Spring 2015 has Sprung!

We’ve made a slow but relatively smooth transition from Winter to Spring.  There have been none of the dramatic temperature swings or massive thaws that are so common to Michigan Springs.  But over the last few weeks we’ve undeniably crept into the new season.  Recently, schedules aligned with a brief window of (predicted) relative warmth and acceptable river flows and clarity.  I decided to celebrate the beginning of My Spring by going fishing for suckers.  A trip to the Flat River in Lowell was in order; I’d inaugurate my open water fishing season like I have for the last five or so; with worms soaking on the bottom, light rods braced in forked sticks.

I thought I was a little early; there was still some snow on the ground, and I’m sure the water temperatures were still in the 30’s.  So I knew I might get skunked; but last year I felt is if I were too late; and since I could go, I decided that I might as well try!  Plus, my spot usually affords a surprise or two (bonus carp, exceptional numbers, or perhaps a shot at some game fish) every year.

I don’t think I ever caught or even saw a sucker in the Rhode Island waters of my youth (although creek chubs are another story.)  I know certain New Hampshire rivers were flush with them (Saco, Connecticut, Mink Brook, etc.), but I never targeted them specifically.  It wasn’t until I started steelheading here in Michigan (1986) that suckers entered my angling awareness.  My first-ever drift for steelies on the famed Betsie River was intercepted by a nice redhorse; and another angler that day caught a giant pre-spawn pike just downstream from me.  Everybody was there for the steelhead; but that pike was there for the suckers!  Detroit River walleyes, Muskegon River brown trout, Rogue River rainbows, Grand River salmon; all have subsequently morphed into suckers between my hooking and landing them.  Although not specifically targeted, each has been welcome to me.

But it wasn’t until five or six years ago that I settled into the habit of beginning my spring with suckers.  We had spent a pleasant evening at Fallasburg Park (one of our institutionalized Fun Family Friday destinations), and I got to observe a couple of locals partaking in the seasonal sucker fishery.  I wasn’t overly impressed with their beer or litter, but they were catching some fish; and this particular spot had all the elements for some migrating fish to pile up.  The spot got mentally filed away, and what do you know, I fished it with the kids one beautiful afternoon soon thereafter.  I’ve been coming back since.

With my day’s work done, Ollie having been sufficiently walked, worms procured and all else in place, I found myself stream-side at about 3:30 PM.  The specifics of the day are chronicled elsewhere (see below), but I enjoyed a pleasant 90 minutes or so, and I encountered a few fish.  Nothing amazing happened, but it was more-than-nice to finally start the 2015 Open Water Season, especially with some fish actually caught.

Today's set-up; light rod, 6-pound test, a hook, a worm, a couple of split shot and an extendable forked stick.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Catch!  Photograph!  Release!  It's not just for muskies!

Here's a shameless plug; if you're less interested in my "philosophies" and more interested in the actual fish I encounter, please check out the account of this day in my other blog:

NumenOn the Water

That's my Open Diary of my modest fishing exploits.  Not much has happened yet in 2015, but there's some recent ice fishing content, too.  There's always a chance something truly noteworthy might happen in 2015!  Enjoy!

P.S.  I was foolish enough (or motivated enough?) to go again, a few days later.  I was armed with the knowledge that conditions certainly had not improved, and there’d likely be few, if any fish, available at my spot.  I merely confirmed those suspicions; I didn’t get touched in an hour of fishing in deteriorating conditions.  I could have found another spot, more protected from the wind, or more likely to hold fish; but that seemed like too much work. 

I don’t always choose to sucker fish; but when I do, I like it to be pleasant.

Conjectures & Meditations III

A couple of months after finishing the book (Ian Stewart's Infinity) and presenting my initial Conjectures and Meditations, I still feel as though there's something left unsaid.  I am trying to figure out what I think that is; and today's illness and medicated fuzziness*** might have given me a chance at capturing my thoughts.

My main conclusions from Conjectures and Meditations (January 21, 2015) include:

Respect the Journey: "Outcomes will certainly matter, but they will ultimately pale in comparison to the methods utilized and efforts expended.  What we experience and learn along the way will certainly inspire future efforts, and those efforts will be aided with sharpened and refined tools."

