random | Fatherhood Remixed

Distractions

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Workshop Joe

Sometimes there isn’t even a notification. I’ll check my phone, swearing I heard or felt an alert and there is nothing there. As if that wasn’t bad enough I work at a computer all day with the freedom to have multiple windows open. A few of those windows are always Facebook and Twitter. I see the indicators that there is a message and I’m compelled to click or I might miss something.

I was a very early adopter to digital media. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed and I loved to be in the know. At one point, when Blackberries were still cool, you could reach me a million different ways. I had BBM, Twitter, Email (several accounts), SMS, Facebook and of course you could call. I had custom alerts for each one so I knew what I got without even looking.

Today I’m so connected that I’m constantly being interrupted. The problem is I don’t see them as interruptions. I see these alerts as fuel for my creativity. I see new ideas, posts or thoughts and it sets me off into my own rabbit hole. Just as I’m getting ready to really dive in there I get another alert, another idea and another rabbit hole. I’ve dug so many but none are very deep.

Storm Chasing

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Workshop Joe

If you have never done it before you should. For those of us that call the central coast home it doesn’t happen very often which makes it even more of a treat. This past weekend we were treated to one of the greatest light shows you will ever see. The tricky part is knowing when and where to watch it. I have a good friend that loves lightning like a fat kid loves cake. I heard rain drops falling on Saturday and rushed outside to cover my Bronco. I happen to take the top off earlier this month because there was no way it would rain and of course here comes the remains of a hurricane. Go figure. Anyway, the rain drops that were falling where big fat ones and the air was hot and humid. As I attached the last bungee cord I saw a flash in the clouds to the south. I smiled and knew George would be texting me soon. As I walked through my front door I heard my phone go off. Sure enough, it was George. He asked If I was down to go storm chasing and I answered, “Of course.” He was watching weather patterns and radar images to see when we should head out. It so hard to predict an electrical storm! The elements have to be just right and they can vanish just as fast as they start. The weather forecast said the main part of the storm cell should arrive here around 4 am. He called at midnight and said it was time to roll. With our cell phones, portable chargers and a GoPro we set out to see what we could find. The lightning had started but it was to the north and we were trying to decide which was the best direction to follow it.