I realized something today, standing in a parking lot eating ice-cream. The ice-cream, though delicious cookie dough, has nothing to do with it though. My dad commented on an SUV that parked nearby, saying that he really didn't like those. It was one of those smaller SUVs like a Ford Escape or some-such. I suddenly realized that SUVs are the sports cars for the mini-van set.
Think about it - some people buy minivans for the capacity, but SUVs are more expensive and smaller substitutes. Others (like my dad) buy minivans because they are easy to get in and out of, plus have lots of space. SUVs have the height and easy of entry/exit, but are 'sportier', somehow.
Personally, I've recently decided that if I could afford one, I would get a Lotus Elise. And if someone out there feels like I should have one anyway, I'd be happy to take it off their hands (these guys will sell you one, if you don't have one lying around). Low end torque and good handling are things that I think I really would want, so that's probably as good as it gets handling wise. Plus it can get 29 mpg on the highway, which isn't that bad.
The SUV-to-minivan as Lotus-is-to-Cavalier analogy carries on though. Some SUVs are smaller than others, much like a Lotus is to a Lamborghini. So you have the Grand Caravan to an Escalade or Odyssey to Hummer.
Showing posts with label ruminations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ruminations. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
"Surviving" holidays
Read Kimota94's post about Christmas Survival and it got me thinking. First that he's lucky to have so many consumable gifts (and how they have been processed in a unidirectional fashion), but more about survival.
I've heard many people comment on "surviving" holidays, but I think it is poor word usage. Survival implies some kind of struggle, something epic and memorable. Existing or persisting or muddling or crawling through is closer to the mark. Holidays can be a lot of work, but struggles with the holidays tend to mirror the other aspects of modern life. People complain of having no time, not enough time in the day not enough etc etc etc. Time can be created, or tasks removed, whatever suits you (see: Agile Methodologies). Personally, I am generally late for things (my wife claims my name should be "Chief Running-late"), so I understand the problem. Intimately. Padding estimates and better planning improves the entire situation. The worst case that I see is that some things get missed - like forgetting that special yam-pudding for dinner at Aunt Freida's or not remembering a gift for that last-minute Christmas invite. Everyone is busy and has many things to remember. Like what people want for Christmas, what parties to go to, which relatives one should simply not talk to.
Point, point... I know I had a point in here somewhere... Here it is! Seems to me that a better approach would be to make some solid (read: simple) plans in advance, stock up on and deal with things as they come. Works on so many levels for some many things it is scary. Or right. Oh, and I am right - something I've discovered over the past few years. All the people I've met that have used this approach are generally relaxed people that can handle anything that life throws at them. I think they tend to die quietly in their sleep, not screaming in terror like their passengers. People that fret over every detail are rarely happy about the results, no matter how good the outcome. My mother (and my aunt) are both fabulous cooks, but they always warn us that something is too dry or not done right, when it is absolutely perfect for me. Fortunately they worry about the meal but let other things take care of themselves so they don't blow a gasket on a special day.
This is not to say that there isn't a lot of work to be done - it's the hurried, resentfulness so many bring to it. Your work is brining some sort of solace to some one you know and (hopefully) like, so why can't that be it's own reward? Rhetorical question, but I can answer it. It's the same reason that people can't walk out on a cold clear night and gaze at a darkened sky and sense the peaceful calm of existence.
Maybe I'm just ignorant of the whole problem. The pressure can be tremendous and it can be overwhelming. Knowing what I could be dealing with instead of relatives, presents, late nights and culinary disaster removes the pressure for me. My wife and I developed a theory of "constant worry" - that the average person has to worry to some measurable mark. During the Great Depression, the things that one had to worry about were simple and basic - will I still have a job tomorrow? Will my job give me enough money to buy bread on the way home tonight? Do I have enough food so I won't die during the night? Move ahead to the 1950's and people worried about Jimmy swearing and whether their telephones will give them polio. Western (affluent) society cares little about the day-to-day realities of food, shelter and survival because they are trivially handled. Society invents problems (or perhaps the media suggests problems and society accepts them). Things like whiter teeth or car navigation systems. I suppose that some worry excessively about Christmas because they need to raise their worry level and move their yearly average up to social norms. Maybe it's really a sign that things are okay, that everything is going exceptionally well for all concerned.
I just wish people would enjoy themselves a little more and worry less. It's easier to get along with happy people. Merry Christmas.
I've heard many people comment on "surviving" holidays, but I think it is poor word usage. Survival implies some kind of struggle, something epic and memorable. Existing or persisting or muddling or crawling through is closer to the mark. Holidays can be a lot of work, but struggles with the holidays tend to mirror the other aspects of modern life. People complain of having no time, not enough time in the day not enough etc etc etc. Time can be created, or tasks removed, whatever suits you (see: Agile Methodologies). Personally, I am generally late for things (my wife claims my name should be "Chief Running-late"), so I understand the problem. Intimately. Padding estimates and better planning improves the entire situation. The worst case that I see is that some things get missed - like forgetting that special yam-pudding for dinner at Aunt Freida's or not remembering a gift for that last-minute Christmas invite. Everyone is busy and has many things to remember. Like what people want for Christmas, what parties to go to, which relatives one should simply not talk to.
Point, point... I know I had a point in here somewhere... Here it is! Seems to me that a better approach would be to make some solid (read: simple) plans in advance, stock up on and deal with things as they come. Works on so many levels for some many things it is scary. Or right. Oh, and I am right - something I've discovered over the past few years. All the people I've met that have used this approach are generally relaxed people that can handle anything that life throws at them. I think they tend to die quietly in their sleep, not screaming in terror like their passengers. People that fret over every detail are rarely happy about the results, no matter how good the outcome. My mother (and my aunt) are both fabulous cooks, but they always warn us that something is too dry or not done right, when it is absolutely perfect for me. Fortunately they worry about the meal but let other things take care of themselves so they don't blow a gasket on a special day.
This is not to say that there isn't a lot of work to be done - it's the hurried, resentfulness so many bring to it. Your work is brining some sort of solace to some one you know and (hopefully) like, so why can't that be it's own reward? Rhetorical question, but I can answer it. It's the same reason that people can't walk out on a cold clear night and gaze at a darkened sky and sense the peaceful calm of existence.
Maybe I'm just ignorant of the whole problem. The pressure can be tremendous and it can be overwhelming. Knowing what I could be dealing with instead of relatives, presents, late nights and culinary disaster removes the pressure for me. My wife and I developed a theory of "constant worry" - that the average person has to worry to some measurable mark. During the Great Depression, the things that one had to worry about were simple and basic - will I still have a job tomorrow? Will my job give me enough money to buy bread on the way home tonight? Do I have enough food so I won't die during the night? Move ahead to the 1950's and people worried about Jimmy swearing and whether their telephones will give them polio. Western (affluent) society cares little about the day-to-day realities of food, shelter and survival because they are trivially handled. Society invents problems (or perhaps the media suggests problems and society accepts them). Things like whiter teeth or car navigation systems. I suppose that some worry excessively about Christmas because they need to raise their worry level and move their yearly average up to social norms. Maybe it's really a sign that things are okay, that everything is going exceptionally well for all concerned.
I just wish people would enjoy themselves a little more and worry less. It's easier to get along with happy people. Merry Christmas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
