To use your vernacular, I found this essay very nourishing. Your photos are gorgeous and inspiring. (Inspiring me to both take better photos and visit the illustrated spots.) Your note on the Oxford comma was reassuring (I don’t like it at all, I find it inelegant.) Your note on “unwavering” is noted. I’m worried I do a lot of redundant phrases, they tickle me in their excess, but I can’t remember ever even considering using the word “unwavering” it’s always seemed to contradict itself somehow. I do use “consistent” a lot, I think my high use is a reflection of the times. Shorter attention spans, lots more stimulating distractions have, in my observation, decreased consistency. And so, I like to call it out when I see it. And I do think I’d use it with loyalty. Because I’ve noted even loyalty seems to come and go, odd to say. Thanks for the prompts to thinking.
It was great to learn that it was more than ok to not be together every waking (and sleeping) moment for 12 full days.
And it was freeing (for me) not to feel the pressure of finding activities that both of us would enjoy.
I didn't have to endure Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame. Just like Matt didn't have to endure the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. Sure, both of us would have found some enjoyment in the other's preferred activity, as that's the kind of people we are.
But I found way more enjoyment and ease, not worrying if the other person was having a good time.
Matt could take his sweet time in his venue, reading every single historical data point and stat, while I could "wander" around Toronto's river, enjoying the beautiful weather, the sight of the water, and discovering the fragrant and peaceful Toronto Music Garden. 🙂
It's interesting to me that a goal-oriented person, or at least one who documents a lot, wouldn't be a plannner. I realize Bridgett had a role as well, but what if you had just forgotten to take a picture of the kids one month or something? That would be my fear, and why I at least tell myself that I plan.
This is obviously a huge subject, so I think the utility of planning, and whether one is a planner, may need to be broken up into different types and defined further. But I think there is a lot to be said for not planning.
First, to go and not plan is better than to not go at all. Needing to plan can sometimes be overwhelming and raise the barrier for activity.
Second, you more know what you want to do, paradoxically, if you don't plan. Its's more authentic, less in the head, more a choice, less an obligation.
Your reason labeled “first” hits me right in my core!! Thank you for articulating a driving force in my 60 plus years of strolling into new discoveries.
Hi Matt.. Di & I agree completely re need & benefit of partners having separate time during vacation!!.. ALSO Kudos on your William Safire section.. Well Done!!!
To use your vernacular, I found this essay very nourishing. Your photos are gorgeous and inspiring. (Inspiring me to both take better photos and visit the illustrated spots.) Your note on the Oxford comma was reassuring (I don’t like it at all, I find it inelegant.) Your note on “unwavering” is noted. I’m worried I do a lot of redundant phrases, they tickle me in their excess, but I can’t remember ever even considering using the word “unwavering” it’s always seemed to contradict itself somehow. I do use “consistent” a lot, I think my high use is a reflection of the times. Shorter attention spans, lots more stimulating distractions have, in my observation, decreased consistency. And so, I like to call it out when I see it. And I do think I’d use it with loyalty. Because I’ve noted even loyalty seems to come and go, odd to say. Thanks for the prompts to thinking.
It was great to learn that it was more than ok to not be together every waking (and sleeping) moment for 12 full days.
And it was freeing (for me) not to feel the pressure of finding activities that both of us would enjoy.
I didn't have to endure Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame. Just like Matt didn't have to endure the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. Sure, both of us would have found some enjoyment in the other's preferred activity, as that's the kind of people we are.
But I found way more enjoyment and ease, not worrying if the other person was having a good time.
Matt could take his sweet time in his venue, reading every single historical data point and stat, while I could "wander" around Toronto's river, enjoying the beautiful weather, the sight of the water, and discovering the fragrant and peaceful Toronto Music Garden. 🙂
You make some very convincing points.
It's interesting to me that a goal-oriented person, or at least one who documents a lot, wouldn't be a plannner. I realize Bridgett had a role as well, but what if you had just forgotten to take a picture of the kids one month or something? That would be my fear, and why I at least tell myself that I plan.
This is obviously a huge subject, so I think the utility of planning, and whether one is a planner, may need to be broken up into different types and defined further. But I think there is a lot to be said for not planning.
First, to go and not plan is better than to not go at all. Needing to plan can sometimes be overwhelming and raise the barrier for activity.
Second, you more know what you want to do, paradoxically, if you don't plan. Its's more authentic, less in the head, more a choice, less an obligation.
Your reason labeled “first” hits me right in my core!! Thank you for articulating a driving force in my 60 plus years of strolling into new discoveries.
Hi Matt.. Di & I agree completely re need & benefit of partners having separate time during vacation!!.. ALSO Kudos on your William Safire section.. Well Done!!!
Amusing. I am 100% on your wife's side of the planning issue--I consider it half the fun.
My daughter is moving to Toronto this summer so I'm interested in all your Toronto recommendations.