NUMENON |
PONDERING CORE ESSENCE
NUMENON |
I recently returned from my first trip to Europe. Motivation for the trip was provided by my youngest daughter's presence in Stockholm, Sweden for the current academic semester. Why not visit her, and use that as an excuse to see and experience a new part of the world? To be honest, I was originally motivated by the prospect of fishing in Sweden for some giant pike, perch or zander. Those plans were delayed until some vague future time while we worked out the logistics of the trip. Moreover, we were fresh off a big trip to New England and harried at work. So, neither A nor I had really put much particular effort in planning what we might actually do while in Sweden and Denmark. We'd take our cues from M and others who are more informed than us; we'd relax and sample what Stockholm and Copenhagen might have to offer. Our strategy paid off. We were able to relax and enjoy ourselves, while we spent about one third of our time on each of the following topics: Natural History; Art and Architectural History; and Royal History. Of course, there was good food and drink to be had, too! ![]() Copenhagen is the home of The Little Mermaid, so it was no surprise to find this over a doorway in Christiansborg Castle. Upon notice, I instantly snapped a photo for my daughter, K. Disney's release of The Little Mermaid might have been her first movie theater experience, She's loving and half-aquatic, to boot. We spent a fair amount of time in and around Amelienborg Palace in Copenhagen. Here, I noted a written quote, attributed to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. "Here, no matter what time of day, in what sort of weather or at which time of year - nothing is more beautiful...(It) has a particular light." This light, in part, had attracted us to, and kept us at, this particular place. But I couldn't help but notice and reflect that it is this light from my girls that illuminates my path. ![]() The vibrant colors of "The Queen's Tapestries" at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen show that they are not antiquities, but the crazy content of this one (depicting the future) caught my eye and made me pay attention to them. M loved this room, which I think captures the golden light that I associate with her. This trip was better than expected. It was truly touching. The things and experiences were nice. But, to know that there are futures beyond the scope of the pasts we've shared to date, was both humbling and inspiring. We'll be back. And next time, there might even be some fishing! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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So much has changed for me in the last few years. The kids are away at school, and I've got a new and different job with a new home in a new city. With the help of others, I've managed my way through a long period of chronic pain and mental lows. I now find myself in a very pleasant, sustainable situation with my best friend. For the first time (?), or at least for the first time in a long time, we currently share adequate time, health, money and interest. Things are good! Of course, I want to understand how and why my personal situation is currently so good. Since my fishing is part of this successful equation, I've been thinking, in part, about how and why my modest fishing has contributed to my current well-being. In this post, I think I'll focus on the "How?" of this. First, I have to give The Man some credit. My time served as "The World's Foremost" outfitter at C's (2013-2015) was truly beneficial to me. I found my service there to be surprisingly enjoyable; I made a couple of new friends, picked up some new techniques, lots of new tackle and a little extra money for a couple of fishing trips. It expanded my horizon as a fisherman, and it helped me recognize my fishing passion as a valid and valued component of my persona. The physical activities of retailing turned out to be "just right" for my continued physical recovery from back surgery. But most importantly, my time on the floor let me utilize soft skill sets (communication, active listening, problem solving and supporting others in their quests all come to mind) in a fun, dynamic environment that I found to be personally rewarding. All in all, I know that I am better off now than I was in 2012! But, let's face it. C's absorbed a lot of my time for (actually) very little money. When family events of early 2015 threatened to interfere with my perceived, continued value to the store, it was easy for me to say goodbye. Plus, starting in March 2015, I then had time to actually fish! And I did! 2015 was filled with some really nice fish and some new adventures. As detailed in my original blogging posts, above, I chased many species, I added new waters (Lake St. Clair and