A while back, someone I once worked with remarked that my blog postings struck him as "...vintage Pat...". Ever since, I've periodically re-visited this remark, no doubt made with little forethought. Such is the curse of a good memory combined with a lifelong habit of writing down morsels I think might later be useful.
At first, I decided what he meant to say was that my blog is "Barton-ish". A little time went by, and I felt as though I was selling myself short. Instead, I concluded what he had really meant to say was my blog is "Bartonian". That elevated Henry James-like adjective stuck with me for a while.
Most recently I arrived at "Bartonesque". Now I'm getting closer to the real intent of what my ex-colleague meant, I thought. The new low I've sunk to? Soliciting your suggestions for turning me into an adjective, provided said adjectives are not profane.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Holding Onto Vs. Being Held By
How do you know when you're holding onto something mindfully vs. being held by it mindlessly?
From the moment I first became aware of her, I had a visceral dislike for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. That dislike persisted the entire time she held office and then continued afterwards. I never gave much thought to why this was. Although I didn't care much for her politics, her imperious manner or her hairdo, I just held on to my dislike and carried on.
Last night, watching "Iron Lady", something odd was happening inside me. Whenever I felt any sympathy for Thatcher, I fought it. It then dawned on me - I was no longer holding onto my dislike for her, I was being held by it. I was fighting what I was feeling because of something I'd convinced myself was worth holding onto many years ago - very silly, indeed.
Today I've been reflecting on where else in my life, closer to home, I've let this happen. Work to be done.
From the moment I first became aware of her, I had a visceral dislike for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. That dislike persisted the entire time she held office and then continued afterwards. I never gave much thought to why this was. Although I didn't care much for her politics, her imperious manner or her hairdo, I just held on to my dislike and carried on.
Last night, watching "Iron Lady", something odd was happening inside me. Whenever I felt any sympathy for Thatcher, I fought it. It then dawned on me - I was no longer holding onto my dislike for her, I was being held by it. I was fighting what I was feeling because of something I'd convinced myself was worth holding onto many years ago - very silly, indeed.
Today I've been reflecting on where else in my life, closer to home, I've let this happen. Work to be done.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Jury Is Out
Although not visible to readers, over the past two weeks this site changed the interface we bloggers see. For one thing, instead of being able to see only the number of views for my "top 10" posts, I can now see that same number for every post I've published. At this point, I'm unsure how I feel about all the new data readily available to me.
Though I've tried staying away from my "stats", this new interface puts them more in my face, making it potentially easier to get discouraged if the numbers are disappointing. I realize I can adjust my expectations. I also know myself well enough to know that is easier said than done.
On the other hand, I'm hopeful I'll be able to discern patterns looking at the more robust data. Maybe those patterns will help me discover new ways to connect with more people or, better ways to connect with you.
The jury is out but the judge keeps on blogging.
Though I've tried staying away from my "stats", this new interface puts them more in my face, making it potentially easier to get discouraged if the numbers are disappointing. I realize I can adjust my expectations. I also know myself well enough to know that is easier said than done.
On the other hand, I'm hopeful I'll be able to discern patterns looking at the more robust data. Maybe those patterns will help me discover new ways to connect with more people or, better ways to connect with you.
The jury is out but the judge keeps on blogging.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Fasting To Slow Down
A while back a friend responded to one of my posts and said he regularly goes on a "media fast" to help him avoid taking in so much information about celebrities. At the time, his idea struck me as a worthwhile way to escape that particular onslaught.
Being totally out of reach of the 24/7 news cycle during the time I just spent at Mammoth Cave has given his idea much broader appeal. I realized Sunday that I hadn't read a paper or news magazine, looked at an Internet news feed or TV news show, or had one conversation about current events for an entire week - to no ill effect. I've decided I can afford to fast completely one day every week from all news and still remain reasonably well informed. Added bonus: On that one day, avoiding celebrities is 100% guaranteed.
