Five things friday

Hey there. Congratulations! You made it to another Friday, and the end of another month! Yippee!! Don't you just love feeling time slip away? Ha!

Here is this week's five things, you know, before Christmas gets here...

1. HALLOWEEN 

The pic above is our candy pile for trick-or-treaters. I was at the store the other day and saw it was on sale. At first I was glad they had it out in the center aisle, because I forgot all about the holiday. Then I became a little worried that maybe I'd forgotten it and missed it (since it was on sale). But, alas, all is well. Apparently it's today. Who knew? Trick or Treat hours are 5:30-7:30 in our neck o' the woods tonight. Of course, I naturally bought way more candy than we will pass out. I leave the chocolates until last, hoping there will be some left for me!

2. HALLOWEEN II

I've never really been 'into' halloween. Not sure why. I guess, for one thing, it wasn't nearly as marketed when I was young, and people didn't get into it like they do now that the machine is driving sales. Plus, I have never liked scary movies and all that. Later on, when we were big into the evangelical machine, it was painted as an 'evil' holiday and we weren't to have anything to do with it (I guess). Nowadays, I'm no longer 'afraid' of it, but... I still just don't really get it. I suppose, if anything, it's a nice way for people to visit others in the neighborhood. Weird how we have to have a holiday to do that... and I'm not sure that even helps all that much.

3. EVENTS

This time of year seems to have a lot of events. Other than halloween there is All Saints Day, the end of Daylight Saving Time (this Saturday/Sunday), elections, and a host of birthdays... Bennett and Wynn were earlier this month, our daughter in law had hers this week, my dad's would have been this week, mine and my mom's is this week... lots of stuff. Try to keep up, will ya?

4. HOW TO MAKE SMALL TALK

I stumbled onto this article 'The Myth of Scarcity: 12 Stupidly Easy Things That Will Set You Apart From the Pack' and it led me to 'How to Make Small Talk.' As they say, "Small talk is the portal through which every person you will ever meet will enter your life"... so it's kind of important. It's also something I've never been particularly good at. So I read the article. They suggest the ARE method (Anchor, Reveal, Encourage). Seems simple enough. Though, sometimes it's the simple things we have the most problems with...

5. A QUOTE

"You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere." - (American novelist Ursula K. Le Guin, reminding us that change always begins by taking responsibility for how we live)

 

And... there ya have it. Be safe out there tonight. Don't forget to love your neighbor!

Peace

I got a haircut

Mary Oliver's instructions for living a life are simple:

Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.

So, for my first haircut in almost six years: I paid attention (or tried), I was astonished, and I’m going to tell you about it... Because it was way better than expected!

I suppose I stopped paying someone else to cut my hair in 2012 or 2013. I was trying to save money, and since I was balding anyway, buzzing it myself just made sense.

There were several reasons, then, why I stopped cutting my hair entirely in early 2020. I believe I told Jane I wasn't going to cut it again until DJT was no longer president. Yet, there was more... which I may get around to telling someday.

Anyway, my hair had basically quit growing. It broke off or fell out as fast as it was coming in, and probably looked somewhat hideous. So, for the past few months I'd been bracing myself to get it cut/trimmed. I hoped that by trimming the ends it would stimulate more growth, or something like that. Jane suggested I go where she goes, because she likes the woman who cuts hers.

I felt a little funny making an appointment at a place called Pin-Up Curls. But, hey, who am I trying to impress. So, I filled out their online intake form - which took as long as the hair appointment did - and they assigned me to Kelsey, who also cuts Jane's hair.

Let me just say, when the day finally arrived, I was nervous as a cat. I got up early, I was scrambling around the house, watching the minutes tick by until it was time to go. I left too early and had to drive around the block. But... finally I arrived (still five minutes early).

The salon/spa/boutique looks just like you would expect a place with a name like that to look. Yet, I was greeted by three friendly smiles at the front counter. I didn't have to wait long for Kelsey to come get me. Of course she was super nice and cute, but also seemed pretty down to earth, which I liked.

We walked past a half dozen women (all women, except me) and got to her chair. At first we sat and talked... about my hair. I didn't really know what to say because... you know... it's just my 'old man' hair. I shampoo once or twice a week, comb it sometimes, and... what else is there to say? Still, she was funny and patient and... she wrote with her left hand. Okay, we had something in common!