Traverse Bay most conspicuously), and I caught my share. And yet, it was not until the Spring of 2016 that I felt something change. Sure, I'd fully participated in 2015's fishing effort; but I wanted to make something happen in 2016. And, the first full year of Michigan's Catch-and-Immediate-Release season for bass was in effect. With Reeds Lake so close to home, Michigan's spring weather so fickle and Lake Michigan's salmon apparently on the down-slide, ardent pursuit of pre-spawn giant bass was not only legal, it was logical! It didn't happen right away, but soon enough, conditions aligned and I tasted success. The actual fishing details are available here: numenonthewater.blogspot.com/2016/03/easter-day-bass-fishing.html I think this quote sums it up: "At this point I'd been fishing for quite awhile over the course of three trips without having touched a bass. That could be discouraging, but it was so pleasant out, and I knew that any bass I encountered would likely be fat pre-spawn sows, so I kept at it. Several casts in at my new spot (which just happened to be very close to where I caught my largest Reeds Lake bass ever a few falls ago), just as I watched my bait approach the boat I paused the bait at my feet, and a muskie-like bass swept up and ate it! She wasn't a giant, but she was what I was hoping for, and my day was now made." She was just a nice, 2.5-pound bass. She was like one of hundreds; I hope there are hundreds more. I didn't even have that much to say about her at the time. I'm surprised this particular bass has turned out to be so important. After a dry spell, she was welcomed aboard. But, in a moment of potential darkness, she kept me out on the water, and I enjoyed some additional, even bigger bass that day. She'd taught me something meaningful. I was on to something! Just like there was more to that particular Easter Sunday, there was so much more to the season and beyond! A full two years later I am still enjoying this quest for trophy bass as my primary fishing. Most of my largest bass (over five pounds) have come since this particular day. Given a fishing career stretching at least 45 years, that's significant! Perhaps even more significantly, I think I've enjoyed them more than I had previously. I have actively intended to catch them! Starting with choice of water, down to the last terminal tackle detail; this has been a deliberate journey on my part. While trout, salmon and muskies have, to a certain degree, fallen off my radar (at least with respect to effort), I recognize this as the simple opportunity cost of my choices. Part of this is simple geography (choice of job, choice of home, etc.), but partly it is due to my appreciation and enjoyment of the state of my current bassing endeavors. I know (from experience!) that I can't do all things well all the time; I also know that there is now room in my current life for trips to New England, Sweden and Costa Rica. So, even when I get caught in a bit of a slump (such as right now!), I know there will be fish. I might as well relax and enjoy what I have, and not worry about what I might be missing out on. Meanwhile, and along the way, I have chosen to appreciate any selected facet of each trip or catch. Whether it's observing a natural moment; enjoying an interesting story on the radio while towing; noting the fine and purposed performance of a particular item of tackle; recognition of the proper lure or knot; experiencing the first, last, biggest, most beautiful or most unexpected fish of the day; or recognizing an ephemeral sense of personal ease on the water, I can benefit from harvesting the best of what happens to me while I'm fishing. That's "How?" my modest fishing efforts have contributed to a better version of myself. I've surprised myself. I kind of thought this discussion might have started with this story: numenonthewater.blogspot.com/2015/04/new-cir-bass-season.html About this fish: ![]() It could have, and the story would have been substantially the same. But 2015 was, in some way, about decompression, while 2016 was about mounting an effort towards managed, directed change. I certainly needed 2015 to be ready for 2016. But I needed to act for the changes of 2016 to bear meaningful fruit. Certainly my bass fishing has demonstrably improved; but even I know that is just a metaphor. This is about recognizing the effort that has made these changes for the better, possible. Not just with fishing, but rather with many aspects of life. That first modest bass from Easter Sunday, 2016; This Was the Fish that kept me in the game at what was, in perfect hindsight, a crucial moment for me. Now, in 2018, I expect things to get even better; I intend to continue using my fishing as a vehicle for this continuous self-improvement. I hope I drag some other aspects of life along with me! