Hey... I think it's Friday. Long week. And here I am procrastinating going for my 11-mile run this morning. I don't know why, but I seem to be getting more and more nervous about going out for a run. Especially the long ones. So, here are five things on my mind (amid a whole lotta other things):
1. Work Party Ideas
Do you need some distraction? Here is an article with 15 Great Office Traditions You've Never Heard of. They have: PB&J Parties, Formal Fridays, Attack of the Clones, The Goat Shrine, Wacky Fruit Wednesdays, Adult Bibs, The Rubber Ducks, The Talking Shrimp, Elaborate Pranks, Vegetable-Themed Showers, Handmade Blankets, Made-Up Holidays, Wall of Same, and Intern Nathan.
I bet you can probably think of an even better one... but for sure I'd say, if you work somewhere, people could certainly use a reason to laugh or smile right about now. Or maybe not. I dunno...
2. Meditative Silent Films
Perhaps a better idea is to check out this awesome website belonging to Harmen Hoek, who is a former physicist from the Netherlands and now makes meditative silent hiking films that transport viewers into some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world. These silent films are paired with ambient sounds to enhance the emphasis on slowing down and quiet reflection. Go to his Youtube Channel to see some of his work, and enjoy yourself! (H/t to the people at The Eugene Peterson Center at Western Theological Seminary, and their “Arcs of Light” newsletter on 9.10.25)
3. Beam Me Up, Scotty
Okay, I guess I gotta go there. I suppose I had maybe heard of Charlie Kirk before this week - maybe - but I didn't know a thing about him. Here's what I do know, though: we have gone total bat-shit crazy in this country!!! Or at least that's what the news and social medias would like us to think!
What the hell is wrong with us though? Why is it always "the other side" at fault? How many people have to die? How many have to cry and mourn those who've not only been killed, but the lost-ness of those who've done the killing?
Man, I am just so tired of this. All of it! You'd think we would all be hanging our heads at what we have become as a society... (if you can even call it that anymore).
[Added Later: Btw, just to be clear, this rant isn't about CK. Regardless of how we each believe and act, I don’t think ANYONE should be killed in this way. The problem is… he’s just the latest. And then there are the responses, the scapegoating, lying, and all the usual… When will we say ‘enough!’?]
4. And Just When You Thought...
I intended to bring up the story here about Albania appointing an AI bot to a cabinet position. Seriously. It is to be the new minister to tackle corruption. It will review government contracts and flag suspicious spending. I mean, what could go wrong, right? Ha! Apparently they've never heard of hackers, or AI issues or...
However, this story from the NYT seems equally crazy: A false report of a shooter at the Naval Academy prompted an actual shooting. A midshipman mistook a law enforcement officer for the shooter and struck him with a parade rifle. The officer then fired back and wounded the midshipman. Like, what the what!?! So, which one was the "good guy with a gun?" Yeesh!
5. A Mere Quote Won't Do
FB reminded me that I apparently started sharing this song on this day every year back in 2012. I've no idea why, and don't know anything about The Swirling Eddies... but this sad little song seems appropriate. So, take four minutes and let The Tired Eyes of Faith swirl in your heart and mind for a bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRJ4J5ovt1A
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And... that's all I've got for now.
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