I liked this article on money. I don't really have a comment on it, other than I thought he made a lot of good points.
And I realized the other day that I love the idea of Sam's Club and Costco: buy in bulk to save money. But once I go inside, I find myself totally overwhelmed and unable to make wise, or any, decisions. $8 for a big bag of pasta! What a deal! But wait--is that really cheaper than buying 8 little bags at my local grocery store? I know that under a dollar is a pretty good deal for the bags I get there, but I don't know how many ounces are in those bags, so how will I know if this is more or less than that?!!! So there's that anxiety plus the fact that I can't ever find anything in there. I tried to find peanut butter the other day--no luck. Granted, I didn't walk up and down EVERY aisle, but when was the last time you had to walk up and down every aisle at your local grocery store to find Peanut Butter! Just look for the bread and/or the sign at the end of the aisle that undoubtedly says "Peanut Butter" on it!
Maybe I just need to give it a fighting chance. Spend more time getting to know each aisle. Open my heart to the possibility of loving.
Or not.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Objective vs. Subjective
First of all, I feel badly writing a post so soon after Royce wrote his, since he posts so little. So everyone be sure to read and comment on Royce's post!
That being said, I had an experience this morning at work that left a sour taste in my mouth. And the only way I can think to get rid of it is to blog.
Without actually revealing the details of my encounter (I have to be careful since it's work-related), I want to pose some questions to all of you to gather your thoughts on what I believe to be the root of this and other similar situations.
The Question--Which is better: objective or subjective behavior? Here are some definitions to get your thoughts flowing:
objective = not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts.
subjective = the opposite of that (I didn't like any of the definitions I found)
I would maybe add to the definition that in subjective behavior, personal circumstance (including emotional states and motives) are taken into account, while they are not in objective behavior.
What I want to know is, what is the role of objective and subjective behavior/discipline/judgments in our homes, schools, governments, churches, social circles, etc.? Do some of these institutions call for objective actions while the others call for subjective? Or do they all require a mix? Is one or the other more "fair"? Do you find yourself dealing with situations more objectively or subjectively? Can you think of specific situations?
Please don't feel like you have to answer all of those--if you have an opinion on one that would be plenty.
I know this seems so random, but the topic is weighing heavily on my mind right now. I will share my opinions and thoughts on the subject later, but I want to give you the opportunity to comment without my opinion influencing your comments in any way (and I definitely have an opinion, but I'm always open to new and well-thought-out arguments).
And please do comment!! I think that as vague as this topic is, there are some really interesting discussions lurking within it.
That being said, I had an experience this morning at work that left a sour taste in my mouth. And the only way I can think to get rid of it is to blog.
Without actually revealing the details of my encounter (I have to be careful since it's work-related), I want to pose some questions to all of you to gather your thoughts on what I believe to be the root of this and other similar situations.
The Question--Which is better: objective or subjective behavior? Here are some definitions to get your thoughts flowing:
objective = not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts.
subjective = the opposite of that (I didn't like any of the definitions I found)
I would maybe add to the definition that in subjective behavior, personal circumstance (including emotional states and motives) are taken into account, while they are not in objective behavior.
What I want to know is, what is the role of objective and subjective behavior/discipline/judgments in our homes, schools, governments, churches, social circles, etc.? Do some of these institutions call for objective actions while the others call for subjective? Or do they all require a mix? Is one or the other more "fair"? Do you find yourself dealing with situations more objectively or subjectively? Can you think of specific situations?
Please don't feel like you have to answer all of those--if you have an opinion on one that would be plenty.
I know this seems so random, but the topic is weighing heavily on my mind right now. I will share my opinions and thoughts on the subject later, but I want to give you the opportunity to comment without my opinion influencing your comments in any way (and I definitely have an opinion, but I'm always open to new and well-thought-out arguments).
And please do comment!! I think that as vague as this topic is, there are some really interesting discussions lurking within it.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Nutcrackers, Marie Callendar, and Christmas
So Heather has been complaining lately that I never post anything anymore...which is true, but that's also because I don't have pictures on my computer anymore. Heather's camera attaches to her laptop so all the pictures are on her computer hence the reason you haven't seen pictures or posts of things that I'd have blogged about by now (yeah right).
Anyway, so I've gotten into the Christmas spirit lately and as a part of that have finally written my annual Christmas letter. Which caused a little contention in our household because Heather doesn't want people to think she's been writing these things for the past 10 years and no one she knows has gotten them (well she hasn't). Anyway, so I finally wrote my Christmas letter and will hopefully post it on this blog once we've sent out our Christmas cards. I also mentioned in that Christmas letter that I will be writing a more detailed version of it on this blog (as in more pictures I guess). So I guess you'll be hearing more of my rambling in later posts as well.