She said a lot of stuff, most of which is now a blur, because I was nervous and tried to just smile and nod at the appropriate times. Finally she led me from the chair around the corner and said she was going to wash my hair. Cool! I don't think anyone has washed my hair for me since my mom did when I was like five years old.

Wow... I mean... wow. Yes, she washed my hair... But she massaged my head, and neck, and... then put a warm towel over my face and weighted things on my eyes, and... whew... 

As the conditioner was setting... she massaged my hands and arms... ... ... I was in love.

Holy cow, after she rinsed my hair she brought me back out to her chair and asked me how I felt. I didn't want to ask if she had a cigarette (because I don't smoke) but... yeah, I felt like I'd just had sex. Geez... I was almost numb. Jane says she told me all that was going to happen, but I'd either forgotten or didn't listen in the first place. Whichever, I was not expecting that... I hadn't felt that good in...

The rest is kind of a blur now. She cut 1 1/2 inches off my hair, put stuff on it, did stuff to it, then we were done. As we're walking back to the front she asked if I wanted to buy any of the product she used. I said 'sure.' She could have sold me snow in a snowstorm at that point.

I tipped $15 on a $20 haircut and bought every product she touched. I don’t even know what they were for. I just nodded like a man hypnotized by conditioner. It cost me like $120 altogether... (part of the tip was because I got $20 off as a new customer).

It wasn't until I walked out the door that I was startled back to reality. What the hell just happened, I asked myself. As I got to my car it dawned on me how much of an idiot I just was. I looked in the rearview mirror to make sure someone hadn't written "sucker" on my forehead. I suppose it wasn't necessary.

So that’s my story of the world’s most expensive haircut (at least for me).
But honestly, I’m glad I went. Kelsey was great (I learned, in addition to being left handed, she works out early, runs, has an older brother, and her dad has a cat named Cat. If I ever get another haircut, I hope it's from her). For a few minutes, I was completely present — paying attention, being astonished, and now, finally, telling about it.

Maybe that's all any of us can do.

Six things saturday (personal)

Yeah, yeah... another Friday come and gone. I know your life is not complete without... this. ;)

I don't have much, but a few tidbits from my week. It was actually a nice one.

1. LUNCH AT SWEETWATER

Once a month or so I have lunch with a group of older folks who were regulars at the Y where I used to work. Most of them are older than me, and not only do they all still work out there regularly, but they've even added a few to the group over time. Usually we have just over or under a dozen people show up (the whole group may be just over 20 now).

The last couple times we've gotten together have been at the Sweetwater food court. It's a fantastic place to have lunch and/or meetings (not to mention the largest online and physical music store in the country). This time, the couple who set up these lunches (who are a fantastic older couple who travel the world extensively and live life to the full) made sure it was on a date their friend was hosting a one-hour show during lunch time. I can't even remember her name now, but she was a student of theirs in high school, played on the volleyball team they coached, and is fairly well-known in the area (I know she plays in Hubie Ashcraft's band locally).

She had put together a band for a show she was supposed to be opening for a fairly well-known country artist in northern Indiana, but it was cancelled at the last minute (again, I can't remember who, but I was familiar with the name). So they played at Sweetwater instead. Twangy country is not really my thing, but these people were good! The fiddle player/singer used to play with Alabama, and the guitarist had played with the Charlie Daniels Band. The four-piece group were simply incredible musicians/performers. While not my style, it was an enjoyable show, and there was a really good crowd.

Anyway, as I sat with my friends gathered around a table for fourteen, it felt good to be part of this group of people. I sat by Tony and his wife Jane, who I am fond of. Tony actually coaches the boys high school volleyball team where my granddaughter goes to school.

2. HOLDING SPACE FOR PASTORS

Another day this week I met with our pastor. We had coffee, and I always think I keep him from doing more important things for far too long... but we always have good and heartfelt discussions. This time seemed a little more special. He is in the midst of some difficult family health issues, so I wanted to focus just on him.

I don't know how good I am at listening - I suppose it varies from time to time - but as he shared his heart and soul... I felt like I was exactly where I should be right now. I haven't felt that for quite some time. I don't want to say too much, but it really made me wish I could do this more, for more pastors. Maybe being a pastor isn't my thing anymore, but... maybe this is even more important. I don't know. It made me want to read Richard Rohr's book 'Falling Upward' again...

3. CONCERT SET-UP

Later that same day I set up for an upcoming show at the Baker Street Centre where I/we volunteer. Usually it's me and another guy, plus the hall manager who tells us how it needs to be. This day it was just me.