I'm not yet sure which day of the week I'll abstain and/or whether it's critical I use the same day week to week; small potatoes. Care to join me? In any case, I'll report on how it's going from time to time. I'm feeling healthier already.
Being totally out of reach of the 24/7 news cycle during the time I just spent at Mammoth Cave has given his idea much broader appeal. I realized Sunday that I hadn't read a paper or news magazine, looked at an Internet news feed or TV news show, or had one conversation about current events for an entire week - to no ill effect. I've decided I can afford to fast completely one day every week from all news and still remain reasonably well informed. Added bonus: On that one day, avoiding celebrities is 100% guaranteed.
I'm not yet sure which day of the week I'll abstain and/or whether it's critical I use the same day week to week; small potatoes. Care to join me? In any case, I'll report on how it's going from time to time. I'm feeling healthier already.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Mr. Id On Pat's Grade So Far: Charm
Mr. Id gives Pat a "C-/D+" for charm up to this point in his life. But this does not concern Mr. Id, nor should it concern Pat.
Why, you ask? Because Mr. Id recommends Pat not expend a great deal of effort trying to raise this below- the-bell-curve grade. Unlike ambition (2/23) and bravery (3/19), charm strikes Mr. Id as an over-rated attribute. More than a few times, Mr. Id has noticed those who are frequently called charming have a whiff of insincerity, if not obsequiousness, about them. Charm and smarm strike Mr. Id as appropriate rhyming words.
Mr. Id acknowledges Pat could probably have been more successful had he attempted to be more charming when first meeting people. First impressions being lasting ones, he's blown it more than once in those circumstances. Mr. Id also recognizes how Pat has made his wife's life difficult not being more charming at times. But the attributes graded in this series must be prioritized and this is just the letter "C", i.e. there are still 23 letters/attributes to go. Which attributes deserve the most attention? Mr. Id thinks improving Pat's charm is a steeper climb and has less (ultimate) bang for the buck. Your view? And, notwithstanding Mr. Id's disdain for it, how would you grade yourself on charm at this point in your life?
Why, you ask? Because Mr. Id recommends Pat not expend a great deal of effort trying to raise this below- the-bell-curve grade. Unlike ambition (2/23) and bravery (3/19), charm strikes Mr. Id as an over-rated attribute. More than a few times, Mr. Id has noticed those who are frequently called charming have a whiff of insincerity, if not obsequiousness, about them. Charm and smarm strike Mr. Id as appropriate rhyming words.
Mr. Id acknowledges Pat could probably have been more successful had he attempted to be more charming when first meeting people. First impressions being lasting ones, he's blown it more than once in those circumstances. Mr. Id also recognizes how Pat has made his wife's life difficult not being more charming at times. But the attributes graded in this series must be prioritized and this is just the letter "C", i.e. there are still 23 letters/attributes to go. Which attributes deserve the most attention? Mr. Id thinks improving Pat's charm is a steeper climb and has less (ultimate) bang for the buck. Your view? And, notwithstanding Mr. Id's disdain for it, how would you grade yourself on charm at this point in your life?
Monday, April 23, 2012
Sating That Lust
If you have the bug, what do you think is at the root of your wanderlust?
Like many people I know, my early life had next to no travel. Aside from a few adolescent adventures in Atlantic City with high school friends, hotels were unknown to me until my mid 20's. Prior to my first cross country driving trip in 1972, the only other states I'd ever been in were neighboring New York (NYC only), Pennsylvania (equally nearby Philadelphia only), Delaware & Maryland (en route to Washington DC) - all for school sponsored trips. My first airplane ride (two seater) didn't occur until I was almost 23.
Since that first driving trip across the US, my wanderlust has steadily grown. I love NJ and have never had a mailing address outside the State. But the bug to wander has burrowed in deep. Recently, someone asked me the same question posed at the top of this post. I have difficulty identifying how I was infected.
