from Brazil, China, Afghanistan, South Africa, Canada, Vietnam, Peru, Phillipines... At my current job I work and have worked with people from Switzerland, China, and Laos.

I also learned that there are places of great diversity in San Diego, and there are some nasty ghettos as well. The bus I ride to work every morning now comes through both a diverse area, and a ghetto area. I've often commented and joked that I'm the minority on my bus for sure. And as I was sitting on the bus this morning, I heard the girl next to me on her cell phone speaking another language, though I'm not sure what it was, the woman behind me, if I had to guess, I'd say was from Ethiopia or somewhere in that area, judging by her accent and her dress. And I overheard a conversation between her and the girl next to her, which ironically enough was about speaking English, at which point I learned this other girl was from Switzerland. And then to round it out, the two others closest to me were not white.

So for sure, I'm not in Connecticut anymore, lol.

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Some inspiration

Anyone who reads this blog on even a semi regular basis knows that I write a lot about not being happy with a regular 9 to 5 job. Even though that's what I went to school for, even though it's what I chose, and even though I've reached a point that to most say would constitutes success, I don't feel as though if it were to end tomorrow that I'd be able to look back and say that I took advantage of every moment and lived my life they way I would have wanted.

I have a wonderful wife and a good life, but when it comes to my job and my place in this world, I feel as though I am lacking... I guess I just feel as though I am meant to do more, and the good news is that my wife feels the same way when it comes to her life too.

Recently I have come to realize that more than anything else I admire people who have the balls to do what makes them happy, not what society says is right, not what their friends and family say is right, and in most cases their passions don't make them financially secure. But they are happy, and that's what really matters. In common, these people seem to share a passion for living their lives this way, and they also don't take societal norms too seriously.

So I've decided to share some of the websites from these people who I've found scattered around in cyberspace. And if one day I can inspire someone in a way similiar to the way these people have inspired me, I will consider that success, and that I've finally found my place.

Note: I will probably continue this list as a sidebar after this post as I find new sites.

An Around the World Bike Trip
equipped with backpack, blog and her sense of Wonder, a perpetual pilgrim wanders aimfully on
Andy's travels - 9 years and counting

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Dharma Bums

From Kerouac's Dharma Bums

...Dharma Bums refusing to subscribe to the general demand that they consume production and therefore have to work for the privilege of consuming, all that crap they didn't really want anyways such as refrigerators, TV Sets, cars, at least new fancy cars, certain hair oils and deodorants and general junk you finally always see a week later in the garbage anyway, all of them imprisoned in a system of work, produce, consume, work, produce, consume...

UPDATE: I've been getting quite a few hits on this post for people searching for "Dharma Bums San Diego" ... Just curious what you're looking for? Drop me a comment and let me know. Is there some Kerouac Dharma Bums / San Diego connection I don't know of?

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