A digital commonplace for a Regular Guy called Charlie Pharis
Out of it. Out of whack. Out of sorts. Out of options.
Out of order. Out of date. Out of touch.
Out of line. Out of sight. Out of mind.
Out of my mind. Out of my league. Out of my lane.
Out of my field. Out of the ordinary. Out of bounds.
Out of office. Out of breath. Out of stock.
Out of focus. Out of reach. out of context.
Out of the ordinary. Out of options. Out of luck.
Out of service. Out of this world. Out of time.
If you’ve been hanging around these parts at all over the last 21+ years, you’ll agree that many of the all too sporadic posts deal with serendipity and/or synchronicity. I’m just that kind of observer, I guess. And when I observe something, often it puts me in touch with something else related or almost related. So you might say this blog—when it runs at all—runs on finding stuff others throw out or leave behind. Today is no different.
Here’s a couple of items for today…
Julian Summerhayes asks, on Tumblr…
Since when did a plurality of old people turn into a burden on society and not be, as they rightly should be, the repository of ancient, mythic wisdom?
David Murray, over at Writing Boots (note: the actual site returns a “nonsecure” message, so you’re on your own on that one), opines on what we call “burnout’…
These days, we would say that Dr. R. was “suffering from burnout.” Nope. He was just questioning the meaning of his work (and thus, to some extent, his life), and finding it wanting. Like we all do, some days. For some, most days. We just don’t give a sh*t.
We should feel free to say so, once in a while—especially in the middle of the summer, especially with our intimates, at the very least, with ourselves.
But do we dare? Do I? Do you? I think we should. For everyone’s good.
Hello, you loyal readers…all both of you! And happy New Year from this little dusty spot on the interwebs. Traditionally, today has been the day for reflection on the year just past and commitment to be better in the year that is just starting. And as someone somewhere opined, “New year’s resolutions are a to-do list for the first week in January.” That’s about right, because that’s just about how long they last.
Anyway, enough about that. Let’s get to what you came here for, shall we?
Some random thoughts on a new year…
One Word. There are folks out there who subscribe to the idea of having One Word for the year. One word that ideally and hopefully will define your intentions for the year, and guide you as you live, work, and love. One word to remind you of who you want to be and what you’re doing to become that person. One word to rule them all, so to speak. Having never been much on that kind of thing before, this year it seemed appropriate to me to think about it. So my word for 2024 is going to be elevate. Stay tuned for more details. (How’s that for piquing your readers’ interest—and setting up a reminder, a prompt to further develop a thought?)
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
From somebody’s notebook this dark and early Thursday…
We wax nostalgic for some mythical ‘way things were’ because we see the present and have extrapolated it out into the uncertain future. And the picture is not a pretty one.
Today marks the beginning of the first conference/convention/etc. I’ve attended in a long time. I’m a little bit anxious.
It’s not that I don’t like people. I do. I think I have a servant’s heart for people. I do. But as I get older, my tolerance for people’s BS has diminished. I don’t relish the thought of sitting/milling around/interacting with a crowd.
Anyway, we’ll see how it goes. Get ready to send in the rescue team.
Photo by Clark Young on Unsplash
It’s all about the details. The little things matter.
Is the colon aligned vertically when representing time? Or is it sitting on the baseline in the default position? Did you even notice? Did you change it? What about the dash between times? Did insert the n-dash or just settle for the hyphen key and call it good? What about the kerning? Did you follow the style guide?
Did you take the time to make the shadows realistic on the composite image? Or did you just duplicate the layer and position it somewhere in some sort of alignment? Did you think about where the light would actually hit? Did you make the shadow black instead of a gradient of grey-blue?
Did you check your spelling? Your punctuation? Did you leave the passive voice, or did you even think to re-read the copy?
Did you leave the piece of paper towel on the restroom floor? Did you send the thank-you note? Did you remember your customer’s name?
The details do matter. The little stuff does count. The little things do add up to big things. And if you do the little things consistently, it will become a habit. And the habit will become excellence in practice.
Image: “Needs, ” by Taber Andrew Bai https://flic.kr/p/d1nLBW
Random things I need, in no particular order…
To all a good night.
Roberto Trombetta via Compfight
Fridays seem to be the worst and best of times lately.
The worst, because it seems the darkness feels heavier and the hope feels fainter.
But Fridays are often the best, because for whatever reason, my brain often kicks into another gear and I think about more stuff more deeply. So here’s a rare installation of some the random thoughts that drip out on a typical Friday. Like today…
Alexander Mueller via Compfight
October has been a blur so far. I need to land a moment, to step away from the rush, to breathe, to touch base with reality, so I don’t lose touch. The best way I know to do that is to dump what’s in my mind. Here goes…
Back to the blur. I’ll see you when I can step out again. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Peace.
Tom Simpson via Compfight
This morning, I’m asking a lot of questions and not finding many answers. Questions like…
Frederick Buechner says we often build castles to protect ourselves from others and the outside world. But we soon find those castles become the prisons of our own making, that hold us captive and restrict our freedom to function as we were intended and designed. He goes on to say that the simple words, “Help me” are the keys that open those gates, and release us to our better selves.
If that’s the case, then the questions may help us get to the place of asking for that help.
