T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 60
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #60!
Here are some things I really like and that you might too.
Financial Independence/Retirement Articles
This Will Solve All Your Problems (FITE Addiction) – “The next time you go shopping and feel drawn towards something, identify explicitly what you believe it is going to do for you.”
We Bought More Wine – Smidlap 2021 Spending Report (FreddySmidlap.com) – “Many would say 25% of our annual spending on a beverage is excessive. Here’s the thing: we buy what we like after we put ourselves in a position to do so comfortably.”
Video
These backcountry skiers witnessed an avalanche triggered by a dog in a separate party and the dog was buried. Miraculously they found the dog who obviously didn’t have an avalanche beacon on and got him out. More amazingly he was still alive after 20 minutes of being buried and seems to be fine. The video was filmed from a GoPro mounted on the skiers chest so it isn’t aimed perfectly but with the audio you can get the intensity of this. Kudos to them for saving this dog!
Who’s Inspired Me
Shawna Anderson, Roberta Nuñez, and Enzo Moscarella
In 2020 Anderson, Nuñez, and Moscarello participated in the “From The Ground Up” challenge from Outside. The program entails finding 3 novice cyclists, giving them sweet mountain bikes, and having two professional cyclists guide them on a plan to try to finish the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race. That includes riding skills, nutrition plans, and everything.
The Leadville 100 is one of the hardest and most famous one-day mountain bike races in the world. Yours truly applied to race Leadville a couple of times but did not win the lottery. Thousands of people apply every year and they have a random lottery system that weeds out most.
Outside made a very slick and professionally produced 5 part video series that I found inspiring. The three cyclists chosen are very new to riding and not in the best shape. I love seeing people trying to get healthy and taking on huge challenges with a high probability of failure. They attacked the challenge with grit and determination.
Did they finish the race? You’ll have to watch… episode one is here and I’m sure Youtube will queue up the rest for you. And oh yeah, they’re taking applications for season two, you can apply here.
What I’m Grateful For
That after a warm and crappy start to winter we got not one but two snowstorms last week in the D.C. region! The first one was our best in years and dumped over 9 inches of very wet snow that stuck to everything and made for some beautiful scenes.
Lyrically Speaking
Drove back to town this mornin’
With workin’ on my mind
I thought of maybe quittin’
I thought of leavin’ it behind
From “Bobcaygeon” by The Tragically Hip
What can I say about this song… “Bobcaygeon” is one of my favorite songs of all time, hands down. If you’re American and a casual music fan you may have not even heard of the Tragically Hip. If you’re a Canuck, you sure as shit have heard of them and like ’em or not they are Canadian legends.
The Hip as they’re called by music fans made 13 studio albums over a 33 year span that ended in 2017 with the tragic death of their lead man Gord Downie from brain cancer. Downie was one of the most dynamic, eclectic, and animated lead men in rock, period. His voice was as distinctive and unique as Dylan’s and his on-stage antics were legendary. I never got to see them live but have quite a few bootlegs and I can attest they were an amazing band that could play the shit outta their instruments.
Those lines above from Bobcaygeon, well that’s what’s on my mind…
Miscellaneous
The ‘runner’s high’ may result from molecules called cannabinoids – the body’s own version of THC and CBD – “Many people have experienced reductions in stress, pain and anxiety and sometimes even euphoria after exercise. What’s behind this so-called “runner’s high”?”
Is lab-grown meat the ‘meat of the future’? – “Lab-grown meat faces scrutiny”
A Defense of the Reality of Time – “Time isn’t just another dimension, argues Tim Maudlin. To make his case, he’s had to reinvent geometry.”
Thank you so much for sharing the Leadville story. That is so cool. Interesting enough, I have a good friend that will be doing it this year. I hope to train with him. It’s really hard to get into that race He did a 100 mile in race in Arizona 2021 and was lucky enough to get picked in that minny lottery. They only gave out 17 tokens at that race.
Cool – a Leadville fan! Awesome that you’ll be training with your friend, hopefully you’re in a place that you can get some altitude training in. I gave up on entering the lottery because it also costs money each time and I got tired of losing $20 every year, it’s probably more than that now. Good luck to you and your friend!
hey dave, thanks very much for the mention. i saw the tragically hip on august 5, 1994 at a large club called saratoga winners. i looked up the date. the ticket cost 6 bucks! i think i hear “bobcaygeon” at least once a week on my canadian radio station during my little commute. then again, i walk out of my work building and can see ontario right across the river. those guys were a great band.
We’ve obviously never met but I know you well enough to know that you’d be a Hip fan. So cool that you saw them live dude, back in ’94 they were in their young and hungry days. Such a great band, so many great songs.
Hello, Dave! Thank you so kindly for the mention! And gorgeous snow covered trees you have there. There is something magical about a winter snowscape. We are entering dingy, dirty snow territory here in Chicagoland, so I appreciate the crispness of your picture.
I have never heard The Tragically Hip. I went through some of their songs and gave a thumbs up to “New Orleans is Sinking” and “Wheat Kings” for my playlist. Very unique voice and I love the folky/blues vibe. Always a good day when I can add some new music to my playlist. Cheers!
“New Orleans is Sinking” was the Hips biggest hit in the US, but in Canada they were always on the charts and getting awards. Just a great band, happy to introduce them to you!