We Are ALL Students

I consider every human being to be a student. We are ALL students, because we all learn things. There are several different approaches to learning or different types of students, in general.

1) The “education is an asset” student. This person sees education merely as an asset to advance in a career. The end goal is earning potential. The diploma is more important than the learning itself. This type of student is most likely to cheat on tests, embellish a résumé, plagiarize or pay for others to write school essays.

2) The “school is a chore - school is a bore” student. This category likely contains the highest amount of dropouts or those who never go on to pursue higher education. These are the students that sit in the back of the class and ruin the experience for other students… sleeping through lectures, making fun of other students and teachers, and not participating in and/or sabotaging group projects.

3) The overachiever. This can be a good thing, but overachieving can also get in the way of learning. When a student is too focused on the GPA or trying to comply with the established curricula, he or she may never develop critical thinking skills - in other words, being able to be resourceful and innovative. There is another type of overachiever who wants to get involved in everything. The downside of this is that this could lead to burnout and discouragement or in many cases the depth of learning is compromised because they are spreading themselves too thin. Such overachievers need to know their limits.

4) The closed-minded academic. This student is done learning and has put a cap on his/her education and can’t be taught anything new or any new material is only used to validate what has already been established in the mind of this student (whether that information is correct or not). This student may be a high school graduate or a Phd, but the level of education or “degree” is the pinnacle of that student’s learning and there can’t be any greater or further accomplishment.

5) The unconventional scholar or skeptic of formally accepted principles. This student is quick to follow rumors, conspiracy theories, Internet memes or urban legends, but is skeptical of established curricula or theories that have been backed with overwhelming scientific evidence, studies and statistical data. This student reads between the lines and tries to figure out what is said by what is NOT said.

6) The balanced, continually learning student. This student has a thirst for knowledge and considers education a lifelong pursuit, seeking knowledge from multiple sources and updating/upgrading that knowledge by studying current events and reports. This student prefers reliable, unbiased sources, yet also looks at the varying views and compares and contrasts them, ferreting out valuable data. This student is resourceful and applies critical thinking skills - never forming a solid opinion as a stimulus response, but rather, after deep research and cognition. This student excels in learning, not necessarily for the sake of a high GPA or honors (though he/she understands that hard work usually leads to those honors), but learns to acquire knowledge because doing so improves one’s life and builds healthy communities.

This is just a list, my list, but there may be other items to add to it and some may disagree with it. That’s ok. You might wonder where you fit on this list. Which category are you or which category am I? Can we change? Well, of course we can change and we don’t have to accept that we are in one particular category or other. Honestly, I used to belong to the “school is a chore - school is a bore” category while I was in K-12 school. It wasn’t until I was in my senior year of high school that I actually started enjoying school. Now, I’ve always enjoyed learning though, so most of my education has been more a product of non-traditional or informal training, rather than what I can learn in a classroom setting. That being said, as an adult I have enjoyed classroom learning. I enjoy the interaction with other students and the stimulating lectures and classroom discussions. I have also struggled with being an overachiever, usually being at the top of my class as far as grades are concerned. This has led to some severe anxiety as a student.

Some learning methods provide a more healthy approach to being a student than others. As we all strive as students, let us be more efficient in our learning so that we can get the most out of it.

Decoding the Media

Just a friendly reminder... so-called "mainstream news" is not necessarily a reliable source of information. I'm not saying don't watch it - by all means watch it, but remember to do so with critical thinking skills... in other words, don't get sucked into the the deception. With the onslaught of so much information, it's difficult to know what to think or what is true. Here are some things to remember:

