August 15, 2008
Do we not all live short lives?
Some people pretend that it goes on forever, until they realize that it's almost over. And that what seemed important is not important in the grand scheme of things. But me? I think this physical life is short for everyone and people make a big deal of too many things that would not be a big deal if they knew they were only going to be alive for a few more weeks or even a year.
The certainty of death in a way has a humbling effect on most people, but not everyone. But maybe some people don't think that death for them is right around the corner. How quickly the changes happen in our bodies.
Now I am going to ask a simple question that has nothing to do with religion or belief in eternal life, because some people will think I'm leading to that. But I'm not. The eternal nature of our souls is not what I'm thinking about. The question is this: If we develop the medical knowledge and technology such as through genetic engineering, to prolong lives and eliminate diseases, what will that do to the attitudes of of people and their humility? Will the great leveler be abolished? Will the world be filled with unstoppable ego-maniacs?
Posted by carl1236 at 09:46 PM | Comments (0) | Philosophy
August 04, 2008
Measuring Time
Let's not measure time
by counting off seconds,
but rather by
measuring change.
Let's count off changes
that have taken place
in our minds and souls.
What a pitty it would be
to live an entire life
without the ability
to measure it.
Posted by carl1236 at 12:48 AM | Comments (0) | Philosophy
July 30, 2008
Time again
I always say, I need more time to do the things I want to do. But I don't really need more time, I need to choose to do the things I want to do. Then my answer is, But if only I had more time to do more things that I want to do. I should devote more time to my friends and family, gardening, art, music, career goals, etc. But what happens in the span of a day, hour or minute while I'm doing something I have chosen to do? My cells change, I breathe, my muscles contract and relax, my mind thinks up stuff, my body carries out actions, etc. What we call 'aging' happens to my body. In the next moment my body is closer to reaching it's natural end. Most of the time those changes are not visible to me, but over a longer period of measurement, I notice the changes. Not only my body changes, but my attitudes and thoughts also change. Hopefully I get wiser instead of spinning in circles, stuck in a whirlpool.
Many people ask, when are we going to experience world peace? The answer is simple. It's not a date or amount of time we are looking for, it's CHANGE. We will experience world peace when the change in human attitude and spirit is complete.
Posted by carl1236 at 07:53 AM | Comments (0) | Life
July 27, 2008
Guided Tour
If you haven't ever been to Franconia Sculpture Park near Taylor's Falls, It's worth a visit. I went there Saturday and this guy was very kind to show me around. Come along little boy...
Posted by carl1236 at 08:10 PM | Comments (0) | Art
June 20, 2008
Miscounted Hub Holes
Well, I'm finally building my fixed gear bike I bought all of the parts for, two years ago! The start of the project is to build my own wheels. The back wheel actually is going fine so far, but when I started on the front wheel I discovered the hub I bought has only 32 holes, vs. the 36 holes in the rear and in the rims I bought. So now I have to hunt for a good front hub to replace this one. I should have learned more about what I was getting before I bought. But I had this stuff picked out for me by someone who should know. I call it distraction. Too caught up in other life activities to make sure the right objects were assembled for the job.
But I think this project will finally get built.
Posted by carl1236 at 11:36 PM | Comments (0) | Bicycles
June 06, 2008
Hard work can get you by?
I think, yes, hard work can get you by in life. And it's rewarding in it's own way. But does that mean hard work = wealth or health? No. Not necessarily. I keep thinking about this more and more these days. I work really hard when motivated and have become skilled in my career field, but the job is not always satisfying or financially rewarding. But working hard and accomplishing things is rewarding. Recently I started entertaining the thoughts of starting my own business so I could work hard for myself.
But as I'm doing research into some business ideas, I keep asking myself, "How could anyone survive owning a business like that?" Many small businesses fail after a few years. Overhead is high, employment issues are challenging and generally revenue for small businesses aren't high enough to pay the owner a decent salary. I know friends who have done it, and are doing it but a couple that I talked to said they are just breaking even. So why be in business if it's destined to fail or fails to produce the kind of income or freedom desired? Passion for the work? The fun challenge of working hard?
