article review: interview with pierre hardy, OOoOO blog

(see interview with pierre hardy, OOoOO blog dated september 3^rd, 2010). when asked how he has kept his feet on the ground, or remained humble so to speak, hardy explains he could be doing something else, that his present occupation has never been an end in itself. and that for a lot of designers their career is their only fulfillment.

very intriguing statements! as an admitted workaholic, and someone who gets a lot of satisfaction from work this is certainly something to ponder. hardy further goes on to say that if not in his present fashion career he could be doing something else. brilliant. all too often we limit ourselves (i have to have only this, i can only do this for work, etc). a wonderful book that encourages expanding the way we look at things is the hourglass solution by jeff johnson and paul forman. at some point in the future perhaps i will write a quick review on it. in the meantime, i encourage reading the book.

book review: girlfriend in a coma, douglas coupland

in this book the world comes an end of sorts. only seven people live on the world for a year after this ending, and are given the chance to return to a functioning world (at the exact moment before its ending) once again providing they each take on a new purpose and direction: that of continually questioning life: things, systems, time, etc. the purpose of this questioning is to be aware of what is happening, and to examine whether those directions are best. the world was at a crisis just prior to it’s ending, and these characters are returning to remedy the problems.

admittedly most of the book has a pessimistic, doom and gloom feel. but, i do like the main point: to question. it’s something i do a lot – for better or worse! (sometimes i think i drive myself mad with incessant questions). questioning is particularly relevant in light of the financial crisis or recession from 2008. most would probably agree recessions are the result of systems not working.

one ‘system’ i believe needs questioning is our notion of time. it seems we are continually in a rush. while attending school and at a young age we are pressured to choose a career path. there is pressure to attend college or university immediately after finishing high school. no time to think, just go! how often do we get to have a meal in relaxation? no time to think, just go! etc, etc.

by encouraging questioning i am not suggesting things are bad or terrible. but rather to make sure we are on the right path or direction, or perhaps to see if there are better ways of doing things.

saturn return . . . 28th year of birth

a friend recently mentioned the 28th year of birth can be a crisis point of sorts for people. this is based on astrology, where the planet saturn has circled your chart and returns to the place where it was at your birth (termed "saturn return"). apparently this is a point where it is important to see if we are doing the things we really want to, and heading in our right direction. i was nervous about this for a few days until i realized we can examine ourselves and initiate change at any point in our lives.

i consider myself someone who is conscious and aware of the directions and paths i am headed. so, if my 28th year of birth really calls these into question i should well prepared - here's hoping!