T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 109
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #109!
Here are some things I really like and that you might too.
Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles
10X Strategy (Life In FIRE) – “Decumulation in retirement is 10X harder than working/accumulation.“
New MassMutual research: How have families and belief in the American dream changed? (Mass Mutual) – “Some believe that the American Dream – defined by most as financial security for them and their family – is disappearing.“
Video
I hate the term “extreme sports”. I especially hate it when media spells it “xtreme”, but I digress. Regular Accidental FIRE readers know I love so-called “extreme” sports such as rock climbing and mountaineering. I don’t consider those sports “extreme” anything except for extremely enjoyable. But there are those out there doing what I would legitimately call “extremely crazy” stuff, and taking extreme risks. Watch kayaker Aniol Serrasolses navigate an Arctic glacial river and then cap it off by going over a 60 foot waterfall at the terminus of the glacier into the ocean. Is he bonkers? Yes, clearly. But you have to admit the visuals from this stunt are enthralling and beautiful.
What I’m Grateful For
The big stringer of bluegill and catfish that I caught while car camping last week. I fed myself for a day and a half free.
Lyrically Speaking
And I can’t waste another second
Living in hell like it’s some kind of heaven
And if one truth leads to another
Then isn’t there one I can uncover?
From “Feel To Believe” by Beth Orton
The 1990’s saw the rise of an obscure genre of music labeled “folktronica” which incorporated elements of folk and digital music. The band Ultramarine is credited with being the original in that genre, but Beth Orton became the most well known. Over 30 years Orton has released eight full length albums, some distinctively folk, others purely electronic and still others a blend of the two. Her 1999 release Central Reservation is by far my favorite and has one of my all time favorite songs, “Love Like Laughter“. There’s something about her vocal phrasing and delivery in that song that grabs me, it’s a gem.
As for the lyrics above, many out there are surely thinking that after another miserable day at a job they hate. I know I had those days.
*On a very somber note, Shane MacGowan of Pogues fame died yesterday after I had this section written. I loved the Pogues and like many have been saying online it’s surprising MacGowan made it to 60 given his life. He was a true pioneer and his songs will live on. R.I.P. Mr. MacGowan and thanks for the music, I will be playing “Fairytale Of New York” (<– the uncensored version!) more than usual this Christmas.
Miscellaneous
Any activity is better for your heart than sitting — even sleeping – “Replacing sitting with as little as a few minutes of moderate exercise a day tangibly improves heart health, according to new research.“
GenAI Could Transform How Health Care Works – “ChatGPT is similarly just an opening salvo. It is already obvious that those who ignore this new generation of generative AI will be undermining themselves.”
Yes, We Have Free Will. No, We Absolutely Do Not – “A volley of new insights reignites the debate over whether our choices are ever truly our own.“
The kayaking video is incredibly cool. Thank you for sharing!
Glad you liked it!
i’m gonna get me one of those life in fire hairstyles! then i’ll be wicked cool.
You would wear that well my friend!
Ah the lifetime learning curve of balancing adrenaline with safety, why is this world so beauitful?
Well said, I fall on various points of that curve given the day and activity 🙂
Thanks for sharing this Dave, I’ve never seen anything so cool as that Kayak video. As far as him being bonkers, I’d say he’s…Passionate, very passionate about his craft, but going over that fall, now that was bonkers! 😉
There’s a fine line between passionate and bonkers, haha!
I saw something online the other day about the British royal family, well known for their frugality. King Charles has taken to wearing his late father’s clothing. Prince Philip was well known for his superb sartorial taste, so KCIII has had his suits tailored to fit him. The video showed KCIII wearing a gorgeous camel hair coat that had been owned by his father for several decades. A winter coat KCIII has owned and worn for about 40 years is one that still gets out of the closet very often. Clothing is mended and shoes re-soled over and over. I’ve read several places that KCIII is very fond of Catherine Middleton because she will re-wear outfits regularly and shops in high street stores much more often than she goes for the designer clothes.