Anyway, lately Heather has been playing in the Nutcracker at the Covey (go see it) and has left me home all alone on Thursday-Saturday nights.
So I've been having Marie over to do some cooking for me.
That's right Marie Callendar has been my lifesaver. If you haven't tried one of these "TV" dinners before, oh man you are missing out because they are pretty good. These are pretty much what I lived on as a single. I'm very grateful I don't have to do that anymore, but I still do enjoy them from time to time. I think I even had a turkey one during Thanksgiving during my mission.
Anyway, there pretty good, but if you live in the Provo area and want to have me over for dinner this Thurs.-Saturday I won't mind. Of course Heather doesn't have to leave now until 6:45ish so she may still be able to cook for me, but I am sure she wouldn't mind not cooking for me.
Anyway, so I've gotten into the Christmas spirit lately and as a part of that have finally written my annual Christmas letter. Which caused a little contention in our household because Heather doesn't want people to think she's been writing these things for the past 10 years and no one she knows has gotten them (well she hasn't). Anyway, so I finally wrote my Christmas letter and will hopefully post it on this blog once we've sent out our Christmas cards. I also mentioned in that Christmas letter that I will be writing a more detailed version of it on this blog (as in more pictures I guess). So I guess you'll be hearing more of my rambling in later posts as well.
Anyway, lately Heather has been playing in the Nutcracker at the Covey (go see it) and has left me home all alone on Thursday-Saturday nights.
So I've been having Marie over to do some cooking for me.
That's right Marie Callendar has been my lifesaver. If you haven't tried one of these "TV" dinners before, oh man you are missing out because they are pretty good. These are pretty much what I lived on as a single. I'm very grateful I don't have to do that anymore, but I still do enjoy them from time to time. I think I even had a turkey one during Thanksgiving during my mission.Anyway, there pretty good, but if you live in the Provo area and want to have me over for dinner this Thurs.-Saturday I won't mind. Of course Heather doesn't have to leave now until 6:45ish so she may still be able to cook for me, but I am sure she wouldn't mind not cooking for me.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
A motto to live by
Fix it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do, or
Do without.
Such is the motto that the pioneers lived by. Now I don't wish to make any claims that I come close to living by this adage. But as I set my alarm on my Palm Pilot last night, this saying came to mind and I realized that at least technologically I am living this principle.
This is what my Palm i705 looks like.
It's definitely no Blackberry.
It's black and white (more like black and a greenish/gray), it has an address book, calendar, memo pad, to-do list, a back-light, and some other excellent and useful features. I use it to schedule appointments, keep track of acquaintances (no worries if my cell phone gets lost!), make grocery lists, keep track of my finances, etc. etc. It also has some internet capabilities, though I would never pay for the services. It does not have Word capabilities, wireless phone, or any other nifty gadgets, all of which I cannot think of because I have no need for them.
I've had this baby for . . . 6 or 7 years now? And it's showing the signs of it. The screen is scratched, the paint is chipped everywhere, the front and back have spread apart by a millimeter or so, and often you have to tap the stylus about 1/4 inch below or above the item you are trying to select. But, with all luck it should last me another 6 or 7 years. And I really don't think I'll see a need for any other features than it offers me. So while I may not patch my threadbare clothing, I feel like at least in this respect I'm doing my part to "waste not, want not."
Wear it out,
Make it do, or
Do without.
Such is the motto that the pioneers lived by. Now I don't wish to make any claims that I come close to living by this adage. But as I set my alarm on my Palm Pilot last night, this saying came to mind and I realized that at least technologically I am living this principle.
This is what my Palm i705 looks like.
It's definitely no Blackberry.
It's black and white (more like black and a greenish/gray), it has an address book, calendar, memo pad, to-do list, a back-light, and some other excellent and useful features. I use it to schedule appointments, keep track of acquaintances (no worries if my cell phone gets lost!), make grocery lists, keep track of my finances, etc. etc. It also has some internet capabilities, though I would never pay for the services. It does not have Word capabilities, wireless phone, or any other nifty gadgets, all of which I cannot think of because I have no need for them.
I've had this baby for . . . 6 or 7 years now? And it's showing the signs of it. The screen is scratched, the paint is chipped everywhere, the front and back have spread apart by a millimeter or so, and often you have to tap the stylus about 1/4 inch below or above the item you are trying to select. But, with all luck it should last me another 6 or 7 years. And I really don't think I'll see a need for any other features than it offers me. So while I may not patch my threadbare clothing, I feel like at least in this respect I'm doing my part to "waste not, want not."
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