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways In my previous post, I declared the "Good News" that striped bass populations were on the upswing in Maine waters. I'll admit that declaration was, at least in part, self-serving; I want to catch more fish when I am there! But the Bangor Daily News followed up with another story about an even greater striper population increase in New Brunswick, Canada's Miramichi River. And perhaps that is not such good news. bangordailynews.com/2018/07/24/outdoors/fishing/stripers-are-taking-over-a-world-famous-atlantic-salmon-river-camp-owners-say/ Same fish, different outcome? Same fish, different perspective? Same coin, flip side? My fishing for stripers takes place within the known and natural range of the striper. It's proper and natural to catch these bass in Southern Maine. But, the Miramichi should be pumping Atlantic Salmon smolts into the sea. These should face predators; but probably not a thick phalanx of striped bass. And while stripers might be native, they don't belong there in great numbers; this should be marginal habitat for the bass, and prime for the salmon. Given time, these dynamics will likely balance out. But there is some risk that the true numenon of the Mirimichi, the Atlantic Salmon, might be lessened. And while I'd like to welcome the categorical growth of stripers, that is too great a cost for this ecosystem. Context matters; perspective counts. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways My daughter K surprised me at Christmas with the proper ink and paper supplies for me to attempt the art of Japanese Fish Rubbing, gyotaku. This was a loving and thoughtful gift. We'd long discussed this as a possible artistic outlet for me. I just never knew where to get the right stuff! In return to her kind generosity, it only took me a little over four months to finally catch a legally harvestable fish here in Michigan! When a lone white bass, Morone chrysops, recently ate my jerk-bait intended for Lake St. Clair's legendary smallmouth, I knew this fish had volunteered for this duty. Despite arriving home from the long day hot and tired, I prepared my prize, reviewed a couple of YouTube videos and collected some additional supplies for the next day's Fish Rubbing session. I have to admit, removing the paper from my very first print was a somewhat spiritual experience. I was seeking to capture the essence of the fish, not every nuance or detail; and I'd succeeded! However, I'd also used the incorrect side of the paper, and the image was a bit smudged. Plus, I'd not been aggressive enough at capturing the dorsal and ventral fins; these were disembodied from the rest of the fish. Still, I was encouraged by these results. Print No. 2 was better; but I'd used too much ink, and the print lost some important detail and texture. It simply would never look like a White Bass. Print No. 3 is presented below, hot off the press. It's by no means perfect; but the elements of the fish are in place. Spiny fins are obviously so; soft fins, too. The jaw bones are naturally delineated, as is the operculum and the nasal nare. I smudged the tail and the fish is overall, a bit too dark. But I can see that this will certainly be a recognizable White Bass specimen with only minor additional detail. I believe my goal will be to minimize additional detail; I don't want to "paint" the fish. I want to capture the fish through the utilization of proper preparations, materials and techniques. The fact that one cannot see the result as the print develops (as in a drawing or painting) means that I will have to develop trust in these factors, as well as in myself. This only adds to my intrigue and satisfaction with this endeavor. Given a very windy Flex Day and full of pleasant smallmouth memories from recent trips, I chose to finish my initial gyotaku efforts today. A Lake St. Clair walleye had been added to my collection of rubbings; now, it was time to attempt the eyeballs and to provide any additional detail that I thought necessary. I was somewhat intimidated by the eyes; these are what will provide any perceived eternal life to the prints. Well, the eyes turned out okay, and I was comfortable with adding only very sparse additions to my rubbings. I decided to commemorate these initial efforts by matting and framing a few of the prints. I'll continue to enjoy these fish for a long time. I enjoyed doing this, too, so now I have yet another way to enjoy fishing! Thanks, K! Continuous improvement is a personal goal of mine; at least on my terms and at my pace. I have a reminder posted at work; "Kaizen" as a visible source of motivation to seek ways to make things better. Whether these improvements are realized as a result of new efficiencies, intelligent use of tools, prioritization, atmosphere or attitude, and whether the gains are modest or substantial, I seek such realizations to provide daily purpose and meaning for my work life. I've certainly applied these thoughts to my fishing. And now, possibly, to my practice of gyotaku. