T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 178

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #178

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

Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content

Fewer Than One in Five Financially Fulfilled in U.S., Canada (Gallup)  “Just 16% of U.S. adults and 12% Canadian adults are financially fulfilled, according to analysis of the inaugural Edward Jones and Gallup Money and Meaning: Understanding Financial Fulfillment study.”

Grateful (Escaping Avalon)  “Everyone you love is going to die. You are going to die. SOONER THAN YOU THINK. WAKE. THE. FUCK. UP.”  Dave’s Comment: The YouTube video discussed in this great post is gold, thanks to Escaping Avalon for this!

Video

This doesn’t make much sense to do, except for the sake of ‘can it be done’ and at some levels seems silly-crazy but I like bikes so I’m in! It’s amazing the weird random things humans can dream up and then pull off…

What I’m Grateful For

A second trip to Europe this year. I’ll be at a cycling training camp burning 4000 calories a day and eating more than that, life is good 🙂

Lyrically Speaking

Come on DJ earn your money
‘Cause I need to work on Monday

From “All Night” by Trashcan Sinatras

The Trashcan Sinatras formed in 1986 in Irvine Scotland.  I didn’t really discover them until the early 2000’s after they had a few albums out. I missed out.  If you like jangle rock – think the Smiths, The Sundays, 80’s-era R.E.M., or the Ocean Blue – you’ll love them.  Their catalog is full of clean intertwined guitars, layered harmonies, and a quasi chamber-pop aura on top of often romantic lyrical themes that are literate without pretention, and melancholic without being sad-sack.  They have seven full length studio albums with their latest having just come out a few weeks ago. Sadly, their original and longtime guitarist John Douglas died last week after a short illness.  R.I.P. John and thanks for the music.

The lyrics above are very relatable to me.  Back in my misspent youth I used to see live bands on weekends, a lot.  Sometimes they were big or famous bands at venues like Hammerjacks or Bohagers in Baltimore but those shows were expensive.  So it was usually more local or regional bands at smaller clubs.  When you go to lots of shows you’re bound to hit a dud or two.  “C’mon earn your money, ’cause I need to work on Monday” sums up what I would feel at those shows.  I came to escape and hear a good band, and sometimes they just weren’t delivering. Now I don’t have that problem, the having to work on Monday part.

Miscellaneous

Your dreams aren’t random. Your brain is rewriting reality – “Dreams may be the brain’s nightly remix of personality, memory, emotion, and real-world experience.” Dave’s Comment:  Hmmm… I had a recent dream that I can only partially remember, but I was in a plane looking out the window at an elegantly flying goose just outside, except the goose was going the opposite direction but he was staying just outside the window. Then our plan landed and I watched as our wing came very close to numerous vehicles as we sped down the runway. When I went to alert the pilot of this I noticed our plane was headed to an army checkpoint that we surely wouldn’t fit through, and the checkpoint was partially on fire. I’d say this IS random, but reading the article above who knows 🙂

This fusion startup just raised another $1 billion for its first commercial power plant – “Commonwealth Fusion Systems is still building its first demonstration project, but it’s simultaneously moving forward with a plans for a fusion power plant in Virginia.”

Why Is Digital Freedom Making Us Exhausted and Sad? – “From “The Burnout Society” to “The Tonality of Thought,” tech philosopher Byung-Chul Han’s ultra-short books reveal why online liberation has felt more like voluntary captivity.”

**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%