Choose to Engage: "It’s about recognizing and respecting the monumental effort behind this human endeavor and the broad perspective that this can provide.  It’s also about passionately tackling a portion of it (especially for the fun of it!) with the tools at hand.   It’s about trying to link our interests and assets, with the prospect of some unspecified Added Value in our lives."

Somehow these ideas were tempered by my reading Innovations by Steven Johnson; please see my February 13, 2015 entry.  Johnson's review of six modern outcomes emphasized the collaborative processes that lead to these specific innovations.   Innovations also emphasized that these outcomes weren't necessarily as specific as they are presented; the boundaries of each are continuously stretched, the nature of their utility continues to evolve.  The author's introduction of Material and Long View perception reminds us that we are not necessarily done, even if we are comfortable.

So, like Poincar'e and Childs (February 28, 2015), I've prepared! by reading, thinking and writing.  I've incubated! these issues for a couple of months, if not for decades.  It's been a very busy couple of months at home and work, and perhaps today's quietude will allow for my illumination!  Perhaps not, but at least I feel kind of ready to at least broach these thoughts.

Innovation's collaborations represent the pinnacle of participants' engagement in their journey of choice.  I think this is my missing link!  Our modern, comfortable life is a collective result of these efforts.  The efforts are driven by individuals' passions. 

This seems too simple; but I believe it to be true to the core.  And yet, if it is simple, why is it so difficult to integrate fully into our lives?  I am passionate about my family's well-being and fishing; no doubts there, and I think I am most active engaged in these areas.  I am most willing to spend my time, energy, and available resources on protecting and improving the quality of these pursuits.  These are the Living Well aspects of my life; these are my journeys of choice.  These are also the areas in which I've most successfully partnered and collaborated with others.  These are the rewarding, successful aspects of my life.

Now I certainly want best outcomes at work and within the immediate community, too.  But perhaps here I don't necessarily have the resources or energy to overcome certain barriers, real or perceived.  If I have any angst or frustration (and surprise! I do!), here's the source.  I am certainly Master of My Cubicle, and I do a few unique things that help The Machine move along at something resembling an acceptable pace.  But I think I've learned that I can choose to engage others to seek collective improvement; or I can choose to accept the status quo and save my resources for other, more important issues.  Either way, it's my path.  

A couple of ancillary concepts that struck me along the way include:

The concept of The Adjacent Possible is a recurring theme; let's face it, important breakthroughs aren't usually the result of a single idea, but rather the emergence of a network of available ideas, skills, actions.  Results will emerge when the process actually brings these real elements together (and perhaps mixes in a bit of luck.)  This is something I think I can incorporate into my thoughts and actions.  Let’s face it, one could simply rely on time and pure luck; but a better plan for getting into a specific college, visiting a bucket list location, boating a certain fish, executing a successful change at work,  or making a specific career move; these all require some level of preparation, mastery, and focus for fruition.  All the while, please keep in mind that the passionate pursuit of some goal probably entails the involvement of others (collaboration) and some time (incubation.)  

Not that this is any sort of accomplishment, but I'm ready to incorporate a bit of travel and some big muskies into my life.  Thank you, T, J and all my time at C's.  You've collectively opened my eyes, fueled my fires, and introduced me to a different, but real, path.  I've done my homework, I've put in the time on the water, and I've got some time in front of me.  I've developed some dreams, and I've got some specific ideas.  I've got the motivation and resources to make this happen; it's almost time.  Let's see if I do, but more importantly, let's see what I learn along the way!  I hope I'm paying enough attention to appreciate the process, more-so than any specific result.

This last statement probably encapsulates my partitioning and awareness of Material vs. Long Term views.  I might catch some awesome fish. The idea of these provides the motivation.  Their pursuit is the engagement of my passion; this is a journey of my choice.  Behind each experience or picture, there will be the invisible contributions of many others, and probably some innovative use of tools and knowledge I've collected somewhere along the way.  

We need to remember all these things; then we can appreciate where we are.

***No big deal; just an assortment of cold and flu symptoms that are collectively disruptive enough to make me not even consider going to work.  Normal sleep patterns have been temporarily suspended, and there seem to be many over-the-counter solutions for each symptom-of-the-moment.  