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways I decided to post this short movie from March 2015 just for fun. I can't believe how this dog (Oliver; a.k.a. Ollie) has controlled my life; but I also can't describe how important he has been to me. I know I've benefited from thrice-daily forced marches, as well as from his occasional adoration. I dare you to watch this and not be compelled to whistle! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways This crazy writing enterprise began with a discussion of boat names (feel free to check out "About" or the original blogging entry in Numenon, above), and the collection of potential vessel monikers has become something of a (silly, if not moronic) personal hobby. It all started with the naming of my first boat, Mrs. Paul, and grew when a co-worker scripted Plan Sea on a yellow sticky note as I left the office to take the Summer of 2006 "off" with my kids. (That work hiatus was possible courtesy of my employer's "Plan C" option for periods of unpaid leave.) Some names are serious candidates for a future boat; many are just a whimsical, imagined stern. My apparent, empirical criteria for a good boat name include the possibility of being double-, or even multiple-edged; and it helps if the potential name is also some combination of fun, silly, naughty, sick or truly legitimate. Before I lose them, here are some that I've collected over the previous (several to many) years. Enjoy! A Little Bit Nautical Bunker Boy - The menhaden, a.k.a. Bunker or Pogie, might be the most important fish in the sea. It efficiently coverts plankton into fish flesh, and is the favored prey for many predators. Find the bunker and find the fish, at least during the New England saltwater season; and they are so much fun to find and collect, that I offered my services as permanent "Bunker Boy" to my guide during a trip to Rhode Island's Narraganset Bay. Pogielicious - Along those same lines, but this time, "thanks" to Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas. Sea Smoke - When the air is colder than the water, you can encounter whispy Sea Smoke. It's always fun to be out there during such conditions! Aquitard - Simply a barrier to encroaching water, just like any good boat; but it somehow sounds so wrong! Captain Howdy - This is the name of the possessing demon in "The Exorcist". And yet he sounds so friendly! Who could pass up a trip with Captain Howdy? A Little Bit Philosophical Effect Affect -or- Affect Effect - Society can't seem to decide; Does one want to put into play a certain persona; or to influence a specific outcome? In the end, which will provide the most meaning or fitness? It's a shifty, Left Brain - Right Brain, Steak - Sizzle kind of dilemma. Aren'ticulate - So much to say, and so little ability! But I can relate, for sure. AfterMath - Clipped from the beginning of a favored rap song, but perhaps summarizing a quiet retirement option after a life of data and science? One Shot - What will one do when that singular opportunity presents itself? The song might actually named "Lose Yourself", but I used to play the song I thought of as "One Shot" before every tournament and muskie outing. Willful Idleness - This ironically describes both a good way to get fired and a productive way to approach retirement. Man-Infested Density - The familiar concept of "Manifest Destiny" captured me as a younger man, especially with respect to the 19th Century style of American art that it inspired. But our society is currently so dysfunctional in certain ways, and I am inclined to now think of this slightly jumbled version as an important root cause. Mandamus - This refers to a court order demanding a required or obligatory public service. It's a very firm reminder to do the right thing! I'm all about these notions. Plus, it's Latin! Of Medical Origin (kind of) Tomb Essence - This is likely to be an unpleasant odor, but phonetically, it's localized turgidity. Angel Lust - What a charmingly polite and Victorian way to describe the prominent, localized pooling of blood of a recently deceased man. Canal Lube - As previously described in numenon.blogspot.com/2017/04/cubicle-vs-root-canal.html, a good dentist has to clean out the root space during a root canal of a dead tooth. But it does sound (literally) unnerving and a bit naughty to the patient in the chair when the dentist asks for some from the assistant. Phlegmish Cap - The Flemish Cap is a notable shallow area of the North Atlantic's Grand Banks, once the most prolific of ground fisheries. And phlegm ... is just phugn. Proud Flesh - This is just prominently exuberant healing