Momentum

I often think about how many principles from other sciences also apply to psychology and sociology--evolution, uncertainty, entropy, activation energy, etc. One of the most frequent themes I come back to is momentum. It's where the saying, "When it rains it pours" comes from. Doesn't it seem like when you're in a rut, your thoughts and actions tend to keep you in that rut? When you're feeling great, don't your thoughts and actions, conversely, tend to keep you moving in a positive direction?

For example, I've noticed that when I'm tired and/or depressed, I tend to act in ways that keep me moving in that downward spiral. I don't talk to other people as often. I spend a lot more time mulling over depressing things and wishing things were different. I'm not as active in terms of both exercise and hobbies. I do all of these things despite the fact that I know full well that the only way out of my funk is to do all of those things. It's just so hard to do the things that I know will make me feel better.

On the other hand, when I'm already feeling great I do things that keep me feeling great. I enjoy talking to almost everyone I encounter. When I'm by myself, I'm enjoying the moment, thinking about how great things are going, and dreaming about all of the cool things I'm going to do. I exercise a lot more and engage in my hobbies with enthusiasm. Things that would normally stress me out I take in stride.

May life find you all experiencing positive momentum.

p = mv

Valet

So, I went to see the Fray at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip last night. Great show! Augustana opened up and were also excellent (they sound a bit Travis-y). The Fray opened their set with a cover of "Elanor Rigby," and their encore numbers featured a surprise appearance by John Mayer. All around fantastic evening, until...

the valet parking. For 3000 people.

I've personally never been a fan of valet and think it is one of the absolutely ridiculous excesses of LA. If you are severely crippled or just old as hell, sure, I can understand it. Even then, isn't that what handicap parking spots are for? I can't tell you how many times I've been forced to pay anywhere from $1 to $20 just so someone can do something that I'm perfectly capable of and willing to do myself. I don't mind a little walk. Really. The only justification I've heard that makes any sense is that it gives jobs to people who would otherwise be unemployed.

You can really get a sense of the absurdity of valet parking, though, when you leave a packed concert and see thousands of your fellow concert-goers waiting in line with you for their cars. I actually didn't have to wait that long for my car, but that's only because certain situations prompt me to act less than ethically. (If you don't look people in the eye, they may not make the effort to tell you that the back of the line is about 200 feet behind you. People with their backs turned may also not notice when you slide up an extra 10 or 15 feet.) I may have felt bad about it except that my fellow concert-goers in this case were mostly college-aged kids who could probably skip a class and sleep in if they wanted to. Those of us in the real world can't wait until 3AM for someone to bring our car.

Anyway, I had a great night, but I'm constantly baffled by how ridiculous LA can be.

Sun of Beach

I haven't posted much in a while, so I thought I'd post a quick update. Not much new going on--work is fine, been to some shows, etc. I have started actually hanging out at the the beach in Santa Monica the last couple of weekends, though. Before, I would take my dog for walks down there, but it's illegal to take her on the sand. So, I've ventured down there sans dog a few times to lie with the multitudes of sunbathers, carefully avoiding the volleyball and frisbee players. Of course, the weather in Santa Monica has been absolutely perfect--mid 70s, slight breeze, and hardly a cloud in the sky. It's so relaxing to lie in the soft sand, listen to the waves, and feel the warm sun on your skin. Living a mile from the beach has its perks!