1. 1) Look out for rumors, conjecture, exaggeration, conflation, selective editing and blowing things out of context.
2. 2) Piece the article or video clip together to see if you can spot the agenda behind the story - there is almost invariably an agenda, sometimes it takes a sharp eye and objective mind to spot it.
3. 3) Learn the difference between passion and fact. Just because a statement is beautifully and passionately stated does not make it true.
4. 4) Follow the money. Many stories are promoted using campaign funds and lobbyists with deep pockets. This is literally a multi-billion dollar industry. Money talks.
5. 5) Check your emotions and pick out facts. Media is ALL about emotion. Nobody wants to watch a dry speech - however... such narratives are carefully crafted and calculated to elicit emotional responses, rather than provide factual information.
6. Explore both sides of the issue. As issues become more heated, media becomes more polarized - even to the point of extremism. Often (but not always) the truth is found somewhere in-between.
7. Dig deeper. Biased sources (pretty much all of them) highlight what they want you to see and hear while glossing over or completely omitting crucial, but pertinent information.
8. Sometimes the truth is obfuscated not by what is said but HOW it is said. Listen for understanding. Media is much akin to sales or a con. The truth is buried in there, but you need to develop skills to decode it for accuracy.
9. Don't react. Breaking stories rarely have enough information to make an informed decision or opinion and as stated before, don't let your emotions override facts. Don't jump to conclusions at first glance.
10. Know the difference between science and Science™ (or pseudoscience). The true scientific method is to look for facts, not cherry-pick them to advance an agenda or promote an ideal. Science does not lie, but people do. Once again, follow the money trail. If a scientific study only looks at a part of the data or relies on computer modeling, ignoring current data and measurements, it's not science. It's an agenda. Oftentimes celebrities and educated "experts" make assertions that are well-beyond their area of study or expertise. Know their backgrounds, level of education and biases before falling into a flawed belief system.
11. Educated yourself. Having a college degree does not automatically endow you with expertise on ever subject. Education is a lifelong pursuit and requires humility and an open mind. Once you believe you are "educated" and therefore don't need to learn anymore you actually attest to your ignorance.
12. Current events and issues - understand that things change, people change and what was true yesterday isn't necessarily true today. Some people/entities and things change for the better, others change for worse or they just get better at lying. That being said, this does not necessarily apply to morals, values and principles based upon truth, righteousness and honor.
13. Media can and IS manipulated to falsely portray events or are complete fabrications. Check your sources and research multiple sources.
14. So-called "fact" checking websites are not always truthful or unbiased. Keep in mind that these are subject to being skewed by their own biased opinions and also being sold out to those with lots of money. Raw data from government sources may provide better insight, but remember that U.S. government has been involved in scandals from corruption, so data may be skewed, redacted or inaccurately presented.
15. Take accountability for yourself and become a thinking, responsible adult. Never shift that responsibility onto another person or entity or the government. We all need help from time-to-time, but ultimately we are ALL agents unto ourselves and responsible for our own actions, thoughts, words... or apathy, negligence and idleness - whatever the case may be.

Legacy Gear - They Don't Make it Like They Used To

I have started a quest for select types of legacy audio, video and computer equipment for my business. It is interesting that some of this stuff that formerly would have been dumpster fodder, is making a comeback or is in demand. I'm not sure if it is for the same reasons I want to use it for or not though.

There is just something cool about owning some of this gear because in my opinion it is more than just for function, but for beauty. Just like vintage automobiles, there was a sense of pride and competitiveness that went into manufacturing this gear. It was meant to last and was made out solid materials. This equipment was made so that you could repair, calibrate and replace broken or worn parts.

I find it disheartening that consumerism has overtaken our market of goods and rather than having the option to repair items at the component level, we simply haul it out to the dumpster and buy a new one and don't even think twice about it, because the newer one is better anyway. We call this "programmed obsolescence" and it is the process that keeps the manufacturers in business, or should I say it makes them filthy rich. This hasn't always been the case. The way that we do business has fundamentally changed. Many of our products are outsourced to cheap labor. An advantage is that it is less expensive for consumers for the same class of product produced many years ago, but the disadvantage is that since these items are not designed to be repaired, it is more cost-effective to simply go to Best Buy and get another one.

One of my professions has been a repairman. I once had a job repairing TVs, VCRs, CD players and other consumer electronic devices. We would get truckloads of them and "refurbish" them. This was in the early 1990s. I think there are a few companies that still do this, but by and large, this market has virtually evaporated. It's just not worth it anymore because most of the consumer electronics are simply junk - straight from the manufacturer. Without boring you with technical details about the internal components, suffice it to say that even though improved technology has given us more features, durability and repairability is simply not even an option at the component level and even at the modular level (board level), it is often necessary to get the parts through a scrap dealer or through aftermarket parts supplier (that are usually of questionable origin).

There's not much of a market for repairing consumer items anymore, so I only do this occasionally and selectively... and when I tell potential clients how much the repair costs are, they usually make the decision to replace the inoperative item. Which brings me back to the market of legacy equipment. There are technicians who still work on this stuff, usually as a hobby, but sometimes they actually earn a living at it. Personally, I find it somewhat gratifying to clean up and refurbish a vintage piece of gear. Mostly, though, I just enjoy restoring one of these items to its original beauty and functionality. There's just something about the solidness... the chunky aluminum... the shiny chrome or brushed stainless steel... the buttons, levers, knobs, lighted meters and analog controls that makes me smile with sentiment.

