Category: Personal Reflections

Lessons learned about life; pearls of wisdom I’ve gleaned through pain, failure and honest reflection

Growth, development, change, and my little suburb, Lynnwood 

Carl Setzer

Went walking this evening. It’s been nice walking in the evenings these past two nights; last Friday I gave my left ankle s mild sprain. That frustrated me as I was starting to do jumping jacks. JUMPING JACKS! I’m a black belt in taekwondo and am limping after jumping jacks. Sigh…
It’s nice seeing the stars. Orion’s Belt crisp and clear in this night’s air. 

On part of my walk there’s some new construction. Working in the industry, I take notice of such things in my neighborhood. 

Now this lot (if you know Lynnwood, it’s on 60th between 176th and 173rd, just south of Meadowdale high school) was a single family home on a decent sized lot forever, or so it seemed. I walked by that house daily from junior high through high school. 

Well, the house is gone. 5 houses are going up. Five. And they’re 5 bedroom homes as well. Well, it was hard to read the sign in the dark, and I didn’t want to use my phone as a flashlight. Just seemed kinda weird. 

Anyway, the surrounding houses are mostly mid-century three bedroom ramblers. Nearby at some larger split levels from the 70s and 80s. These new homes are quite a shift from the existing ones. But that’s what’s bring built in my town right now. All around, and in some large plat developments, too. 

Makes me wonder what the future holds for Lynnwood. I’m expecting many more older homes will get replaced buy these larger homes on smaller lots. What will it look like in a couple years? That’s anyone’s guess. How many will get absorbed by growth, vs how many folks holding out against the incoming tide? There’ll be some hold outs. Perhaps many. But I expect there will be a gradual attrition that will snowball at times. Eventually, my funny little suburb will be as glitzy and shiny as Bellevue. BMWs, glad towers and McMansions. 

It’s the way of things,  I guess. 

What it means to be have the warrior spirit

Carl Setzer

A warrior isn’t somebody who doesn’t get knocked down. It’s somebody who doesn’t stay knocked down

The uncertainty of dreams

Carl Setzer

Often, my challenge with dreams, comes when pushing against reality. I question the validity of the dream. There’s this deep seated element believing that passion brings about an end challenges. So, these roadblocks mean, to my mind, that the journey is not divinely driven. 

I need to challenge that mind game, rob it of it’s power. 

On that note,let me wish you good night. 

A Few Thoughts On Wil Wheaton’s Radio Free Burrito, Episode 45

Carl Setzer

Just finished the 45th episode of Wil Wheaton’s Radio Free Burrito. I adore his wit and share many of the things that tickle his whimsy.

In this episode he talks a bit about getting a gig from an audition. He’s rather pleased with himself as this has not been the most successful vessel for booking his work. It’s quite understandable, really, that you meet success where you’ve met nothing but frustration. That feeling of validation is quite invigorating.

While talking about that, though, he mentions the times he’s thought about quitting these. Not quitting acting, but these types of auditions. For me, the key thing: he’s successful getting work via, what I’d call “networking”. The undertone: that would be “quitting”.

I’d argue that, no, it’s not. Acting, and acting gigs, are the goal. He has success there! He’s acting, and paying the bills. Everything else is gravy. There’s nothing wrong with quitting unsuccessful tactics while working towards your dream. Quite the opposite.

Some times, quitting is essential. 

One way to consider this: the ol’ 80/20 rule. 20% of what most people do generates 80% of the results. If one is meeting success doing “it” one way, and not in another, focus on where you’re meeting success.

It’s not only “ok” to quit what’s not working, I’d argue that there’s an imperative. 

Focus on results, not the process. So what if someone else gets all their work “this way”? Focus on what works for you. It might be valuable to explore how you can do things differently, and use that to grow. And, as Wil points out, sometimes the exercises that don’t generate the gigs have other value. For him, many times it’s getting in front of key people; building that network.

Results, my friends, are what should drive us.

Keep up the good work, my friends!

 

It’s Sunday night and I’m wide awake…hurray daylight savings time

Carl Setzer

Note: I originally wrote this last weekend, but through some crazy glitch, it was scheduled for March 12, 2200. 

Oh, the social train wreck, messing with circadian rhythms en masse, for fun and profit…or at sociopathic delight.

I hate these time-shifts. Firmly in the camp of “these have out-lived any usefulness they might have had”, I fine the tweaks annoying and disjointening (I just made that word up…yay me!).

So, I’m awake when I’d rather be asleep, and only starting to settle down. Being me, I thought it a great time for a blog post.

I spent a good chunk of the evening crafting some new logos for my son’s Youth Choir, the Snohomish County Youth Choir. I’m not super-happy with any of them, but they’re ok. It generally takes a few iterations before I’m ok with my work. And they’re never as good as I’d like. I’ll add them to my portfolio once I’m done and happy.

Also, I moved a bunch of photos into this site today, and built this gallery for my favorites. It’s been long-overdue. Actually, I thought I’d moved everything over and am only just now realizing I hadn’t. I have more work to do with this, which will keep my happily busy.

Anyway, enjoy!

[supsystic-gallery id=1 position=center]

I Wanna Go Back by Eddie Money and Looking At Change

Carl Setzer

Perhaps it’s the planning for my son to start high-school, perhaps it’s just hitting the 50s, actually add this to all the other changes going on in my life right now and this song has been speaking to me.

It’s been one of my favorite 80s tunes since it hit the airwaves way-the-heck-back-in-the-day.  Yet it’s meaning has evolved. I guess that should be a “no duh”, but, there you go.

Oh, what a weekend 

Carl Setzer

It’s been quite a dramatic few days for my circle. Saturday, we buried a friend, and supported his family. 

That evening we joined with other friends celebrating Mardi Gras…just a smidge early. 

Sunday found us with my pastor announcing his resignation. It came as a shock, and led to many emotional conversations. 

From that point forward, I felt simply weary. And that’s continued. I guess my best bet is an early bed time and plenty of sleep. 

Brother’s Keeper

Carl Setzer

I am my brother’s keeper 

Or, at least, so I try

Though difficult 

Deeply worthwhile 

Thoughts While Crafting A Memorial

Carl Setzer

I’ve spent the past few hours creating a presentation for a friend’s memorial service. A full range of emotions accompanied.

Professionalism is one of my core values. Approaching even the most difficult things with calm competency is something I strive for.

The pictures, though…his kids…so young. Reminding of my birth-mother’s death when I was 15. Haunting me.

For many of the services I’ve worked, my composure held well. I know, though, this one will be hard. Even though sad weeping and wailing is not what he wanted. I get that. But, you know, my humanity….

Reflecting on opportunity

Carl Setzer

I remember, immediately after getting out of the Navy, walking around downtown Seattle. Looking at the high-rises, at all the well-dressed office folks going about their business and seeing opportunity everywhere. Buildings filled with business, with people doing things, making stuff, having brilliant ideas and creating amazing, new things.

The mid-90s, the dot-com world was just starting, downtown Seattle was shedding it’s dilapidated, seedy and decayed visage, finally becoming the inspirational beacon of entrepreneurial hope.  And I was there, in the thick of it.

I could feel, I could hear the heartbeat. There I was, in the front seat of change. Watching both the promise revealed, and those left-behind. Hope isn’t perfect, I guess.

An interesting ride it’s been.