Sunset Painting Completed!

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finished paintingMy excursion back into painting was something that I have been looking forward to for some time. I purchased the materials over a year ago, but never made the time to use them. As I was writing the Planning Your Adventure series, I decided to use “paint a painting” as an example for a simple adventure to plan. This motivation pushed me to dig out the materials and actually paint! Even with this motivation I continued to put it off. I was in the process of moving out at the time and I put it off until I got to the point where I either had to sit down and paint or pack the materials away for another six months.

painting suppliesOne evening, when I was done packing for the day, I spread out my art supplies. The kitchen table was covered by tubes of paint, brushes, a canvas, and the inspirational photos that I had taken over the last couple of weeks.

supplies make do Of course, then it occurred to me that I had packed away all of my cups and plates. What was I going to use as a palette and to rinse my brushes in? Fortunately acrylic paint is non-toxic and washes off of smooth surfaces fairly easily, so I was able to use a tupperware lid. Looking around, I spotted the water bottles in the recycle bin and cut the bottom off of one to use. (After washing it out afterwards, it is still perfectly recyclable.) I was set!

The image that I wanted to paint had been in my head for over a year now, so it didn’t take me long to start painting. After getting the sun roughed in, it wasn’t quite right. After three tries, it still wasn’t quite what I had in mind. Apparently, though, it was what I was going to end up with. So I finished the sun and began painting the trees silhouetted in front of it. Hmm… this was working out quite well. I liked how they framed the sun, causing it to stand out even more. With renewed excitement I finished up the trees.

finished paintingAs with everything else, this painting did not go according to my plan. However, I very much like the finished result, as does everyone else who I have shown it to. I plan to frame this and hang it up in our new apartment once we return from Ireland.

Here’s a Quick Way to Learn Everything You Need to Know

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How do you know that you have learned enough? Are you sure that you didn’t miss that one vital piece of information that could make or break your adventure?

In today’s world, there is more information available to us than we could ever take in, much less remember and use. It is all too easy to become overloaded with information, paralyzed with the options before us. I am especially guilty of this. I love to learn, to explore a wide range of subjects. I researched off and on for months before starting this site. Finally I decided it was time to just go for it. I could continue reading forever, but no matter how much I knew, without jumping in and actually doing it, I would never get anywhere.

Fortunately for us, there is a simple way to learn what is most important, the truly necessary information, for any subject. Use other people’s knowledge (OPK). There are experts who have researched just about every topic available, and others who have done everything there is to be done. Often, they have published their findings in written form, either in books, on websites, or on blogs. Search out “Best of” titles. If they do not have such a post or chapter, contact them and ask.

An example: I had never been out of the country, and had no idea what/how to pack for my trip to Ireland. I looked up information from people who had traveled around the world.

* The Digital Backpacker
* Life Nomadic

I ended up carrying more than they did, but I used their suggestions as a starting point, as the very minimum that I needed to take. I didn’t have to research what luggage to use or what adapter to buy for my computer. Those two pieces of information alone saved me many hours of research. I was able to meet Tynan of lifenomadic at an event and he was more than happy to discuss gear for a few minutes.

Learn from others’ mistakes and research. Find someone that you trust, find out what they have to say on the topic, and go from there. You can save yourself much time if you just utilize their other people’s knowledge.

Planning Your Adventure – Enjoy your Adventure!

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This is the final post in the Planning Your Adventure series. You’ve followed the map that you created and the only thing left to do is to go out there and enjoy your adventure!

Of course, there is still that nagging voice in the back of your head, “Are you sure this is the best time?” “What about that thing you were going to do?” and everyone’s favorite, “Did you turn off the oven?”

You will never get everything done that you want to do. There will be someone you wanted to talk to before you go, some last detail that you did not get a chance to take care of, not exactly the right amount of money saved up. If you allow yourself to do so, you can make excuses from now until eternity. It doesn’t matter how big or small the adventure, it is possible to find an excuse to put it off.

    For the trip to Ireland:

  • I can’t get all of the classes that I need.
  • What if we can’t find a place to stay, or it costs too much?
  • With the currency difference ($1 US is currently [Jan 2008] worth $0.77 Euros) we will be losing money, should we wait?
  • and on and on and on…

We finally decided that we just had to go and quit making excuses. Once we brushed those excuses aside and focused on our goal, everything else seemed to fall in place! We didn’t immediately find a place to stay, but received a list of places that are available, including prices (which ended up the same or cheaper as our rent in the U.S.!) The classes mostly all worked out, we will only be missing two that we would have otherwise been taking.

