50 Questions that will free your mind

Continuing to answer 50 Questions:

#5: What is the one thing you'd most like to change about the world?

Ah, finally a more interesting question.  I'd like to be able to convince everyone to be happy with what they have.  I think greed is going to kill this world and it's definitely killing the American spirit.  I can understand wanting to have nice stuff, but when it does it end?  Are we going to be happy because of a bunch of stuff?  Doubtful.  Accumulating stuff will eventually lead to an empty feeling in your soul because you'll never be fulfilled because you can never have everything.  We should be happy enjoying others' companies and should be fulfilled by working hard and making a difference.  

Think back on a time when you were truly happy.  Was it because you bought something?  Or was it a great weekend hiking, a trip to Europe or getting married?  Of course, it takes money to do those three, but people should think positively if they don't have much money and should scale their expectations.  I'm not making a "little people" comment, but if you're not rich, don't worry about not being able to jet off to Europe.  Instead, plan out a car trip to the beach.  People should continuously work hard, but should temper their expectations.  

My parents did alright when I was growing up, but our vacations were always in-state rather than around the world like where a good friend went.  I once found myself jealous of all the countries he visited, but then realized I used to look forward to our in-state vacation every summer.  We'd play cards, eat good food, go hiking, go biking, go swimming, ogle the women at the pool... I made a lot of great memories there and wish I could go back this summer.  Heck, I'm starting to get nostalgic just thinking about it.  Would I have that reaction if I were unhappy there?

The point is life is what you make of it.  You should firstly focus on your health and then evaluate your finances.  If you don't have a lot of money, it's ok because there are plenty of free activities.  You can always go hiking or go to the park if you have kids.  You can bring a soccer ball or a baseball or a book.  You'll get some fresh air and some exercise.  If the weather stinks, stay inside and put together a puzzle or play some card or board games.  Also, keep the TV off as much as possible since advertising is designed to create a need out of a want.  No one is immune since advertisers apply fundamental psychological techniques.

I wonder how much crime originates from greed or covetousness.

Salmon with honey mustard glaze

Last night's dinner was salmon with a honey mustard glaze.  I think it turned out pretty well and I would definitely make it again.  I think the pan was a little close to the broiler which is why it looks burned on top.  Maybe it's the honey or garlic which burned.

I used wild Alaskan sockeye salmon because I'm not a fan of farm-raised fish.  I'll put up with a little mercury to know my fish was wild caught.

I've now tried out 52 new recipes.  Just 48 more to go before I finish the task.

Fitness update

I ate too much and exercised too little this week so my weight shot up quite a bit and my body fat inched up as well.  Not good.  I need to be more disciplined.

Micro homes

I found this website which has pictures and plans for micro homes some of which are smaller than 100 sq ft.  One of the problems with owning a large house is you feel obligated to fill it with crap because most of us don't like to live in empty spaces.  If you had a micro house, you would have only the bare essentials.

It probably is too small for most people's daily home, but would definitely make a great vacation home.  I'd like to buy some property in the mountains and put one of these homes there.  I would install some solar panels and wind turbines to generate electricity and would use either a cistern or a well for water.  I think you can get systems to recycle waste water for re-using so you might be able to get by with rainwater or snowmelt.

A cabin like the above would be a great place to get away from people, write a book or a good hunting cabin.  I think most of us take up too much space and consume too many resources.  Living in smaller houses would certainly help reduce our impact on the environment.

I looked at smaller houses out here, but they were all in bad neighborhoods or in terrible shape.

A trip to the chiropractor's office

I spend most of my day in front of the computer and my work station is not ergonomic by any means.  At Spansion, they contracted an ergonomic expert to come in and fit chairs for us and to set desk and keyboard heights.  At IBM, we get... whatever chair is available with a fixed desk height.  Everyone's different so this policy sucks, but there isn't anything I can do about it.

I searched through my health insurance's page since I think they actually cover chiropractor visits and found an office in Delmar.  I scheduled an appointment and they were able to fit me in yesterday afternoon.  I poked around on their site before my visit and I like their philosophy though they spend a lot of time defending their profession.

The doctor was nice, adjusted my neck and upper back slightly and gave me some exercises to do at work to help with my posture.  He tried to get me to buy a lumbar support, but I said I'd think on it.  I think they're good to have, but I want to do my own research before getting on.  They also have a lot of supplements for sale, but he didn't try to push any of them on me.  Maybe he's saving that for visit number 2.

Even though I was adjusted just the one time, I already feel less crooked.  I think getting straightened out should help my sports since I usually feel really tight.

Crockpot meatballs

My 51st recipe of crockpot meatballs turned out alright and was fairly easy to make.  The barbecue flavor was not that strong, but they were still a little tangy.

I made the meatballs a bit larger than the recipe intended since I was going to eat them for a main course rather than serve them to people on sticks.

Strange dream

I had a pretty strange and violent dream this morning before I woke up.  It started out with my mom investigating a noise in their backyard.  I went out there as well and saw a dude in a mask near her.  I called out a warning and for some reason the guy took off his mask and then took off.  He was worried because we saw his face so he came back on his dirt bike with some friends and some guns.  They rode right up to me, but I wasn't that worried because I have fast reflexes (which is true in reality).  I grabbed his gun and shot him in the face.  I then grabbed his friends' guns and shot them as well at point blank.  I think a couple escaped to this strange park with a lot of terraces and tunnels.  I ended up running through a bathroom chasing after one of the dudes and there were a bunch of prisoners in there.  I get out and find the last dude and shoot him in the face as well.  I think I was laughing, but I can't remember for sure.  I do remember that the whole dream was in black and white.

I don't even want to know what psychoanalysis would say about it, but at least I was in charge.  I read somewhere it's not good if you're not in charge during your dreams.  For some reason, I shoot a lot of people in my dreams as well.