The most recent issue of Time magazine included a feature on how ordinary Americans are dealing with, affected by, and reacting to the economic downturn. I really appreciated the opening article (by Nancy Gibbs) for the spread, and especially this part of it:
"No one wishes for hardship. But as we pick through the economic rubble, we may find that our riches have buried our treasures. Money does not buy happiness; Scripture asserts this, research confirms it. Once you reach the median level of income, roughly $50,000 a year, wealth and contentment go their separate ways, and studies find that a millionaire is no more likely to be happy than someone earning one-twentieth as much. Now a third of people polled say they are spending more time with family and friends, and nearly four times as many people say their relations with their kids have gotten better during this crisis than say they have gotten worse.
A consumer culture invites us to want more than we can ever have; a culture of thrift invites us to be grateful for whatever we can get. So we pass the time by tending our gardens and patching our safety nets and debating whether, years from now, this season will be remembered for what we lost, or all that we found."
April 22, 2009
April 17, 2009
what did i say?!
Wednesday, April 15, 10:00am MST
...after a particularly taxing romp at the park.
Today at 3:30pm MST:
...after a particularly taxing romp at the park.
Today at 3:30pm MST:
....and it's still carrying on.
April 11, 2009
drip drip drop
I'm just asking for trouble even mentioning this, because on Easter Sunday last year we woke up to four inches of snow on the ground. But I am really in the mood for some spring rain, and this has been stuck in my brain all day:
on a side note, I think the older Disney movies have a touch of loveliness to the animation that just isn't around any more.
on a side note, I think the older Disney movies have a touch of loveliness to the animation that just isn't around any more.
April 7, 2009
just how good we have it
Well, I'm now a blog plagiarist/thief.
But I find these two distinctly different voices to echo the same sentiment, in interesting ways.
One is Dooce's most recent post about the to-vaccinate-or-not-to-vaccinate debate, and particularly her observation of vaccines as a first-world luxury. (dooce.com)
The other is a comedian's take on some widespread American attitudes. (first posted on my friend Lauren's blog)
Both gave me a lot to mull over.
But I find these two distinctly different voices to echo the same sentiment, in interesting ways.
One is Dooce's most recent post about the to-vaccinate-or-not-to-vaccinate debate, and particularly her observation of vaccines as a first-world luxury. (dooce.com)
The other is a comedian's take on some widespread American attitudes. (first posted on my friend Lauren's blog)
Both gave me a lot to mull over.
March 31, 2009
not so simple
I've had a subscription to Real Simple magazine for over a year now, and I really like it. It's probably aimed at a demographic 10 years ahead of me, so a lot of the articles have to do with time management or children or quick family meals... but I like the look of the magazine, the creative uses for ordinary objects they come up with, and the creative pieces and essays that guest writers contribute.
Recently, though, the magazine didn't exactly live up to its title. This is the corner of the front cover:
....and, I expected something somewhat predictable: 2. plant a tree, 11. give someone a hug, 26. write a note to someone who wouldn't expect it, etc. etc. But here's an example:
It was a list of stuff you can purchase for under $20.
Cute, yes.
...but joyful? Are you serious? Crap to waste your money on that will yield maybe 10 minutes' worth of entertainment, and then what? How long is this brand of "joy" supposed to last?
It amazes me that, even in the midst of circumstances that SCREAM "money is not everything, money is transient, money does not make us whole", publications like this one still turn to it as a source of comfort and happiness, and recommend it to the rest of us. If you're down, spending UNDER $20 will pick you up! Simple as that! How did I miss it?!?!?!
Maybe if I had received this particular issue on a different day, it would have flipped by me unnoticed. But lately I've become acutely aware of just how much the world of retail is not for me. I could go as far as to say I'm morally against it, but that might be too strong. I just have so many misgivings in a typical day at work... the push to encourage people to sign up for credit cards (more debt is a super idea!); the push to get people to buy just $1.50 more ($1.50 worth of stuff you don't need!); the push to get people to spend money in general, in a time when most of us could use a reassessment of what we spend our money on.
Most days I don't think about it in such broad terms. Most days it's just a job. But every once in a while, when I read memos or emails or hear about sales updates, something inside me recoils. And I just know that very little of what I'm supposed to pursue reflects Jesus. We're supposed to be friendly and gracious with people, but only with ulterior motives. We're supposed to be helpful and patient, but only in the interest of milking every dollar we can in the moment. I'm growing more and more disillusioned even as I type the words.
But at least I have a job, right?
Recently, though, the magazine didn't exactly live up to its title. This is the corner of the front cover:
....and, I expected something somewhat predictable: 2. plant a tree, 11. give someone a hug, 26. write a note to someone who wouldn't expect it, etc. etc. But here's an example:
It was a list of stuff you can purchase for under $20.
Cute, yes.
...but joyful? Are you serious? Crap to waste your money on that will yield maybe 10 minutes' worth of entertainment, and then what? How long is this brand of "joy" supposed to last?
It amazes me that, even in the midst of circumstances that SCREAM "money is not everything, money is transient, money does not make us whole", publications like this one still turn to it as a source of comfort and happiness, and recommend it to the rest of us. If you're down, spending UNDER $20 will pick you up! Simple as that! How did I miss it?!?!?!
Maybe if I had received this particular issue on a different day, it would have flipped by me unnoticed. But lately I've become acutely aware of just how much the world of retail is not for me. I could go as far as to say I'm morally against it, but that might be too strong. I just have so many misgivings in a typical day at work... the push to encourage people to sign up for credit cards (more debt is a super idea!); the push to get people to buy just $1.50 more ($1.50 worth of stuff you don't need!); the push to get people to spend money in general, in a time when most of us could use a reassessment of what we spend our money on.
Most days I don't think about it in such broad terms. Most days it's just a job. But every once in a while, when I read memos or emails or hear about sales updates, something inside me recoils. And I just know that very little of what I'm supposed to pursue reflects Jesus. We're supposed to be friendly and gracious with people, but only with ulterior motives. We're supposed to be helpful and patient, but only in the interest of milking every dollar we can in the moment. I'm growing more and more disillusioned even as I type the words.
But at least I have a job, right?
March 27, 2009
"The bounce has gone from his bungee."
Ohhhhh, I need to get to London for this exhibit.... like, now. The Wallace & Gromit short films and the one full-length one are witty, absorbing, and charmingly English- one of those series that translate both at a kid level and an adult one. "The Wrong Trousers" is my favorite of the shorts.
March 25, 2009
if you find yourself in Estes Park
too late for snow and too early for summer sun, then check out the Stanley Hotel (over 100 years old and the inspiration for Stephen King's The Shining)
check out the wandering (and not shy) elk,
and maybe some deer taking a nap in someone's back yard,
find our dollar bill stapled to the wall in the bar-
only one of 16,000. good luck.
drive back home.
the end.
check out the wandering (and not shy) elk,
and maybe some deer taking a nap in someone's back yard,
then try to take a stroll through town, lose all feeling in your extremeties because of the chilly wind, stop for some coffee (no visuals, sorry), and find somewhere cozy for dinner.
this is good.
find our dollar bill stapled to the wall in the bar-
only one of 16,000. good luck.
drive back home.
the end.
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