Of course, that is a big example. We’ll be putting everything we own into storage and moving out of the country for nearly half of a year. It’s easy to see how one would make excuses for that. However, I had been making excuses for my painting for at least 6 months. 6 months for a few hour painting! I’d had the materials for at least that long! Hadn’t touched them yet, though.

    For the painting:

  • I don’t have just the right picture to work from
  • I don’t have enough time to finish it right now, so I’ll wait until complete it in one sitting.
  • I’m just not in the mood.

Until I made myself do it, it was never going to get done. I love to paint, I just hate starting. So even if I was not in the mood, it normally only took about 10 minutes for me to be thoroughly enjoying myself. I let that temporary displeasure stop me from doing something I love.

To ensure that you enjoy your adventure, whether it is big or small, you have to determine what truly needs to be done. You don’t have to leave your house spic-and-span, but you do have to make sure the pets will be fed and watered. You don’t have to visit everyone you know, but you should let them know what you are doing: email or a phone call will suffice.

Once you have taken care of the true needs, you can let everything else that is inconsequential slide from your mind. Relax and enjoy your adventure!

Planning Your Adventure – Keep on Stepping

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We are nearing the final post in the Planning Your Adventure series! If you are just joining us, it would probably be best for you start at the beginning.

You have completed the first two steps that you have laid out. You have, haven’t you? (If not, go back and get those done! Then come back and we’ll go from there.)

All that you have left to do is to keep on following the stepping stones that you have written down. Follow the same pattern as before. Each day, complete one 5 minute task. If the next task will take more than 5 minutes, break it down into smaller tasks, listed in order. If you apply yourself, though, you might be surprised what you can accomplish in less than 5 minutes.

I was able to find out what paperwork I needed to get into Ireland in less than 5 minutes. A quick google search provided me with a list of what I needed. A few minutes later and I knew how to go about getting that paperwork. (It helped that I already had everything except my passport. Otherwise I would have created a new sub-list for each item I needed to get.)

That’s all you have to do. Break your big, “impossible” tasks down into small, easy-to-do tasks and then do them!

You’re almost there, are you excited about your adventure yet? Keep on stepping, follow that map you have drawn and reach your X!

A 5 Year Old Took Me on an Adventure

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My niece took me on a series of adventures this weekend. A simple camping pad from Wal-Mart became a roller-coaster ride and then transformed into the three pigs’ house. The big bad wolf came and “blew the house down” (over and over and over!) By spending a couple of hours following chasing her imagination we had some wonderful adventures.

Roller CoasterAs much of a stinker as she can sometimes be, my wife and I always look forward to spending time with our niece. Her delightful disposition and natural creativity, coupled with the simple playfulness that comes with her age makes our times together nearly continual playing and games.

Little Pig's HouseShe brought the camping pad out and asked me to roll her up in it. I did so, and then lifted the end of it, quickly unrolling her (roller coaster). She loves that! It works best if you keep their arms straight down to their sides. Eventually I got tired and we switched to building a house out of the pad. It is a simple matter to stand it up on end, wrap it around her as she sits down, and then cover her with a blanket. Then I get to play the part of the Big Bad Wolf who comes and Huffs, Puffs and Blows Her House DOWN!

Of course, the playing did not stop there. We migrated out to the garage, discovered a box large enough to play in and spent nearly an hour focused on the box. Later in the day we headed outside with the camera and took a number of photos. I am pretty sure that my niece is going to be a model, or a photographer. She absolutely loves being on either side of a camera, and is a natural. Pictures of her come out wonderfully, and she’s already better with a camera than I am.

It is very easy to come up with excuses to not play with my niece. “I’m too tired,” “I have a headache,” or “I have some work to finish.” No excuse is worth missing out on the irreplaceable time spent together. I don’t actually need a nap, rarely do I have more than a mild headache, and work can definitely wait.

Sometimes it is easier to avoid what you really want to do than to get started doing it. It takes a lot of energy for me to keep up with my niece, but it is always worth it. If you are blessed with time to spend with children, take full advantage of it. Time flies by, don’t let it slip through your fingers. Your adventures might be imaginary, and your guide might only be a couple feet tall, but the memories will last a lifetime.

