Simple Green

What are the chances I know what I’m talking about? Who knows? What I do know is that when I’m writing my mind is free. Not free like hallucinogenic free. But free like ... I’m gonna body-slam some punk agency in my home town free (lol). The problem is that I don’t have any punk agencies that I need to slam (right now). 

I do keep my ear to the tracks on which local issues travel but my face gets all greasy and dirty when I lift my head up. You might think there is some symbolism there … more on that some other time.

I CAN tell you that all of the sudden it's hot outside … I have an extreme desire to travel some more ... and I need to make more money (like everyone else).

Am I rambling or I am just filling space with words so that it appears I can create volume?

Let us begin … I'm no stranger to blogging. I travel … I eat … I write! Dang it!! That’s Bourdain!!!

Actually, I do enjoy all of those things. Bourdain just got there first. Personally, I’m an over anxious type person. Some would call me a worrywart. To overcome this I try to intensely focus on my surroundings and that typically results in me over analyzing any given situation. My writing style is conversation-like and may seem choppy, but I think I get my point across.

There are some issues that are close to my heart right now. Like everyone else I’m concerned overall. I see this in my batting cage facility, parents wanting to provide those basic childhood experiences like baseball and softball. I don’t want to complain about how the small towns are hit the hardest, but the small towns are hit pretty hard. A lot of my neighbors don’t work locally but have to drive into more populated areas to work. This means the $4 gas is erasing these “experiences” they want to provide for their children.

There are plenty of resolutions for their problems, but what it comes down to is seeing my community walk around with a look on their faces that seems to express exhaustion. Lack of trust comes to mind when I discuss current events with my friends. Does anyone trust anyone anymore?

A lot of times I rely on my travel experiences to other countries to put things in perspective. I try real hard not to hate on my own kind and I won’t do it here. But what you do notice is that simple living is what seems to makes people happy. Personally, I suck at it. I consciously try to do it, too. When I’m overseas I pay attention to the locals a lot. I’m one of those travelers that hates hotels. I immerse myself in the local culture and pay close attention to how people live. It is apparent in almost all small towns in villages (except here) that less is more. They feed themselves locally and rally around community and family. There are virtually no distractions.

Small towns were like that here once too … until all of us moved from Gwinnett County and brought our distractions with us. We craved simplicity but we craved convenience more. I’m guilty.

I really don’t have much of point here except that less is more ... even here in the USA.

Today, I left work early to go sneak a visit with my wife at home. We had 15 minutes together before we each had to leave again. Kids, school, more work, batting cages, etc., etc. We didn’t spend anytime enjoying each other. BUT on the way back to work I noticed something pleasing. It was green outside. My car was hauling butt through the winding country roads and my windows were down. Have you ever driven Ga. Highway 211 in the spring? Amazing. Life was simple for 10 minutes.

Damon Whitlow lives in Barrow County and owns two businesses here. His life consists of an awesome wife, three kids and one on the way. He travels extensively overseas and blogs a lot when he's gone. Food is the only non-complex part of his life.