Doodling

This week during a somewhat boring class while I was a little stressed about other things I was trying to relieve some of my energy. Unfortunately I was taking notes on my computer, something I don't usually do. So this is some of the things I was typing:
asdl;kfasd;lkfa'sdkl;gja';dklajsdlkjhasifleahal,xmnaSL;FA;LKSDFA
corndogs and cornflakes like wildebeests that are wild in the swimming pool

It didn't work.
Later when I was talking to my mom I realized what I had been trying to do was doodle.... but doodling on a keyboard is decidedly unsatisfactory. The first line isn't creative enough to make me feel better and the second line just makes me want to be more creative which isn't good if I'm trying to at least kind of pay attention.
I'm old fashioned but I still write in my journal with pen and ink and I doodle.

This is a few examples all smushed together from only the last 10 months or so (the best of it).

Maybe because it is a little bit more balanced creativity it is more fulfilling.
I did something similar in high school with my Math class notes and homework.

For Christmas I got an electronic device that for the first time is convenient for me to take digital notes on scriptures and other things (yes I'm behind the curve). I really like it but sometimes I'm frustrated by the restrictions on the notes. Often when I take notes in books I am just writing something in the margins that connects more with the main idea of an entire verse or paragraph and not just a single word or phrase, but you have to connect your thought (that can't be drawn by the way) with some of the words. Perhaps that is why there is some devices that are becoming more a little versatile where you can switch back and forth between typing and using a stylus. There is definitely a place for both I feel like. 

Surprised

Yesterday I walked to the grocery store like I normally do on Saturdays. As I was walking along the path I saw a kid with a skateboard walk up from the Macey's parking lot. He put his skateboard on the path and sat down on it and pulled something out of a shopping bag. As I approached he said "Do you want some dark chocolate?" and held out a Ghiradelli chocolate square. Much against my normal inclination I said "sure" and took the chocolate said thanks and wished him a good day.
I took candy from a stranger! Granted I haven't eaten it yet :) although I plan on it.
Sometimes I am surprised at how surprised I am when strangers are kind. Maybe it is my New England heritage. I've heard it said that you expect everyone to act like you yourself would. That would account for some of my confusion (I would not offer strangers chocolate or even give a true smile to someone else coming up the path towards me) but I feel like I'm pretty considerate to strangers in general. But there you have it.

Sincerity

How was your week?

A week or two ago someone told me I was one of the most sincere people she had met. I have been thinking about that ever since. I do try to be sincere. It is similar to when my sister called me blunt. I make an effort to say what I feel and if I don't want to say it I am far more likely to avoid the conversation, turn it somehow or say something frivolous rather than lie. Even when I'm playing games or when people are teasing I am occasionally surprised by the realization that it would have been totally reasonable to shade the truth.
I think this is one of the reasons I dislike vague compliments and generic good wishes, both in giving and receiving them. If I can't give a meaningful real compliment why give one at all?
There is one major exception though. The causal greeting. When I was in high school I remember venting to my brother about meaningless how-are-yous. He told me I could say "tomatoes" instead of "good" or "fine" because how-are-yous are generally just about acknowledging the other persons existence not really communicating well being. I never did by the way. I know someone who always just says "I'm not dead yet" and another who says "couldn't be better" every single time, and it kind of drives me nuts. If you aren't going to be honest or real by at least varying your response I kind of feel like you might as well just say the generic "good" or "fine" instead of drawing attention to your meaningless answer. For a while in high school I answered with a pessimistic "splendid." But lately I've decided I can be better than that, and answer honestly without being pessimistic.
A couple of months ago I asked an acquaintance how she was and she said "it could be worse" after a pause. I respected that. I could have easily moved on and not said anything about it or I could have asked her more details. It was a vague enough answer that it wasn't like she was baring her soul awkwardly in common conversation but it also felt honest. I ended up saying "Well that was a safe answer." She went on to tell me of some medical problems she was dealing with and it was a really good conversation. If she hadn't been honest, I would have never asked. And really sometimes it is nice to be asked, but people aren't psychic (even if we wish they were at times) so if I want them to ask I have to be honest enough with them that they know to ask.

My week was long, but the weekend has been good.

Continued Interests

The other day one of my professors was talking about sea floor spreading. He said that he remembered when the National Geographic came out with maps showing the mid-oceanic ridges and he would spend hours pouring over them.
When he told us this I was like "Woah, I never did that." Then as I thought about it more I remembered being fascinated by a picture of a sabertooth cat that we had. On one side of the semi  transparent paper was a furred artists renditions and on the other side was the cats skeleton. I remember thinking it was super cool.
Now I would love to be a paleontologist.
I also have a whole collection of rocks and semi precious stones from my childhood.
Now I'm studying geology.
When I was little I also had a set of children's books I wrote and illustrated.
I still like to write and do art n occasion.
I remember playing outside for long hours or indoors with legos pretending I had to survive and figuring out how best to do so, basically the beginnings of experimental archaeology.
It is just kind of surprising how many things I liked when I was a kid I still am interested in and am pursuing.
It makes me wonder what things my nieces and nephews do now that they will someday look back at and say "I can't believe I've always done that."