This is the title of an article I read today, and much to my surprise, it was more about the thinking process of cognitive misers VS logical thinkers than explaining exactly why seemingly smart people do dumb things.
It's an interesting read if you've got a couple minutes, and can be found here.
A lot has been swirling through my brain over the last few weeks. It would appear that I have the mind of a jackrabbit, not a turtle. I've been thinking a lot about personality types, specifically A-type VS B-type. I always considered myself a B-type fellow: go-with-the-flow, laid-back, easy to get along with... until I took an online quiz. The result was surprising, because it read,
You Have A Type A- Personality
You are one of the most balanced people around. Motivated and focused, you are good at getting what you want. You rule at success, but success doesn't rule you. When it's playtime, you really know how to kick back whether it's hanging out with friends
or doing something you love! You live life to the fullest - incorporating the best of both worlds.
It can be found here, if you'd care to give it a whirl.
Is that not the description of a B-type personality? When I looked up typical traits of A-type folks I found entries like,
"high strung"
"overbearing"
"workaholic"
"irritable"
Sure, I can be all those things, but I don't think of them as dominant in MY personality. I took a moment to test the quiz by entering blindingly obvious Type-B answers. Indeed, the result was "You have a Type-B" personality.
Years ago I took the Myers/Briggs personality profile test as part of a career training/placement seminar at SAIT. I'm what they call an ENFP - Extraversion, iNtuition, Feeling, Perception. It all fits, but not with what I've typically thought of as an A-type personality.
Why all this hub-bub with personality types? I guess I'm looking for some answers, to be honest. My brain seems to be pulled in many directions these days. There's part of me that simply wants to chill and "be", but part of me wants to be energized, motivated and driven. In reality, I've discovered, I cannot be entirely either one of these, I'm either "turtle" to the point of not accomplishing anything or I'm prone to burn-out.
It's a strange phenomenon, methinks, to experience the conflict of:
<1> being drawn to those who seem to be "on" all the time, and I REALLY want to be that guy who accomplishes everything he sets his mind to.
while
<2> Craving the calmness of mind that comes with letting things "be", taking things as they come and generally slowing the pace of life.
The biggest question for me right now is,
"Where does "challenge yourself" cross the line to overdoing it?
One of the characteristics of an A-type personality is the need for a clear-cut answer.
Maybe there isn't one.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Landscaping
I did a significant project in the yard over the last weekend. It all started, looking for a solution to unwanted guests on the premises. Some creature or other had burrowed under the steps at the front of the house. The eventuality was that we ended up with mice in the basement. The exterminator was called, but I still had a hole in the garden bed to the right of the stairs. It was recommended that I not only fill the hole, but top the area with a couple or three inches of gravel, and if I were so inclined, patio stones to ensure no further nesting.
On hearing the news, my BIL called to say they had a significant amount of clay just sitting - from digging in their basement for a sump pump installation. Turned out to be a win-win, although I didn't take all the clay off their hands.
The project went something like this:
I went to my favourite mason supply yard and grabbed a half-yard of 3/4"-crush gravel.
As I was shovelling a layer in between the step and the highly over-grown Mock Orange bush, my neighbour Jim came over to offer up a few neighbourly suggestions. The first of which was to use his gas-powered hedge trimmer to cut back the overgrowth. As he trimmed, we discussed strategy and decided it was so overgrown that a haircut close to the ground would be best. We'd done this a few years ago and, as with a hedge, it allows for new growth. I won't see any blooms this year, but will be able to keep tabs on its size and shape as it grows.
This is the result, a short, stubby root ball. It doesn't look like much now, but come Spring, it will yield a great little green starter-shrub. I also didn't take any intermediate pics, so you get to see the completed patio stone project.
It not only makes a great little platform for showcasing potted plants (or for now, potted last-year-leftovers), it also provides a triple-layer protection against unwanted residents!
I had two projects in mind when I grabbed the clay from my sister's place. A few years back, ATCO, our local supplier of natural gas, did a city-wide project aimed at relocating gas meters at residences where the meters were located inside the house. I'll have to check, can't remember if I blogged about it when it happened, but when they horizontally drilled to insert the sleeve into which the gas line would run, I'd noticed they chalk-lined right over top the covers for the fire pit. I brought it to the attention of the site foreman, and he stood over my fire pit with his jaw on the ground. they rerouted the line, but over time, the soil at the meter location has sunk. I used the clay to fill in the hole. It worked like a charm, and I'd actually estimated the amount of clay for both projects quite well...
