Escaping the craziness, slowing down, and a dash of creativity

The morning began as any other Monday morning (though, an hour later than if I had to go to work). On one of the coldest of January days in Iowa, I left the city to return home. It had been a spell since I last seen my family, my critters, and the old stomping grounds. The morning sun shone brightly off the hood of the Cadillac and off what snow remained in the ditches. 'Twas a beautiful journey back to the Driftless Region of our state. However, the day did have one mishap.

Upon my arrival, I decided I best refuel before beginning the rest of my day. I inserted my credit card into the reader, selected the fuel grade I wanted, and began filling my tank. I proceeded then to step into the car and wait inside to not catch frostbite in this -5º weather. After spacing out for a little while, paying no mind to the pump, a frantic woman ran up to my car with a dumbfounded face pointing toward the back of my car. In an instant I knew exactly what she was pointing at. I leaped from the heated seat, shut off the pump, and inadvertently stepped in about three gallons of fuel on the ground.

I was surprised that the pump had not "clicked" when the tank was full, as is their design. However, just as with any invention, the adverse weather has an effect on functionality. Nonetheless, I quickly regained my composure, admitted my foolish mistake, walked inside to announce the spill to the managers on duty, and was immediately met with a, "Yeah, don't worry about that." I inquired as to the possibility of getting two plastic bags to cover my gasoline soaked shoes. They pondered this idea for a solid 10 or 15 seconds after one of the managers asked the other, "Can we give out plastic bags?"

Suffice it to say, I received the bags and continued on with my day. Visiting family was nice, as well as a welcomed recharge to my otherwise crazily hectic existence here in Cedar Falls. In a way, it is a challenge to be from two different worlds. What I mean by that is that I grew up in a very rural and ignorant part of the world. I say ignorant not as a derogatory term, but one that expresses little concern for anything outside the area. It is a far removed place from the small city in which I reside now. In no way can I compare this to the other large cities I've lived in (Las Cruces and Albuquerque in particular), but for the sake of this entry, we'll just go with the two here in Iowa.

I'm torn between my desire to live in the country, where self-sufficiency is crucial, yet long to have exposure to the cultural experience of the city (be it through science, arts, entertainment, etc.). Obviously all of those things can be found in rural areas, but that happy medium is somewhere awash at the moment in my current state of affairs. One step at a time, lest I put too many feet first and end up face first on the floor. It will be a busy next six months, but the payoff will be worth it when I have my degree and can start on the next chapter of my tale.

Suffice it to say, I keep this blog not only to share my inner turmoil (such as dealing with that balance thing, my Daoist beliefs, and poetic descriptions of great "battles" to be fought), but also to explore the thing we all have within ourselves, creativity!

One of the things I did today, aside from enjoy a bacon cheeseburger pizza back home at a local restaurant, was pick up a cheap lamp from which I hope to make a cell phone holder for the car. Now, you might say, "Well, couldn't you just get one online or at a store or something?" My response to that is, "Where's the fun in that? Anyone can buy an answer to a problem. Where's your sense of adventure?" With the help of a friend's tools back home, I disassembled it and brought it back to Cedar Falls with me.

While I'm hoping to find some use for each part that originally went with the lamp, the main piece that I wanted was the flexible stand that held up the light. I believe it will be strong enough to withstand hard turns without tipping over, and is easy enough to move without being more of a distraction than having to reach well below the dash to find my phone when I receive a call.

So far, the cost is only $10 for the lamp. If I can reuse some of the parts, like the bracket, a metal plate, and the lamp housing, it shouldn't be much more when I construct the phone holder portion. Eventually this will just bolt to an existing bolt in the passenger compartment, so no drilling with be required.

Yes, there will be follow up pictures as the project continues. Thanks for tagging along on this journey. Until next time, readers!

Remembering long lost friends, preparing for a trial by fire

Long ago there was a cat. His name was as intimidating as any beast, yet he a was a kind and gentle soul. As a kitten, he was the smallest of the kindle, but grew up to be a larger than life character.

Whether he was relaxing on the couch, speeding across the linoleum in the kitchen, or simply looking out the window, he was always one to turn to if things got rough.

It has been almost ten years since he passed. Named after the monster that terrorized Tokyo in so many films, this Godzilla never had to battle Mothra, King Ghidora, or King Kong, but did fight a disease that ultimately caused his liver to fail. Inevitable as this confrontation with mortality was, I did not stop believing in him. (Insert tears here.)

As the new year gets underway, I cannot help but think of where I came from and where I will go in the future. Godzilla's spirit endures in my memory, and I'll look to his (and other individuals' as well) as I am faced with the latest tribulation in my life, a grand graduate school and career-altering conundrum.

While I am not alone, nor am I the only one this has ever happened to, I do feel like I have to stand up about this issue on my own. My career and education are my responsibility, and dealing with broken systems in favor of the house are all part of the game, I suppose. However unjust and unfair it may seem, there is hope. Like the companionship and happiness that Godzilla and I shared, I have friends, cohort members, and family for which to be thankful. For those of you in those categories that read this blog, thank you. My tale could not be complete without including you within its pages.

By now you have probably wondered what this "trial by fire" business all means. After these accolades have been given, and the memories recalled, perhaps some details would help to enlighten those seeking some depth. Quite frankly, and presumably, I'm probably making this into a bigger dilemma than it actually is, but there is still a degree of severity in my writings.

After being advised to step back my education to part time status for one semester, it is now coming back to bite me. For this semester, it looks as though I'll be enrolling in fourteen credits, as well as applying for a position that requires a master's degree. Getting into all of those credits will be the easy part if the appropriate ducks are in a row. The hard part will be taking off the gloves for an all out bout to have my student requests approved. The oldest of those requests are now six months old. I have evidence that other requests, submitted well after my first request, were submitted and approved within a matter of one or two days.

Historically I have not been the confrontational type. However, I am not above looking out for my future by making some telephone calls, copying the president of the university in an email, or contacting the appropriate movers and shakers to get things done. I'll finish this post with one of my favorite scenes from the film V for Vendetta. Look beyond V's words in terms of the plot. Focus instead on the meaning of this scene. This scene should not be taken literally or as implying a solution to my problem. Rather, it is encourage others to not fear power. Something only has power so long as we give it power.

"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson (http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/when-governments-fear-people-there-libertyquotation)