Read & Write Every Day

As a rule, I try to both read and write something particular every day.  I don't necessarily try to read 'a book' or even a chapter from a book...  I don't try to write a proper blog post or a poem.  However, I do try to read an impactful article about history or philosophy or politics or gaming or science or love or business or sports or family.  I do try to write a reminder or note to myself about ways to stretch my character or things to read or things to do or ways to improve or house projects to do...  I try to write a note to my wife or a proper email to a friend or colleague or a great quote I just read, or even a blog post that I'll never post. 

Regardless, I try to keep my reading and writing regular and varied.
The benefits of exploration, new experiences, the unknown, learning, and having new topics to discuss and converse about are all priceless. It also allows me to free my mind of stagnant views, prejudices, misinformation, and stereotypes.  I don't make this claim because I feel that I'm small minded or intolerant, but rather because of the complete opposite- because I think I am open minded and I want to continue to challenge my thoughts, ideals, perceptions, and intuitions...

I'm always open to suggestions on things to write about, read, discover, or look into.  

This entry wouldn't be complete without a few quotes that have caught my eye lately:
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"Great works, and great folly, are indistinguishable at the outset"
-Adam Steltzner

(There are so many critics and judges out there in the world.  Too many times we criticize risk takers, tinkerers, and thinkers; but rarely pause to think about how closely related success and failure are.  In addition, our culture is a "play it safe" culture, one which is consumable for and by the masses; one that doesn't like to think individually or creatively...  So I say, lets remember to proceed with caution with regard to those among us who dare to challenge convention and "normalcy")
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"It's infinitely easier to be a critic than a celebrator" 
-Brain Pickings
(Related to my above thoughts, we fall much more easily into negative critique and judgement these days than we do to praise and celebration.  Many out there think that to criticize is a mark of intelligence, deep thought, and individuality.  Unfortunately, this breeds a state of negativity that permeates our culture too much and too frequently.  Take a breath, listen, evaluate, and then gather our thoughts before opening our mouths...  we'd all be slightly better for it.)
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"We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."
-Aristotle
(This one's pretty straightforward.  You can call yourself anything you want, or proclaim to "be" whatever it is that is fashionable or easy, but until it is part of the fabric of who you are, what you do, or what you believe in and stand for, it's all just temporary window dressing.  Stemming from this though, excellence is "a way", and not an ideal or decision...)

Inspiration from reading these quotes has driven me to think and write.  I like it like that!


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Edit/Update***

I found this quote this morning:

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding"

-Dale Carnegie

It plays into my feelings from above, where I defend the Brain Pickings quote about celebrating rather than criticizing so easily.  I love how my continued discovery of the world (the universe) comes back around on itself in so many interesting and layered ways.  Sort of the essence of this post at the onset...

Regret, Love, Memories & Forging Ahead

Do you ever regret a life decision so wholly and honestly that it almost gives you chills?  Emotion is therapy. Emotion is life.

I lost touch with a great friend when I was in my early 20's.  I miss him.  I miss not having been a part of his life for the past 10-13 years.  I miss not being there for him in the best of times or during the bleakest of times.  Similarly, I miss the prospect of him sharing those same moments for me.
Please don't misunderstand- I am not lamenting because I don't find these qualities elsewhere- I'm simply pained by the regret of letting someone go because I was too immature and myopic about life.  My own insecurities and selfishness was an impediment to me seeing that there was more to life than brooding and self loathing.

I love my wife without end.  I have family and friends who would quite literally do anything for me.  My life is pretty darn good.  I have zero complaints.  I do, however, regret letting go of not only a great man, but letting go of a family that treated me as their own.  I'm sure I caused hurt, or at the very least a little bit of consternation.  I would like to apologize for my immaturity; though how?

As a 20 year old I'm sure I was selfish.  That's sort of a right of passage for high school grads, twenty-something's, and other young adults.  Not making excuses, but it seems to happen to everyone.

Maybe someday I will find a way to re-join his life.  It'd be great to spend time together again and enjoy each others company.  I'd love our wives to meet, and someday for our kids to do that as well.

I'm not giving up hope, I'm not quitting,  Instead I'll just let things happen...  and when/ if an opportunity presents itself I'll not miss it.


Peace
AM Son

Musings

In the span of 6 days I've been called incompetent and told that my hard work is "terrible".  I've also had my work compared to something that is over a hundred miles away from me physically and which I've never seen or heard of or even know exists...!

I will brighten that grey news with this:

I've met 4 of our 5 neighbors immediately surrounding our home!  We've lived here for about a year and a half now and (mostly via walking Pepper) I've had the pleasure to meet dozens of friendly, welcoming people all around our neighborhood.  As expected, some are more outgoing and chatty than others.  But overall I get a nice sense of community and good faith from those around us.

It comes in stark contrast to the way I'm sometimes treated at work.  By and large, the people I come into contact with at work are respectful and polite, if not sometimes a bit standoffish.  It's ok though, being reserved and not overly chummy shall not be conflated with snobbery and/or disrespect.  However, some of the characters I come into contact with (an all too frequent)on a regular basis; whether through email, in person, or via the internet can be downright crass, elitist, and infuriating in their displays of rudeness, entitlement, and brashness.

