Mister Multitask

I'm a list person.

I suppose it's because my days are unstructured---unhinged, even.

Here's a list of what I'm thinking about (and doing) in any given hour:

*car repairs and drop-offs
*yardwork and gardening (bare maintenance, like we just mulched our garden this year, no garden---but we did pick all the wild berries! no brewing or winemaking, though)
*urgent home repair (leaking roof, electrical blow-outs)
*kiddy pool maintenance
*bike maintenance
*OYB/ULA/LazyGal projects---print, product, producing, online, sales, shipping---typically at least SIX (usually far more) items in these 4 categories under way at any moment
*photographing or jotting down anything of artistic merit that comes up
*ebay items to list and photograph or watch
*dealing with someone interested in renting an apartment in our fourplex (or maintenance of same)
*some other hobby or recreation or weekend travel/family/work packing/planning issue
*my current exercise and injury/health situation
*the bleakness of minimall-world where we live and attempting to see the silver lining (going for a walk in town, sitting at a patio bar, checking out a local trail or river)
*do I have what I need with me for current series of several unrelated errands, including all accessories---hat, sunglasses, water, leash for dog, snacks
*getting in daily literary, news, hobby and philosophic readings
*teaching kids biking and swimming
*timing of family, food, kids, pets daily schedule
*fashion statement and apparel suitability for current and likely weather
*social issues

So that if I go on an outing, an errand, there's typically a several different kind of work projects involved, the kids, a pet, fashion, the weather, several different aspects of timing/schedule, plus an attempt to include some fresh air in all of it.

So that I tend to forget at least one major item each time. Like a watch, or my wallet, or the dog leash (substitute plastic strap from a nearby dumpster and press on...)

Do lots of people live like this?

I suppose it's just being busy. But with so much, so different, flying in the brain at once? Whew. Yet they're just parts of a basic, all-round day, really. ...Amped-up some.

Also, I suppose this list is a blend of doing and thinking. Not all the doing involves a lot of thinking. There is awareness and coordination of the doing/events required, though.

Note that there isn't any "attend town council meeting" or "lead Scout troop" or "bring kids to teams and classes" or "do daily commute" or "go to church." Well, the kids did have Dance and Robot Camps this summer, just down the road. And Henry wants to do Scouting this fall---I wonder if there's a Pack in the subdivision behind us---hope so, more driving is more bad.

Is it because both Martha and I both are our own bosses and work at home and we have little kids and pets and an old house and lots of old, beat-up stuff, and we're living on the minimum (so that, for instance, at least one car repair figures into any outing)?

...And I don't even have a cellphone. And usually no air-conditioning in the vehicle I'm in. Whew!

Photo of a typical attempt of mine to go up north for a couple days---a bunch of work/repair tools for the woodsy trailer lot and to get the car there and back, plus recreational devices, plus camping gear and pet maintenance accessories...

Culture good, culture bad...

The more you have of some cultural traits the worse off you'll be as a person and a culture and society. The more you have of some other traits, the better off you'll be. Seems like to me anyway. OK, let's see the line-up...

Let's start with the depressing bad... This isn't really a ranking, just a list...

*TV
*stadium sport
*car-power-love
*internal-combustion-love
*conspicuous consumption
*minimalls
*freeway exit development
*Jerry Springer
*fun/party culture
*noise
*mental medications due to stress
*public rudeness, profanity and vulgarity
*fads like SUVs, Harleys, NASCAR, jetskis, loud boats, generators on RVs, big RVs, noise in general
*nonviolent drug prisoners
*chain stores
*big corporate advertising
*big media movies
*destination resorts
*airline travel for recreation
*1-hr+ solo driver commutes
*transience
*obesity
*sweatsuits
*camo as streetwear
*casinos and lotteries
*cellphone jabber
*divorce with kids
*unskilled teenage workforce
*insurance abuse and overuse
*avoidance of the outdoors unless it's while connected to a noisemaker
*complain about weather and nature

If you culture has these features, it'll die very soon. Each of these features is a very potent poison. Don't you think? I don't want to get depressed, but is there any data anywhere indicating that any of these features is sustainable? Part of a way of life one can do without injury or illness? Man, it seems like these features are each directly connected to enormous and contagious trouble. And that they each stem mainly from a fevered drive to exploitation both from without and within. And, sure, none of us are perfect, but there ya have it.

OK, what are the good things, what things if you see them you might see them in relation to a culture, community or neighborhood growing or strengthening...

