Blogging is Challenging

I'm really enjoying the amount of writing and thought that must be put into my three blogs. So much work is involved in trying to consistently post about specific subjects and gather material and pictures for said subjects.

I feel the blogging has really improved my writing and is re-awakening a lost part of my brain that is reveling in the light.

Creative writing or journalism has never really been a big part of my life, but this chronicles of the last few years have become very interesting to me and my friends.

I hope to keep up the momentum and update at LEAST once a week, preferably 5 times a week.

Not Anti-Consumerist

I own very little...and I continue to crop my possessions to the bare-minimums.

I don't own any entertainment electronics like a Playstation, Xbox or even a TV. Sure, I may have a laptop and an iPhone, but both devices let me pursue the actions and adventures I deem most valuable to me.

Putting a higher value on one's time over the collection of "stuff" is starting to work for me.

I have more time to be spontaneous, appreciate nature, go on adventures into the wilderness and other cities and really enjoy the things and actions that mean the most to me.

I no longer any:
-Entertainment Electronics
-Game Systems
-DVDs
-Music CDs
-Toys
-Clothing for the sake of Fashion
-Collection of anything for the sake of collecting
-Annual Publications

I often have to ask myself the question many times during the purchase of an item, "Will this item help me or just be another thing to take up room, clutter my living area, or just flat out be a waste of money?" There have indeed been many times lately that I've picked up an item and while waiting in line I turn around and place the item back on the shelf. If I still desire or greatly need said item days later then I will posit the question again and again.

I've found much inspiration for this satisfying life-style from some blogs and books I've read about simplification and nescessity.

ZenHabits, TheSimpleDollar, Vagabonding, Voluntary Poverty,

I've been likened to someone on a religious quest to find God, Buddah, Flying Spaghetti Monster or whatever, but my point in this life-style exercise is to get more enjoyment out of life by spending more TIME over money pursuing such a life.

Would you rather read about hiking trails around your state for 10 hours a week or spend that same time on the trail?

The Lost Art of Brevity

Using Few Words to Say Much.

Despite the limits of SMS and Twitter, we seem to want to say as much as possible. Some may take shortcuts like "CUL8R" for "See You Later" but many blogs and e-mails seem to be full of fluff.

We seem to use fluff to make nice a truth in an e-mail to a loved one about how stupid they are being. A message to a co-worker about their lack of effort in work.

I once had a two page e-mail about the importance of punctuality. Why couldn't he say "Get to work on time or there will be consequences"?

Practice Brevity. Say exactly what you mean. Keep it simple.

Quick Life Update

• Still looking for IT work
• Updating 3 blogs
• Focusing on Running
• Exercising Regularly
• No iPhone at the moment
• Dating someone for two months now
• Completely money-less
• Eating pretty healthy
• Going Barefoot as much as possible
• Trying to lean towards the Paleo or Caveman diet
• Camping every other weekend

Blogging it up

I don't know why I didn't think of putting all three of my blogs back onto Blogspot and just point the domain names to them...sheez...

I'm currently working on three blogs, two of which are about my passions, and I might add a fourth blog about Art.

TomasQuinones.com - This blog about me and my happenings. A bit of vanity but good for keeping the family and friends up to date what is going on in my life.
TheFitHuman.com - Tracking my transformation from computer nerd to athlete.
Velophilia.com - All about the love of bicycles and related adventures.

I hope to get at least 3 updates per week...otherwise I will update Monday.

Relaunching the Blog!

Ok, time to relaunch my blog, but now it will just have my name and no longer be called "Cerebral Waste Disposal". Will have to manually import blog entries from the year or so of updating tomasquinones.com

I hope to make it somewhat interesting and keep family and friends updated about my life.

-Tomas

A Look Back at My First Carfree Year

This post was originally written and posted for Car-Free Portland Day, but I thought I should also put it on my personal blog since it is long over-due for an update.

In October 2006, my car of 4 years started developing engine problems again...the same problems that have plagued it every year since its purchase and that each time have cost me about $1,200 to fix. This time, I was unemployed and just didn't have the cash to pay for the towing and repair. So, my car has spent the last 12 months sitting in my parking spot gathering dust, growing moss and losing air pressure in the tires.

Going carfree wasn't too much of a paradigm shift in my daily living since 90% of my trips have already been done via bicycle for the last 2 years since I've moved to Oregon and, subsequently, closer to work. In 2006 alone I rode my bicycle about 5,000 miles and only drove 2,000 miles for the entire year.

Having the right gear and state of mind seems to be all you need to get anything done via bicycle.

I've done my household shopping:

From Various

I've helped people move house:

From Aaron's Move ...

I've bought 8-foot planks of wood:

From Various

Every so often, I will hitch a ride from one of my friends to get to a remote location or just to get out and about in some really crummy weather.

I may eventually get my car working again for occasional drives to the mountains or the coast, but for now, my two wheels and body power get me everywhere I need and want to be with a smile on my face.