tissue, but it sounds so interesting! GoPro Zach -or- Go Prozac - Love my GoPro action camera! And I respect the medical power and benefits of Prozac. Why not mash 'em? Anagrammatic Shock - I once claimed to have fallen into "Anagrammatic Shock" (no small joke) when involved in some sort of Brain Teaser challenge. But more generally, I love rearranging pieces to get a different outcome, especially if it is unexpected or somehow at odds with the original construction of the entity. Imagined to be written with a carved marble font meant to look "Ancient Greek" and Rhyming with "Hercules" Cubicules - I've spent so much time in my cubicle. But if I imagine myself as Cubicules, Greek Hero of Work, then it's a bit easier to accept. Testicules - Based on the above premise, at least loosely. Neuticules - Based on the above premise, but with the additional bonus of including the concept of prosthetic testicles for neutered pets; to make them feel better, too. Other - I don't really know how to classify these Leaky Larva - Certain insect larva are excellent baits; a leaky larva is even more attractive to the fish. This would look good on a nice small, decrepit craft. Deuterium Distraction - Is localized groundwater contamination by deuterium really a health hazard? Or is looking for it just a distraction from other, real issues? Wetter Than Water - What's possibly wetter than water? Add a surfactant and find out! Altar Ego - Go fishing with a Catholic Priest, and you start thinking about these things! Incomeplete - This is not a typo; certainly anybody with a boat has the sense of not having enough money, i.e., the feeling of being "incomeplete". Used and Retired Mrs. Paul - This was my first boat's name. It was selected for its feminine qualities, and also with the less-than-humble knowledge that I controlled the price of salmon whenever I returned to port. 80-Buck Baboon - I've no desire to go on a safari or an African Trophy hunt, but I did come cross the fact that the going rate to harvest a baboon was only $80 in about 2005. Who among us, having incurred the expense of travel and the other trophies, would forgo a measly $80 to add another species to the bag? Alas, officially changing the name of my salmon team to "80-Buck Baboon" was disastrous; we lost our good fortune and struggled through a series of poor tournament performances. Thank You, Current Politics Affluenza - Really? Being too rich to know how to function as a reasonably human being is a legitimate defense in court? Rimfire - I really enjoyed my time as one of the World's Most Foremost Outfitters at C's, but the public's insane demand for ammunition sickened me. Many folks thought they were wisely preparing for the future or otherwise beating The Man as they stocked up on .22 (rimfire) bullets. I think they'd generally benefit from from some Preparation H to combat their rimfire fever. Deranged Dotard - For this one thing I can say, "Thank you, North Korea!" A Bit Too Racy or Politically Incorrect, Even in Fun, for Inclusion Here (These are, unfortunately, too numerous for me to admit.) Serious Contenders, Actually Quale Hunt - I've previously written about the quale; see numenon.blogspot.com/2015/01/quale-hunt.html . I found the concept of "quale" to be instantly familiar, yet intriguing. As previously described above, much like a duck, you’ll recognize a quale when you encounter one. How stupid of me to attempt an essay on this topic; a quale, is after all, defined in part as “ineffable”; it cannot be communicated, and can only be understood through experience. It is clearly foolhardy to write about such things; and yet I bet you know exactly what I mean. I could simply say “red”, “toothache”, or “mouthwatering steak” and you would have your very own personal reaction. There’s no saying that your reaction is the same as mine, your mother’s, or in any way “correct.” But we have an undeniable, personal reaction in response to each these prompts, and those are our specific qualia. Having experienced the response, you know (your personal version of) the subject. What is more personal or intimately known? What could be more rewarding to share? No wonder, I am on the hunt; and I think everybody else should be, too. Eudaemonia - I'm surprised that I've not yet written about this; I've long had a "draft" entry as a reminder to do so. Much like my concept of "Numenon", this term captures a concept known to be important, enduring, and worth our attention. And yet, it can seem so difficult to describe or fully grasp. Any of these traits qualify the term as a contending boat name! Anyway, last summer, I was introduced by my best friend to a term I really should have been more aware of: Eudaemonia. Literally meaning "Good Spirit", perhaps it is better and more completely defined as "well-being" and "human flourishing." Just