*bike riding (especially to work and for errands but also for R&R)
*walking
*porch sitting
*being outside, and doing things manually
*kids playing outside unattended
*going to the library
*knowing the history of your area
*knowing many songs, poems, stories and jokes by heart
*being able to sing, play an acoustic instrument and do actual dances
*a multi-generation, owner-operated business
*eating local food and produce
*doing local things down the foodchain to eat a few meals a year---garden, fish, hunt
*knowing all your neighbors and having at least small ongoing exchange relations with them (cookies, produce, news)
*living near family
*living near where you work
*living near where you grew up
*employer/owners who live next to their business
*people who don't run a credit balance
*people whose homes are paid off
*travel to the edge of town for recreation
*if on the water, use a boat that doesn't make noise---canoe or sail
*if in snowy area, get outside in winter most days for jaunts (on foot, xc-ski or snowshoe)
*families that eat together every day
*older people helping younger people learn about and do all of the above
*young people, even children, out doing most of the above

When you see the things in the second list today, as part of a western-civ setting, is there cause for hope? Are these things conducive to development and creativity? Is there any directly related decay and decline? Sure, bad people can do these things (a la the German Volk and Southern slave-owners, say), but do these things themselves contribute to the bad? When poor people display the second list but not the first are they actually poor? When rich people display the first and not the second are they well-off---for very long?

ULA: the Future of U.S. Literature!

I'm a member of the ULA, the Underground Literary Alliance. We're the only literary activist group in the nation. We're pushing for the publication of relevant literature once again in this country.



Here's a link to a bunch of ULA zeens that are just plain good reading about the everyday life of this here world. It's fun, wild stuff from zeensters who mean bizness: ULA zeens from OYB . Here's the main ULA website, fyi.

We're also launching a new line of books via ULA PRESS in the bold new *OYB CATAZEEN*!

We're making noise in a lot of ways about the state of literature today. We're a small group of totally broke, far-flung readers and writers who are fed up. So we've been acting, and acting up. We're experienced and we know what we're doing. It's working. Very well.

We've busted several corrupt book awards and grants already.

We've gotten amazing coverage in the NYT twice---once in a cover story. The Boston Globe and Washington Post both follow up and report on what we do. We've had big, glossy mag articles on us.

We have the literati on the run, scared.

We say that the MFA system has a lock-grip on literary publishing and that they're driving it into the ground. We say that regular people have given up on quality reading, thinking it's only for out-of-touch NYC limo-elites and the black-turtleneck frumpy wannabes who listen to their exploits on NPR. The status quo today accepts that literature is a tiny niche market.

So we say it's time that zeensters are put on NEA grants panels. That populist publishers be on awards committees. That colleges start studying underground publishing, zeening and alternative literary sources. That folk writing be accepted as EXISTING (right now, folk art is big in music and painting but folk writing is defined out). Oh, we say lots of things. And we do things, and publish, and get the word out.

OYB: a General Interest Grassroots Magazine

What is all this OYB stuff anyway? If you visit the OYB website, which is the homebase for this blog, it looks like a mishmash of books, tiny stories about one guy's life and a buncha weirdo links. So what's up?



OYB is my 10-year project to create a general interest magazine that celebrates the everyday life of regular people. And a new issue is due off-press this week!

The category of "general interest" magazine today is dominated by materials that I suggest have no general interest whatsoever but is merely paid for by the biggest companies. They're about celebrity, fantasy and corporations. How's that general anything? It's specificly big biz, that's all.

I don't dismiss the big mags entirely: they do some good work, they pay the most. But their formula really does miss a lot of the most important and realest stuff out there.

For one thing, small independent owner-operated business gets shut out of general interest media. They can't afford to advertise in it. But I think that what the indys offer is key to our cultural survival.

OYB tends to be about the outdoors, but it also includes plenty of indoor action as well. When people are taking back their lives, doing what they do, where do you find them? --Everywhere but in front of a TV or at a stadium or stuck in rush-hour.

Bummer: 3% of Americans live healthy...

That's what I'm talkin' about!

I heard it on NPR. A survey of 150K Americans gave results that shocked even the researchers: only 3% do the following 4 things: *don't smoke, *eat right, *aren't overweight, *exercise moderately.

No wonder that businesses that encourage and work with people who believe in sustainable culture tend to be small. I didn't realize just how small their audience was!

I wonder if the stats would go down even more if they added "live within their means" to the list of almost extinct basic sound living practices.

The Proper Use of a Meadow Mansion

Meadow Mansions are spreading across the nation. I hope they're being put to good use, but I fear not.



OK, here are the rules. They seem to be accepted by all civilized people. If you're fortunate enough to have a huge house then you do 3 things that small house people don't do.

1.) you have relatives often staying in spare rooms

2.) you have special guests staying in spare rooms---as a result rich/big-house people worldwide have frequently been host to visiting talents and dignitaries

3.) you have big, classy parties and dinners (see Gatsby)

*Note: one does NOT treat a meadow mansion just like a huge college dorm where you crash out after work watching the big screen


The reason why I think this is not happening is that several typical meadowsful of mansions sprouted near our house over the past decade and I walk and ride my bike past them regularly. I basically never see anyone home, for one thing. For another I've never seen anyone visibly enjoying themselves in or in the vicinity of said mansions. And for a last another thing I've never ever seen a mansionite hosting a party, much less a good one, much less a proper catered affair, much less one with valet parking.