Education Vs. Indoctrination

What is the difference between education and indoctrination? We hear those terms thrown around a lot lately. We see this used as a term of demographics when trying to make a point - as though "educated" strictly means possessing a college diploma. Then we hear the word "indoctrinated" - which is usually a disparaging term. What is the difference and who can determine that?

Let me start out by answering the question of: "who can determine that?" As a student of any institution, you should be able to objectively view your curricula and seek out the information you are trying to learn. It's called "critical thinking" or in other words, you should be able to challenge that which is presented without fear of reprisal. If it is any other way, you may want to reconsider your education options. Critical thinking does not mean that you are only allowed to express views within a narrow margin of acceptability, but that you are to use the information that you are given, process it with your own mind and come to a conclusion. Now, there ARE wrong conclusions that students can ultimately derive as the end result, so critical thinking isn't a "free-for-all" of opinion, however opposing or alternate conclusions (within sane parameters) should be valued and considered. Many times, revolutionaries have presented ideas that contradicted conventional ideals and academia - and have changed the world in a positive way.

What about indoctrination? Indoctrination, by definition, is to accept a set of beliefs uncritically. Or in other words, critical thinking is not allowed. Many schools and other institutions of learning claim that they teach "critical thinking skills" however, when the curricula is challenged, students meet reprisals in the form of unsatisfactory grades and public shaming. It is no secret that the majority of university and public school faculty as well as those writing the textbooks are unabashedly liberal and their ideals seep into the curricula, even in benign or unrelated subjects. We also see a few private colleges with far-right biased ideologies that ignore or discredit that which does not mesh with their theological basis. These are examples of indoctrination - where facts are suppressed, history is rewritten and agendas are shamelessly promoted. In those cases, it is the responsibility of the student to fill in the gaps in order to augment their education or reeducate themselves with facts - but this must be done on their own time and on their own terms, otherwise there is the risk of academic penalties.

Education, on the other hand, is the unfiltered truth - the good, the bad and the ugly. It is nearly impossible for a student to possess objective critical thinking capabilities when only being exposed to a portion of the information or blatant falsehoods. This is why it is vitally important for potential students to do their homework - I mean, do their homework about the educational institutions that they are planning on attending as part of their preparation for secondary education. Some degrees are barely worth the paper they are printed on and some colleges, even some prestigious Ivy League universities churn out graduates that have very little useful skills or practical knowledge to enter into a competitive job market, but are merely a product of social engineering. Education is a valuable resource, but when education is tainted by misinformation, then it is more damaging to our society than if we are left to our own devices for our learning. Which is a segue into what defines "educated."

As a study in demographics, many are led to believe that those without a college degree are uneducated. This is not necessarily true and is usually used as a means to disparage those without diplomas - as if their vote or opinion is devalued because they don't possess a costly piece of paper or as if they are less qualified at a particular job (even though the job may be unrelated to their degree) because they haven't learned their skills in a formal classroom setting. Intelligence is not defined as a level of education, and a level of education does not necessarily validate a person's intelligence or competence. As a college graduate or professor, to assume a position of intellectual superiority (especially in those subjects unrelated to your degree or specialty) over all those who have not had the privilege of attending a university, is pretentious and pompousness and amounts to nothing more than elitism through entitlement. I would assert that there are MANY individuals who truly are educated and whose knowledge, opinions and skills rival those who have graduated from universities, even some with advanced degrees. Granted, that some professions require a degree and passing residency and board certification for their specialized skills, but those are the exception, not the rule.

A university education is merely one path (out of many) toward becoming educated, and becoming educated is just as much a proactive endeavor, requiring integrity and ethical behavior, as a university student, as those without the privilege of being able to attend a formal classroom setting. It is sad to say that many students cheat, party or coast their way through school and nonetheless walk out with the same diploma as those who work hard and honestly towards their degree... who have truly earned their diploma. The price of an education goes well beyond the cost of tuition and books, but more so it is the time and effort spent pursuing your field, researching your subjects and applying your knowledge. It is delving in beyond the curriculum presented to you and pouring your whole heart and soul into your current subject of study... and to accept the good, the bad and the ugly, in all its glory.

Literacy: It IS That Important

There is the school of thought that since we rely so heavily on technology, we shouldn’t devote as much time to literacy as we did in previous generations. I would assert that the opposite is true. Now, more than ever, it is important to strengthen our written communication skills, because much of our communication is text-based. It is much more difficult to understand the intent of a purely text-based comment than one that is done verbally, where you can hear and see the person talking. Since much of the verbal and nonverbal cues are lost when using text only (even in perfectly worded statements), it is vitally important to communicate clearly.

