So I was in the shower a lil bit ago, and was contemplating some things; more specifically, how I don't feel like I've grown much as a man. I'm still doodling porn, still smoke weed, occasionally watch cartoons; nothing really significant in the ways of GROWTH as a person at all.

Then, I remembered one of my favorite quotes:

"The problem is not the problem. The problem, is your perspective of the problem. Now, do you see the problem?" - CAPTAIN, Jack Sparrow. <Savvy?>

Now yes, it seems foolish to take life advice from a cursed fictional Disney pirate, sure. But the /context/ of the phrase still holds soundly. A rose, by any other name, and such. So I chose an event somewhat recently, and asked myself "What has changed since THIS point?" It's when we moved, 3 years ago. The area around our house was getting dangerous with rampant crime, so we needed to move. Had to leave a job that I loved. So what's changed in that time period:

Fixed up the house a bit more and sold it.
Learned how to drive with a trailer.
Paid off college debt + bought a cheaper house in some rural area with the house sale's money.
Moved, driving across a mountain range SEVERAL times to the new place. Once, with my car hooked as a trailer to the UHaul. That was terrifying.
Found a temporary job as a janitor in a different town. I hated that job. Had a guy try to break in, and pulled a gun on me and a security guy til we got him down and he was arrested. Then boss chewed me out for getting involved. I quit soon after.
Learned how to deal with wild fires and smoke problems they cause. Arsonists suck.
Learned how to do some basic plumbing, and fixed some plumbing issues on the house.
Learned how to do some basic electrical, and fixed some shorts in the house, installed new lines, replaced old switches and outlets, and installed some new lights.
Learned how to replace the house's siding and install insulation.
Rebuilt the front porch with a roof, and later did the same for the back porch.
Had a baby.
Built a massive chicken coop so we could get fresh eggs.
Built a gun and did some target practicing with it. Lots of big cats, bears, and coyotes in these areas.
Learned how to change the tires and brakes on the truck.
Learned how to change the battery + wipers too.
Learned how to change the spark plugs, the spark plug wires, and the fuel filter as well. Check Engine light kept popping on, but it seems to be fixed now.
Replaced the well-house's regulator. If the temp got below 5 degrees (which is almost every night for 3 months straight), we'd lose water pressure til about 1PM. I'd have to go out there and zap it around with a screwdriver til it came on; least til we figured out the problem.
Replaced the regular house's thermostat, and did some work on the HVAC system. It kept refusing to turn off.
Got I think 6 raises in the job I've had since quitting that janitor job.
Had another baby.
Quit drinking energy drinks due to a medical issue.
Quite drinking alcohol for the same reason. Things are looking better now; most of the symptoms have disappeared.

All this while working a 9-5 with occasional mandatory OT, and dealing with the Covid Lockdowns. And running my little art business here on the side. Perhaps ya see why I don't get online much anymore, eh? Also might explain some of my art delays, but that's more or less on me being easily distracted and not good with time management. I'm working on that. Well I will when my wife n I aren't running 3 hour sleep shifts to feed the baby.

It's been a crazy 3 years. And that's a lot of things to have done in those insane, short little 3 years.



So why this ramble? Honestly, I don't know. I'm always playing the role of team consular at work, I guess I just wanted to vent to the Ether. Perhaps someone out there can take this ramble and look at their life in a different perspective as well; hopefully for the positive. It really gave me a different outlook on the time that's passed. Improvements, no matter how small, are still improvements. Anyways, it's 11:30PM and I got to wake up in ~6 hours for work.

Take care out there everyone. Stay safe, be mindful of your actions, and most importantly; be kind. You never know when Karma is around the corner.

~Big Blue~