...the gravel, on the other hand, was available only by the half-cube. I have a significant amount left over, and offering to trade up at my sister's was met with, "...there's still snow in the yard - not til the the snow's gone..." So, the gravel will find a temporary home to the left of the driveway so as not to encourage rotting of the trailer floor.
All in all, a sweet weekend's work, meeting with the desired results.
On another note, last week I decided to take in the film they show in one of the Science Theatres at the University. If you hold a U of C ID card, they're free, with all-you-can-eat popcorn for $2. For non-card-holders, it's $2/show. They call it Cinemania, and have two showings on Monday nights, 6:30 and 9:00. Last week it was Fantastic Mr. Fox, this week it was 2012 at 6:30 and The Day After Tomorrow at 9:00. I was contemplating taking in both, but felt sleep was more important.
Tonight, I'm catching up on blogging and spending some quality time in Chateau Tortue.
Night, all.
On hearing the news, my BIL called to say they had a significant amount of clay just sitting - from digging in their basement for a sump pump installation. Turned out to be a win-win, although I didn't take all the clay off their hands.
The project went something like this:
I went to my favourite mason supply yard and grabbed a half-yard of 3/4"-crush gravel.
As I was shovelling a layer in between the step and the highly over-grown Mock Orange bush, my neighbour Jim came over to offer up a few neighbourly suggestions. The first of which was to use his gas-powered hedge trimmer to cut back the overgrowth. As he trimmed, we discussed strategy and decided it was so overgrown that a haircut close to the ground would be best. We'd done this a few years ago and, as with a hedge, it allows for new growth. I won't see any blooms this year, but will be able to keep tabs on its size and shape as it grows.
This is the result, a short, stubby root ball. It doesn't look like much now, but come Spring, it will yield a great little green starter-shrub. I also didn't take any intermediate pics, so you get to see the completed patio stone project.
It not only makes a great little platform for showcasing potted plants (or for now, potted last-year-leftovers), it also provides a triple-layer protection against unwanted residents!
I had two projects in mind when I grabbed the clay from my sister's place. A few years back, ATCO, our local supplier of natural gas, did a city-wide project aimed at relocating gas meters at residences where the meters were located inside the house. I'll have to check, can't remember if I blogged about it when it happened, but when they horizontally drilled to insert the sleeve into which the gas line would run, I'd noticed they chalk-lined right over top the covers for the fire pit. I brought it to the attention of the site foreman, and he stood over my fire pit with his jaw on the ground. they rerouted the line, but over time, the soil at the meter location has sunk. I used the clay to fill in the hole. It worked like a charm, and I'd actually estimated the amount of clay for both projects quite well...
...the gravel, on the other hand, was available only by the half-cube. I have a significant amount left over, and offering to trade up at my sister's was met with, "...there's still snow in the yard - not til the the snow's gone..." So, the gravel will find a temporary home to the left of the driveway so as not to encourage rotting of the trailer floor.All in all, a sweet weekend's work, meeting with the desired results.
On another note, last week I decided to take in the film they show in one of the Science Theatres at the University. If you hold a U of C ID card, they're free, with all-you-can-eat popcorn for $2. For non-card-holders, it's $2/show. They call it Cinemania, and have two showings on Monday nights, 6:30 and 9:00. Last week it was Fantastic Mr. Fox, this week it was 2012 at 6:30 and The Day After Tomorrow at 9:00. I was contemplating taking in both, but felt sleep was more important.
Tonight, I'm catching up on blogging and spending some quality time in Chateau Tortue.
Night, all.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Old man, you say? I think not: simply not chemically balanced.
OK, OK... before you get freaked out by the title, let me explain.
For quite some time I've been suffering from what seems to be chronic acid reflux. Back in '08/'09 I addressed the problem with the sleep clinic because what we thought initially was sleep apnea, was likely a digestion issue. I created a bit of a stir when the physician on my case prescribed Panoloc which is essentially an antacid concoction designed to arrest the production of stomach acid. She'd prescribed a double dose for 30 days. I blew a fit because I'm (A) not an advocate for prescription drugs and (B) couldn't for the life of me figure out how I was to digest anything for a month! Long story, but a friend suggested Acidophilis which is one in a trinity of probiotics. It worked well, for the most part, but I'd have to remember to take it every time I'd eat.
I was chatting with another friend this weekend whose son has suffered from a multitude of health problems which they've addressed successfully with natural remedies. She suggested baking soda in water - 1 teaspoon to a cup. I figured it couldn't hurt - it's food, after all! I didn't have any soda, so thinking back to grade 6 science class, I recalled that baking powder too, is a base. On Friday night I took a cup before going to bed.