I can confidently say that a day doesn’t pass that I’m not exposed to something that somebody wrote that is either: a) ambiguously written, b) unintelligible, or c) rife with spelling, grammar, punctuation or usage errors to the point of changing the intended meaning or at minimum, distracting from the spirit of the message.

We’re not all writing experts. I know I’m not, and I make a lot of mistakes or break rules, especially in casual writings. I think even the most literate among us commit errors and break rules, but that’s not what I’m referring to. Let’s first consider what communication is. One of the definitions for communication (which is most fitting in this case), is: “the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings” (New Oxford American Dictionary) - the key being, successful. If your intended audience misunderstands your text-based message, then most likely you have failed as a writer. Part of the responsibility also falls upon the reader (such as reading for comprehension and increasing vocabulary), but a significant proportion of problems occur because the writer failed to write in a way that was comprehensible for general audiences.

What can we do about this? One of the most important things to improving in any skill is to practice. Write every day. But that is not enough. Most of us write every day (texting is considered writing), but nevertheless the end result is horrible for many writers. The key is to learn the rules of writing… and practice them. We’ve all heard the phrase “Practice makes perfect.” But that is only partially correct. If we are practicing, but without discipline or correction, we learn bad habits. A better axiom is: “Perfect practice makes perfect.” Any skill that is worth learning requires many hours of not only trial and error, but also correcting those errors when they are discovered and focusing on those errors to make weaknesses into strengths.

Let’s explore some of the more common breakdowns in written communication.

Grammar

For this example, proper grammar includes sentence structure, word usage, and intelligibility. Whenever you write something, read it back to yourself or better yet (especially if you have been accused of not writing clearly), have someone else proofread it. It’s better to have a friend proofread your work and give you constructive criticism than to post it online and be publicly humiliated. If this is a consistent problem for you, consider taking English classes. There are some that are even free or inexpensive. Grammar can be tricky, especially if you need to improve in your verbal communication as well, because many people tend to write the way they speak.

Spelling

Technology gives us some tools to aid us with spelling, but the trick is that we also need to use some cognitive reasoning as well. Your spell-checker doesn't pick out inappropriately used words that are spelled correctly. As mentioned before, practice is the key. If you learn the wrong way to spell words, you will develop bad habits, whereas if you learn the correct spelling of words, it will become automatic. One of the biggest problems I see is with homophones (words that sound similar but are spelled differently – example: there, they’re, their). Most of the time, misuse is more of an annoyance than anything, but in some cases a homophone error can completely change the meaning of your sentence. Take, for instance, the words accept and except. They can be diametrically opposite in their meaning. If you except someone, that means you are leaving them out, but what you really meant to say was accept, which is to include that person.

Punctuation and capitalization

I included those both together because these are generally problems associated with laziness, but also they are general indications of where to start, pause and end your statements. Think of them as waypoints to guide your writing. One of the things that will cause a seasoned reader to abandon your document without finishing, is run-on sentences. It is almost as annoying to read, a document filled, with misplaced punctuation, having your reader, pause at the wrong times during, your sentences. And sentence fragments.

Reaching toward excellence

When we get beyond the basics of written communication, we can work on improving what we’ve built upon. With so much information to read everyday, readers appreciate clear and succinct communication. In other words, don’t be too wordy. Write what you need to write and see what you can trim while still communicating effectively. For blogs, posts and articles, many readers tend to prefer bulleted lists. Your most important information should be in your numbered and highlighted bullets and then your explanation follows. You can also do the same with conventional paragraphs. Nobody wants to read your extraneous, irrelevant ramblings. At minimum, break your article up into smaller paragraphs. I can guarantee that most (if not all) readers will not even attempt to read an entire page with no breaks.

Keep your works interesting. Avoid awkwardly worded phrases or overused words. Some writers have favorite words they like to use, over and over and over again. After awhile, some readers will find themselves counting the instances of those words, rather than reading for meaning. I almost used the word “actually” in that last sentence, but I realized that is one of my “go-to” words that I need to use less often, and it would have been completely unnecessary in that particular instance.

Whether you like it or not or want to admit it, you are judged by your level of literacy. It may be an unfair judgment, but those who struggle with spelling, grammar, punctuation/capitalization and general readability are seen as less competent or less intelligent than their more literate peers. Those who master written communication are regarded as "educated" and their works are given more credence than their contemporaries - especially those engaging in debates or dissertations.  

