On Shoes, The Sims 3, and Getting Things Done

Winter has arrived in Iowa, if not officially then in spirit. Which means it is cold, and the terrain has become treacherous. Appropriate footwear is imperative.

Anyone who has tried to endure a Midwest winter in a pair of Converse All Stars will tell you that it is a fool’s endeavor. The canvas upper does nothing to keep out the cold and wet, and frankly, neither do the soles.

So this is the year that I say finally say goodbye to a steadfast pair of shoes. They’ve carried me on many adventures, pushed strollers many miles, and even attempted to dance a fair number of times.

Apocalyst, Now

It is November, and I am forced to accept that Winter has gone from "looming" to "fast approaching". I have a half dozen huge, daunting projects that I have been doing constant battle with and am hoping to finish in the next 6 weeks or so. If I fail, these projects will very seriously impede my plans for surviving the dark months ahead. (Plans that include not much more than finding the perfect recipe for chai and watching the television series Lost in its entirety.)

In my battle-rummaging I came across what I believe to be the third draft of my “Apocalyst”. I would estimate this document was created during the Winter of 2006. It is, as the name suggests, a list of a wide variety of preparations to be made in order to better survive the potential apocalypse.

Highlights include:

• put solar panels on our house
• learn to turn the heel while knitting a sock
• learn bicycle maintenance
• canning (learn it and do it)
• research general butchery

Warrior Training: On Like Metatron

On any given day, I use my imagination much more than the average adult (I presume - there is very little data available). I fold laundry as Dr. John Watson. I spend some time as Joachim Loew, working on fundamentals with my tiny soccer superstar. I occasionally chase after wild Pokemon in public places with my children.

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I inevitably end up with cupboards full of foods that don't amount to meals.

 The downside of being an adult with an overactive imagination is that it can be very difficult not to be distracted by everything in the universe.

I daresay introductions are in order

First and foremost I am a nerd. One of those up-at-3 a.m.-covered-in-a-fine-layer-of-powdered-cheese-but-I'm-totally-about-to-level-up-you-guys kind of nerds. I reorganize file systems for fun. I read about digital copyright law in between episodes of Doctor Who.

But I'm also a (rubbish) housewife. I managed to marry and create two dork spawn, and now find myself in a position I never ever bothered to imagine myself in. I don't know if it's the undercurrent of androgyny and social confusion flowing beneath nerd nature in general, but the role of homemaker does not come naturally to me. So, I've decided to roleplay it.


This "homemaking" is my great new adventure. I vow here and now to build my skills and arsenal and conquer this land!

(Yes, I realize that I am LARP-ing solo to get my house clean. I am totally comfortable with this.)