2012 is shaping up as a good year to sate my lust: My first extended visit to Kentucky just finished; Denver (#2) in May; Virginia & Massachusetts (lost count on my visits to both) over the summer; Tuscanny (#1 for that area - 2nd visit to Italy) in early fall. If you've got this bug, what's your next adventure?
Like many people I know, my early life had next to no travel. Aside from a few adolescent adventures in Atlantic City with high school friends, hotels were unknown to me until my mid 20's. Prior to my first cross country driving trip in 1972, the only other states I'd ever been in were neighboring New York (NYC only), Pennsylvania (equally nearby Philadelphia only), Delaware & Maryland (en route to Washington DC) - all for school sponsored trips. My first airplane ride (two seater) didn't occur until I was almost 23.
Since that first driving trip across the US, my wanderlust has steadily grown. I love NJ and have never had a mailing address outside the State. But the bug to wander has burrowed in deep. Recently, someone asked me the same question posed at the top of this post. I have difficulty identifying how I was infected.
2012 is shaping up as a good year to sate my lust: My first extended visit to Kentucky just finished; Denver (#2) in May; Virginia & Massachusetts (lost count on my visits to both) over the summer; Tuscanny (#1 for that area - 2nd visit to Italy) in early fall. If you've got this bug, what's your next adventure?
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Being More Fully Human
I'm convinced certain people seem to send out the message "I'm here to help". I'm just as convinced I'm not one of those people.
I watched this dynamic at work this past week. On a service trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, there were 22 of us working side-by-side; one individual had some slight mobility issues. Wherever we worked or hiked, a kinder soul than I appeared at that individual's side to help minimize struggles. When I complimented her late in the week, the kind soul's response did not surprise me. She said to me "You would do the same thing". In my experience, grace and her type of unselfish unwillingness to help others often go together. How consistent is this with your experience of people?
I met several highly educated, well travelled, accomplished people on this trip. The one who will remain most firmly etched in my memory? No contest - the one who inspired me to be more fully human.
I watched this dynamic at work this past week. On a service trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, there were 22 of us working side-by-side; one individual had some slight mobility issues. Wherever we worked or hiked, a kinder soul than I appeared at that individual's side to help minimize struggles. When I complimented her late in the week, the kind soul's response did not surprise me. She said to me "You would do the same thing". In my experience, grace and her type of unselfish unwillingness to help others often go together. How consistent is this with your experience of people?
I met several highly educated, well travelled, accomplished people on this trip. The one who will remain most firmly etched in my memory? No contest - the one who inspired me to be more fully human.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
A Future Filled With Parks
Beginning tomorrow, I'll be unable to access the Internet for a week, making this my longest break from blogging since mid August. That break was precipitated by an unplanned fiasco; this one is a planned service trip to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky - much nicer circumstances.
My wife and I are on a mission to visit as many National Parks as possible; we were inspired watching the Ken Burns series last year. We'll spend this week rehabilitating trails, removing non-native plants, and assisting Park Personnel with other chores. And we get one day in the middle to explore the caves.
I haven't counted (yet) but my guess is after this trip we'll have visited about 25-30% of the National Parks. If we plan well and our $$ holds out, we've got a shot at seeing most of them. Which parks are on your "want to see" list? Which ones that you've seen would you recommend we put at the top of our queue?
I should be back online next Sunday and will look forward to seeing your recommendations.
My wife and I are on a mission to visit as many National Parks as possible; we were inspired watching the Ken Burns series last year. We'll spend this week rehabilitating trails, removing non-native plants, and assisting Park Personnel with other chores. And we get one day in the middle to explore the caves.
I haven't counted (yet) but my guess is after this trip we'll have visited about 25-30% of the National Parks. If we plan well and our $$ holds out, we've got a shot at seeing most of them. Which parks are on your "want to see" list? Which ones that you've seen would you recommend we put at the top of our queue?
I should be back online next Sunday and will look forward to seeing your recommendations.
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