Let us strive for more excellent communication by mastering the basics and continuing beyond for readability. I know I still have much to learn and I continue to learn. I hope someday that in every instance, my readers will understand not only the words, but the intended meaning and even feelings behind what I have written.  Now that’s a lofty goal!

Mark Zuckerberg's Wall

If Mark Zuckerberg wants to build a six-foot stone wall around his property, that's his business. It's his property and he should be able to do what he wants with it. If I were wealthy and famous, I would probably do the same thing. He wants privacy, protection... basically a barrier to keep anything undesirable from entering his private space. I get that. Now, to publicly criticize others (including the U.S. Government or candidates for presidency) for wanting to do the same thing for the same purposes, that makes you a hypocrite and an elitist.

We build walls for protection and security. It makes sense to do so as an individual property owner and on a national level. Many countries do this because arresting, deporting and shooting at potential immigrants from entering their countries illegally is generally bad policy and isn't good PR on the international level. Building walls to keep out criminals not only protects those living inside the walls, but it also protects those outside the walls, who, lacking in judgment, decide they want to risk their lives and/or the lives of their family members while they attempt to circumvent the legal process of gaining access to a country or private property.

Citizens of the U.S. and our elected/appointed officials would do well to treat our country as if it were our own private property in every respect. This country belongs to us and we should respect this land as if it were our own. We pay our taxes and many of us own private property in this country and have worked the land to make it our own. We have paid our dues. Some of us have gone beyond paying our dues in that way and have served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces and some have given their life in service of our country. It is my belief that citizens of the United States should be willing to pay their dues... to make this country a better place, not by chanting and waving signs in the street, but by working the land, volunteering, serving and upholding the laws of the land. Those who cheat by circumventing the system or who are not willing to actively make this country a better place should not be afforded the same privileges of those who do little or nothing. Patriotism is loyalty to the core, not seeking benefits for yourself without personal sacrifice.

While I was at the graduation ceremony for Air Force Basic Training for my son a couple of weeks ago, I observed how about half a dozen new recruits not only graduated from basic training, but they took the oath to become citizens of the United States as well. I felt proud for those new citizens. They did it the honorable way - legally and lawfully. They did not jump a fence, cross a river in the dark of night or cross remote desert to sneak in and subsequently demand the same privileges as bona-fide citizens. No, they earned the rights and privileges to be citizens of our country and they are part owners in this great land just as much as any other legal citizen who has pledged allegiance to this republic.

Home Ownership - Is It For Me?

I've seen memes showing a secluded cottage or chalet out in the woods or in a rural ranch setting with a comparison to skyscrapers or apartments with a caption stating something like "I'd take this life over life in the city" or something to that effect.

Well, I have to say that one is not necessarily better than the other. Just different. I think that people believe that they're going to live out in the country or the woods to "get away from it all" but don't realize what they're getting into.

First of all, home ownership is a big responsibility. You have to maintain your home and property or it will rapidly deteriorate. You've got problems with vermin, moss, overgrowth, wind damage, water damage (mold and mildew) and mud... mud gets everywhere and somebody's got to clean it up.

Then there is the problem of isolation. The farther you live away from civilization, the more stuff you have to stock up and prepare for inclement weather. You can't just run to the store every time you want some fried chicken and you'll never enjoy the luxury of pizza delivery. You have to either cook everything from scratch or have at least one large freezer to keep all your food in. Many people who live out in the hills also hunt, fish and grow their own food. That is a whole different level of self-sufficiency (work!) that city-dweller hick-wanna-bes will usually never attain. It's something you simply have to grow up with or takes years of living off the land to really come to appreciate. When the snow starts to fall and the wind blows trees down, you could be trapped in your rural paradise for days... or weeks. And you will likely be the one out there with a chainsaw or snowplow clearing the roads - otherwise, you will likely be trapped indefinitely.

This brings me to another challenge - involuntarily "living off the grid." When trees blow the power lines down or when roads wash out or when the telephone lines are down (land lines = Internet), you are basically stranded. For some people this is no big deal because they enjoy that lifestyle. If you are an avid social media follower or if you need social interaction with other people, this can drive most people crazy. Most people can go for a few days or maybe even a few weeks "off the grid" but if they have to be completely self-sufficient for months at a time, this can really be a traumatic experience. The reality of it is that you have to procure your own water (well or stream) and fuel (firewood) and if you want to enjoy some other comforts, you are going to need to have propane fuel and a backup generator. I can attest first hand how much work it is to heat water over a stove or open fire.