I suspect that rich people in the countryside nowadays are only money-rich and are ignorant slobs in every other way. (I have seen a lot of fancy pickup trucks parked at these mansions.)

I further suspect that these people aren't really rich per se. They're just renting a larger home from the bank temporarily. I've seen almost half of them go up for sale already. They turn over almost as fast as apartments. Still, that's no excuse not to party and support culture and family properly. I also suspect that these folks are Dual Incomers who are both working overtime and whose kids apparently are shipped away to school, since I've basically seen NO HUMAN EVER around any of these several dozen area homes. They must go to work in the early dark and come home even later. Then maybe occasionally sneak out after work to the airport for a vacation getaway---or drive north to their second mansion.

It's a weird world.

Here's a fuller picture of meadow mansion reality below: cracks in the road ahead. And buy-sell as fast as you can...



...You may not own it long but while you're there, you're still obliged to be civil with what you have. And what do you have? SPACE! So use it!

I'm going to start an interactive party webpage for people to put up their own party stories and photos. Let's see if we can find an example of a meadow mansionite who knows what's up.

I suspect that in this disappearing American culture we'll find more cottage-dwellers who know how to host and party. They may have to put guests up in tents and trailers but I suspect they're not as dumb as today's country-rich.

By the way, a proper mansion guest isn't a bother, isn't seen much, except once a day when they give a summary report around after-dinner drinks of what they learned that day while doing their original research or questing of some type. They're supposed to add to your eyes and ears in a quality way.

Note, too, that a 6000sqft MM in rural Michigan probably has HALF the overhead of a similar size house in the Hamptons. A new house, furthermore, has far less upkeep needed. These MM people also aren't likely to have as extensive of gardens. They should be partying more.

So post your party stories and pics down below!

Here's my first one, of the latest REAL DINNER we attended NOT at a meadow mansion, but in a meadow... It's open season...

The Sailor Dog---all time great kid's book!

OK, maybe it's most ideal for a 4-year-old boy, but "The Sailor Dog" is a masterpiece of art and writing that will appeal to anyone, kid or grownup. The paintings are just over the top perfect and colorful. "Oh, I'm Scuppers the Sailor Dog!"



Painter: Garth Williams
Writer: Margaret Wise Brown

To me, there needs to be a t-shirt made of a Scuppers page-painting. I also find the kind of sailboat depicted and the way of life aboard it to be inspirational for life. (But then I like pictures of animal burrows with armchairs and coathooks, and animal treehouses and such, and get inspired by those, too.)

Of interest is that M. W. Brown's body of work was first rejected, even suppressed, when it came out in the 50's. They were not books for teaching morals to kids but depicted a childlike sense of experience. They were break-thrus. The librarian of New York City rejected her work as strange and unfit for children and declined to support it with reviews in the national journal she edited for the library. It was probably known around town that the stylish Brown was a lesbian. As a result, no one bought the books. But Brown broke thru anyway (due to wealth and connections?) and became known as one of the all-time great children's book writers, with "Goodnight Moon" and "Runaway Bunny," among many others. This was a period of great change in education and psychology and her simple, childlike art was part of it. The main artists she worked with also rose to the level of all-time greats. This was before the period of Dr. Seuss, who also faced resistance against first his silliness then his radicalism.

Moth Action Coming On Strong!

This has been a great season for moths for us so far.



A month ago Martha saw her first ever Luna moth---a big, pale green beauty. She found it in an unbeautiful place: on the window of a minimall. But it hung around all day as she brought various friends over to see it. Too bad she didn't get a photo of it.

Then we saw a few strange caterpillars like the one pictured below. I'm pretty sure it's a Tussock moth caterpillar. It had a VERY orange head, 3 tusks, and 4 tussocks. Cool!

Then we saw a weird moth on our porch which we're told was a kind of Tiger Moth. It was about 2" long---a lovely mix of black'n'white spots and fluorescent blue and yellow.

Then in front of our house, in the road, two Polyphemous moths were in a strange embrace when Martha went out for a bike ride. They went flapping like kleenexes right into some passing cars but weren't hit. Martha scooped them into an old pizza box and brought them to our backyard where they eventually recovered and flapped away. I took pics of the smaller one which had a 5" wingspan.

Dodge Sportsman Wagon: cool retro camper!

VW Campers are legendary, but to me they're a little tippy and overly sewing machine-like. Here's the American take on them. The Dodge Sportsman Van (Wagon) seems more stylish and robust yet still trim and compact.

