andyortlieb

Background:

I'm in my 40s and I've always sort of beaten myself up over not being an avid reader. I go through phases where I read a bunch, sometimes I'll finish a book in a months time, sometimes start a book and forget it, sometimes it seems like I go literally years without really getting into any book at all. But I still accumulate them.

Because of how important reading is and now I "fail" to prioritize it, I've always found myself in a poor relationship with reading. I feel this artificial pressure to read things that are only important and will somehow make me more useful. I feel this artificial pressure to start one book and read it to the end. I feel this artificial pressure to become a changed person by fully investing every bit of info from every book.

I've been learning that these pressures are untenable.

I've also noticed that I partake in all kinds of things without the same expectations: tv shows, games, podcasts, media and news outlets, social media, etc.

Right now I have 6 books that I am actively reading, and I am trying to remember that it's for enjoyment and not some high level goal. Someone told me if I read 10 pages a day I would finish about 10 books a year. I found this so encouraging.

Taking the pressure off of reading has really helped me get more productive at reading, and I think it will help me convert my habit into a truly fruitful one.

So now I ask you:

• What are your reading habits like?
• What do you like to read?
• What kind of stage of life are you in, and how does that affect it?
• Have you made any changes, positive or negative, to your reading habits?
• What else?

Article III Section 1 of the Wisconsin Constitution currently reads, "Every United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district."

After Tuesday's vote, the article will now read, "Only a United States citizen age 18 or older who is a resident of an election district in this state is a qualified elector of that district."

Doesn't this change the meaning of the statement so much that it's no longer true that every citizen of age who is a resident is eligible to vote? Can this new language be interpreted by courts and lawmakers such that anyone can be disenfranchised if such malicious laws can be passed in the state?

My follow up curiosity: how can we find success & sustainability in meeting our basic needs and security by turning our backs right back on global industry (and government) by working inward within our local communities?

It seems to me that the employer will fund it either way. Maybe I'm misremembering stories of pensions being mismanaged and lost. I think the most important thing is that the employer actually does something to fund a retirement, in my way of thinking the 401k approach puts me in control of the money so I don't rely on someone else to not fail.

Whether it's promised bonuses, stocks, or retirement funds, my motto is always "show me the money", and I'll believe it when it's in my hands.

What's your cadence for maintenance? Is there anything you think you should be doing more frequently? Is there anything you do extra proactively because you don't like seeing it left undone?

I'm also curious about how much time you spend taking care of your home and how that balances with the rest of your personal life, and how you share the load with other people you live with.

Feel free to be economic with the truth by using aliases for organizations and products wherever it protects your privacy or your contracts. I'm mainly interested to hear about your unique experience.

Example follow-up questions: What was most rewarding, what was not? What was not a great use of your time but maybe still a learning experience? What were you interested when you were younger (for hobbies or otherwise) that may have helped guide you?