Who would have thought making
this list would be such a difficult task and take so long. When (4 years ago?)
did this pop up on facebook with folks collating 25 item lists instantly?
Meanwhile, I aged mine for years before eking out the last points (not in the
order presented) this past week.
This is the story of my life. I remember my mom getting mad
at me when I was a child because she couldn’t understand why it took so long
for me to choose a flavor in Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors ice cream.
31 Flavors!!! That’s a lot of possibility. When I was 17, Jay Koh quipped it in
a slogan, “Don’t think too much!” Ha! Easier said than done. The curse of the
afflicted. A side
effect of this affliction is the inability to make timely decisions or complete
tasks on time because you have spent all your time “thinking about it.“ The
other edge of the sword, however, is the decision, once made, is generally a
sound one. Judgment is in your court, does this list justify a four year
gestation? Inside Rolla's mind. Happy New Year!
25 Random Things About Me.
1.
I feel lucky to have been able to get paid to
drive a pickup truck (Ford 250), operate a forklift, and wrestle with 100-ft
long, 2-inch diameter hoses.
2.
I view any sign I may have of rough-hewn hands
as a mark of honest work.
3.
I was able to work for the Department of Public
Works in Rotterdam, one of the great smart urban planning departments. They had
projects on switching toxic inks to soy-based inks and purchasing mugs to
replace re-usable cups. I rode my bike to work every day and rode trains and
buses to take field trips.
4.
Truth trumps all. Moral judgment (right, wrong,
shocking, horrible, good….) takes a back seat to anything that claims truth as
its badge of merit.
5.
Vivien Leigh, in Tennyson’s “A Streetcar Named
Desire” is fascinating to me, because she makes a damned good case for
“illusion.”
6. Stemming
from #4, I love documentaries. Nothing fictional can eclipse a story of real
people doing real things!
The Devil Came on Horseback - Brian
Steidl, Darfur Campaign, USA
Life and Debt – Michael Manning,
Jamaica
The Agronomist – Jean Dominique,
Haiti
Rize – Clowns and Krumps, LA
Amandla! – The Revolution, S.
Africa
Ron Suskind, author, various US citizens.
7. In
spite of #6, I love a well-constructed story that only fiction can bring
together in the most efficient form. Reality is oftentimes messy.
Louise Erdrich, author, Native Americans
8.
Although, I have been formally trained as an
applied scientist all my years, I am discovering that I am actually an artist,
and these are not mutually exclusive endeavors. The linear model is
over-simplistic. As we learn in advanced math and basic physics, the universe
(and even time!!) is non-linear.
9.
It’s not the artist’s job to solve the situation,
only to show the situation correctly. (sentiment attributed to Anton Chekhov) It must be the engineer’s job to solve the
situation. The job of the engineer/artist becomes monumental.
10. Intersections,
interfaces, junctions, bridges, are the most critical to the success and
stability of any structure, plan, or project. They support the most stress. I
have the greatest respect for the elements and people who represent these junctures…
Those who walk the line BETWEEN worlds and systems.
11. I
believe only discomfort can move people to action. I suspect I sabotage my own
happiness in misguided intent to maintain the upper hand on action. I apologize
to those around me who become civilian casualties or must step in to rescue.
12. As
a corollary to #11: I believe suffering is the most effective teacher. I have
always striven to be an excellent student!
13. Choice
is an agonizing undertaking; for in choosing one, you in effect give up
infinity minus one.
14. Then
again, the act of not choosing as dictated by the uni-directional relentless
passing of time is itself, a choice.
15. I
have a soft spot for things that are not what they are ‘SUPPOSED’ to be; But
are what they are just because: “It is what it is.”
16. There
are two ways of releasing tension: 1) healthy through meditation and exercise;
2) detrimentally through alcohol. Both work for me.
18. I
don’t get carded anymore, and this still surprises me!
19. My
favorite season is autumn.
20. I
don’t have a yard living in downtown Baltimore, but… One of the things I love about my hood is
walking at sunrise and sunset along the waterfront.
21. Swimming
in the ocean in the nude @midnight underneath a summer full moon…. Enough said.
22. I
love the universal language of eyes, smiles, joy, pain, suffering, dance,
music, colors.
23. Humility
is my greatest lesson… still learning.
24. My
children provide a second chance to re-discover everything again for the first
time; A second chance to be smarter this time…
25. Many
important people have taught me lessons I could never have learned on my own. I
am grateful you were willing to share.
