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Wack vs. Wacky & The Van Broke Down Part IV
A 4th breakdown, my attitude when things get tough, & van video #1.
Howdy from Denver,
Welcome to the 2 new subscribers from this past week!
The van went down a, count it, 4th time.
Read on to find out where my mind goes when things go awry.
Also, funny enough, I've been producing videos of the van build - more below.
What I focus on when things are wack.
My van has broken down on a bi-weekly cadence for the last 2 months - all fuel pump related.
It's lookin' like I'll be in Denver for at least another week due to supply chain issues.
Here's my go-to list of things I focus on when things are wack:
My friends/family are healthy and support me
I am able-bodied and able-minded
I am employed and have the means to take care of myself + others
I share incredible outdoor recreation experiences with people I love
I am able to read and have a great education
I have the tools and curiosity to continue my education
The US gives me the freedom to express myself and build cool things
There is a 1 in 400 trillion chance I'd be alive
A note on #5: for most of human history, people were illiterate. High rates of literacy are a new phenomenon in the past 2 centuries (source).
A note on #6: we have freakin' access to major texts in history + the ability to spread our ideas to every inch of the world in the palm of our hands.
A note on #7: the US is made up of ideals not yet fully realized, but we have the tools at our disposal to improve the country ourselves.
A note on #8: the math on the likelihood of your mom meeting your dad, and you entering this world is a literal miracle (see the math here).
Literacy rates throughout the world from 1800 to 2016 (Our World in Data).
The difference between wack and wacky.
Wack - undesirable or bad circumstances.
Wacky - creative, curious, and slightly absurd characteristics that make people uniquely them.
Used in a sentence: the van breakdowns are wack, but I'm grateful that I'm wacky enough to build a van and see the country.
Everyone is wacky, but folks suppress their own wackiness to "fit in."
This idea is flawed.
True unity is found in diversity, not uniformity.
Plus, wack things in life happen to everyone regardless of our willingness to be wacky.
So shoot - if you're a miracle (see #8 above) + life is sometimes gonna be wack no matter what, then you might as well be wacky.
The key to wackiness - calculated risks.
Should you quit your job tomorrow and sell everything in the name of being wacky?
No - wackiness is about taking calculated risks. Don't be stupid, but don't be complacent.
Example: Given the van's lack of reliability, I've readjusted my expectations of the van journey.
Here are my new goals with Caroline:
Get to Portland, OR in early August to see my sister, Jacquie
Get to Bozeman, MT in late August to spend time with my buddy, Nick
Get to Big Sky, MT in early September for friends Greg and Sky's wedding
Get to Iowa for friends Adam and Grace's wedding
Get back to the east coast in one piece by early October
I built Caroline to go to remote places and push into new frontiers.
But going to remote places in an unreliable vehicle wouldn't be wacky. It'd be wack.
Calculated wackiness > wack stupidity.
My closing thoughts on wacky, calculated risks:
"Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly." - JFK
Failure is a necessary part of the equation in #1. Don't let it deter you.
Everyone should lean into their wackiness, no matter their age.
With that said, there's a youth advantage - you can fail faster if you're younger/don't have dependents.
Ask yourself: "What are the risks that would make my 80-year-old self proud?" Answer this question with an intentional plan, and you'll find new areas to be wacky in.
Videos of the Van Build
Want to see some wackiness in action?
It took me 4 months to convert the van in PA this past winter.
I recorded the build and broke it into 5 videos:
Design & Demolition
Vertical Framing & Sound Insulation
Building the Bed Frame
Wool Insulation & Walls
Cabinets & Countertops
The first video, Design & Demolition, can be found below.
I'll release each video here in the newsletter over the next 5 weeks.
Photos of The Week
Location this past week: Denver, CO
Dinner with friends Wes, Adam, Jess, and Carol (pre-van breakdown.)
Lunch with my buddy Tai who I studied abroad with in Shanghai (pre-van breakdown).
My preferred methods of transportation at the current moment (post-van breakdown).
View of downtown Denver from Jack & Christina's place where they are graciously letting me crash.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Thanks for reading
What's something wacky that you'd like to lean into in this season of life?
Hit the reply button and let me know!
Josh
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