Planning Your Adventure – Start Stepping

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Another post in the Planning Your Adventure series. You have your Baby Steps listed. Now it’s time to start taking action!

You have at most nine (sub)steps listed to complete each goal. Focus only on the first step. Can you complete it in less than 5 minutes? If not, break it down further until you can do each portion of the step in 5 minutes or less.

    Live in Ireland for 3 months & visit Europe for a week

  1. find transportation
    1. compare prices of plane tickets between carriers (I already know I will be leaving the last week of January and returning the first week of June)

      • check out prices at cheaptickets.com, priceline.com & orbitz.com
      • determine which airline is consistently cheaper & check their sites for direct prices
    Paint 8×11 picture of sunset & trees

  1. get materials
    1. go to store and purchase (paint, canvas & brushes)

Now do it! This small step gets the momentum started. It is the gentle nudge that gets you started. Are you done yet? No?! Stop reading, GO DO IT, then come back and continue reading. I’ll be here when you get back, don’t worry. GO!

  • US Airways ended up consistently being the lowest price.
  • At least $100 cheaper per ticket directly from their site. (I was able to search both of these in about 10 minutes, so I actually did the first two steps together.)
  • This took a few more than 5 minutes, but Michael’s is only two blocks away so I was easily able to pick up the materials I needed. I ended up waiting in line longer than it took to get there. Total of maybe 15 minutes.

Now that you have completed your first step, you need to complete the next one by this time tomorrow. It will take you another 5 minutes (or break it down again until you have a series of 5 minute-tasks to complete)

Your adventure is getting closer, are you getting excited yet? You’ll be off on your adventure soon, as long as you keep on stepping…

Planning Your Adventure – Baby Steps

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Continuing on with our Planning Your Adventure series, we have chosen our goals, defined them and now we can start achieving them!

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

How true, how very true. One single step is all that it takes to get going. Even better news, a small step is no worse than a large step, and is generally so much easier!

Break it down. What do you have to do to reach your goal? Let’s make it even easier. What three things do you have to do to reach your goals? These will not include every single step, but will get you pointed in the right direction.

    Here’s my example:
    Live in Ireland for 3 months & visit Europe for a week

  1. find transportation
  2. find place to stay
  3. take care of business at home
    Paint 8×11 picture of sunset & trees

  1. get materials
  2. get images to work from
  3. PAINT!

Now that you have a general direction laid out, you can start including some more details. For each of the steps, write up to three more steps that you have to take. These are actually the stepping stones that you have to proceed across to reach your goal.

    Live in Ireland for 3 months & visit Europe for a week –

  1. find transportation
    1. compare prices of plane tickets between carriers
    2. purchase plane tickets to Ireland
  2. find a place to stay
    1. determine city to stay in
    2. look up places on CraigsList/other options
    3. rent apartment
  3. take care of business at home
    1. medical requirements (vaccinations, prescriptions, etc)
    2. have necessary paperwork (passport, visa, etc)
    3. sublease apartment/move stuff into storage
    Paint 8×11 picture of sunset & trees –

  1. get materials
    1. go to store and purchase (paint, canvas & brushes)
  2. get images to work from
    1. browse internet for suitable images
    2. “chase” sunsets and take own pictures
  3. PAINT!
    1. set up equipment
    2. look at inspiring pictures
    3. put paint on canvas

Is your list finished? This is your road map. Each step is laid out before you. Once you put the finishing touches on it, it is time to start stepping…

The Packing Conondrum

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What do you get when you combine a budding ultra-light backpacker with a 4.5-month trip? A frantic series of repacking attempts. Over the last two weeks I have repacked my suitcase at least five times, and altered my packing list even more more.

My original goal was to take only luggage that could be taken as a carry-on. It’s not going to happen. I have ended up with a fairly small suitcase worth of stuff, spread out into a bit larger duffel bag (so that I have room to bring souvenirs back). In addition to my carry-on backpack, which will have my electronics, notebooks for school and entertainment for the flights.

