Well, the simple answer to the first part is to keep writing daily, but what am I going to “leave behind” in January? I’m not entirely sure. I think some apprehension about my current efforts for using social media might be left behind, but I’m not going to simply change that overnight (because for me, February is in about 80 minutes as I’m typing this up.)
We’ll see where things go, and if this kind of prompt is a consistent thing to expect at the end of each month, then I’ll probably plan ahead for the next time.
I’d like to think that I’m fairly consistent and comprehensive about my hygiene habits, but I’ll be honest, there ARE some I struggle with.
I’m a typical dude that doesn’t wash his face with three different cleaners and I don’t use lotions. Well, except in winter when my knuckles dry and crack. I lotion those up when I catch them just starting to crack or right before. Bloody winter knuckles suck.
Honestly, I don’t know! I’m not sure if this means I don’t get out enough or if my understanding and standards of everyday heroism are super high because of super hero stories and such.
Guess I’ll have to keep an eye out for these kinds of people.
I hate to think about it because it kind of makes me feel old now, but I graduated from high school almost 19 years ago (which means next year would be my 20 year reunion, yikes). Looking back at the years I spent in two very different high schools, and the class offerings, it’s hard to decide what kinds of classes I wish I had available to me. Of course, things have likely changed since my time.
I remember seeing people on social media bringing up this kind of idea many times before, and one of the usual requests/recommendations is that they wish they had classes for things like Personal Finance or something akin to Home Economics. While I agree that those would have been very beneficial, I also think that some of those topics should definitely come from parents because they would have a better understanding of how to handle their own unique living situations, and the classes would just be an extension of that knowledge to help improve things. (Personally, from what I’m hearing these days, parents need to be more involved in their children’s lives in general, but that’s a whole different rant.)
As for my own personal answer to the prompt, I’d have to say I wish there was a class focused on diet and nutrition. Home Economics classes might teach a lesson or two in cooking, and I was fortunate to learn a few things in the Catering classes that my first high school offered, but none of that covers diet and nutrition, or eating healthier and developing healthy eating habits.
Well, that’s just what I wish for, but again, it could fall in the category of Parental Responsibilities like I was touching on earlier. And who knows, maybe there are some high schools out there that do offer diet and nutrition classes. If there are, they weren’t anywhere near me.
I read something interesting on Threads earlier in the day that resonated with me a little, and not in a good way (but not necessarily in a bad way either, I suppose.)
I hope I can do it justice with my explanation because I got caught up in work and didn’t have a chance to save it.
The United States of America, where I live, has a history of change and violence. All major changes have started with peaceful protest, but that alone was not enough and the only way it made a serious impact was when things turned violent. It didn’t matter what the change was, someone always got hurt in the end.
The part that resonated with me comes from this next part.
So, in the world of today, for all who are wishing for change and calling for peaceful demonstrations of protest, where do you stand when you’re expressing those desires? Do you intend to stand among the people that are taking the risk, or are you going to be casually standing on the sidelines as you preach, all while knowing what could come if history is allowed to repeat itself?
Someone always gets hurt in the end.
I just wish people could show each other respect and tolerance, and let one another live and thrive without the need to hurt. Sadly, that is not the world we find ourselves in.
I woke up this morning and felt like I slept on my back wrong somehow. Getting old sucks.
My week: Productive.
I got my combined gaming and hobby space cleaned up and reorganized enough to get my new gaming PC in place and get ready for the future.
My month: Good.
I’ve been able to help friends and family with various things, as well as spend quality time with some of them as well. (In particular, a friend from out of state is in the area for a while and we’ve been able to hang out and catch up numerous times.)
I don’t know that I could definitively say there is a favorite among all the content creators that I’ve started to follow, but I can certainly pick out one to talk about because they occupy a unique space in all of the variety of content I consume regularly. That would be Alec Steele.
Blacksmithing is one of the many things I wish I could get into for the fun of it was spurred on by medieval fantasy stories, and while I’ve never prioritized it highly enough to watch a lot of blacksmithing content (like the show ForgedIn Fire), Alec’s content just hits differently. I think part of it is the interesting concepts and ideas he tries to run with, like making a QR code in Damascus steel, and also his creative problem solving as he tries to achieve quality Damascus titanium. The energy and excitement he puts into all his work really draws you in, and the way he presents everything makes it easy to maintain fascination with the art of modern fabrication and blacksmithing.
And I’m not talking about “in general” just to have an easy answer without focusing on a specific area.
The point is simple.
Living, REALLY living, means leading a fulfilling and enjoyable life. Here in the (not so great) United States, that used to mean working a job that pays all your bills, puts food on the table, and allows you to chase your dreams of home ownership, family development, vacations, hobbies, and retirement. The “American Dream” that we used to hear about.
Now most of us work just to make ends meet in thankless, soul crushing jobs (sometimes two or even three) and have no hope of escaping that cycle.
It reminds me of one of those posters you might see at a mechanics garage or in a truck stop diner. Three options: fast, cheap/affordable, and quality; but you can only pick two. Except the problem is now split into different areas (hobbies, family, futures, etc.) that all use the same three options: energy, money, and time; but the kicker is you’re only guaranteed one of those things.
The two that I don’t feel as strongly about would be a view overlooking downtown, or a beach with a couple of palm trees.
The one I have the strongest pull towards would be looking out through some evergreens at a lake in a valley. I’m always drawn to the mountain scenery.
My immediate thoughts are usually about what kinds of choices may have led them to their current situation. Would they have the ability to return to a normal life, if given the chance?
The Dragon's Grove 