T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 160

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #160

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

Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content

In Favor of Giving Things Up (Raptitude) “… I urge you to consider how weird it is to live in a culture that makes a taboo of denying yourself anything you might want.”  Dave’s Comment: I once again deprived myself of my favorite treat in the world for another full year – pumpkin pie.  I had some on Thanksgiving and another piece the Saturday after, and now I (probably) won’t have any until next Thanksgiving.  Ok, this coming year I’m considering allowing it only after century rides (100 mile bike rides).  I typically do 3 or 4 of those a year so we’ll see 🙂

What five years of evidence on hybrid working tells us about the future of employment (The Conversation) “The COVID pandemic accelerated remote and hybrid working practices across the world. It also provided evidence that these approaches could work for a wide variety of jobs.” 

Video

It’s been months since I’ve posted nature porn, so nature porn it is! This past summer I was out West and spent some supremely quality time in Manti-La Sal National Forest.  As with all these videos, watch it on a big screen since it’s in 4k.  It’s beautiful, but remember as beautiful as the video is it’s no match for the experience of being there – so get out there and visit it.  These are our public lands and if you’re a taxpayer in America you own this!

What I’m Grateful For

As mentioned above but it needs repeating, my Thanksgiving piece of pumpkin pie.  The folks at Wegmans sure know how to bake a good one.

Lyrically Speaking

I’ll find me a good paying job that buys me just a little bit more
As far as I see I ‘ve got to work a little bit more
Oh I need to work it on out
Need to work it on out

From “Lost In America” by Israel Nash

Israel Nash is a Texas-based guitarist and songwriter who’s released 7 studio albums, 2 live albums, and 5 EPs since 2009.  He earned his “10,000 hours” performing in the competitive New York City club scene where he got noticed and signed to a record deal.  His style could be described as rootsy Americana with some psychedelic and dead-head undercurrents.  He has a big booming voice that I like and isn’t afraid of a good melody.  His first few records were released under his full name – Israel Nash Gripka, but I’m sure his record company was pressuring him to make that more show-biz friendly so he dropped the ‘Gripka’.  

As for the lyrics above, I remember being 2 or 3 years into my post college career at a small tech start up company. I was making the inflation adjusted equivalent of $44k in todays dollars. I wasn’t starving for sure but I also struggled to afford rent within an hours drive of my job.  I kept on working harder and a little bit more, and it all worked out in the end.

On a sad note, Jimmy Cliff died last week at the age of 81.  Along with Bob Marley he was one of the two titans of Jamaican reggae.  Cliff’s 1972 release The Harder They Come is a legendary album and sits right up there with the best of all time if you ask me.  R.I.P. Mr. Cliff and thanks for the music.  

Miscellaneous

Scientists find a hidden obesity trigger in soybean oil – “Soybean oil’s hidden fat-derived molecules may quietly fuel obesity by rewiring how the body handles dietary fats.“

Black Friday sets online spending record of $11.8B, Adobe says – “That’s a new record, and up from $10.8 billion spent on Black Friday last year, Adobe says. Between 10am and 2pm, online shoppers were supposedly spending $12.5 million every minute.”   

Carnivorous ‘Death Ball’ Sponge Found in Antarctic – “Researchers have recently uncovered at least 30 unknown deep-sea species around Antarctica. These include a bizarre carnivorous sponge they nicknamed the “death ball.”  Dave’s Comment: Forget exploring space and Mars, we still haven’t begun to really dive deep into the crazy shit in our oceans.  Take a look at the sponge in the article and tell me this planet isn’t off-the-rails crazy…  there’s so much out there to still discover.”