T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 22

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #22!

Here are some things I really like and that you might too. 

Finance Articles

We’ve Become A Throwaway Society (One Million And Beyond) – “The sheer audacity of the fact that a “new phone” replaces a perfectly functional one that is still sold new at over $400 boggles the mind! The crazy part is that the old phone, which likely still works, becomes garbage too often.”

Embracing Conflict- my talk at the EconoME conference (Rich And Regular) – “I’ve learned that making the decision to grow is a difficult one and friction is merely the price we pay to achieve it.”

Video

Last September German slackliner Friedrich Kühne and six other people broke the Guinness World Record for the highest urban highline ever walked.  They tied a 349-meter-high slackline between two skyscrapers in Moscow, Russia. The results are a bit scary. 

Who’s Inspired Me

Dan Mancina. 

Dan Mancina started losing his sight in his 20s, and eventually went blind at 22.   At first he had great regrets about not being able to achieve what he wanted as a skateboarder.  With time and lots of courage, he started skating again and is killing it.  He says that skateboarding is the only time that he doesn’t think about his blindness. 

Sighted skateboarders can simply look, guide themselves, and execute.  But Dan has to feel out and explore everywhere he wants to go.  It seems almost impossible but watch this amazing video of Dan in action.  He’s also starting a charity to build adaptive skate parks for disabled people, and has become an inspiration to so many who think they can’t skate.  Human achievement is boundless…

What I’m Grateful For

The fact that people pay me to create custom logos for their businesses, and business is steady.  It still gives me a thrill every day.

Lyrically Speaking

Crazy, but that’s how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it’s not too late
To learn how to love and forget how to hate

From “Crazy Train“, by Ozzy Osbourne.

Who would have thought that Ozzy Osbourne would have written some great nuggets of wisdom in 1980 that 40 years later millions arguing, name-calling, posturing, and bullying on social media should take to heart? 

Well that’s exactly what happened.  The great Oz may have a reputation as a brain-dead loon, but it’s obvious he’s far more intelligent than your standard outraged, intolerant Twitter bully. 

Miscellaneous

What Happens to Your Body When You Take Naps Every Single Day? – (Dave comment: I’m currently on a 15 day consecutive streak of successful midday naps. I feel spectacular. Read my post about napping here.)

Millions Are Hounded for Debt They Don’t Owe. One Victim Fought Back, With a Vengeance – “Andrew Therrien wanted payback. He got it—and uncovered a conspiracy.”

I Survived Cancellation at Princeton – “It was a close call, but I won’t be investigated for criticizing a faculty ‘open letter’ signed by hundreds.”