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