Occam’s Razor

Comings and Goings

   The Unhurried Life

I appreciated hearing from my good friend Gregg Beldock following my last post when he wrote,

“I have searched for a word that articulates an unhurried life, an unhurried lifestyle. The “word” is unhurried life.”

“It’s apparent that life is more colorful, more satisfying, more fulfilling, more exciting when you learn to live it more unhurried.”

While I am still at beginning of the sabbatical, Gregg’s reflections, reminiscent of something Forest Gump may have iterated, resonates with me because yes, my experience is moving in slow motion, and I have unhurried time on my hands.  I am reminded of speaking to students about slowing down periodically to create space for reflection, a novel pastime for teenagers and for many of us, as we all choose and are culturally forced to move throughout our lives at breakneck speeds.   I am still following Westminster faculty and community emails, and the sheer volume of daily communiques reflect a new normal and serve as a proxy, I think, for the intensity and the pace of all lives in 2018.

   The Farnsworth Museum

I forgot to mention that while studying photography in Maine several weeks ago, I had a chance to visit the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland which features many pieces reflecting beautiful American art.  I recall last year teaching some of Rennie Mcquilkin’s poems that, in particular, highlighted several of Andrew Wyeth’s more notable paintings. Interestingly, I learned that three generations of Wyeths enjoyed noteworthy acclaim for their respective paintings.

I also lucked out at seeing a temporary exhibit of Ai Weiwei, the Chinese contemporary artist and activist.  His exhibition of gold sculptures, reflecting a “circle of animals/ Zodiak heads,” was stunning and beautiful. At some point I would enjoy learning more about how Ai Weiwei’s work manifests his view on Chinese authority and the detrimental effects of globalization.  Political commentary aside, Weiwei’s gold heads demonstrated his amazing artistry and craft.

   Hatteras

Certainly not as cultural as the Farnsworth but no less entertaining, Nick, Will, and I ventured to Hatteras for Columbus Weekend to manage our testosterone and advance our kiting skills.  We met in Norfolk on Friday (Will had taken the red eye from SF on Thursday night so that he could work remotely, and Nick landed from Chicago at 9:30pm).  The 2.5 hour drive to Waves, NC put us at our destination just before midnight and after providing the three of us with time to solve the problems of the world and to ponder the assumptions of Occam’s Razor.  Although we waited patiently on Saturday, clinging to even the slightest wisp of wind, it was not until Sunday when the wind gods shifted in our direction and provided conditions for kite “shredding.”

Nick and Will previously “self taught” themselves over the last two years in San Francisco, so once again I found myself pushing hard just to be a part of the team.  Our instructors, Georgus and Eric, from Greece and Florida respectively, were outstanding and guided us beautifully along the kiting progression curve.

With plenty of time for conversation (remember we were watching and waiting for the wind a lot), I was struck by how both instructors – married and with college degrees, fluent in several languages – were choosing more unconventional and less secure lifestyles because of their love of kiting and the opportunity to travel.  Given my own background, too often, I know that I become very myopic about our Westminster students pursuing “traditional” careers, and I forget that many up and comers are taking certain risks to pursue what they truly love, acting as entrepreneurs of a sort to create  financially viable and satisfying careers. Something to consider to be sure. By the by, when Eric is not teaching at Real in Hatteras, he is in Key West instructing at Upwindkiteboarding.

I have included a few kiting videos for your entertainment and possible amusement:

Nick and Will in tandem

Will catching “big” air

A little shaky but in the game

According to Amy, Nick, Abby, and Will

I wanted to include some varied content from the “Family” as we – like so many other families – are continuously sharing articles, videos, humor, and podcasts which may, in effect, be one of the ways to slow down the momentum of a day or serve as a healthy mode of procrastination.

Nick listens to lots of podcasts, usually during his morning and evening commute, and really enjoys Patrick O’Shaugnessy:  http://investorfieldguide.com/trailmagic/

Amy recently highlighted an NPR piece, Weaponization of social media and its real world consequences,  and found it fascinating.  And, as a librarian, Amy wanted to put a plug in for Michael Lewis’ new book, The Fifth Risk. In my opinion, Lewis is an extraordinary writer who draws readers quickly into the quagmire of his eclectic literary investigations.

Also of note is Amy’s curiosity for  Steven Pinker’s The Better Angels of our nature/ why violence has declined, a book that Bill Gates describes as one of the most inspiring that he has ever read.

Worth the Read/ Worth a View

Recently, I heard an interview with Steve Carell, best known for his run with The Office, and Timothee Cahlamet who both perform in the recently released movie, Beautiful Boy, focusing on the very real challenges of addiction and family.  While I don’t anticipate that this will be a feel good movie, I also realize that the current opioid crisis will sadly and inevitably intersect with the lives of just about everyone.  The above link provides both a review and the movie trailer.

Articles of interest include:

O.C.D., My Exhausting Best Friend

This Canadian Hockey Star Doubles as a Law Enforcer

How Feminist Dystopian Fiction is Channeling Women’s Anger and Anxiety

Your Dog May Be Smart, but She’s Not Exceptional (a must read for dog lovers)

The Jocks Will Inherit the Earth (a provocative article about social power in school and careers later in life)

Am I a Lawn Mower Parent

The Science behind a Frog’s Leap  (short and amusing)

And Finally

With many of you involved in youth athletics, you may have missed the peewee football coach’s brawl that once again sheds light upon the ongoing challenges of youth sports.  I am reminded of Tom Earl’s cautionary warning when we coached hockey together.  He said something to the effect that, following a heated athletic contest, “Nothing good usually comes from saying anything  during the handshake with the opposing coach.”  Some wisdom and truth there, to be sure.

Speaking of hockey, if there is only one link that you explore on this blog, this is the one.  Thanks to Francois Morin for sharing the story of hockey pioneers in Kenya, footage that will surely put a smile on your face while eliciting a host of other emotions.

Lastly, Amy and I have enjoyed several nice, albeit long hikes this fall, first on Mount Greylock near Williamstown and last weekend along the southeastern ridge of Stratton Mountain in Vermont, a seven mile round trip journey with perfect temperatures on a quintessential foliage afternoon.  In both cases we interacted at the peak with engaging groups of college students, enjoying wilderness overnights and outdoor rigor.  Gotta love college outing clubs.  We also climbed the fire tower and witnessed striking vistas.

We built our first fire of the season, another rite of autumn, and I look forward to stacking a cord of wood, which currently sits in our driveway (many years ago I actually cut and split our wood), an annual ritual that oddly provides me with great joy and satisfaction.

sws