TheMancipation

This is all harmless and in good fun, but I have to admit that I am enjoying my recent "TheMancipation."  The invisible force behind the retailing efforts (as opposed to the value-added outfitting efforts), the unseen face behind all the outdated procedures and inefficiencies, and in general anything misguided at the store became known, to me and a couple of friends, as The Man.  He generally benefited from my efforts.  He called the shots.  He controlled my schedule.  Before I embarked on personal projects, I'd have to clear it with The Man.  The Man had squelched many spontaneous opportunities.  

I can't help but think of my recent, voluntary departure, as least in part, as TheMancipation.  I am now (more) free (at last) to do as I please with my time.   I have probably done nothing of note or importance with this additional time, but it's been nice to simply be back home.  And I do hope to have my tackle in tip-top condition when the ice clears (which actually seems possible at this point.)

Penultimatum

I'd talked it through with my family and my supervisors at the fun, voluntary, second job; and I'd given my notice.  I'd truly enjoyed most of my time there, but the Reward:Effort was getting too low.  Looking ahead at my personal and work schedules, it was just going to get too difficult to continue,  especially with limited flexibility on their part.  I've gotten a lot out of my experiences there, and I'm proud to have done this; but it was clear (last of all, to me?) that it was time to move ahead, and so a few weeks ago I agreed to simply finishing out my scheduled shifts.  We'd all move on from there.

***

With about 30 minutes left in my last shift, I engaged with a customer who turned out to be my Penultimate.  Not only was he my next to last one, after nearly two thousand hours on the floor, he proved to be memorable.    Here's why:

• He was intensely interested in a specific fish at a specific time/place.
• This fishery is a couple of hundred miles away, and it has only a local reputation.
• He knew there was a secret bait that people there used with great success.
• He knew that nobody could find it in stores and that the locals ordered it on-line.
• Since it was Captain's Day at the store I tapped into the available expertise and found a professional tackle rep who was from the specific area in question; whose father still lived there; and who was wired into this fishery.
• My customer couldn't describe the bait in question (other than it was intensely purple), but after considerable discussion, quizzing and a phone call to the Captain's father, we confirmed that it was likely a soft jerk bait.
• We scoured the store's on-line catalog and eliminated every jerk bait option.
• We went on-line to various manufacturers' sites and eliminated a few of those.
• We finally identified the bait as a Lunker City Fin-S Minnow, and I provided information on how to order these baits.
• Somehow, the customer was still enthusiastically frustrated and generally difficult.

Lunker City Fin-S Minnows; from the web!

In a moment of quiet, the tackle rep involved whispered to me, "That's why (I) would never work in retail!"  I left the customer with the info and his options, and thankfully, disengaged.  

With 3.5 minutes left in my work time, another customer engaged me.  He was looking for a specific sale item.  I led him directly to the proper location, and the item was in stock right where it was supposed to be.  We talked about the product for a moment while he examined it.  He decided to keep it.  He thanked me for my time and my help.  He walked away, happy and satisfied.  I did, too, but I walked off the floor for the last time; this is how it's supposed to be!

Cousin Orson

Tyrion is imprisoned for possible regicide; he’s being visited by his King Slayer brother.* They reminisce about a certain dim relative, Cousin Orson, who had apparently been dropped on his head.  They recall, with nervous laughter, Orson’s single pre-occupation in life; smashing beetles.  All their memories of Orson are the same; of him sitting in the garden, smashing beetles with diligence and enthusiasm.

Young Tyrion had taken guilty pleasure in believing that Orson was worse off than he; and that was a rare category.  But Tyrion is a man of surprising depth, and he reveals that he became consumed with a study of Orson.  What were his motivations?  Where was the pleasure?  Why do this?

It’s not certain what insight Tyrion gained from his studies, because the conversation is cut short by the tolling of bells.  The brothers must immediately tend to other (life and death) matters.  Cousin Orson is (seemingly) immediately forgotten.

But, why was this scene included?  Will Cousin Orson be re-visited?  Did Tyrion learn something from Cousin Orson that will, in some manner, help him overcome another obstacle?  I don’t know; perhaps time will tell.

I’ve my own thoughts on this, and they came to me immediately as Orson was discussed.  I’ve explored these thoughts a bit elsewhere, but Orson may have achieved his personally most satisfactory role.  He might have been happy, even fulfilled.  After all, he appeared to have:

·       Autonomy; nobody was bossing him around or telling him how to smash beetles, or how many to smash.