I read that new businesses fail generally because the owners fail to plan to win. Every piece of advice I've read said that a good business plan covers all the bases and works on paper. It's less expensive to plan a winning business before even opening up the doors, vs. jumping in without a real plan and failing within a few years.
So I may be planning for a few years, or a lifetime.
Posted by carl1236 at 07:59 AM | Comments (2) | Attitude
May 31, 2008
Bicycle Update
Tonight I re-wrapped my handlebar tape because this moring, with the way I strapped my bike down on the bike rack, it rubbed against the rack and ripped up the tape in one spot. Then I creatively engineered adjustable slides for the front fender. I dyed the leather toestraps whiter, and took her for a six mile maiden voyage with my co-workers today at lunch. Back fender and headset is tomorrow.
Posted by carl1236 at 12:09 AM | Comments (0) | Bicycles
May 28, 2008
American Arrow, Superia, Made in Belgium
Well, this isn't exactly a restoration, but a salvage operation. I saw this white ten speed all beat up and ready to be scrapped but it was weird. First, it was a brand I had never heard of and second it was made in Belgium. The frame looked cool so I thought it had potential. It is my size and solid white with some racing stripes on it and chromed labels. It has aluminum wheels with steel hubs and the spokes all have washers on them at the nipple end, except for the one spoke that had evidently been replaced at some time. It has a Shimano 333 five spped freewheel on it and Simplex derailers. I had never seen those before either so I was hooked. But I thought I coudl wrench on it for a little while and it would all work fine.
I started with the back wheel which was badly warped. It had one broken spoke that someone had twisted around another spoke. I thought maybe the rim was warped because of the broken spoke, but it's actually bent. I replaced the spoke and trued it up to the best of my abiility but it's still a little off. Withouth retentioning all the spokes, I'll settle.
To replace the spoke I had to take out the axel then take off the freewheel because the tool would not fit in there with the axel there. So once I had the axel out I saw how congealed and stiff the old grease was. I just had to clean it and regrease it.
I moved to the front wheel and it went a lot faster. I regreased the bearings there too. Both wheels got new tubes and tires.
I salvaged some really awesome 27" chromed fenders from an old waverly that was all busted up and they look great on the bike, but I I have to construct some new adjustable rods to get it to adjust.
Then I dug into the bottom bracket., It had a solid axel with steel, cottered cranks. I replace that with a modernt bb. and aluminum cranks. I also added some nice aluminum pedels with toe clips and strap.
I replaced the seat, added handlebar tape and it's almost there.
I have not done the headset yet, but with all of this work I think I am obligated to do that too, just so I know what I have in there.
Before I post a photo of it, I have to create the mounting hardware for the fenders and regrease the headset. I also want retape part of the handlebar that doesn't quite look right. Saved from the scrap heap, intended to be used to ride with buddies at work, I dub this bike "Project Friendshop"
Posted by carl1236 at 12:23 AM | Comments (0) | Bicycle Restoration
May 25, 2008
The most powerful weapon on earth
You know, at the end of world war two, we developed what seemed to be the most powerful weapon on earth, able to destroy a city with a single strike. But soon after that a new weapn was developed by the Soviet Uniion that could destroy ten times that. It is without a doubt that after all these years, we could destroy the entire earth in one blow. How much power is enough? If I warn others that if you attack me, I will destroy the planet and you will be dead, would it save the earth? I'd rather be dead than under another contries control., I ask why do people feel the need to expand and control others, probably,
Posted by carl1236 at 11:02 PM | Comments (0) | CHANGE
May 24, 2008
What we really want
You know, it's not hard to see this or understand. What we really want is to just be ourselves and be accepted and recognized. And so it's also not hard to see why our society can get so screwed up and stressful. D...The other day when we were talking, I heard you. And I listened. I saw the real you, the sparkle in your eye when you talked about what you love. The energy you gave off was totally awesome when you realized that I was really interested what you had to say. And to tell you the truth, you made my day!
Posted by carl1236 at 12:45 AM | Comments (0) | Love Yourself | Love your Neighbor
