T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 19
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #19!
Here are some things I really like and that you might too.
Finance Articles
When A Loved One Needs Your Help [Becoming a Guardian or Conservator] (Life Zemplified) – “At some point in time, you may find yourself faced with needing to provide assistance to a parent, partner, adult child, other family member or friend.”
Are You Sacrificing Too Much (Financially) For Your Kids? (Chief Mom Officer) – “Are we bad parents if we don’t sacrifice our own financial futures for our kids? If we “can afford” something, should we just get it? Where do we draw the line?”
Video
This short video with amazing scenes of the Grand Tetons is narrated by Ansel Adams. The Ansel Adams. Enjoy this 3 minutes of beauty and majesty.
Built From Within from Janssen Powers on Vimeo.
Who’s Inspired Me
Rick Beato.
Rick Beato is a former music professor, as well as a producer, musician, and writer. He’s now changed his career trajectory to dedicate the rest of his life to teaching everything about music to, well everyone. He has one of the fastest growing YouTube channels out there, and I’m addicted. His “What Makes This Song Great” series where he breaks down some of the most famous songs in rock history is what got me hooked. Then I started watching his music theory and composition videos and I got inspired enough to try to take my guitar and piano skills to the next level. Thanks to the internet there’s never been a better time to learn and this guy is doing some great teaching.
What I’m Grateful For
The Rails-To-Trails Conservancy and the amazing work they’ve accomplished. I make use of recreational trails from their efforts on a regular basis, and am striving to ride all of the rail-trails in Virginia and Maryland on my bike.
Lyrically Speaking
I’m not cheap, you understand
I’m just a cut price person in a low budget land
Excuse my shoes they don’t quite fit
They’re a special offer and they hurt me a bit
Even my trousers are giving me pain
They were reduced in a sale so I shouldn’t complain
They squeeze me so tight so I can’t take no more
They’re size 28 but I take 34
From “Low Budget“, by The Kinks.
Man I love the Kinks. If you’re a young’un you may not realize that in the mid to late 1960’s they were right up there with the Beatles, Stones, and Who as one of the top juggernauts of the British invasion in early rock. And then in the 70’s and 80’s they really diversified their sound and showed many sides. I saw them in a small D.C. club called “The Bayou” in 1993 and it was one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.
The lyrics for “Low Budget” are pure Ray Davies silliness and eccentricity, the guy could pen a song like no other. At one moment he was an exquisite poet, then a drunken hooligan. He’s a unique voice in rock’s history.
Low Budget came out in 1979 and lyrically was a reflection of the times. There was labour strife in the U.K., massively high inflation, and an energy crisis. Times were financially tight. And trousers were small 🙂
Miscellaneous
The scientist still fighting for the clean fuel the world forgot – “A decade of investment in advanced biofuels led nowhere, but Jay Keasling remains undaunted.”
Half of young Americans say their degree is irrelevant to their work – “With rising tuition costs, some aren’t going to college, and more are working jobs on the side”
A Fast Mile Is More Impressive Than a Slow Marathon – “There’s something a little gimmicky about celebrating distance purely for distance’s sake”
Hi Dave, Love this list! Fun to see what you’re reading/thinking about this week. Hope all is well!
Thanks so much for reading my blog, I appreciate it!
man, i too love the kinks. “gallon of gas” from that same low budget album is another quirky gem. as far as a fast mile being more impressive than a slow marathon i have to agree. i guess it depends on your present level. if you’re a newly transformed former couch potato then just competing a slow 5k may be a major victory. for someone more in the athlete category just completing a marathon would be “nice.” i remember being very fit for running in the early 90’s and doing a couple of 18 mile training runs by myself in under 2 hours. i’m pretty sure i could have tacked on the last 8 miles for a marathon but never did. i could not run a 4:30 mile back then, though. whichever way it’s virtuous to get out and exercise for sure.
I’m all for supporting the “off the couch” person, let’s face it most Americans get no exercise so I want to do whatever I can to help people. I’d love to start some kind of organization to help folks get off the couch and on to their first 5k. Doesn’t matter if they run 11 minute miles, it’s a start. And here’s to the Kinks man, one of the best bands ever!
Thanks Dave, I’m going to have to check out Rick Beato!
Sounds interesting.
He’s amazing, plays every instrument flawlessly
Dave, speaking of rails-to-trails…have you done the cap-to-cap yet — Jamestown to Richmond?
Yes! I did the whole thing in one day as a solo century ride a few years ago. Parked in Richmond and rode to Jamestown and back, it’s an AMAZING trail and such a great resource to have. I hope to go back soon to repeat sections.
Oh very nice! Haven’t done the full thing yet, but hoping to make a trip of it and stay at a B&B along the way about midway near the old plantation hows on the river.
VA is lucky to have such great big trails like that and the W&OD!