I slept the whole night through.
On Saturday I ate as I usually do, and went to yoga class where, if I eat too close to class time, I suffer when it comes to inverted postures like shoulder stands and back bends.
No problem.
Saturday evening I took a cup of BP water, and again just now. It seems to do the trick. I'll maybe poke my nose around and ask a few questions simply to be sure I'm not masking a potentially greater problem, but one source I spoke with attributed a naturally-acidic-north-american diet to my troubles.
So, although I've reached the crest of the hill, celebrating 40 a few weeks back, I'm not convinced that I'm old, especially before my time.
For quite some time I've been suffering from what seems to be chronic acid reflux. Back in '08/'09 I addressed the problem with the sleep clinic because what we thought initially was sleep apnea, was likely a digestion issue. I created a bit of a stir when the physician on my case prescribed Panoloc which is essentially an antacid concoction designed to arrest the production of stomach acid. She'd prescribed a double dose for 30 days. I blew a fit because I'm (A) not an advocate for prescription drugs and (B) couldn't for the life of me figure out how I was to digest anything for a month! Long story, but a friend suggested Acidophilis which is one in a trinity of probiotics. It worked well, for the most part, but I'd have to remember to take it every time I'd eat.
I was chatting with another friend this weekend whose son has suffered from a multitude of health problems which they've addressed successfully with natural remedies. She suggested baking soda in water - 1 teaspoon to a cup. I figured it couldn't hurt - it's food, after all! I didn't have any soda, so thinking back to grade 6 science class, I recalled that baking powder too, is a base. On Friday night I took a cup before going to bed.
I slept the whole night through.
On Saturday I ate as I usually do, and went to yoga class where, if I eat too close to class time, I suffer when it comes to inverted postures like shoulder stands and back bends.
No problem.
Saturday evening I took a cup of BP water, and again just now. It seems to do the trick. I'll maybe poke my nose around and ask a few questions simply to be sure I'm not masking a potentially greater problem, but one source I spoke with attributed a naturally-acidic-north-american diet to my troubles.
So, although I've reached the crest of the hill, celebrating 40 a few weeks back, I'm not convinced that I'm old, especially before my time.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Turtle Guy has the cleanest clothes in the world - I'm convinced.
So it's taken me a day or two or three to settle in after Vancouver. Unpacking and doing laundry was on the list today, amongst the emails, meetings across town and a quick stop at the U. to drop a coffee to my BIL.
When I zipped downstairs to start a load this afternoon, I noticed water on the floor which freaked me out, considering the history of water on the floor in this house! It appeared to be fresh water, not waste, and was quite obviously coming from the washing machine. It's happened in the past where the drain hose has popped out of the copper shaft that leads to the sewer. Nope, all secure. I checked the water lines to the washer. All dry, even whilst filling the machine.
Hmm...
The water started flowing again once the tub had a load, so I'm figuring there's maybe a crack in the tank somewhere.
Ikes.
The machine is not that old - in fact, I blogged about it the day it arrived: here
It's only three-and-a-bit years old. Frustrating.
Anyway, the point of this story is that I ran a load. While it was washing, I folded the load that was in the dryer - April's stuff... figured I could return the favour at least once.
Once the spin cycle had completed, I figured I'd give it another spin - just to get as much water out as possible. I went back a few minutes later to discover the machine filling with water.
Odd.
Put it back on SPIN and ran away.
Came back.
It's rinsing agian!
Checked the dial.
Yes, there's a "STOP" position between SPIN and RINSE - I wasn't going brain-dead.
Spun it again.
AGAIN, came back to a washer full of clothes and water!
Then it hit me: there's a selector for "ONE RINSE/SECOND RINSE"
It was on "SECOND RINSE".
Must be a girl thing. I mean, who needs to rinse a load of clothes twice?? That's the whole point of a RINSE cycle, ain't it? Clearly I must be thinking like a boy - I'm sure a girl would have a perfectly logical explanation for why you'd need to rinse your clothes twice... let alone... 4 times!
Maybe this is the Universe telling me I need to enter the modern age and get one of those front-load machines that auto-senses your load and uses just the right amount of water. I'm sure we could also programme an "APRIL" mode and a "TURTLE" mode.
So, I'm convinced that if only for today, I have the cleanest clothes of anyone.
When I zipped downstairs to start a load this afternoon, I noticed water on the floor which freaked me out, considering the history of water on the floor in this house! It appeared to be fresh water, not waste, and was quite obviously coming from the washing machine. It's happened in the past where the drain hose has popped out of the copper shaft that leads to the sewer. Nope, all secure. I checked the water lines to the washer. All dry, even whilst filling the machine.
