[Christien]

Very interesting discussion. I think one thing to keep in mind here is that we've worked very hard to create a world of leisure. We fought wars and spent countless money on R&D to create a safe, free world where technology would provide us with more leisure time, and the money to afford luxuries. So let's think about that before we complain about it. It's not like this wasn't planned. That said, I don't think the negative consequences of this world were considered as we worked towards it, and now we're discovering what happens when we open pandora's box.

I do prefer to do things myself, within my limits of time and capabilities. For example, I do absolutely everything I can on my car, because I enjoy it, but there are times when I realize something is beyond my capabilities, so it goes into the shop. Usually that has to do with specialized tools (wheel balancing, for example). I also know I'm really bad at plumbing. I can fix a leaky faucet, but anything beyond that and I tend to make problems much worse, so I'll call a plumber.

A few weeks ago my brother in law gave us their old above-ground pool. They moved and didn't have room for it in their new yard. I hummed and hawed over actually installing it, or just tossing it on kijiji, until I realized that my only reason for now wanting to put it up was not wanting to level out a section of the backyard. I said to myself 'self, you're just being lazy - suck it up!'. I'm off to rent the rototiller this weekend.