T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 156

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #156

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

Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content

The Future of the Gig Economy: 2025 and Beyond (ClearVoice) “The number of freelancers has risen steadily in recent years, and the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in content marketing, graphic design, programming, and more has caused concern. Because of this, many are asking if the gig economy is the future of work and whether it’s sustainable.“

The Millionaire’s Dilemma (Of Dollars And Data) “Though $1 million today buys half of what it did in the early 2000s, it’s still a lot of money and can have major implications for you and your career.“

Video

In 2020 Neil Peart died.  He was unarguably one of the greatest rock drummers in history. I paid tribute to him in T.G.I.F. Friday Volume 8 and if I recall I played nothing but Rush music in my house for a day or two.  Well just this week the two remaining members of Rush, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, announced that Rush will tour in 2026.  Like everyone else I immediately thought “Who the hell could possibly take on the task of filling in for Neil Peart?”  The answer is Anika Nilles.  I thought “Who??”.  Apparently Nilles started her career on Youtube as a drum-influencer and educator, nothing could be more 2025, right?  But then I found out she had been playing with no other than Jeff Beck before his passing a few years ago.  If you can play with Beck, well….  So I checked her out and let’s just say I think she’ll do more than fine, she’s the real deal.  Watch the video below of Nilles doing her thing, and that’s from 11 years ago, I assume she’s better now. 

Right now Spotify is quickly filling up with millions of songs created by computer chips and algorithms that trained on the material from real artists.  In this new, crazy world of fakery, digital-everything, auto-tune, and artificialness I hope Ms. Nilles inspires the next generation to pick up real instruments and learn to master them. Because hey if you get good enough you could get a job with rock legends.

What I’m Grateful For

My humble Hamilton Beach blender from 2005 that I paid $30 for and that’s still going strong.  According to AI a Vitamix blender cost $300 in 2005, so I saved $270 buy buying sensibly (and probably better assuming that most 2005 Vitamixes from 2005 are likely still not working).  According to chat GPT that $270 put in VTSAX in January of 2005 with dividends reinvested would be worth $2,250 now! If you’re thinking “wow with that great return, you could buy a Vitamix!”, then you’re sadly missing the point…  And best news yet, you can still get a Hamilton Beach blender now for about $35 – $45 in current dollars!

Lyrically Speaking

All we need is a hundred acres
And a row of seed
All we need is a hundred acres
And some room to breathe

From “Hundred Acres” by S. Carey

You might be familiar with the art-folk, experimental sounds of Bon Iver who have won awards and have a massive audience.  Sean Carey (stage name S. Carey) is Bon Iver’s drummer and started a solo career in 2010.  I’m not much of a Bon Iver fan as I don’t care too much for the heavily digitally manipulated vocals, but I love S. Carey’s solo work.  If you just look at the covers of his albums and singles on Bandcamp it’s clear he has an affinity for nature and the outdoors, and anyone who reads my blog knows I’m an unapologetic nature-boy.  Carey’s music is meant for chill and relaxing Sunday mornings with a coffee and maybe some rain dribbling on the windowsill. Just this past week he released a 4-song EP called Watercress that I’m already enjoying.  Again, this isn’t mosh-pit music, but if you sometimes enjoy sounds that are relaxing and ethereal, you’ll like Carey’s music. 

As for the lyrics above, I’ve been watching a lot of old westerns recently as well as movies about mountain men and the pioneer days of the 1800’s.  It still amazes me how seemingly ordinary people back then just pushed west into the unknown to settle down and start families and lives, with everything on the line and almost certain struggle and toil. No one was working toward financial independence and early retirement, haha.  It makes the problems and worries of modern life seem almost laughable.   

Miscellaneous

What happens to your body when you eat too many ultra-processed foods – “Ultra-processed foods make up the bulk of U.S. diets, and new research links high intake to inflammation, a predictor of heart disease. Scientists warn that UPFs may contribute to cancer and other chronic illnesses, urging stronger health policies despite pushback from powerful food companies.“

We Still Don’t Understand the 1916 Shark Attacks That Inspired ‘Jaws’ – “That [1916] was the summer that a series of strange, violent incidents forever changed the way humans saw sharks.“

Dumped World War munitions and sunken ships serve a wild new purpose – “Old Nazi warheads and US warships have been reclaimed by a new army of diverse marine life, as scientists uncover how nature has made use of the munitions and fleets that ended up dumped in waterways during the two world conflicts.“