That's Gneiss! #54 ~ In which we make a major decision...
Hello friends!
Today’s newsletter is on the later side of things because we’ve just returned from a two night trip to Yakima to visit my parents. We left Friday, spent two nights there and drove home today. It was my mother’s 82nd birthday, and we had a nice time visiting with them and my brother, who came over from Boise. Nolan came along too.
On our way over, we drove by my usual place of work where I currently spend anywhere from 2-4 days of my work week. Technically, it’s my home base for work but I sometimes work from the library that is much closer to home when I don’t have meetings. It’s a nice setup and I’m fortunate to have the flexibility.
As we drove by my home base, Michael said, “I don’t believe you drive this far to work almost every day - let’s move!”
Yes folks, it’s a 60 mile trip to work - one way!
Within 10 minutes (probably less) we had made the decision that there is no reason to stay where we are and it’s time to move. There is no bloody reason for me to keep driving so far to work. We love our house, but that’s not good enough. Several days a week, I spend 2.5-3 hours in the car and drive 120 miles for work. Now that I’ve got my new job and know I’ll be busy with that for several years, IT’S TIME.
Sooooo… now what?
This will obviously not happen overnight. We need to find a place to rent, and get our house ready to rent. We’re not going to sell it right away, but may do so in the future. We’ve got a lot to do, and it’s very exciting! My mind has been racing thinking of all the things that need to be done, including getting rid of a lot of crap that’s built up over the last few years. I’m looking forward to purging some belongings that I just don’t need anymore!
I shall keep you posted as we progress.
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I didn’t take too many photos while we were in Yakima, but this spectacular tree stump was near the hotel we stayed in.
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I’m reading the book Factfulness, which has recently been getting a lot of buzz. Among other things, it was one of the books on Obama’s summer reading list this year. It’s an easy read, and talks about ways to be more savvy when thinking about data reported in the news. It’s an excellent reminder that there’s always much more to the story than what’s reported on the surface, and looking deeper will often show that things are not as dire as they’re made out to be. Or maybe they are, but understanding the full explanation behind a trend puts things into perspective.
One project discussed in the book is called Dollar Street - it visualizes the lives of people along the income spectrum from extreme poverty to wealth as if they lived on a single street. There’s a collection of photos for each family, showing a variety of objects in their homes as well as food they eat, etc. It’s fascinating to see the differences and similarities around the world and at different income levels. Rather than breaking things into two extremes, the project (and book) approach things by dividing the world into four income levels. I highly recommend the book as a reminder to be thoughtful about data as reported, and to not jump to the conclusions we’re expected to based on the news of the day. If nothing else it’s a different lens with which to view the world.
This is an example of one of the infographics they’ve developed, in this case to show life expectancy vs. income. Check out the rest of the work from Gapminder.
And that, my friends, is it from me this week. I hope you have a good one!
Tidbits
“Most deaths and injuries are the result of stupid decisions made by drunk people.” Grand Canyon Sketchbook
When facial recognition surveillance isn’t enough - gait recognition is on the horizon
Meanwhile, researchers in England are already hard at work on ways to thwart gait recognition software
Did somebody say NUDIBRANCHS?
Making: plans, so many plans!
Recently eaten: should you find yourself in Yakima and needing to make a choice between restaurants, my suggestion to you is to go with the Sports Center Restaurant and Bar (see their famous rotating neon sign). You could go to Cowiche Canyon Kitchen + Icehouse, but it’s just not as good. Also, if you need to go to the ladies room at Cowiche Canyon to wash your hands after dinner, it’s very possible you’ll have to wait while they clean up the vomit of the horribly drunk woman from the group at a nearby table (really).
Reading: still working on The Witch Elm, and should finish that this week. I don’t normally read poetry, but Field Guide to the End of the World popped onto my radar. I suppose I’m enjoying it. It’s short. Also, see above.
Videos of the Week
Part of the “experience” of eating dinner at Alfy’s Pizza is the music that’s always playing just a bit too loud. It’s a trip through my childhood, and not always a good thing. But every now and then a fantastic song pops up…
And this, because why not? Another great reminder of times gone by.
In case you need a little bit more. I remember going to the late show of Stop Making Sense and dancing through the entire movie. Good times!!!
Question of the Week
Just hit reply to send your answer, and I’ll share it next week. Always anonymous!
Share a link to the video for a song you love!
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Last week I asked about holiday traditions, and apparently you all have none.
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