Hmm...
The water started flowing again once the tub had a load, so I'm figuring there's maybe a crack in the tank somewhere.
Ikes.
The machine is not that old - in fact, I blogged about it the day it arrived: here
It's only three-and-a-bit years old. Frustrating.
Anyway, the point of this story is that I ran a load. While it was washing, I folded the load that was in the dryer - April's stuff... figured I could return the favour at least once.
Once the spin cycle had completed, I figured I'd give it another spin - just to get as much water out as possible. I went back a few minutes later to discover the machine filling with water.
Odd.
Put it back on SPIN and ran away.
Came back.
It's rinsing agian!
Checked the dial.
Yes, there's a "STOP" position between SPIN and RINSE - I wasn't going brain-dead.
Spun it again.
AGAIN, came back to a washer full of clothes and water!
Then it hit me: there's a selector for "ONE RINSE/SECOND RINSE"
It was on "SECOND RINSE".
Must be a girl thing. I mean, who needs to rinse a load of clothes twice?? That's the whole point of a RINSE cycle, ain't it? Clearly I must be thinking like a boy - I'm sure a girl would have a perfectly logical explanation for why you'd need to rinse your clothes twice... let alone... 4 times!
Maybe this is the Universe telling me I need to enter the modern age and get one of those front-load machines that auto-senses your load and uses just the right amount of water. I'm sure we could also programme an "APRIL" mode and a "TURTLE" mode.
So, I'm convinced that if only for today, I have the cleanest clothes of anyone.
Life settles into... almost normal
The craziest thing happened to me. Once I returned to Calgary, everything... and I mean EVERYTHING needed my attention, or so it seemed. My week away was fun, yes, but not nearly as energizing and restorative as I had hoped. Vancouver is a place I rarely go, and chalk full of stuff to see and do - not to mention a great place to eat cheap! Eating out in Vancouver is cheaper than filling the fridge - it blew me away! Or maybe I've simply been living in hyper-inflated Calgary for so long I've lost my perspective on the rest of the world? Anyway, it was a treat to eat out while catching up with several good friends.
I was perusing my previous visit's post about Comox, Vancouver and Burnaby in July and realized I'd done it again: promised additional posts without posting.
I've been on the go since I got home - touching base with clients, doing quotes, invoicing (with a little prayer along the way), tending to the basement suite, catching up at the chiropractor, and today I buzzed out to K-Country to sit in on a planning meeting at the Tim Horton Children's Ranch. We're installing their new sound system in the soon-to-be-renovated Lodge.
I simply had to go to yoga tonight. I walked in, looked at the fellow behind the counter and said,
"I need to be here in the worst way..."
"...the 'worst way', huh?", he said.
"Yup."
I'm exhausted.
Tuckered
Pooped
Worn
and almost Expired.
So you'll excuse me if I don't take the time just now to upload more photos from the trip, yes?
OK, 'cept this one:
This is one of Sharon's kitties, Lugh. He's incredibly skinny because like Bob (you remember Bob, yes?) his kidneys are failing. Sharon refers to Lugh as "Old-Fart Kitty". He's a real sweetie, despite what Sharon says about it all being a facade. He and I are buddies, none the less.
I was perusing my previous visit's post about Comox, Vancouver and Burnaby in July and realized I'd done it again: promised additional posts without posting.
I've been on the go since I got home - touching base with clients, doing quotes, invoicing (with a little prayer along the way), tending to the basement suite, catching up at the chiropractor, and today I buzzed out to K-Country to sit in on a planning meeting at the Tim Horton Children's Ranch. We're installing their new sound system in the soon-to-be-renovated Lodge.
I simply had to go to yoga tonight. I walked in, looked at the fellow behind the counter and said,
"I need to be here in the worst way..."
"...the 'worst way', huh?", he said.
"Yup."
I'm exhausted.
Tuckered
Pooped
Worn
and almost Expired.
So you'll excuse me if I don't take the time just now to upload more photos from the trip, yes?
OK, 'cept this one:
This is one of Sharon's kitties, Lugh. He's incredibly skinny because like Bob (you remember Bob, yes?) his kidneys are failing. Sharon refers to Lugh as "Old-Fart Kitty". He's a real sweetie, despite what Sharon says about it all being a facade. He and I are buddies, none the less.
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About Me
- Turtle Guy
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- English student, Pottery enthusiast, Yoga novice and lover of all people. I make friends over a warm handshake and a beverage. I discover, every day, someone willing to help me along my path.