Running trains going forward...

Farmer Ted has many friends in many professions: authors, jewelry designers, financial managers, window hangers, hairdressers - you name it. I also know engineers of all stripes, civil, electrical, and system. One system engineer I know was crowing about what he felt was a cute quote he gleaned from somewhere which he put in front of his customer to describe what he does:

"An (sic) System Engineer is someone who ferociously lays down tracks in front of a running train." - Anonymous

I can see why no one wants to take credit for saying it.

Being a farmer, I can't say I know from engineering, but to me this seems a disastrous way of planning for anything. Be it a stock portfolio, building design, or even a row of beets on the lower hectare.

Hmm. I think I have the common-man phrase for it: "Flying by the seat of your pants."

So rather than imitate my friend's rather dubious engineering style, I think I'll just find another way.

Going forward.

- Farmer Ted

Wonders (Part 2)...

Well, after seeing my THIRD rainbow in as many days, especially during winter which is the rainy season, I now know why people here don't remark on them.
But for a Yank settling here for the first time, they will always seem wondrous.

- Farmer Ted

It's all in the view...

Even Farmer Ted has a past. And recently I decided to get in touch with that past. Many people have their own reasons for such a journey in the Way-Back Machine(R) like Dr Peabody and his boy Sherman. For me it was simply a matter of being complete enough and I thought mature enough to brave turning the dial and holding on tight.

I'm very glad I did.

Figured out being here On Station it's our own fears holding us back from what we didn't think we could face. If only we'd uncover our eyes and take a look at the view we'd find it's actually a joyous view. It was all the time. And making friends with the past was really not to be feared after all.

- Farmer Ted

International House of Horrors: Mammie Condi...

Never one to be really political on this blog, I did run across an article from the 7 May 2007 issue of Newsweek Magazine that just brought home the messed up state of US leadership. It was an article containing an excerpt from Marcus Mabry's book Twice as Good: Condoleezza Rice and her Path to Power, the title coming from Rice's assertion that being African American she felt had to be twice as good in order to be as effective as a white person doing the same job.

But that's not what I'm writing about.

One of the pictures in the article shows then National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in the Oval Office with then Secretary of State Colin Powell and President George Bush. But what's horrifying is what she's doing: picking nits off George Bush's suit! Do you think Colin Powell would do that? Can you imagine Madeleine Albright being anyone's valet?Twice as good? Hmph.

Just goes to show that while she may deny she "don't know nuthin' bout birthin' no babies" she's still aching to be George Bush's mammie.

- Farmer Ted

Observing the Aussies: Clothing (Part 2)...

You know how they say that people considered good-looking look good no matter what they wear?
Ben Cousins wearing this, er, hat is living proof that that axiom is hell-a not true.

"Yo, Ben! Huggy Bear just called and wants his outfit back!"

- Farmer Ted

Expectations...

Went to dinner last night at a the home of a bloke from work, his wife, and not quite 3 year old son. From sitting near him at the office and hearing him talk about his family, I'd always wanted to meet his wife and especially his child, who he always referred to simply as "HIM". As a matter of fact, I never knew his son's name until months later when I just asked.

Stepping through their front door and expecting a cross between "Problem Child 3" and the kid from the "Omen", I instead saw a cherubic little golden-haired boy who was bashful and just wanted to play.

Then came time for dessert. And not the dessert the son wanted.

I'm trying to think of a way to describe the transformation.

Lights flickered. The sky darkened.

It was sorta like the Looney Tunes character the Tasmania Devil right when Bugs Bunny has exploded a stick of dynamite in the zip-up hollow rubber duck disguised as dinner.

Up he spun: a whirlwind of malevolent energy.

But one simple scoop of ice cream on a sugar cone (not one of the dessert options, might I add) and peace and joy were restored. I later even blew soap bubbles while he laughed delightedly, chasing them about before heading off to bed.

Remember when life was that simple? And how some of us allow ourselves to be trapped in those wild rides of unbearable ups and downs over what only matter for the moment?

Me? I think it's all about managing expectations. Thinking about what is it that make us lose our center and so wind up living a life of reaction rather than of contemplation. Trying to understand just what it is that is important. And finding joy in that which we find completes our experiences here.

Chasing bubbles.

- Farmer Ted

Wonders...

View from my balcony a few moments ago:


Sometimes you gotta wonder what we did to deserve this.

- Farmer Ted

Observing the Aussies: The long and "shorts" of it...

I'm going to have to mention "unmentionables" here. "What's that?" I hear from my Australian readers? As every American knows I'm referring to underwear. Trying to find American-style Fruit of the Loom here is about as easy as finding a sober Australian at The Lord Nelson.

But let's get a few thing straight first: Cotton. Underwear should be cotton. And tell me, what's wrong with the color white? As every good American knows, underwear should always be white. Even Michael Jordan knows that. (Pinchy? Cat? Yes, you can up my count by including this one, too. :-) In Australia they come in every color BUT white. How can you tell if they're dirty?

Unless that's the point.

And what's with the price, yo? $10 for a single pair of briefs? It's a wonder more Aussies don't go commando.

Unless that's the point.

One thing I've learned, though, is the Australian definition of "thong". In the office building where I work are showers and prominently displayed on the door of them by our resident Principal Skinner is a laminated sign reading "For hygiene and safety, thongs must be worn in the shower area."

*blink*

It took me quite a while to puzzle out what to an American appears to be a complete non sequitur: "Safety"? "Thongs"? "Shower"? Until you realize in the US a thong is this; while in Australia it's this.

Guess that separated-by-a-common-language thing can bite... er bind ya in the most unexpected and uncomfortable of places.

- Farmer Ted

All possibilities...

Your Farmer does have a personality quirk: I do view each day, each event as a chance for new possibilities. A possibility for meeting new people, learning something, making a friend, gaining experience; giving me an opportunity to be a better Farmer on station. And when I do realize that I have gained something it gives me a lot of pleasure.

People have remarked I seem cheerful all the time and that nothing seems to bother me. Being human, of course things do bug the crap outta me at times. But keeping in mind there is something in just about everything that I'm meant to see or experience that I can use; and the most astonishing things in my life have been unlooked for and unexpected means I keep that sense of wonder.

As a matter of fact, before I would go out at night with my friends I would listen to "Anything Can Happen" by the group Was (Not Was). Never one of their more popular songs, I think. And at that time I was still going to The World in NYC to dance to the house music version of "Spy in the House of Love" so if you haven't heard of the song you're forgiven.

"Anything Can Happen." Perfect lyrics. Perfect sentiments. Give it a listen.

And you'll understand Ted a little better.

- Farmer Ted