Dividing my stuff into two bags offers a couple of different advantages. If my duffel bag gets lost, I can buy new clothes fairly easily. However, if my backpack is lost, I will lose a couple of electronics (laptop, GPSr, Palm and cell phone) that contain irreplaceable information. I do have backups of the information, but it will be a continent away, and thus inaccessible until I return. As my carry-on, my backpack will remain with me at all times, and thus will be easy to keep track of.

I was able to get down to a single suitcase fairly easily after realizing that I only wear a limited amount of clothes on a weekly basis anyway. In all reality, if I did laundry every night, I would only need two outfits. One to wear and one to wash. Since I won’t be doing laundry every night, I need to take enough clothes for a week (my normal laundry schedule). What a coincidence, I need a week’s worth of clothes and I normally wear the same clothes week to week. It’s perfect!

In order to get the most use of my wardrobe, I chose clothes that I can pair together in a number of different combinations. I can wear any of my t-shirts individually or as undershirts. My dress shirt can be layered under my sweater for warm dressiness, worn casually with jeans, or simply worn with my dress pants when needed. By packing clothes that can be layered I am actually able to pack less. My warm-weather clothes double as baselayers, so my meager suitcase-worth of clothes will function for any seasons that I might encounter while traveling.

Since I was able to limit myself to only the dufffel bag and backpack, I will have everything that I need, but will be compact enough to remain mobile. I should not have any problems carrying my luggage whether we travel by bus, plane or train. While the urges of the ultra-light backpacker have not been fully satisfied, an acceptable compromise has been reached. I should only have to re-pack another time or two before we leave. 😀

Planning Your Adventure – Further Definition

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This is the second post in the Planning Your Adventure series.

Before proceeding to the next step, you have to make sure that your goal is well defined and measurable. In the last post in this series (What do you want to do?) you chose one or two goals to focus on reaching.

    As before, I will provide my own example in this color to illustrate what we are discussing. My goals are:

  • take a trip to Ireland/Europe
  • paint a picture

This step helps you know when you have reached your goal. If you don’t define your goal, in measurable terms, you could continue chasing it all of your life. For example, if your goal is to “travel around the world” does this mean that you are going to take a plane and physically circle the globe, or visit every continent, or visit every country or… See what I mean? You could continue chasing that goal for many lifetimes. However, if your goal is to “visit one country in every continent” you will know when you have completed that goal.

Define your goal. When you picture your goal, what image do you have? Write that down beside each goal. Be specific. Include details such as time frame, people around you, exact location, scenery, what you are wearing, etc.

  • take a trip to Ireland/Europe – Live in Ireland for at least three months, taking at least a week to visit Europe (including, but not limited to, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower & Big Ben). Travel with my wife. End of January thru the beginning of June.
  • paint a picture – using acrylic paint, create 8×11 painting of trees silhouetted by sunset

If you cannot say “this is what I have to do to complete my goal” go back and add more details. We are turning the X on the map from a fuzzy blur to a sharply defined location. We know exactly where we are going. Armed with that knowledge, we can begin our Baby Steps…

My First Blog!

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… and I’ll love it and I’ll hug it and I’ll squeeze it and I’ll feed it and I’ll water it forever and ever and ever… 😀

I have been browsing the internet since the mid 90’s. I have never had my own website during this time. For awhile now I have felt that it is past time I started a site of my own. I have contemplated a number of different topics, most of which were either already saturated or I was ill equipped to significantly contribute to. Finally it occurred to me that I could create a website dedicated to long held loves of mine: finding the adventures hidden within our everyday lives, excitement, wonderment & traveling.

I want my website to serve dual purposes. It can help you come up with ideas, improve your existing techniques, or guide you in the exploration of previously unknown areas. It will also help me to continue seeking out new adventures, encourage me to continue doing so, and push me to learn new skills.

I have spent far too much time gathering information. I read through vast amounts of information on www.ProBlogger.net, www.UpStartBlogger.com, and www.CopyBlogger.com. I have had the idea rolling around in my head for over a year now. Off and on I would browse through the archives of these blogs (and many others), reading and not feeling like I knew enough to begin. I finally decided to get off my duff and do something with the idea. I followed my own advice to quit planning and get to it! It took me about two days to put together the blog (which included about half a day of finding a theme that I liked), wrote some posts, outlined some future posts and generally got everything ready to go. I already had a host in mind so it didn’t take me long to get everything set up.

Here we go! I’m excited about this blog: I can’t wait to see how it affects others lives (and mine!)