There was a mint condition one for sale down the street a few years back. V8, low miles, Arizona, turquoise, jumping bass sticker, frig, stove, toilet, beds, swivel chairs, chrome, turquoise vinyl: $1500. Rats, we passed it up.

Art Glass that's gorgeous...and affordable!

A couple years ago we bought a couple vases from Jeff Wright, a mid-Michigan glass artist. We'd seen art glass, new and old, over the years and I found that I really like it. Murano and Czech retro stuff gets me going, as does the new Chihuly. Jeff works a bit in that general vein. But he's affordable! At the local art fair we see his work at much of it costs $30-$50.

Why Cycling?

I know it's not Spring anymore, but this pic from Paris-Roubaix is my all-time favorite "tough guy" bike race photo. I'd lost it but finally found it. Back up on the shop wall it goes!



(FYI, it's Duclos and Moser battling at the front, in the early 80's, from the French mag Miroir, back WAY before there was much bike race media in the US, much less the Net. And back before they were helmets or sunglasses. It was all about the eyes. With a pic this fine I didn't need much more to keep me training every day no matter what the weather. Photo credit and praise to Henri Besson, if you're out there.)

I know it's Tour Time now, but let these two riders inspire you as you watch Lance's big finale.

So Why Cycling?

Why does OYB emphasize cycling so much? Isn't it just another hobby or specialized activity? It's like having stamp-collecting take up most of some other supposedly "general interest" media empire, right? Well...

Here's why. Cycling has it all. Everything OYB, anyway.

It offers companionship, adventure, travel, daily utility, sustainability, liberty which is moderated (as freedom requires), affordability, contact with the world and the senses and the personality, sport, art, technology, scale, harmony, it can be part of the built-world (riding on pavement and in cities) or at home in the wilds (trail riding), resourcefulness, home repair, DIY construction and even DIY innovation. It's even politically liberal, as it's hard to suppress a population on bikes (it's a robust means of communication and an unstoppable mode of transport). It typically involves the input of small business, yet big economies can be helpful. The network of bike culture shows how western reality can be functional.

I highlight the idea that submission and respect are required in cycling to get at the freedom. There's no free ride for the freedom it can give. Effort isn't a big part of the American idea of fun, but effort of a sort that can't be projected against others (unless they willingly join a race) isn't pathological either, unlike so much of American culture.

Yet if you do join a race, cycling offers a darn level playing field. A strong guy on a thrifty bike can still do well. Bike racing offers a good chance for the underdog, making it nicely OYB. Well, no matter what you do on a bike, you get a lot of bang for the buck. A $50 garage-sale model can get you across the nation in a month.

Now, many other activities are wholesome. But I'm not sure how many offer as much as cycling. Cycling is just a wonderful distillation or test-laboratory for all kinds of independence values.

Like, cycling has the speed and daring of motor-racing---only bike racers aren't hidden away behind metal or padding, nor do they pollute and make huge noise, nor are they dangerous for others. Furthermore, cycling is both punk and conservative. It's a uniter. Pure DIY, pure OYB.

By emphasizing cycling, I'm not putting anything else down. There are lots of other strongpoints out there. I can catch a lunch a lot easier with a fishing pole than with a bike. But a fishing rig is a nifty piece of technology not so far removed from a bike (Shimano being the biggest maker of parts for both sports!). One dials in what one brings on a river outing, and how one arranges it, like one dials in what one brings on a bike tour. There's a lot of crossover. But it goes further: one often sees real-world fisherfolk riding their bikes to a river, with pole in hand and bucket on a handlebar. It all works together in OYB-land.

Different-yet-tasty Summer Drinks to Try...

*Great Overlooked Summer Cocktails Ramos Gin Fizz---a great summer cocktail! And don't forget the Mint Julep. Both are classy historic drinks for steamy days.



*Great Summer Beer: the Shandy!
Lemonade and beer, 50/50. More refreshing than lemonade, more thirstquenching than beer. The best of both worlds, fully dialed in for hot weather needs. (Lemon soda also works great.) In Germany they call it the Radler, their word for 'cyclist,' because hot'n'sweaty bikers like it so much!

*Want a fresh, different, cheap summer white wine? Try Gruner Veltliner! Here's one that I like a LOT: Berger, $8.33 a bottle. It's a great change of pace white. Perfect for hot summer days. Dry, light, green, sharp, zingy. I visited Vienna once and they drink it like water there. There are party vineyards that make this wine in the hills around Vienna where folks go to picnic.

*For yet another 'different' summer white try the famous Sancerre. Hemingway liked it 'crackling cold' with oysters. The grapes are grown on old sea-beds and the wine is considered the very best for shellfish. It's known to be a little stinky in a way. Try it!