Human Powered Home

Human Powered Home
Originally uploaded by Tomas.Quinones

I find this human powered home to be inspirational. I believe it was built by Brian as featured on BikePortland.org.

I like this design is now a tricycle for stability as pedaling and balancing something that large with two wheels seems like a perfect formula for crashing.

I really like the romantic idea of pedaling my home all over the place, but there are some issues with the design that really bug me or would cause future issues.

Personally, I would get rid of the nose-cone and awning, but I suppose it might make it more pleasant to move in the rain.

Maybe I'll add this to the list of things I want to design...

Appreciating Art

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Originally uploaded by Tomas.Quinones

I don't "get it".

I try going to art show openings, artist talks, and tours, but I find myself often disappointed by the viewing experience.

Is this a common problem? Should I still consider myself an "artist" if I can't appreciate all Art?

Minimalist Living Simple Flow Chart

If the item is used:

• Daily - Put it in the open with easy access. On top of your dresser, near your front door, in your everyday carry bag.
• Weekly - Keep it stored away but still easily accessible. In the closet, in the dresser, on the bookshelf.
• Monthly - Keep it stored away in the closet, garage or basement.
• Half-Year - Basement or Storage
• Yearly - Storage Unit or Garage, someplace where it won't clutter every day life.
• Longer than a year - Get Rid of it!

My items:

• Daily - Backpack, wallet, cell phone, school books, art supplies, some clothes
• Weekly - Books, craft & building supplies, tools
• Monthly - Yard tools, outdoors equipment, extra bike parts
• Half-Year - Season-specific clothing like winter coats, sandals, rock climbing gear
• Yearly - I no longer have anything that hasn't been used in a year
• Longer than a Year - Long Gone

31 Days into 2010

31 Days after the change of the year and I ponder what to do with the next 11 months. Schoolwork has kept me very busy, leaving little time for personal endeavors or social interactions.

11 months of 2010 to go and my bucket list of tasks is a bit overwhelming.

Striving for a minimalist lifestyle, I continue to purge my belongings of the unneeded and unwanted; the book collection is down to 35 from ~250 a year ago.

I ponder my options for financing my education.

I wonder if my actions will bring peace to my noisy mind.

I find documenting such pondering to be therapeutic to my future self.

Status Updates

For my reader(s) that aren't on Twitter or Facebook, here are a compilation of status updates and thoughts rattling my mind.

• I'm obsessing over tiny houses, specifically the Tumbleweed Fencl
• I'm way too excited about homework
• Drawing at least one page in my sketchbook each day
• I feel I have too much stuff
• Writing a book about simplifying my life inspired by Leo Babauta
• Dissolved two of my three blogs
• Taking a picture of myself everyday this year and posting on Flickr
• Compliance Discourages the Extraordinary
• I've discovered the spice of "Rosemary". It smells so good I want to WEAR IT
• Sometimes I'm too open with my heart, maybe that explains all the scars
• I don't want to live my life as other people think I should live it
• A man, unable to unhook a woman's bra with one hand, is not yet a man
• I learned how to use Google Sketchup 7
• Looking for a way to earn a living while going to school
• Learning about Industrial Design

-Tomas

School Starts for Winter 2010

School has started!

It has been over 14 years since I graduated from Madison High School and I'm FINALLY getting my act together and going to college. It's not that I didn't have something to do in those 14 years, but rather I did something I thought made me happy.

Now, I'm pursuing a higher education in hopes that I can get into jobs that are of interest to me rather than taking what comes and just going with it. I've made some good money in the past, but it didn't make me happy. I'd rather pursue an education and the career that will make me happy or at least set me on the path to find what I seek.

The first few days at Portland Community College have been a little hectic as everyone is scrambling to get their books, supplies and make changes to classes.

I'm taking four classes in the Winter 2010 term.

WR121 - English Composition

MTH60 - Introduction to Algebra

ART131 - Introduction to Drawing

ART181 - Painting 1

I've had to go to class each day carrying my laptop, books, art supplies and rain gear, all together topping at least 30lbs of gear. Now that I know which books I can take to class and which to leave home, my load is only a couple of pounds lighter on my back. However, now that I have to carry painting supplies two days a week, my load is heavy again. Unfortunately, since I don't have a car to act as a locker, I have to carry everything around with me to class and between classes. Nothing like carrying a large portfolio full of canvases and a bucket full of paints and brushes to a writing class.

Now that I have financial aid to pay for school and food stamps to pay for eating, I just need some paying WORK to pay for everything else I need!

Wish me luck on this term!

-Tomas

My Minimalist Room

Before and after moving out of my last apartment, I sold off almost all my furniture, got rid of all my video games, DVD's, CD's, and many books and to this day I'm still reducing the things that I own to that which is most important and necessary.

Here is a panoramic picture of my bedroom.

I'd say approximately 80% of my belongings are in this picture with the other 20% in my small closet with dresser, a single shelving unit in the basement and two bicycles. That's it.

Notice what's missing? No large TV, entertainment center, stereo, collections of movies and music, or large book collections. My life is being distilled into only what I truly important to me and necessary. Believe it or not, there are items in the picture that will soon be deemed "redundant" and sold or given away.

Comments or Thoughts?

-Tomas

My 33rd Birthday

I just turned 33 years-old yesterday, taking the day to relax and enjoy myself with a group of friends, lounging around the house and watching the entire Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Trilogy.

Watching all three films is such a nerdy event, but we spiced it up by making up drinking games on-the-fly and giving them the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 treatment. Nothing like having 10 people screaming "Look out for the giant spider!".

Fun was had by all, tons of beer and other alcohol was consumed, none by me, and not one but TWO birthday cakes were baked and presented in my honor.

I love my Portland friends and could hardly think of a better way to grow another year.

Thanks everybody!