What Came First?

So what did come first; the chicken or me? While I realize that’s a stupid question and really doesn’t make any sense at all, it’s the basis for something that seems to be all around me lately. The other day I was flipping through the four television channels that I get from my air signal and started watching a program about food and the process by which large agribusinesses have, for the most part, replaced the family farm in creating the majority of the produce and other food products that show up in the grocery store.

A day later I found myself watching a program about dirt and why it’s so important to everyday life. I found it odd that these programs with similar topic matter were being shown in close succession but the 40th anniversary of Earth Day was just this past week so I assumed that had something to do with it. Regardless of why it was being shown I was paying attention and found the general theme being presented a bit troubling and eye opening.

I never intended this blog to ever take on too serious of a tone and I don’t necessarily like the preachy undertones of this post but I was really taken aback by some of the processes and methods that get certain products onto people’s dinner tables. I found myself questioning every food choice I’ve made in recent memory. I didn’t want to eat another bite of anything until I knew exactly what brought it to me. I also began making a mental list of all the companies or products I wanted to make sure to avoid if even remotely possible.

I do my best to buy locally grown produce and other foods because it seems like a good idea. I also like to support local anything from bike shops to bands to restaurants. After watching these documentaries though I’ll being buying local because I feel safer knowing exactly where the sustenance I put into my pie-hole comes from.

What Do You Think?

Recently I’ve noticed a trend in my day-to-day. I have a lot of really great ideas and a lot of fantastic thoughts. I realize this isn’t the type of discovery that would make Magellan jealous since most people probably think they also have great ideas. What makes me different is that I only have these ideas for about ten minutes a day. Now, you may be saying to yourself, “What’s the problem with that? Just write down these earth shattering thoughts when they come to you.” Well, that would be easy except I have these thoughts in the shower.

Yep, as soon as that hot water hits my flesh my mind goes into overdrive with ideas for things to do or stories to write or projects to develop at work or a witty remark to use on the next hottie that crosses my path or anything else in the grand scheme of the universe. Of course just as quickly as the mental stew begins, once the water is off, my mind goes back to pudding and I forget just about everything I thought about. I have to physically try to remember and then it’s usually only one or two of the really important (to me at least) ideas that I focus on.

Another problem I have is that so much is going on in my small mind that I often forget things over the course of the actual shower. This means I would need some kind of writing device that would be waterproof and allow me to scribe notes to myself while all lathered up. I don’t know if such an item exists, but it’d really make my life a lot easier. I guess my options are to figure out how to develop such a waterproof pen and paper set or spend the majority of my day in the shower. I don’t know which would actually be easier, but they both kind of sound fun.

Corrections

It has recently been brought to my attention that certain information portrayed in a recent post has been taken in a malicious and hurtful way instead of the fun loving jovial manner that it was intended. The author would like to apologize for any misrepresentations, either written or implied. Furthermore, the author would like to note that his friendship with Spring has been effortless and one that is highly valued. Any indications to the contrary should be disregarded.

Pain & Suffering

So as you may know from wasting time reading the nonsense that I write every week I participate in a lot of activities that keep me busy all year long. Most of these distractions have some degree of danger and can cause serious injury if not executed properly. It’s also safe to say that all these excursions cause me some degree of pain and suffering (of course being friends with Spring causes a lot of that as well, ZING).

Usually if something goes wrong when I’m out being radical I’ll end up with cuts or bruising and I’ll have some cool scars to show off. However, this weekend I was thrown for a loop. I was taking advantage of the primo weather and went mountain biking with some friends. I took a couple of spills but none were serious. Then, as we were getting ready to start the final section of singletrack my back decided to lock up and has been like that ever since. The pain has been excruciating and I’m not sure what caused it or how to make it go away.

Now, I’m held up on the couch with heat on my back trying to get things to loosen up so I can actually move around comfortably. I don’t know when this will end but hopefully it happens soon. If you don’t think I’m in pain, imagine how difficult it was for you to read this and focus that all into your lower back. See, I told you it hurts.

Goodbye Old Friend

Well, it finally happened. After nearly seven great years of companionship I had to bid farewell to a trusted friend. Like most relationships, this was one of give and take. I did my best to tend to her needs and make sure she had everything to make her happy. She, in return, was always there for me; someone I could really count on.

However, like any healthy relationship there were a few rough spots. There was one time, on a trip to Vermont for a wedding, she almost left me stranded. Although after a little time and attention we were able to reconcile our differences and had a great time the rest of the trip. The entire time we were together she always accepted my friends and was willing to take me on all my adventures regardless of how crazy they may have been.

Unfortunately, this past week we had to part ways. I thought I was ready for a change but when everything was unfolding I questioned whether or not I was making the right decision. Of course, I’ve moved on and so will she. In fact, almost immediately I was cozying up with something new. Yep, I’ll miss my Jeep, but I’ll always have the memories.