T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 20
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #20!
Here are some things I really like and that you might too.
Finance Articles
How to Find Purpose and Passion (and Make Money from it) (Reverse The Crush) – “Because if you care about something enough, it can’t just be a side hustle.”
The Cost of Starting & Growing a Garden – (Recovering Women Wealth) – “To be honest I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long to do this because it’s easy and a satisfying hobby.”
Video
Well it’s already too hot for me here in the D.C. region and summer just started. So I’m posting this great video of the wilderness of Ontario Canada, in winter. Because it’s beautiful and it cools me off.
Lure of the North from Outsider Editorial on Vimeo.
Who’s Inspired Me
Emil Johansson.
After becoming a world champion in mountain biking in 2017 at the tender age of 18, Johansson was quickly becoming a mythical legend. Then he started getting back pain and mysterious symptoms, and his doctors couldn’t figure it out. They eventually diagnosed him with Epstein Barr and Hashimoto’s disease, and after treatment he was able to come back. He again has risen to the top of the sport. What inspires me about him is the way he handles himself, as a mere kid.
If you have the time to invest I highly recommend this short movie about his rise and fall and how he dealt with it. I honestly wish I had 1/10th of that kind of perspective and thoughtfulness at that age. The movie is worth it if nothing more than to watch his amazing skills. This Forbes article also covers his story well with a slightly shorter and different version of the same movie.
What I’m Grateful For
My backyard koi pond. I dug it out and built it about 15 years ago, and it’s been one of my sanctuaries ever since.
Lyrically Speaking
What is the point of this story
What information pertains
The thought that life could be better
Is woven indelibly
Into our hearts and our brains
From “Train In The Distance“, by Paul Simon.
To say the Paul Simon is a master songwriter would be the understatement of the year. I was doing some work in my yard last week and this song came on, I’ve always loved it. When he sang the last verse I literally stopped what I was doing and said “holy shit, he’s explaining FI”. There I was on a Tuesday mid-morning doing yard work, and not working a miserable job.
In my 40’s.
The point of the story is exactly what Simon says, life can be better. I took the steps to make it better, and continue to do so. It’s woven into our brains, so get after it.
Miscellaneous
Let’s Colonize Titan – “Saturn’s largest moon might be the only place beyond Earth where humans could live”
Is Sunscreen the New Margarine? – “Current guidelines for sun exposure are unhealthy and unscientific, controversial new research suggests”
Breakfast: a legacy of cereal…and sin? – “Where did the idea of eating sugar-coated grains soaked in milk for breakfast come from?” (My note: you’re gonna want to read this, it oddly enough involves masturbation…)
i commend you on keeping up that koi pond. we had one on the property when the mrs. bought the place 20 years ago. we kept burning out pumps at 100 bucks each replacement and eventually filled it in. i think we’re due for another little bubbling fountain with no fish or plant life.
Wow I guess I’ve been lucky. When I built the pond I got a pump from Walmart for about $30 and it lasted 13 years! Two years ago it finally died and I paid $60 for a new one that’s doing well so far. Sounds like your pond was bigger and required more horsepower. Mine’s about 350 gallons, not too big.
Hey!! Thank you for the feature. My garden is now my sanctuary like your koi pond is to you.
Happy trails!
Yes, happy 4th!
That cereal article – wow!! would have never guessed!!
Yeah crazy huh? And when you step back it is absurd to link milk-soaked sugar-grains with breakfast, but that’s what my parents gave me growing up. I haven’t touched that stuff in almost 20 years.
But pancakes is okay per your article last week? Lol.
Well I don’t bathe them in milk, but to your point you kind of got me there 🙂
Love the post but PLEASE run a spell check to catch errors. Your audience will appreciate it!! “To say the Paul Simon is a *mater* songwriter”
Thanks for alerting me to that Pat, and I do run spell check but “mater” is a real world so those slip through. Admittedly I’m a horrible typist and I also have this thing where I “see” the intended word easily even if there’s a letter missing etc, so that stuff gets by me easily. If my blog ever gets bigger I’ll definitely be hiring a proofreader, I need it.
Glad you liked the post!
Hey Dave, thanks a lot for the feature and for putting this roundup together! I appreciate it. Btw, your backyard koi pond looks great. Very scenic. I always enjoy your Instagram feed and creative endeavours. I hope you’re doing well.
You’re welcome, your post was great, keep up the awesome content!