a tiny bit of Internet Research would indicate that this was, according to Aristotle, the greatest human good; and seeking this state is perhaps our most noble pursuit in life. It's tough to argue against that, but once again, we are confronted with the question of How? to do so? By simply being one's best? At what? By seeking purpose and meaning to our days and efforts? Or by accepting what we have and where we are? By living enthusiastically, and sharing that enthusiasm with others? By cultivating and nurturing shared relationships? By knowing, practicing and noticing these things, and thereby being present, both for our own thoughts, but also for the thoughts, needs and experiences of others? There's a lot there! Fluctuate nec Mergitur - I encourage you to check out another previous post; see numenon.blogspot.com/2016/03/fluctuat-nec-mergitur.html . "Buffeted by the sea; but will not sink!" What a beloved boat name! Mackerelmore - This is simply a take on my desired C's nick-name, "Tacklemore", which was in turn a play on Macklemore of "Thrift Shop" fame. During Maine's summer, he with the best access to mackerel often wins the striped bass game. Plus, the mackerel are so beautiful and fun; I'd be honored to fish aboard a sporting vessel in New England christened as "Mackerelmore". Squid Hound - The striped bass, my primary quarry in New England, has many names; striper, rockfish, and linesider instantly come to mind. But this is the striper's nickname that just keeps sticking with me as a boat name. Hop aboard, let's go hunt some stripers! Salty Dog -or- Sawlty Dog - The "Salty Dog Rag" is Dartmouth's adopted song and dance of the "square" variety, and I could certainly think of my boat as a Salty Dog. Especially if it happened to be a beautiful, simple green boat by Salty Boats of Maine. It would only be right. The second spelling variation could be adopted to emphasize the local accent, should I choose to do so. Mooncusser -or- Mooncussah - When you are a land-based pirate intent on luring ships too close to shore with fake lighthouses as a means of scuttling them and plundering their treasure, you will surely be inclined to cuss out the moon for its brightness. One might simply be generally inclined to cuss; and one might certainly choose to do so as a striper fisherman, too. Again, I offer a spelling variation for the purposes discussed above. Bona Fortuna -or- Bonah for Tunah - Just check out the previous post. AmyBaby22 - I'm really certain of only one thing; if my next boat happens to be a 22-footer, it will surely be named after the single love of my life. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways So, my "work personality" has been characterized as the "Objective Thinker". I do have pride in my clarity of thought, and I have no doubt that this characterization does capture a primary aspect of my younger self, my behavior at work, and my answers to the survey in which I participated back in 2008. Now, no particular characterization is any "better" than others, but there are key benefits to utilizing the strengths of an Objective Thinker:
There was a time when I thought this would be more than enough for me to succeed at life and work, and I have in many ways and by many measures. But age and experience make it obvious that it is necessary to at least acknowledge some Costs and Missed Opportunities associated with attacking life as a radicalized Objective Thinker. For instance, I've often been guilty of the following:
The bottom line is that I am pretty highly functional in familiar situations, or where I have a flow of decipherable, pertinent data, but when faced with ambiguity, these costs can really exert themselves. Doubt can paralyze me into an inactive state. For much of my life, if I (even perceived that I) haven't been in a position to do something well, I haven't pursued it. For a good chunk of the last decade, I've been working on mitigating these costs by recognizing them and increasing my tolerance for my shortcomings and those of others. I've accepted more risk, I've listened to intuition, I've valued the honest emotions of myself and others, and I've enjoyed challenging established ways of doing things. I've made a concerted effort to bridge differences with those with whom I share goals (whether family, customers or co-workers.) This has not been easy, but I think these efforts have been reflected in my relationships, my work effectiveness and (most importantly) my personal sense of well-being. *** Now, how best to phrase this? "As I've learned these life lessons, the quality of my fishing has improved?" Or, "As my fishing has improved, I've learned these important life lessons?" Regardless, at least on a limited basis, I am willing to recognize Fishing (well) as a metaphor for Living (well). It's too easy to just check