Now that is an extreme example, but some people who live in North America actually live like this and get by. Let me also say that home ownership, even in a developed community, isn't for everyone. I grew up in homes where my parents owned and maintained them, so I didn't know any differently. There were things we just did because we had to. It was work. There are many people who have been raised in apartments or condominiums and even rental homes where routine maintenance is taken care of by someone else. It's a difficult transition into home ownership. You have to mow the lawns, weed the flowerbeds, prune the trees, rake leaves, shovel snow off of sidewalks, water the plants (in drier areas), take care of your own trashcans and clean the debris out of the lawns. The bigger your lawn, the more work you have to do.

Then there is the home maintenance - painting, pressure washing, cleaning windows, repairing leaky pipes and dripping faucets, replacing roof shingles and siding, having the carpets cleaned and regular deep cleaning that is absolutely necessary. If you own your home, you have to keep up on everything and make sure that trash or junk doesn't get left outside to rot or get infested by critters because it's much more of a problem later when it's been neglected. Problems that are left to  the elements take much more time to fix later and it is exponentially more costly to take care of. For example, the cost of a leaky drainpipe is going to be much more than just the pipe itself. A couple of years ago, I had to essentially remodel the bathroom, costing many hundreds of dollars, because of leaky plumbing. The water damage was extensive and I had to rip out the walls and all the plumbing and start over. It's a good thing that I have learned maintenance skills. To have a contractor do this would have cost me many thousands of dollars.

You also can't ignore the overgrowth of weeds. It may not be immediately evident, but plant growth is extremely destructive to structures. The encroachment of plants on buildings leads to water damage and structural separation but also invites rats, mice, skunks and insects - which causes even more structural breakdown. In plant-rich areas like the Pacific Northwest or the Southeast, the vegetation grows so fast you can almost see it in motion.

If all that isn't enough, you also have to take into consideration that you have a mortgage for 30-40 years. You can't skip a payment or you could lose everything. It's not like an apartment where the most you have to lose is a place to live... until you can scrape up enough to afford to move into another apartment. Home ownership is a long-term commitment. There are many other costs associated with home ownership that you may not even think of (beyond the aforementioned maintenance). If something gets damaged, you have to pay for it. No maintenance worker is going to come to your rescue and replace that water heater that blows up in the middle of your shower. You either replace it yourself or pay the plumber. The clogged pipes are going to be costly to get unclogged. And the septic tank is going to need to be pumped every few years.

So, in essence, the fantasy of home ownership is shattered by the reality of responsibility. I will have to say that I absolutely love the freedom of being a home owner, but that freedom also has a price. If any of the above scares you or makes you feel uncomfortable, perhaps you may just be better off living out your life in an apartment. There's always a trade-off.

I Live in a Jungle

Alex trying to mow down the grass out our back door
that had been neglected for about a year while we
were away. There is a fence in there somewhere.

Alright, I'm gonna say this because somebody's got to. Basically, the coastal Pacific Northwest is a jungle. Virtually every square inch of soil that isn't covered by pavement or a structure or controlled by herbicides is naturally overrun by aggressive greenery. We have no shortage of trees or plant life here and if you don't keep ahead of the green invasion, you'll find yourself overgrown by Himalayan blackberry bushes, various grasses/weeds and rapidly propagating deciduous trees. There is absolutely no need to to plant or cultivate anything to have green matter as the conditions here are ideal for plant life to grow spontaneously. Some people are really into this whole "jungle" bit, but others just get to a point where they've had enough and move to places like Arizona, where you can literally have rocks for your entire yard and it's perfectly acceptable.

Tree shrine at Green Lake Park.

I have to chuckle with the irony of people who lament the loss of a beloved tree. A few years ago when I was running on the trail around Green Lake in Seattle, a woman and her child handed me a camera and wanted me to take a picture of them with a tree stump that they had memorialized with a flowered shrine. I took the picture for them but I couldn't help but think how bizarre this was. The woman was sad, and still mourning the loss of a tree she thought was special for some reason. I mean, it's a tree. I'm not sure about the fate of the tree, but by the size of the stump, it was at or near the end of its life anyway. When a tree blows down, gets diseased or even gets cut down for lumber, you simply plant another one in its place. That's the beauty behind a renewable resource... and in the Pacific Northwest, it's gonna grow no matter what.