T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 94

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #94!

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

 

Financial Independence/Retirement Articles

Recent banking crises are rooted in a system that rewards excessive risk-taking – as First Republic’s failure shows (The Conversation)“ The collapse of SVB and now First Republic underscores how the impact of risky decisions at one bank can quickly spread into the broader financial system.

The Case for Quiet Thriving (Budget Life List)“I didn’t intend for my professional life to be a textbook case for quiet thriving. I had just worked in enough places to know that I wanted to work in a place where I didn’t feel like quitting daily.

 

Video

Winter is over, and here in the east we didn’t have much of one.  Regular readers know I have a mountaineering habit, but unfortunately I have not been able to get out to the big mountains at all since covid.  I need to remedy that.  So I’ve been watching a lot of classic climbing videos and this famous short film of the legendary Ueli Steck setting the FKT on the Eiger in 2008 is something I always go back to for inspiration.  The scene of him flying up that snowfield starting at 2:15 like a man possessed still gives me goosebumps.  The guy was an athlete like no other and is still sorely missed. 

 

What I’m Grateful For

That the massive supply shortages of bike parts from covid have finally reversed and turned into overstock. I’m getting certain parts such as cassettes and chains for very low prices not seen in years.  Time to stock up 🙂

 

Lyrically Speaking

I’m on my second cup of coffee and I still can’t face the day
I’m thinking of the lady who got lost along the way
And if I don’t stop this trembling hand from reaching for the phone
I’ll be reachin’ for the bottle, Lord, before this day is done

From “Second Cup Of Coffee” by Gordon Lightfoot.

Unfortunately this is another Lyrically Speaking to mourn the passing of a legend.  Gordon Lightfoot died this past Monday at the age of 84.  Lightfoot was sometimes called “the Canadian Dylan” (as has Bruce Cockburn) and Dylan seemingly looked up to Lightfoot more than anyone.  I was introduced to Lightfoot at a very young age. 

The only radio station played in my house while growing up in the 70’s was WLIF in Baltimore.  Back then it was an easy listening station.  Check that – it was super-super-easy listening.  Think Perry Como, Andy Williams, Dean Martin, and Roger Whittaker.  Even most of the Carpenters catalog was too edgy for WLIF.  But Lightfoot’s massive 1970 hit “If You Could Read My Mind” was a regular on the station and I probably heard it hundreds of times in my childhood.  It’s so beautiful how could you not like it?  Hearing it now still instantly throws me back to the 70’s and playing down in our basement with the musty smell, orange carpet, and faux wood paneling. 

As an adult I dove into Lightfoot’s extensive catalog and learned to appreciate his breadth and depth as a songwriter and storyteller.  Whether you love his voice or hate it, you can’t deny he was one of a kind.  Like Dylan, Petty, or Stevie Nicks there’s no confusing a Lightfoot song with someone else.  The tributes have been pouring in this week from the legends of rock.  Bob Dylan said Lightfoot died “without ever having made a bad song”.  Neil Young, Billy Joel, and others have been doing tributes.  So if you’re not familiar with Lightfoot you might wanna take a listen.

As for the lyrics above from “Second Cup Of Coffee”, ole Gordie tapped into my misspent youth.  Great artists do that.  R.I.P. Mr. Lightfoot and thanks for the music.

 

Miscellaneous

Is exercise more effective than medication for depression and anxiety? – “A large new analysis of meta-studies finds that exercise is more beneficial for conditions such as anxiety and depression than standard psychotherapy or medications. 

Inexperienced workers get the biggest boost from AI, Stanford/MIT study finds *audio version available – “Less experienced workers benefited the most from an AI assist. 

Why Some Wolves Become Leaders of the Pack 

 

 

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Dave @ Accidental FIRE

I reached financial independence and semi-retired in my mid-40's through hard work, smart living, and investing. This blog chronicles my journey and explores many aspects of personal finance including the psychological and behavioral factors that drive our habits.

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9 Responses

  1. funny story. 8 days ago i was in the dentist office for a procedure. the assistant informed me they had pandora radio and we could listen to whatever i wanted. i told them the descendents were probably a little too edgy to play while working on my tooth. i went straight for the mellow tones of gordon lightfoot. r.i.p.

    • Dave @ Accidental FIRE says:

      That’s wild, what a a coincidence. My dentist doesn’t even play music but now I think I’m gonna request it, and Lightfoot would set a nice atmosphere for sure.

  2. Climbing the Eiger in under 3 hours, no rope, no oxygen. Absolutely insane. I can’t believe how he was actually RUNNING up that final ridge. Amazing feat of mountaineering!

    • Dave @ Accidental FIRE says:

      Mountaineering is dangerous. Free-solo mountaineering is more dangerous. Doing it to set speed records is even more dangerous. Ueli was playing a very hazardous game and paid the ultimate price.

  3. Agreed on the bike parts, now so many stores and REI are overstocked on bikes, and hopefully this makes bikes cheaper/more affordable too!

  4. Thank you, Dave! I appreciate the feature! 🎉

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