Thick and thin. That’s what I’ve been through with this trusted steed.

John Sprouse, of Bill Estes Chevrolet, sold me this 1994 Chevy Astro in 1996. It was an above average van. Not too big, not too small. More truck than mini-van. It was customized. Had captains chairs that would lay ALL the way back (perhaps you’ve slept in those chairs?). The back bench folded out in to a  bed and it had mood lighting. There were also two handles in the ceiling. Never did figure out what those were for.

We acquired that van when our kids were small. Today’s mini-vans don’t provide the kind of moving around space you had in my mini cruise ship. Emily, now 6ft tall, could walk around in it. They could sprawl out for a nap or build a fort. Needless to say, it revolutionized long distance travel for the young Bean family.

That van has been there through hundreds of relationships that have come and gone in my life. It’s hauled an amazing assortment of people, from Kentuckians to Kenyans. Camping trips, church conferences, concerts, and 13 Christmases.  It’s helped to move more than a few people from old home to new (two of our own).

Lots of happy moments and some very sad have been enjoyed and endured inside it. I can see many familiar faces riding in the passenger seat. Lots of conversations still echo.

Other than a wedding ring, my best dog,  and a few pieces of furniture no non-human thing has been more consistently a fixture in my world. This worn out hunk of metal (with new tires, argh!) has been a symbol of one of my most valued character traits — loyalty. Like a rock, huh?

I think I’m going to miss that van. Maybe I should get a tattoo.

Thanks for the memories.

My two big issues are health and money.

We, at least me and my high school buddies, made fun of those who were taking Consumer Math. This was a math class for those who couldn’t handle the advanced courses. We thought of it has, “How To Make Change For A Dollar.” Now I have a different opinion. I think consumer math should be required to graduate.

I got my first credit card at 19. In less than two months I was cutting it up and mailing it back. The credit card company was happy and I got to experience debt stress for the first time. My daughters regularly get fatherly advice about credit cards. Hopefully it will make the difference for them. I do hope the recent changes in the laws will make a difference.

With all the useless classes, and days spent watching movies and television shows (don’t get me started on that), couldn’t we squeeze in some serious education about budgeting, balancing bank accounts, and understanding credit & loans? I know there’s time. And, as far as I know, there shouldn’t be any moral or religious conflicts with regards to what should get taught (i’m thinking of sex ed).

That leads me to the health issue, or, more specifically, nutrition and fitness. Our kids , especially the older ones, need to learn about fitness; that they need to be active and help doing it. They spend time in PE and health classes learning about badminton and condoms, and those aren’t useless things, but what about basic nutrition and exercise principles? One lesson on the latest food pyramid at some point in elementary school isn’t enough. Perhaps this would be one of the most significant things we could do to address our health care crisis.

I don’t want to see our schools back off of advanced subjects, especially math & science, to make room for these. The U.S. is going to be in serious trouble in the coming generation, if we don’t improve the quality of students entering and coming out of college. However, we would still have serious trouble with hordes of brilliant young people unable to manage their finances or to get off the couch.

I don’t want my kids to be broke and fat their whole lives.

Going Offline In Search Of Freedom ~ Peggy Orenstein

“In my slightly less agonizing situation, the trap is more of a bait and switch: the promise is of infinite knowledge, but what’s delivered is infinite information, and the two are hardly the same.”

I must admit I have a thirst for knowledge but mere information is a kind of salt water for this craving. It doesn’t satisfy at all. What I know is that this is not a new struggle for humans.

The writer’s closing statement is extremely poignant, and is an example of actual wisdom. Let’s think more deeply about this.

“I’m not wishing the Internet away. It has become so integral to my work — to my life — that I honestly can’t recall what I did without it. But it has allowed us to reflexively indulge every passing interest, to expect answers to every fleeting question, to believe that if we search long enough, surf a little further, we can hit the dry land of knowing “everything that happens” and that such knowledge is both possible and desirable. In the end, though, there is just more sea, and as alluring as we can find the perpetual pursuit of little thoughts, the net result may only be to prevent us from forming the big ones.”

I need to rediscover my mast.

Purell Hand Sanitizer Source: www.purell.com

“Calgon Take Me Away” was a popular slogan back in the day. “Purell Take Me Away” might be most appropriate now.

It’s been at least a year since I was sick, maybe a little longer. Looks like that good, long run is over. Fearful that I may be set upon by the flu, I’ve looked over the WebMD website and studied the differences between cold and flu symptoms.

For the most part they seem to vary only in degree, though the GI issues are not typically associated with a cold. The modifier that throws me is “rapid onset.” That’s fairly subjective. How rapid is rapid? Is rapid like sudden? Or would it be fair to say the onset of symptoms was rapid if they built over a couple of days as opposed to a whole week?

To make matters worse, I’m having a hard time interpreting the achy body signals due to my 9 mile run earlier today (felt poorly and still ran kinda fast). Without a doubt my body is in a state of discomfort and fatigue. Maybe it will go away with a good night’s rest.

(I just touched my eye with my finger. Can you flush your eyes with Purell?)

Speaking of Purell (No, i’m not being paid to endorse them.) Check out the 99 reasons you should use Purell. And you thought you had covered all the bases. Pfft!

Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit is a book I’m trying to read a little every day. After two chapters i can already say I’m glad I picked it up. Not heavy, not fluffy, it’s just right. I appreciate the format style as well. Reads like a blog as opposed to a text book.

Chapter 2 is about the importance of rituals. She calls them “automatic, decisive patterns of behavior.” As Tharp says, first steps are hard. Rituals make the first steps automatic so I can get moving. They help bring focus and keep us from getting stuck at, “I don’t feel like it,” or “Why am I doing this?”

Merlin Mann at 43 Folders has written extensively about The Creative Habit. Couldn’t decide on a specific page to link to so just search the site. There’s plenty.

Thank Merlin Mann for this bit of wisdom from his Real Advice Hurts.  I recommend reading the whole article.  Came along at a good time for me.  Keep in mind, you may not agree with everything he has to say.  Chew it up.  Digest the good stuff.  Spit out the bones.

Next goal set. January 1st – 310lbs.

“Your focus cannot be on NOT failing.”

Negative motivators can be powerful in the short term but in the long run they don’t provide the impetus to grow.  It’s the difference between surviving or thriving.  For someone who hates to fail, this is a good reminder.

Got my first tast of Yome living.  This was a nice addition to the camping experience.  We would have been miserable otherwise.  Six of us slept inside.

Nice view looking out from the Yome.

Thanks to Mr. Creech for the photos.

Grizzly Adams?  I loved that show.

As a pop culture reference it is probably meaningless.  Maybe some sort of reference to Bear Grylls or Les Stroud would make more sense?

Anyway.  Looking forward to a weekend in the woods.  I hear banjos playin’.

There will be fire.  Unwinding will happen.  Snow would be good but rain will do.

Look out Mr. Squirrel.