Chasing your dream

Everyone has a dream, something that consumes their passions.  It could be painting, writing, comedy, dance or a multitude of other things.  There is nothing wrong with that either.  Dreams are what inspire us to do great things and to work hard.  I think everyone should chase their dreams.

So what does chasing your dream have to do with Man Points?  Well to put it simply there is a manly way and an unmanly way to chase your dreams.

The way to chase your dream and retain (or possibly earn more) Man Points is by working.  Work hard.  Have a skill.  Something that you can do during the day to pay your bills and be self sufficient.  That is what my parents always taught me.  They didn't care if I chased my dream (no matter what it was) provided I had a skill to put food on my table and a roof over my head, something beyond waiting tables or washing dishes.  A trade if you will.

So how did I acquire my skills?  I sacrificed.  I went into the military and spent six years honing my talents and abilities.  I worked hard at a career field that I don't love (I don't hate it either) in order to become a professional.  I can put food on my table, gas in my car and keep a roof over my head.  I am a skilled worker.

Unfortunately there seems to be quite a few individuals who are opting for the easy way out.  They live at home with their parents, even after college.  They sponge off of them, working dead-end jobs and part-time endeavors.  Remaining dependent upon their parents when they should be out in the real world learning how to survive and thrive.  Life is about sacrifice.  Not everyone likes their day job, but we do it to keep ourselves fed and warm.

So go out and find a job, a career even.  Yeah it might not be the most enjoyable thing in the world, but how else will you be ready if your dream takes off?  Will mommy and daddy be there to hold your hand?  Doubtful. What if you dream never happens?  A scary thought, but a possibility we should all prepare for.  After all not every dream comes true.  Do you think you can honestly live at home with your parents forever?  Man up, move out and become an adult.

Man Points Vol II

Now we move onto the topic of hobbies. Hobbies used to be an important part of a mans life. It was his refuge from the pressures of life. He could escape from the chaos and stress of work, family and responsibility for a brief spell. He entered a world where he no longer did something because he had to, but instead because he wanted to. Surrounded by like minded people, each one escaping and creating an enjoyable atmosphere where all could relax and recharge. They were manly arts: wood crafting, wood burning, leather working, marksmanship, archery, hunting, astronomy, model building and CB or ham radio to name a few. These were arts that required patience, curiosity and intelligence. All were activities that grew with the man. Things that they carried with them through their life. As they matured and grew so did their understanding and skill at their chosen hobby.

So what hobbies does our generation have? What activities have we embraced to grow old with and to enrich our lives? We have video games, movies, RPGs and clubbing. A rather paltry group in my opinion. For the most part watered down activities that keep us sedentary and docile.

So lets break down all of the new hobbies.

Video Games:

Man points : 1 out of 5

Now you might think that video games would be manly, but you would be wrong. They aren't a manly hobby. Sure it can be fun to play some video games with friends, while drink and shit talking, but that is rarely the case now-a-days. Now most games have removed the ability to play in the same room as another and replaced it with having to listen to prepubescent kids calling everyone a "faggot" and "threatening to hack your account." Not so fun.

I also don't consider it a hobby. Lets think about it for a minute. Where is the skill and personal development? All you are improving is how well you can aim a cursor on the screen. How does it relate to the rest of your life? It doesn't improve interpersonal skills or life skills. Now don't get me wrong it is a fun activity to pass the time, but it doesn't count as a hobby.

Movies

Man Points: 1 of 5 (3 of 5)

Movies are an odd category in that what you do in it can affect how much of a hobby it is. If all you are doing is going to the theater and watching the latest blockbusters each month then, I am sorry to say, but that is not a hobby, it is simply an activity. All you are doing is consuming someone else's work. You aren't improving a skill, interacting with people or bettering yourself. That is the 1 out of 5.

Now if you are making your own movies, actually going out and filming and editing them then that is a genuine hobby. You are interacting and creating. Delving into a new world to create products and learn skills. Through it you strengthen your creative muscles and add to the worlds collection of creative material. That is a 3 of 5.

RPGs

Man Points: 4 out of 5

RPGs is a broad category. Within it are the smaller groups of miniature gaming and role playing games. When I speak of these I am not referring to online gaming, only in-person gaming.

Miniature gaming. Definitely a hobby. Lets look at what it consists of. First you have to acquire the individual pieces. That involves buying the pieces, assembling them and then painting them. This has evolved to an art form with people going in depth in the painting process. People will apply base coats, multiple layers, use advanced painting techniques and equipment. They will take the time to meticulously paint individual sections of the figurines, customizing and applying amazing levels of detail to each part of the whole. They start at a low level of skill and will dedicate themselves to learning how to paint, how to manipulate the figurines and how to create the best effect. It is not uncommon for people to spend several hours on each individual unit in their army, creating detailed customized creations. So what do they gain from the hobby? Well a life long passion, they learn a new craft, painting, it teaches patience and attention to detail. All of which can be applied to other areas of their life.

Next we have role playing games. Once again this is when you play in-person only. At first glance it seems like it has nothing to offer, but once you go beyond the surface you learn that there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained. So what knowledge is there? Story-telling (raconteuring), problem solving and interpersonal skills.

In a campaign it isn't solely the Dungeon Master (sometimes called Game Master or Story Teller) who is responsible for the story. He simply creates the broad outline that the players interact with and controls how people respond to the players. The players take on the roles of main characters in the story and are the ones actually responsible for creating their interactions with other players and characters and advancing the story. They are responsible for creating detailed and playable characters. Characters with actual backgrounds that react appropriately based upon their backgrounds and actions. A much harder task then it sounds.

In the course of the story the players encounter various puzzles, problems and conundrums. They have to find ways within the system forcing them to think in an unorthodox manner.

Both of those are useful outside of role playing games. They can help make a person more confidant with public speaking and presenting things at work. While the problem solving helps with any job as it encourages a person to think outside of the box and try and come up with unusual solutions to problems that may arise in their personal or professional life.

Whew, that was a long blog. It feels good to write and hopefully my future ones wont ramble as much.

Man Points Vol I

I will be losing man points for what I am to reveal. I don't always pee standing up. It is true. Sometimes I sit down to pee.

Now there are a multitude of reasons that I might choose to sit down. For example, I may be feeling lazy. Say I went for a long run and have to pee when I get home, if I am quite tired I might just sit down on the toilet and catch my breath as I take a leak.

Other times it depends on what I am wearing. Like basketball shorts, the ones that reach your knees or a bit past. Well to me those things are just a pain to either pull the leg all the way up or tuck the band under. It is uncomfortable to me.

Lastly, I will sit down to pee if I am reading a good book. Hop on the throne, continue to read and feel much better about myself. Trying to pee while standing up and reading is just asking to have to wash the bathroom walls and floor. Now maybe some people can read and aim, but I can't.

Now maybe I am not the only guy who does this, but I don't know of any other who does. Now there probably are other guys who do, but it isn't discussed. The main reason being the loss of man points. Sitting down to pee is viewed as effeminate. I am not sure why, sometimes it really is the easiest method.