Katerina Ivanovna

To me, her name is shorthand for "dying of consumption." For a while, I've been judging the purchases I have been making, and considering the what and why behind it. Part of this is a reaction to having a larger liquid income than I've ever had, and seeing how it goes to gadgets and generally things that significantly depreciate or break in a short time. Furthermore, unbridled consumption applies to electronic media input (I feel that it is important to make a distinction here and say that I don't mean strictly "news media" input, but all forms of electronic entertainment, as it is largely disposable or nearly instantaneously replacable). For one week (starting right now) I'm going to limit my consumption to things which I find necessary to live the life I currently live, and jettison extraneous expenditures and media inputs for which I have not currently committed myself to. I suspect this will be a little bit harder than I imagine right now, as I am pretty firmly entrenched. No movies or TV shows, music I don't make, minimal purchase of gas and food, and hopefully purchase of nothing else. That's the plan. Internet usage will also be out of the question except for 1. maintaining this blog, and 2. uses that apply specifically and/or exclusively to creating value at work.

Some plans I have to fill the gaps of time this will surely give:
1. Long walks with the dog
2. Putting my bird, tree, and plant identification books to good use around the neighborhood
3. Brainstorming for other projects
4. Reading unread books from the bookshelf

Feel free to add your suggestions.


Note: The picture in this post is meant as an ironic paean to that which I'm attempting to do. Nobody should believe that this is an endorsement of any kind for being a Luddite. I'm just trying to be thoughtful about how I use my resources. Also, a fun exercise: If you received your $600+ check from an economic stimulus package, how would you spend it. My answer next Monday.