·       Mastery; by all accounts he was remembered as very good at smashing beetles.  No vermin within reach escaped his attention.   And

·       Purpose; this is a bit sketchy, and perhaps only Orson knew for sure; but I suspect his enthusiasm for this work symbolizes his efforts within a just cause.  He knew and accepted his purpose; and he was acting in support of it.

Now, to each his own (so long as everything is fair and not at the expense of others), and folks are variously suited to or capable in each pursuit.  There are unlimited options, but with these elements in place, one has a chance at personal satisfaction.  I’m really close, and sometimes I’m actually there.  I make sure I appreciate those moments!  But my relationship with any of these elements can get a bit shaky at any given time;  and so I’m pleased to have adopted this model to get things back into balance for myself whenever I feel imposed upon, I fall short, or I simply question Why?

*This is, of course, taken from Season Four of Game of Thrones.

Conjectures and Meditations II -or- Jackie Poincar'e!

In which I connect  great philosophers with a fictitious TV character...@@@

A further notion of interest from Ian Stewart's Visions of Infinity can be attributed to philosopher and mathematician Henri Poincar'e*, but could not have been spoken more eloquently by Seinfeld! Super Lawyer Jackie Chiles himself!  Here I am referring to Poincar'e's methods of solving problems (and let's face it, I am willing to accept that he is an authority on such matters); that an idea usually does not develop instantly, like the appearance of light in a bulb (ironically our classic image of that moment of sudden understanding), but rather through the longer processes of:

Seinfeld! Super Lawyer Jackie Chiles; from the web!  

• Preparation!  This stage might be thought of as the conscious management of an issue; recognizing the problem, defining it, collecting the necessary tools and applying conventional methods.  This seems to be the primary focus of much of our time and efforts.
• Incubation!  But perhaps these efforts and our learnings and dispositions set up internal ramblings, struggles, and explorations.  And perhaps we are brave enough to share our thoughts with others who are interested and talented.  A little time, a little distance, a little help; and perhaps new and unconventional methods for attacking the issue emerge.
• Illumination!  With a little luck and openness, perhaps we have that break-through, Aha! moment.  The issue is now seen in a different light; and perhaps this is a more productive path to follow.  Isn't this the goal?

Ideas and success and outcomes sometimes arise either internally, but more likely in response to feedback from "outside" your line of thinking.  One can only do so much; further progress probably depends on the contributions of others.   So if you're stuck on an issue, give it a rest!^^^  With the right tools on hand (let's assume you've done your homework, you've partnered with the right folks, and you remain open to new information), it's a matter of time for an incubus of an idea to form; with a bit more time and gentle nurturing, perhaps it can bloom into a productive solution.  

Basic ideas and unexpected links; Holy Crap! this does sound like a Seinfeld! script!  Perhaps I've just insulted Stewart and the legacy of Poincar'e; or perhaps I've uttered the source of genius behind Seinfeld!

But why am I interested in the is?  This is simply an expression of my growing interest in creativity.  I've often felt that I cannot work any harder; so I might as well work smarter.  And if I feel that way about work, surely I feel that way about life in general.  I've spent so much time and effort in the Preparation phase of handling life's matters; that work has been generally successful; and it has set me up for future success.  But I'm becoming more open to sharing and Incubation.  Increased efficiency, enjoyment and opportunity all sound like worthwhile goals; I just need to step away from some of the logistics of endlessly Preparing, and allow myself to continue to ruminate.  Meanwhile, I am open to any moments of Illumination!  Let's just hope that I am smart enough to recognize them and act upon them.

Maybe these are Long View issues and will affect my life-style choices 5, 10 or 20 years down the road.  Maybe I'll eat more veggies, or perhaps I'll be a Squid Monk.  Or both; or neither.  Alternatively, perhaps these are Material issues that will help me apply fishing techniques to new water or species with confidence, whether they are conventionally accepted or not.  Perhaps it will just lead to conversations with people I might not have otherwise spoken with.  Maybe I'll learn from them; maybe they'll learn from me.  Regardless, isn't it nice to think that our Preparations are leading to better outcomes, even if we don't really know what they might be?

