T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 48

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #48!

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

Finance Articles

Happiness vs Satisfaction (Rich Life Habits) – “It’s OK to be happy and unsatisfied.“

Some Fascinating Retirement Statistics… (Retirement Manifesto) – “If you’re interested in how you compare to “average”, you’ll find today’s post of interest.”

Video

Watch this massive flock of thousands of starlings make the shape of a bird…. intentional? 

Who’s Inspired Me

The Iron Cowboy.

James Lawrence is the Iron Cowboy.  In 2015 he completed 50 full ironman Triathlons in 50 consecutive days in 50 states.  To remind you, a full ironman distance triathlon is a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a full running marathon of 26.2 miles.  Most folks who can even do it will take well over 12 hours.  He did 50 in 50 days plus he traveled to a different state every day. 

Enter 2021.  Apparently not satisfied, Lawrence just completed 100 ironman triathlons in 100 consecutive days.  Just thinking about this accomplishment makes my head explode.  He had to eat about 10,000 calories a day during the challenge! 

And he’s not doing these insane things for self promotion, he’s done them all for charity.  The recent 100 triathlons raised over $200,000 for Operation Underground Railroad, an organization fighting human trafficking and child slavery.  You can read about it here.  What a beast.

What I’m Grateful For

The incredible diversity of creatures right in my back yard. Even though I live in a pretty dense and populated area, I routinely get deer, racoons, snakes, and all kinds of birds in my yard.  And not long ago a Great Blue Heron decided to plop a nest down in the stream right behind my house.

Lyrically Speaking

Well the money’s pouring down
And the people all look down
And it’s floating out of town
I hit the second deck
And I spent my paycheck
And my wife that I just met
She’s looking like a wreck
Casino Queen
My lord you’re mean
I’ve been gambling like a fiend
On your tables so green

From “Casino Queen” by Wilco

I didn’t discover Uncle Tupelo, the seminal midwestern “alt-country punk” band until 1993, the year before they broke up.  The bands Wilco and Son Volt spawned from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo, and both are still making music 27 years later.  “Casino Queen” comes from Wilco’s first album A.M., released in 1995.  It was the year I bought my first CD player and switched from cassettes, and A.M. was one of the first CDs I bought.  Wilco has released some amazing records since then, but A.M. holds a special place in my heart. 

Moneywise, I’ve never been a gambler.  Because if I had been I could see the exact scenario in the lyrics above happening to me. 

Miscellaneous

Are continuous glucose monitors a waste of time for people without diabetes? – “Some experts suggest CGMs are useless for nondiabetics. I disagree.”

The unexpected philosophy Icelanders live by – “If Iceland were to have a national slogan, it would be ‘þetta reddast’, which roughly translates to the idea that everything will work out all right in the end.”

Earth Has a 27.5-Million-Year ‘Heartbeat’, But We Don’t Know What Causes It