T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 170

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #170

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

**Note To My Readers – I sometimes get complaints about ads on my blog (too many).  I’m kind of astonished that anyone browses the internet without an ad-blocker.  I haven’t seen ads in over a decade, and you shouldn’t either.  Please use an ad blocker, your life will improve 500%

Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content

Did AI Kill Coast FIRE? (Of Dollars And Data) “While there are many ways in which AI could impact those pursuing Coast FIRE, we won’t know which of them will occur until after the fact.”  Dave’s Comment: Nick brings up graphic design in his post and I can attest, AI is having a huge impact.

Do You Know the Rules? (Can I Retire Yet?) “There are rules that matter in personal finance. Ignoring rules of math doesn’t make them go away.“

Video

Enjoy this awesome arctic fox do that thing that arctic foxes do.  With the buttery narration of David Attenborough.

What I’m Grateful For

That some amazingly cool human with great taste bought five (5!!) Displates from my shop of five different landscape designs.  For the past few months I’ve been so stoked about making music that my visual designing time has been drifting off some.  This got me energized!  There’s just not enough time in the day to do all the things I want and I don’t even have a friggin job!!

Lyrically Speaking

Well boy, you sure took me for one big ride
And even now I sit and I wonder why
That when I think of you I start myself to cry
I just can’t waste my time, I must keep dry
Gotta stop believing in all your lies
‘Cause there’s too much to do before I die

From “Feelin’ Alright” by Traffic

The song linked to above was not made famous by Traffic, but you surely know the Joe Cocker version.  Cocker became the master of covers and his rendition of “Feelin’ Alright” is a staple of the hippy-era.  But Dave Mason wrote it, and sadly Mason died this week.  If you’re a young ‘un you might not know about Traffic, but I would argue they were kind of a supergroup before that term became more commonly used with bands like Cream and Blind Faith soon after.  With Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi in your band, you might not stand out.  But Mason was an amazing guitarist.  You don’t do session work for Jimi Hendrix, as Mason did, unless you can play.  Mason went on to a solo career and had a huge hit with “We Just Disagree” in 1977, a song I adore.  Ironically he didn’t write his biggest hit, a member of his band did.  But he wrote one of Joe Cockers biggest hits.  Thanks for the music Mr. Mason and R.I.P. 

As for the lyrics above, that could be anyone out there talking to their job.  There is indeed too much to do, find your escape.

Miscellaneous

Early weight gain is linked to lifelong health consequences – “Putting on weight earlier in life may be more dangerous than previously thought.”  Dave’s comment:  As a person who was obese most of my childhood and well into adulthood this article scares the crap outta me. Some readers may wonder why I’m such a fanatic about working out and being healthy and focusing on articles about that stuff on this page, and this is why.  I wanna live long, like everyone else.  And I know I have a shit-ton of fixin’ to do to my body from the damage done to it by decades of obesity. This is a massive study of 600,000 people so it carries more weight, pun intended.  If you are struggling with your weight I empathize with you and I can tell you this – you can win the battle.  Keep at it, keep fighting!

The Artemis II mission has ended. Where does NASA go from here? – “The work ahead is greater than the work behind us.

The Antibiotic Trap – “Easy access to desperately needed drugs has made India the global accelerant of our antimicrobial resistance crisis“