***

@@@ I am still fuzzy and hazy from yesterday's sedation for S1-L5-L4 treatments.  You can judge.

*Please accept my apologies for the awkward spelling; my fonts appear to have limits!

^^^ If only this luxury were more available in our daily work lives.

Vox Clamantis!

My alma mater has claimed to be an Intellectual Voice, crying out in the Wilderness!  Vox clamantis in deserto!  I was attracted, as a young applicant, to the physical wildness of the setting.  I initially appreciated, but have since continually grown (but probably belatedly, stuntedly, and inadequately) to embrace its intellectual mission.  And yet, I increasingly feel the pain of an unheard messenger.  For the most part, that’s no big deal; I guess it’s just the way it is.  But there is a part of me that seeks to be heard, especially when I might have something worthwhile to offer.

***

Well, I just resigned from my fun, part-time position at C’s.  Kind of; nobody appropriate was present to receive my resignation letter.  It was Sunday, after all, so who would be working?  I quietly sketched out my notice, made a copy for my boss’s boss, and filed the letters in their in-baskets.  This development will be no surprise to The Man (I’ve been keeping him posted on my thoughts and needs), so I’ll assume this will work its way through the system, and that by the end of the month, I’ll have fulfilled my scheduled obligations with him.  Paperwork complete, I hit the floor and gave them another honest day’s effort.  Big Lakers, saltwater newbies, muskie hopefuls, kids and plain old fun fishers; I interacted with a lot of folks.  I was exhausted by closing time.  But I’d shared another day of my Fishing Enthusiasm (on an otherwise historically cold and despicable day), and I’d even been paid a bit for my time and efforts.  I think it was another Win-Win-Win of sorts for me, my employer, and my customers.

So why did I resign?; simply because my time there had run its course.  It’s no longer worth Not Fishing to be there.  The Opportunity for Growth does not make up for the current Pay Schedule, and the ratio of Retailing:Outfitting is way too high.   I’ve got a Fully Scheduled 2015 ahead of me, and I knew our arrangements weren’t going to work out much longer, at least not without some give on their part or pain on mine.  They made it clear that they had nothing to give me in terms of accommodations; and that made it easier for me to be kind to myself.  I chose to take advantage of a little cash in my pocket, accompanied for the first time in a while with the sense that I can might be able to realistically plan and execute an adventure or two.  I will miss certain aspects of my experience there, but I have to admit, I don’t think the earned sense of freedom has hit me yet.  So while I took this path with some reluctance, I suspect that I will enjoy the fruits of this decision, later.

It was fairly fitting that I couldn’t deliver my resignation in person to an appropriate manager, because while I know my managers appreciated my enthusiasm, knowledge and demeanor on the floor (they’ve previously said so!), somehow I was (or at least often felt) pretty invisible there.  I can't say that anybody worked more earnestly or with more dedication; but those skills that I brought to the floor were not necessarily reflected in their metrics of choice.  And, amazingly enough, as the venture matured, those metrics became more highly emphasized, while my core strengths were in danger of being marginalized.  Bottom line; if I wasn't fishing, and I wasn't really growing or sharing that expertise and passion, then why continue?

It has been an interesting 25 months.  I was forced to decide right away that the experience wasn't about the money (I am still uncertain whether this was due to an early mis-statement, mis-communication, mis-hearing, or if I was otherwise misled), and I would say that my longevity is a testament of my dedication to that idea.  I know I did gain a lot from the overall experience.  I picked up a passion for muskies, paid for some awesome new gear and electronics, met some new friends and subsidized a couple of trips to Florida. My People Skills were repeatedly tested and stretched, and these benefits certainly spilled over into my primary work and everyday life.  These are all good things!  I am glad to have done this!

***

And yet I can't help but think that some opportunity was lost.  I've missed out on the majority of two open water seasons so I could report to work.  That doesn't seem to make sense.  And while a few customers might specifically miss my presence, The Man won't.  My impact on him was negligible.  Was it fundamentally a mis-match (I was, after all, a pretty unique demographic in the store), am I mis-guided for thinking my efforts could have made any sort of measurable difference, or should I just keep plugging away (in some other manner) at what I believe to be important, on the chance that I might be heard?