carve out a little spot on the Web for random observation, the channeling of negative energy and miscellania

Human nature is to believe the worst. If two comments are whispered about someone, the listeners will naturally want to believe the one that paints the subject in the more unflattering light. Innocent until proven guilty is a nice concept, but we don’t embrace it, do we?

I had a thought for what could make a fun series of goals at some point: goals to be completed within a short time frame. For instance, when I find myself with an hour to kill, I could list a goal of “give 3 compliments to strangers within the hour.” Just a random thought to share.

At the risk of sounding sappy, I’m feeling this right now and want to post. I haven’t visited 43 Things regularly in a while, but just decided I should get back into the swing of it earlier this week, and I’m currently sensing what an intensely amazing site this really is. Okay, so we’re all pretty anonymous, but we’re sharing our deepest quests with each other and speaking words of encouragement to strangers. It’s pretty cool.

I’ve identified something that stands in the way of a number of my goals. I often get very irritable, lose my patience and just generally get bitter to the point of losing my motivation for self-improvement.

I can’t say anything in particular triggers the irritability. Too much coffee can contribute, and so can a stressful environment, but sometimes, it happens without these triggers. One moment I’m at peace and the next, my nerves go on edge.

I think I’ll make it a goal to address this aspect of my personality, but how? Diet? Meditation?

I was just thinking…

It should be entirely feasible to knock out 5-10 of these goals over the Christmas holidays.

I was just considering linking my 43Things list to my Facebook account, but in reading through my goals as well as the goals I’ve accomplished, I think anonymity is better. If people who know me well are reading my list, then I may be more apt to write goals and entries that will cast me in a more favorable - though not necessarily realistic - light. Nah, let’s stay anonymous and real.

I think I’ll make it a goal of mine - at some point in the future - to take an entire month and, each day of that month, read through the Zeitgeist of 43T until I find a comment that catches my attention and write a comment on that comment. Along with that goal, I may make it a point to write an entry about one of my goals each day: why I’m not pursuing it as actively as I’d like, why it’s on my list, etc.

This 43T site is a great way to make at least brief connections with folks in a world where it’s easy to remain isolated. I think a month of focused commenting would be a nice way to send out the message of, “Hey, you’re not alone here. Neither am I.”

I’ve discovered a new pet peeve: to get behind somebody at a fast food restaurant who doesn’t understand the concept of fast food. Number one, I’m already disgusted with myself for eating fast food. Number two, if I’ve made the decision to eat fast food, it’s because I’m in a hurry. Number three, because I’m in a hurry, I’m highly irritated that some arsehole is giving instructions like, “Take off the pickles. Add extra tomatoes.” Even worse is when they can’t seem to make up their mind, or they actually have questions about the various entrees.

If you don’t like pickles, take them off yourself.

If you can’t survive without double the mayo those places usually apply, then carry your own jar in your car.

Just shout out a number and keep moving, your Majesty.

Why do some folks make it a point to spend 20 minutes telling you how busy they are?

I recently contacted an old friend via email, and a good one-third of his short reply explained how busy he was these days. (Which I interpreted as, “Don’t think about taking up much of my time.”) I was best man at his wedding. We shared many a deep conversation in high school and college while we were both seeking our places in life. How much time is an occasional email really going to eat up?

I could cite a couple more examples.

I think anyone who knows me would agree that I accomplish a fair amount. More than average, at least. And of course there are times when I’m consumed by a task or a set of responsibilities, but I don’t think I’d pass up an opportunity to communicate with folks from the past. I always schedule some time for play, too—time on the Internet, time to hike, time to read.

Stillness is as important as passion. Stillness begets creative energy and focus. Work is good, but play is just as vital.

That’s my sermon.

Animal Planet has officially become my least favorite channel. From what I can tell, we aren’t even capable of addressing our Pomeranian behavioral issues these days without professional intervention. There’s no way in hell we’re ready for another Great Depression.