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While I worked on this difficult and enjoyable puzzle, I anticipated the clarity that would arrive as I increasingly interlocked random pieces. The result, while outstanding, beautiful, and inspiring, failed to provide the clarity and understanding I was searching for. Still, it was wonderful to interact with this Jackson Pollock masterpiece. Thanks to the awesome Pomegranate puzzle company out of Portland, Oregon for issuing this mind-blowing distraction.
When I lived in the states, I spent a lot of time shopping for junk I could turn into usable and attractive furniture, what later received the name upcycling and became overwhelmingly popular. I got the furniture building gene from my father who spent hours working in his shop on furniture projects and home remodelling. Though I was never very good at turning my visions into reality and machinery continued to be a mystery no matter how much I tried, my siblings consistently turn out impressively phenomenal products. What went wrong? Still, I have in my home several pieces from my visionary time and my efforts at recycling, staying out of the particle board world, and worthwhile distractions.
I found the Waring blender above, actually a pair of them, at a swap meet. They are nearly identical with slight differences in the pitcher. I paid to have them wired as lamps, and then again with EU fittings. One illuminates my desk and the other a reading nook. Every time I switch one on, I imagine the drinks someone must have made with them some time ago and fight the urge run to the kitchen for a margarita. I prefer these simple lamps over the more modern desk lamp I recently used, being one of a kind, historical, and a rejection of our throw away culture. (I gave away my old lamp, I didn’t throw it away, so someone is getting some use out of it!)
One of my more time-consuming distractions is building 1000 piece puzzles. The search for matching colors, patterns, or shapes. is extremely meditative and relaxing. I generally build puzzles with art masterpiece reproductions, so this one is a little different. I chose it though because one of the things I love experiencing when I am hiking is a view of the trail disappearing into the horizon. Does it end there, hold surprises, or continue with more of the same just over the rise? Sometimes I never get to the point I can see but am always pleased by the continuing horizon in the distance. Below I have included some of the trails which extend to the horizon that I have stumbled upon throughout my worldwide hiking.
The Writing, Reading, and Travel sections on this website represent the things I do to make sense of the world and to avoid debilitating despair. They help me find meaning, develop empathy, understanding, and compassion, and most importantly, find beauty despite all the dirtiness. This new section, Distractions, will explore other activities or random ideas that aid in this ongoing process, that help me rise above all the rottenness.
Distractions, hobbies, pastimes, mindless patter, waste of time, perhaps no different than spending endless hours flipping through inane channels on a television. Many possible labels, probably apropos at various times. Should I be spending my free time working on my website, writing, protesting social injustices, or doing anything to help a fellow human being or fight systemic oppression? Undoubtedly. But I have found that if I do not occasionally allow distractions, I get caught up in the dizzying spell of grinding reality and I accomplish nothing. So, I enthusiastically allow myself these distractions, and in doing so, develop a bit of clarity and healthiness when I participate in more pressing endeavours. Some of my more enjoyable distractions will follow soon!