Monthly Archives: December 2010

3,465 books, 85 hours and just plain fun.

That’s what it took to get Tim Crump’s books catalogued.  This was phase one.  There is still the need for family to choose books they may like, and then to sell the remainder.  Every once in a while I was asked when I would be done, and even why I was doing this.

Done – when it’s done.  Reason – a final request of a friend.

Funny how completion of even a stage in a project provides a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.  Funny also, that this would be a pleasurable activity for me.  Four hours would go by without a thought.  For others it would have been interminable.

YEAH!

I generally put my days into three sections:  morning, afternoon and evening.  I then plot out (but not always fulfil) the work time, portions of the day that are off work,  and days off.  Seven to ten portions are not to be work related, with at least three consecutive blocks considered a day off.

Today I had a morning block that was a meeting with local evangelical pastors.  The afternoon was my own time as I catalogued books for a friend’s estate.  And this evening was our youth meeting.   The rest of the day I ate, slept, showered, chatted with my wife, and wrote this blog.

Now that I’m at the end of the day, I can say this has been a full day.  I’ve enjoyed it, eaten well (morning started with a full breakfast meal!), and now anticipate sleeping well.  Tomorrow I start early and finish my sermon (I’ve finished two drafts, one or two brainstorming times and tomorrow I’ll pull it all together).  By later in the day, I’ll go back to catalogue some books.  And my hope for the evening is a “free” time. 

Should be good!

My eyes are fine – so says my cataract surgeon.  Our Christmas shopping is getting close to done.  And Saskatoon continues to grow with traffic snarls wherever you turn. 

That’s the reality of today.  Got back around 8:00 pm and am winding down. 

The latest issue of “Faith Today” has an article on Facebook usage.  Written by a woman, some of the disadvantages of Facebook are the addiction, the “high” that you get from friending people for the sake of stroking your own ego, and even the matter of time management.

I like Facebook for the communication potential.  Particularly for our youth.  I’m still getting used to those in teens and twenties (and even into thrities) who use text messaging constantly.  I was talking with some grandparents who had taken their granddaughter out for lunch.  While I talked directly to the “old generation”, the granddaughter held her cell phone (a nice lime coloured one) below table level across from her grandparents.  Not to give the cell phone an open space to the air, but to read and respond to text messages.

Now, we have had the same thing with the previous generation and television.  A few decades ago visiting a friend meant that the TV was turned off.  Now, we almost expect that the TV will stay on as background noise, if not loud enough to hear the score or see the plot line developing. 

Which brings me to the question of listening. 

Facebook doesn’t require listening.  Using Facebook means we deliver what we want to say.  Others may comment, but often even that is just “commenting from our perspective.”  Someone has said that Facebook is not good for sorrow.  Text messaging may also be the same.

Watching TV and visiting doesn’t require listening.  The TV story line takes precedence – it may give fodder for some discussion but more often it dominates by telling instead of listening. 

There was something about a board games night where there was as much talk about life as about the game.  Or that most unusual thing we call a sit down meal – no radio or TV, no other diners interrupting, no agenda than just being with the other person.  Or how about tea time, not “Tim’s time”, where you are with others and no others are there to interrupt your discussion.

OK, I’m in the midst of too much technology, information overload and a lack of face time with others.  I’m not against technology, information or large group opportunities.  I’m just trying to balance my life.  What does that look like?  Any comments would be appreciated.