off many of the traits bulleted above to make this case. For instance, working hard at making quality presentations with data-validated approaches will put fish in the boat. Do so with focus and a machine-like reproduction of successful presentations, and you can fill the boat with your fish. But what if it is simply not working? Then, changing gears, listening to your gut, acting on a sudden inspiration and adopting tactics borrowed from others might be the ticket. Doing so earlier, as opposed to later, could be critical. Simply maintaining enough confidence to stay on the water, if only because of what might happen, can really change the day's outcome. Please recall my natural predilection for Lack of Action in Uncertain Circumstances. This has cost me many potential days on the water because of my long-term nemesis, The Wind. Perhaps "frenemy" is a better term, because while I know that some Wind is certainly a fisherman's best friend to get fish going, too much Wind (all too frequent here in Michigan) certainly causes problems. And these are the types of problems that I've often actively avoided. Long before Wind creates safety issues, it presents problems with boat control and lure presentation. With these keys to a good day on the water possibly hindered, and just being cognizant of the simple monetary costs of a trip, the risk of a skunk and the general fear of failure have, on many occasions, kept me off the water. Ambiguity and doubt have disabled my fishing action. And, while I suspect that I did many worthwhile things with the time I ended up spending Not Fishing, I know that I didn't catch any worthwhile fish during that time. I was recently presented with a scheduled day off work. It was, indeed, a windy day. "Old Steve" would likely have not gone fishing. But "New Steve" decided that chances for any fishing success were greater out on the water than from the couch. Moreover, New Steve recognized that his fishing dreams do have both validity and value, and re-evaluated the potential costs of the trip (as described above) as having no real consequences. In fact, I can say that I've embraced Doubt as a major part of the Fishing Challenge, and I've used tough conditions and new waters (both too prevalent) as a recent source of motivation for my efforts. So, I did go fishing that day. Despite the wind, traffic, heavy seas, stained water, a lost tooth and a tough bite, I caught a near-Personal Best smallmouth bass. I caught it on an initial cast of a specific bait that I dug out of the tackle box based on my reading of the situation and a sudden stroke of inspiration. Catching this fish is a great result in and of itself, but in fact pales in comparison to the value of all these lessons learned, both on the water and at my desk. My life lessons are helping my fishing. My fishing is shaping my life. I'm glad I've got some sort of productive synergy going. Fishing (well) is Living (well.) Living (well) is Fishing (well.) At least, in part; and even if I don't catch anything while doing so. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways Welcome to the new and hopefully improved Numenon blog! This new platform should offer some advantages and flexibility, but otherwise I expect the same sort of content that I've offered in my "Original Blogging" efforts (link above.) In short, anything might be fair game, but there will likely be strong elements of sport fishing, philosophy and appreciation (in any combination) present. The 2017 Holiday Season has been full and pleasant. My work schedule is ramping up, and January 2018 will feature a truly special trip. That is to say, the next entry might take a while to appear; but I think it will be worthy of this new platform. Time will tell. In the meantime, Happy New Year! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways With my recent relocation and work adjustment, I have been able to work on a "Flex Schedule" for the first time. This gives me every other Monday "off" in return for slightly longer work days for the rest of the pay period. I'm working the same amount, but now my work days have been reduced by 10%, while my "off" days have increased by about 25%. I've tried to make the most of this situation; I am certainly getting used to it! But before such an arrangement seems normal or mundane, I'd like to take the opportunity to celebrate what this time has allowed me to do. Here are some pictures, in chronological order, of each of my "Flex" days so far: Each day has been filled with adventure (big or small), and each has produced noteworthy fish and/or experience. What a gift!
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Steve LachanceVia Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Michigan and now, back to New England! Archives
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