Thoughts on the value of a university education, from a middle-aged man returning to earn one.

I think it’s fair to say going back to school was my “mid-life crisis.” It was something I always wanted to finish, having quit my music composition major many years earlier. The decision was made in the same year as my wife and I becoming pregnant with twins, after having quit a soul-sucking generic office job, and struggling quite a bit with alcoholism. In my mind it was framed as a do-or-die decision and so I chose to do.

Something

Supposition…

Alcohol slows down mental processes, easily allows one to be fully present and not mired in the “next step…,” Fosters increased creativity.

Reality…

Alcohol inhibits judgement, allows presence while overweighting existing emotions. Carving insights past this emotional wall is difficult. Nothing new can be created, existing feelings are amplified. Control is contingent on situation…ie. is control warranted? If yes, then superficial engagement is applied. Information exchange can be genuine but is generally stunted.

Side note:

You are extremely quick to place yourself in the third person. Detachment is a massive crutch yet almost a reflex in this state. The reach for more alcohol is a reflex as well so best to set a predetermined end point.

Coffee!!!!

IT’LL MAKE YA POOP!!!

More motivation stuff…

Episode 4 or Episode 1?

Either ep04 of GOAH vlog or ep01 of Tweekly. Let see if I commit to the name…it was a joke, but maybe?

The meaning of life…

Step 1. Have bullshit opinions.

Step 2. Film bullshit opinions.

Step 3. ???

Step 4. Life purpose?

Podcast coming soon

We recorded a new episode last Saturday. I’m in the process of editing but, also have a big exam in info systems today so hopefully I should be done and have it posted by the weekend. In the meantime, this…

Return to podcasting

…and maybe not neglecting this wordpress site as much. Looks like the last post was from July 2017. Either way, ya, podcast is coming back. Keep us in your feeds.

 

Weekly Wrap Up/Catching Up – June

Been 3 weeks since a weekly wrap up. School let out, my whole family is back home, we’re barreling through our neglected to-do lists while working around the 17 mo old twin boys. Life, as always, is stupid busy and complicated.

1. 6/4/17 – 23.5 miles, 3 runs. Spent most of my free time working on my daughter’s playhouse. Still not finished but very much on track for July.
2. 6/11/17 – 23 miles, 4 runs. Week of my 37th bday. Ran an 8mi under an hr to prove to myself I still could. No long run but again more work on the playhouse and other yard things.
3. 6/18/17 – 21.9 miles, 3 runs. This was my last free week before summer school and it was also the last coolish day before the heatwave of this week. Again no long run, more yard things. Projects getting as much attention as they can when we can manage.

Our temps for the last few days have been consistently over 105 degrees but I’ve been spending my mornings doing summer school homework now so the option is waiting til after the sun goes down. I’ll probably log another 3 days of running this week. Really want to avoid the summer lull but the heat wave really dampens motivation. Until next time…

Crazy (for a weekend warrior) running things…

I’m a huge believer in mileage based training so here is a a list of things stupid running things done in the spirit of CAUSE I FUCKING CAN!

1. Ran 30 miles on my 30th birthday, then went to a big dressy wedding the same night and danced with my beautiful wife. The 30 on my 30th was inspired by a collegiate runner I used to follow on DailyMile.
2. Ran to local races, raced them for PRs, then ran home. I’ve got a couple 1/2 marathons and 5ks where I ran to the start line then ran home. Longest was 8 miles to the start of a 5k and then running a 20 min 5k (a PR at the time). For that last one I got a ride home.
3. Ran a 90 mile training week. There’s not much to do other than run when you move with no money or job prospects. You put in job applications, hope for an interview, and you run. 90 miles was my limit at the time but I’m hoping to put in over 100 at some point. It’s such an arbitrary number but I WANT IT!

I have more good ones but this seems like enough for now. I’m currently eating a plate of meatballs and thinking about what my long run will be on Sunday.