Summer Plans

So I have this half-cocked plan for the summer, which involves selling my car, saving up a bunch of money, then quitting my job and taking some months to
a) volunteer lots and lots,
b) ride my bike lots and lots
c) have the time to pursue and educate myself about new interests which include, ecology restoration, urban/organic farming, and starting/running non-profit organizations.

I'm pretty confident and excited about this. I'm don't have a specific plan for what I'll do with my time when I don't have a job, but I currently have so many interests and organizations to work with that I'm really expecting to be almost as busy this summer as I am now, and at the same time, less stressed and enjoying my life more.
I am operating on the assumption that out of this "project" a specific path will emerge and result in a paying job (hopefully before my savings run-out, but I do have some backup plans for that). The only logistical problem that really worries me is not having health insurance for an indefinite amount of time.

Outside of that, my father is going to flip his shit when he finds out what I'm doing. And I'm not sure what to do about this. I don't know why, but my dad's incredible cynicism and general lack of support in anything outside of the mainstream job/career plan really gets me down and saps all of my confidence when I have plans like this. I feel like I have two options with this:
I could try to engage him in debate, and convince him at least that I least I'm not about to make myself destitute. I have some specific arguments. I really feel like engaging in this debate will just make me upset and discouraged though.
My other option is to avoid seeing or talking to him for an extended period of time, and I feel like this would be the best option. This seems like a very difficult decision to make though. On some level, I really want my dad's input and support, but I just don't think that's going to happen.

Oh well. ONWARD.
(my dad and co-workers are blocked from this post)

(cross-posted on facebook with lots of discussion)

The life plan keeps changing

I've been combating an overwhelming feeling of being lost recently. Which isn't so different from usual, but it tends to come to a head at certain points which causes me to look for significant changes that I can make in my life to "fix" things, or at least put myself closer to the right path.

Wants:
A bikable work commute (less than 4 miles w/no bus).
A job that I care about.
A communal house with hippie/good friend/women housemates, a yard for my dog, an organic garden, a large garage, and a quirky, rambling aesthetic.

So, issue #1 to fix, is the job.
Problems with the job: lack of meaning. wrong culture (too conservative). not flexible enough. not enough vacation time

Solutions: Working in Environmental Restoration? Urban Gardening (how do I go about this?). I specifically want to work on physically restoring the environment. Also, urban community building around gardening and volunteering. Community building and environmental activism/policy work.
The path: volunteer with People for Puget Sound as much as possible.

Important lifestyle bits: Spending less money = more vacation time. buying the Mazda Protege was possibly the dumbest thing I have ever done. no way out of it now? I could sell the thing. just sell it. Or trade for a motorcycle? or a truck?
Bike everywhere. Tap into urban gardening community? Think of ways to build urban community, ala communal public spaces, restoration volunteering, home landscaping & gardening. But how do I go about all of this? I do I go about following this path?

starting out

ok, so this is my first post. I've been feeling sort of overwhelmed recently. A couple months ago, I was depressed because there wasn't enough excitement in my life. Now there may be more than I can handle.

General Projects / Activities I am currently engaged in:
point83 - this is lots of fun. partying and riding bikes.
adopting Una - a wonderful mutt who makes me happy. I wish I could devote more time to her.

volunteering with People for Puget Sound - generally doing photo projects right now. this is fun, and will hopefully lead to some connections for paid work in conservation/restoration/sustainable construction/sustainable energy.

Construction Management Certificate at UW Extention Program. I actually really like both my classes this semester, and am interested in the classwork. Construction Scheduling and Construction Safety. Right now I'm a bit overwhelmed by the time commitment this homework will require.

Moving. I'm moving this week, and it' fucking up my whole Chi. In general, I feel really positive about the move, and I like my new housemates, there's just so much to do to make this house Una-friendly (er).

I've been having a huge amount of trouble staying focused at work recently (e.i. writing here during the work day), and have considered going back to Ritalin use. I have a hard time taking this idea seriously though, because of the long list of side effects I've experienced in the past.

Pros:
increased concentration at work.
increased energy and clarity at work ( really? )
general increase in my career success
increased energy (?)
wight loss

Cons:
huge increase in neurotic OCD habbits
insomnia
weight loss
eventual depression (?)
emotionally erratic (?)
lowered libido

I should look into it though, they may have improved the quality of the drug in the 7 years since I've taken it.