The dichotomy is- in a way- comforting.  Thank you to my friendly neighbors!

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Written while listening to, "Shallows Low" by Matthew Good (Lights of Endangered Species)

Weather (Again)

I'm going to do my best to not have any more weather related rants posts.  It seems, however, that this is shaping up to be the type of year that bestows upon us a roller coaster ride of weather patterns.  From the early Spring drought, and mid/ late spring coolness; to early summer wetness, on to our current heat/ humidity/ haziness, we simply cannot seem to catch on to any moderation.  September can't get here soon enough...

Otherwise, there isn't much going on these days.  I've been catching up on some "stuff I've missed" over the past several months:
-Mass Effect 2- a classic sci-fi game that I didn't fully get into a few years ago when it was released.  I'm glad I found it now, as it offers a great mix of classic cult sci-fi feel and epic story with charm, technical prowess, and character to burn!  Due to summer schedule, I haven't played in a week or so, but when I get some time again I will be sure to jump right back in to enjoyment...
-Star Trek: TNG- I was 10 years old or so when this show was on air, and though I was never bitten by this bug back in the day, I'm sure glad I "discovered" it now!  Though I still haven't come around to the original series, I've been magnetized to TNG!  Really anxious to continue the enjoyment I've gained from watching this classic series, as well as move on to other iterations of the Trek universe.

That's all for now... but I do plan to be back more regularly now...  I hope!

Peace
AM Son

Spring?

Where is spring?  Where is the rain?  Where is the dreary,  endless gray that we all know as "spring time"?

I'm frustrated, it seems we're in the midst of another year of weather that makes my job and life miserable...  The type of weather that most normal people can't get enough of.  The kind of weather poets write about....

Come on spring, help us out a little....  Please!?

Emotive

My blog is titled, "the form of function" and its tagline states, "my soul is shaped by life, this is what it looks like..." What this means is somewhat convoluted and pedantic. Due to that, I'll try to summarize what I like to think of is the essence of my blog:
-form and function- the idea that shape/ style/ substance may be different from purpose and scope.
-many times these ideas work harmoniously, and many times they are at odds.
-my philosophy is that form should always follow function (however, I did not dream up this theory!).
-this philosophy dates to the early 20th century and the early years of modern architecture.
-Frank lloyd Wright popularized this idea that form shall follow function.
-however, the originator of this idea was Louis Sullivan- the father of the skyscraper.

So, what does this mean?
So, why is this relevant?
So... I bet you're asking whey I'm doing this?
Here you go...

-I've always believed that any design or plan takes its shape from the function with which the plan was born or intended.
-form, style, shape, substance, color, size, etc. shall be dictated by the intended purpose (or function) of the idea, product, etc.
-in short, work well first and look good second.
-as it pertains to me, I define function as the things that I do, the things that I see, the things that I hear, the things that I feel, the people I love and hate and meet, the places I go, the experiences I have, etc.
-as it pertains to me, I define form as who I am and what I feel and what I think and what I believe and what I stand for.
-as it pertains to me, I define my soul as my FORM and my experiences as my FUNCTION
-the function of my life is what creates my form.
-my soul follows my function because it is created BY it
-therefore, my soul is shaped by my function
-therefore, my souls shape and color and size and essence takes its design cues from my function
-therefore, "my soul is shaped by life, this is what it looks like..." is my way of stating: this is who I am, and these writings are the roadmap through which I've created my soul...

Every so often it seems that something comes along and forces your soul to the forefront- a display of soul more evocative and stronger than the phrase, "wearing emotions on your sleeve" can describe. A moment where you literally break down and can't help by show how you feel about something. Weather it be immense happiness shown through a large grin, or incredible pain that comes out as a scream or a groan. Sometimes it simply comes out as tears and raw emotion...
This type of thing happened to me recently, and it came in a quite unexpected form and in a very unexpected outburst. To put it simply, I broke down in sobbing tears when I read this:

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2013/01/john_dickerson_on_parenting_returning_to_your_children_after_16_months_on.html

I don't know if you will have the same reaction about this as I did. It's not relevant. What happened to me as I was reading this story was pure, it was real, it was beautiful, and to keep it relevant to what I've written above- it was my soul eeking out from my body. It was my soul being shaped by my life and my function. My soul's shape in those few moments took the form of tears and yearning and sadness and hope and awe and so many other emotions...
Why?
I want to be there. I want to be a great man. I want to be in the moment and be there for my wife and my kids and my family and my friends. I want to recognize what all those special people need from me. I want to be better. I want to live for more than just myself.
John Dickerson. He's on my list of my "8 Favorite People of all Time" (ok... a story for another day)! This is precisely the reason why he's on the list.
Go read the article. It may not have the same effect on you as it did me. That's ok- if it does not, go find something entirely your own that draws the shape of your soul. Go out and let your function shape your soul...