T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 105

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #105!

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

Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles

What We Lose (Humble Dollar) – “When we retire we win back control over our daily life.  But even as we gain that freedom, there’s also much that we lose.” 

Rice & Beans (Escaping Avalon) – “Please don’t listen to the saver haters.” 

Video

Apparently this went viral a few years back but I guess I missed it. So here’s a cat saving a baby from going down steps.  Cat videos are a thing 🙂

What I’m Grateful For

Prince William Forest Park.  For those in the D.C. region you may know about this absolute gem of a park, but surprisingly many don’t.  It’s one of my sanctuaries, equally good for cycling, hiking, trail running, or just finding a shady tree and reading a book in the peace and quiet of nature.

Lyrically Speaking

If you win the rat race
If you come in first place
Then a rat is all you will be

From “The Clockwise Witness” by Devotchka

Devotchka are nothing if not eclectic.  They use instruments like the theramin, bouzouki. accordian, and sousaphone.  Somehow they jam that into music that can, at least tangentially, be called folk-rock.  With 11 releases dating back to 2000 the Colorado band is definitely a great listen if you’re open to new sounds, untraditional song structures, the occasional polka, and sometimes just plain fun. They once played in front of 80,000 people in support of Muse, and they have a huge fanbase. 

As for the lines above, enough said.  I never answered “a rat” when asked what I wanna be as a kid, and I’m glad I didn’t end up one.

Miscellaneous

Are We Losing the War on Cancer? – “For half a century, we have thrown everything we have at the disease, but we are no closer to curing it.”

Healthy lifestyle can help prevent depression – and new research may explain why – “We know that depression can start as early as in adolescence or young adulthood, so educating young people on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and its impact on mental health should begin in schools.”

Birds migrate along ancient routes – “Here are the latest high-tech tools scientists are using to study their amazing journeys.”