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On work, desperation and being replaced

The other morning Eric Liu was on KUOW talking about what would make a meaningful high school diploma. It is a good question, and despite the efforts of the guests and host, the content sounded like pablum. Lurking behind this topic is the matter of economic security, but it lurks because no one calls it out into the open. People on the show listed 30+ qualities they would like high school graduates to have, not to mention all the academic knowledge necessary to succeed in college. Honestly, I think most people would trade all of that to know their son or daughter would have a "good job" and be "successful". But those goals are fraught with danger in the "new economy.

This morning, I watched people who made that deal with the devil. As I walked my new baby boy at 7:30 am around the neighborhood, I saw a river of neighbors dressed in their work clothes, piloting their commuter cars, driving kids to daycare and heading off to jobs they need. Thoureau's line that "Most men live lives of quiet desperation" came to mind, and I think it could be updated to include working women as well. And you know what? These are the lucky ones. Folks who did well in high school and college and got the "good" job.

I've read up on the so called rise of the creative class, and watching the neighborhood commute this morning made me think about it in a different light. It may be true that in a "creative economy" rewards will flow disproportionately to "creatives" - but even if it is not true - it may be more important to have work you can identify with as your own - a job where you are not replaceable - just to be really satisfied. The way out of economic insecurity isn't necessarily through more money. I think it may be through doing something that you own. Defining yourself as unique and irreplaceable.

I want my kids to grow up and understand they need to find a passion that will nurture them. I don't care if they finish college or even high school, so long as they have found a craft, practice, or pursuit that will add value to the world and will allow them to enjoy themselves.

If they are ever commuting to work at 7:30 am, wearing a work suit, with kids in carseats I hope it is in order to finance their mad passion - and not because they need to be there by 8 am because, ultimately, they are replaceable.

Dear mini me:

It is easy to think you have all the answers, especially when they seem to come so easily. Perhaps you should spend more time wondering about the things you know nothing about. It is understandable you’d pad your time with things you are good at and avoid the things that don’t come easily, but younger self, don’t prune so quickly! Those things you struggle with hold many possibilities.

Similarly, it is understandable that you look up to priests, teachers and lawyers because as a little Catholic School kid, priests and teachers have been a model of rhetoric and instruction for you and lawyers seem like a way to carry that forward into a more lucrative career. But what if I could tell you that your life will be changed by meeting several entrepreneurs? What if I could tell you you’d later regret not being more fluent in statistics, biology, and chemistry, not to mention spanish and italian. You can admire your teachers without having to want to be your teachers.

Really, I’m trying to say there is little reward in being a know it all, especially at age 13. Instead wallow in wonder and push your self in to the harder muck of learning. Your comfort zone is too small a launching pad for what you could actually accomplish.

See more progress on: Write a note to my younger self about something I know now that I didn't know then

Bike to work: First ride in 2007

I’ve been off the bike since the Fall, but today I rode in.

See more progress on: Bike to work

12 New Places in Six Months, The Goal has been Met

One spot I’d never been in Seattle that I got to go to a few weeks ago was Children’s Hospital. We were pretty proud of ourselves for making it to almost 3 kids before going to Children’s but now, go we must. Daughter #2 had not been feeling well, and we debated taking her in on a Friday, but she didn’t seem that sick and plenty willing to rest. So we thought we were fine until Saturday when she began to hold her ear and scream. We pretty much don’t believe in ear infections, so we didn’t see this coming, but the non-stop screaming made it obvious we were headed for the hospital. After an ear exam, and lots of blood!, we had our antibiotics and headed home. Scratch off one more new place in my city.

Later that month we made it to the new Olympic Sculpture Park. We thought it was great and Anne and I made it back on a date night a few weeks later. If the weather is nice and you have nothing to do, go here.

A couple weeks ago I found myself in need of an odd piece of hardware, something called a “4 1/2” roll pin”. Asking my coworkers where to go for such a thing, they all agreed Tacoma Screw. Despite the name, Tacoma Screw can be found in Georgetown (not Tacoma) and this little errand led to a veritable Georgetown expedition. Laurel, Daniel and I got our hardware, and then checked out the lunch options at SmartyPants. Daniel had a BLT with an egg on it. Laurel had some sort of salad, and my sandwich had ham and cheese and was called the “Pit Boss”. It was all good.

We rounded the corner and ran into some old friends working at the Fantagraphics store and Georgetown Records. Two cool spots. Georgetown is looking very hip – lots of cool spaces to make new things out of – and enough bars and coffee shops to fuel the new creative class.

I completed my goal of visiting 12 new places in my city in 2007 but I’m by no means done checking out new spots. Living life like you are on vacation is a blast, and that means being open to checking out new spots.

See more progress on: Visit 12 new places in my city in 2007

June 6: Thank you

My blood pressure at least

I saw my new doctor last week and my BP was 128/80 (just a little high, but not HIGH). I still have no idea what my cholesterol numbers are. I’m halfway there toward meeting this silly goal.

See more progress on: know my blood pressure and cholesterol levels

3 more spots

While it is not a new store, it is a new space – and it is a lot bigger. Izilla Toys has moved to the floor below La Spiga and Cafe Stellina, and while they have got some flack from Madison Valley diehards, hopefully they’ll find great support from urban toy buyers. 12th Avenue is basically the coolest street in Seattle now.

After 2 visits, I’m still not sure what I think of Tavolata as a total experience, but I know the food is good. The first time we went we had a quiet dark table in the back, the second time we sat at the bar looking out onto 2nd Ave; both times the pasta was toothsome, the appetizers imaginative, and the salads substantial. I’ll go again.

It’s true, I had never been into the Value Village in the old REI building until this week. And? It still stinks from those creosote soaked cobbles on the main floor. What were they thinking when those were originally installed? It probably saved a few hundred bucks for the minor cost of stinking forever.

See more progress on: Visit 12 new places in my city in 2007