Prologue

Over the years, I’ve worked harder and harder to find meaning in life. But the more I've looked, the more I’ve wondered if I was going about my search the wrong way.

I've been looking for meaning through experience, but I think now that I've always had it backwards. Life will never be defined by extravagant experience, but about finding extravagance in common experience. So for 2009, I'm going to focus less on living large, and focus more on living well. Each month I'll start a new month-long project (like trying to run 3 miles faster than George Bush), to find uncommon results from common experience. Each project will involve daily activity, so every day of 2009 you can check my progress on the monthly projects and see what I discover.

None of these projects will cost much—in fact, I think most will be free. So if you're looking for a year uncommonly rich, you can join me. There's no membership required, just participate and comment if you want. Either way, get ready for a year I hope is unlike any other.

Epilogue

I stumbled across the finish line, but I manage to complete 8 of the month-long projects successfully. Blogging is now over at Wonderfam!

 
 

It's September, and September was a …

A Month of Accomplishment (about)

 

~ or ~

 

Forcing myself to finish something (about)

 

02
28

Ending with a bit of a whimper

Written by Nathan on February 28, 2009 at 11:54 pm from A Month of Listening.

Whimpering, chiefly from my newborn, is a defining sound in my life. Right now, lying in bed, I’ve been listening to her steady sounds for hours. No excuse is ever brilliant, but I have great (in my estimation) interviews yet unposted, largely owning to the new and darling whimpered in my life.

Though this month is ending with it’s own sort of whimper, I think perhaps it’s a tribute to my rekindled listening skills than I’m paying attention to the right people and places instead of to the posting of the interviews. They will get posted, but not until the right time is back.

In the meantime, tomorrow the next month project will be revealed. That, of course, means I’ll have to settle on which of the three possible ideas I go with. Decisions, decisions.

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02
22

The art of crafting

Written by Nathan on February 22, 2009 at 11:40 pm from A Month of Listening.

Tonight I interviewed extraordinary crafter Lauren Alane Bradshaw about the art of making things.


Year of Months / A Month of Listening Day 20 – Lauren Alane Bradshaw from Nathan Clark on Vimeo.

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02
22

Great people with great interviews

Written by Nathan on February 22, 2009 at 12:00 am from A Month of Listening.

I have some great interviews to get posted. This month I’ve had the privilege of listening to friends, family and coworkers and without exception they have been wonderful.

I’m not sure what project I can undertake next month that will live up to this project’s standard, but I have a week to figure that out. Ideas, as always, are welcome!

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02
19

Dialogue with my daughter

Written by Nathan on February 19, 2009 at 11:56 pm from A Month of Listening.

Tonight I interviewed my week-old daughter, Arden. (She’s adorable.)


Year of Months / A Month of Listening Day 19 – Arden Clark from Nathan Clark on Vimeo.

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02
18

Behind the lens, ahead of the curve

Written by Nathan on February 18, 2009 at 11:56 pm from A Month of Listening.

Tonight I interviewed John Deeb, one of Orlando’s finest photographers about his craft, his business and his plans for what’s next.


Year of Months / A Month of Listening Day 18 – John Deeb from Nathan Clark on Vimeo.

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02
17

Pianos, perseverance and Pete

Written by Nathan on February 17, 2009 at 11:52 pm from A Month of Listening.

Interview with Pete Geiger, pianist, songwriter and singer, as he drives through Alabama. 


Year of Months / A Month of Listening Day 17 from Nathan Clark on Vimeo.

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02
16

Thoughts on design

Written by Nathan on February 16, 2009 at 11:52 pm from A Month of Listening.

Today’s interview was with Peter Centofante, good friend, designer, product conceiver and thinker currently at immersion digital.


Year of Months / A Month of Listening Day 16 from Nathan Clark on Vimeo.

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02
15

Ignominy of ignorance

Written by Nathan on February 15, 2009 at 11:56 pm from A Month of Listening.

I’m not particularly good with the audio editing. My interview today with my kids requires a bit of work, which should’ve been expected with two loud and ever-moving children involved. But a lack of software knowledge combined with a lack of experience has led me to a place of slow progress.

Unfamiliar territory, both in audio editing land and in finding progress at a slow pace.

(1) Comment

 

02
14

Listening to my mother-in-law

Written by Nathan on February 14, 2009 at 11:17 pm from A Month of Listening.

Interview with Carol Dahlquist, child life specialist at All Children’s Hospital and my mother-in-law.  (And yes, that’s my daughter, she’s holding!)


Year of Months / A Month of Listening Day 14 from Nathan Clark on Vimeo.

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02
13

Ushering new life into the world

Written by Nathan on February 13, 2009 at 10:22 pm from A Month of Listening.

My daughter was born today!

Accordingly, I tnterviewed Michelle Gawne, midwife and owner of Heart to Heart Birthing Center where today little Arden was born.


Year of Months / A Month of Listening Day 13 from Nathan Clark on Vimeo.

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