Change Something

Yesterday was a fun day - I woke up early, made breakfast and watched Formula One qualifying. Then hopped on the bike for a ride into Oakland to look at the new Palm Pre. A bus trip into San Francisco to meet up with some friends at the Union Street Fair then dinner, a few drinks, and back home by Midnight.

Most weekends are like that, doing something fun then going back to the grind the next week. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad existence but I just feel there has to be more than simply working from weekend to weekend and from vacation to vacation - living for yourself, living for stuff.

The theme of the Union Street Fair this year was one of eco-consciousness, though, most of the Marina-folk were simply there to drink. Sure, they were drinking from recyclable plastic cups, but I think that misses the point. So, between the seeming contradiction of the Union Street Fair and my own misgivings about work/life balance, I think I've decided it's time to do something about it.

I don't know what it is quite yet, and my own thoughts on the matter are quite fragmented, but I know I'll figure it out. As of 11AM on 6/7, my goals are: to live my life on my own terms, enjoy everything that I do, and find a way to go about doing this while helping other people as well. Maybe this takes the form of a slight adjustment in what I'm doing now, or maybe it's a larger more dramatic change that needs to take place. When I figure out what that is, I'll let you know.

-time for a change jonathon

Must Have...

Unless you were born under a rock or were really uncool as a kid, you know about Transformers. Heck, even kids today know about the good vs. evil battle waged by these robots from outer space thanks to the so-so cinematic re-imagination by Michael Bay. (My recommendation is to check out this movie if you want the real deal--including voices by Leonard Nimoy, Robert Stack, Judd Nelson, and even Orson Welles!).

Movies aside, the toys themselves were really cool, and one of the coolest had to be Soundwave--the boom box that carried an arsenal of transforming cassette tapes. One of the coolest of his minions was a little black cassette tape that turned into a jaguar, Ravage. Well, for all you 80's geeks out there, Ravage is back. But, since cassettes are about as relevant today as Hypercolor t-shirts, this little beast has been reimagined as a USB drive...that actually works!

It'll cost you a cool $43, and won't ship till September, but that doesn't "transform" (sorry) the cool-factor. I must have one of these.

Order online here.


Image courtesy of bigbadtoystore.com

-geekin' out jonathon

Six Months Later, and Now

Has it really been six months since the last post?!

Seems like all of my friends are starting up their blogs again, so why shouldn't I? Though, admittedly I'm going to have no readers until I have something interesting to say, but it's fun to write regardless.

As a goal, I'm thinking that a once-a-week update is realistic for me. I am going to get out and do some more photography, more thinking, more writing, and put it here to share with others. Facebook will still be the main portal (as that will provide me with the largest "captive" audience), but the good stuff will all reside here.

For this post, rather than sum up the last six months, I'm just going to sum up right now:

I'm in a place in my life where the sky truly is the limit, and I don't think I've ever been happier. I feel good, I am healthy, I have great friends, a fantastic apartment, a challenging job, and the whole world and my life ahead of me. I know there will be obstacles to overcome, disappointments to endure, and all the other "stuff" that comes with life. But, I also know that there is endless happiness, hope, and excitement around each and every turn.

I told someone yesterday that the title of my book should be "Lost in Life." Not lost in a bad way, but getting lost and immersed in everything you do. There is much to see and do, and I'm only getting started. Wish me luck--here I go.

-back in the saddle of life jonathon

So what's happened?

I'll keep it short. In the past month, we've elected our first black president, Californian's have said "no" to gay marriage, I was hit by a cab on my motorcycle and now have a broken collar bone, I've been antagonized by my clients, and I met a really great new friend.

A lot has happened to me and around me, but where I might have taken it all sitting down before, I'm now ready to fight. Life isn't about what happens to us, it's about how we react to what happens to us.

Look out world, here I come.

-determined to fight jonathon

So, what now?

Ok, so life is good, work is good, things in general (economy aside) are good. So I can't wallow in my own self-pity anymore which is what this blog in many ways became.

That in mind, I need to pick a topic on which I can commentate, update, or pontificate... Anyone got any bright ideas?

-no good ideas jonathon

Just sat on a new KLR650...

...and I think I'm in love. I want mine in red! Cabo 2010 - now I just need a riding buddy, who's in?!

Photo courtesy of: KLR650.net

-dreaming of dirt jonathon

Oh, the 80's...

Remember when this was cool?

Image courtesy of: Stuff that is Relevant

-80's jonathon

Giving Back...

"Thank you for your application, we very much appreciate your willingness to volunteer for a child in need of a Big Brother! We feel that you would be an excellent candidate for our program, however, due to our high volume of applicants, we cannot currently place you. We will work as hard as we can to contact you as soon as we are able to do so.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Again, thank you for your interest in Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area."

That was 8 months ago - it seems as if I can't even volunteer, geeze...

-no Little Brother jonathon