For the last show we used every table we have. Maybe 40 or so tables of various sizes (and they're the old metal/wood type), and around 400 chairs. For the next show, we aren't using ANY tables. So I had to move all of them out; by myself. It was a chore, but I like doing it. It makes me feel needed. I also re-positioned around 170 or so chairs.

There were several ladies who showed up who are putting on the upcoming event, and it made it a little more challenging to know who to listen to, but I - even I - am learning to keep my mouth shut and smile politely. There was also another band leader who showed up, and some vendors. I kind of like being on the 'underside' of things. It took around two hours, and I felt good (oh yeah, and I unloaded a new alcohol shipment by myself).

4. RUNNING AGAIN

I took three weeks off from running after the last half marathon. I can't even remember why now. Anyway, I used our Assault bike in the basement a couple times a week, rode my bike outside now and then, and took walks only occasionally. I also started lifting weights a couple days a week again (egym).

This week I ran three days, for a few slow miles each time. I actually feel pretty good. It's nice to be free of aches and pains. I'd had some minor plantar fasciitis in my right foot, and my left achilles would sometimes act up... but both feel much better.

It's funny, sometimes when I return to running after a break, it's like I've completely forgotten how to run. But this time, I almost feel like my form is better than it was before. I'm running straighter up and down, and my hips and core feel stronger. Although, I'm thinking I need to work on leg/core strength to keep from wearing down as I begin to add miles. 

I'd like to do a half marathon trail run in December again, so we'll see how it goes. Then, towards the end of the year, I plan to start marathon training back up.

5. FALL FEELINGS

The weather has begun to change, and the temperature drop. It was 33F when we got up this morning, and we finally decided it was ridiculous to not turn on the furnace. It was down to 60F inside. I don't know why I always want to wait as long as possible.

Anyway, Fall is my favorite season. Some people don't like that it seems like everything is dying. I, on the other hand, like to think of it as everything is taking a rest... renewing. Plus I like the clean look of barren fields and empty trees. It's pleasingly serene.

Wearing a light jacket, sweatshirts and/or flannel... that's the best, as far as I'm concerned. 

6. A QUOTE

"They tried to bury us. They didn't know we were seeds." - Mexican proverb

 

So, there you go. Just a little reminisce and peak into my world as I get ready to turn the page on another year. This week felt good. Thanks for listening. 

No kings 2

We participated in the second 'No Kings' protest this past Saturday. I kind of thought this was at least the third one in Fort Wayne, but apparently it's the second nationally(?). Either way, this was our second (both in FW).

Some random thoughts:

• The first one we attended had an estimated crowd of 5,000 locally; this one was estimated at 8,000. I have no idea how they do this, because there were people coming and going throughout the 2-5PM time, but I'm sure someone has it figured out. This one definitely seemed larger though.
• The first one actually seemed louder. We could hear the noise as soon as we parked our car, and we were 4-5 blocks away. However, I suppose we were more used to it for this one.
• It was weird, because there was a 'Zombie Walk' in the same general area. As we were walking to the courthouse (site of the protest), we saw all these people walking down the streets. Apparently lots were there for the Zombie Walk too. Kind of funny seeing people who did both. :)
• We saw several people we knew, most of them from our church.
• Almost everyone seemed genuinely happy. Lots of smiles, people chatting. I suppose, for most people (us included), it's just nice to know we're not alone. There's a comradery. 
• The first one had a small stage and several people spoke; this one just had a dj playing music. I was glad they made that change. Less organized seemed better.
• Lots of signs. Some were pretty funny, most were fairly serious. We did not have a sign at either one.
• I am no more a fan of the "F*ck Trump" signs than I was of the "F*ck Biden" signs. Just... why? Why do people need to do that?
• Personally, I did not feel this was an anti-Trump rally, and definitely not an anti-America rally (there were a lot of flags, veterans, and other pro-America people there). In fact, I don't even consider it being about republican vs. democrat, or right vs. left. It's more simply: wrong vs. right. But maybe that's just me. I'd like to think people could peacefully protest anything the government is doing that is wrong. Which is not the same thing as being anti-government in general.
• One of my favorite things is watching the cars drive by. I think it's a one-way four-lane road... and lots of people were honking and hanging out windows. That usually got the crowd stirred up. Of course there were a few trump supporters flipping people off. Whatever. 
• I did not see any protestors protesting the No Kings protestors. There was one big pickup truck with trump flags (go figure) driving around, but... so what. 
• As to whether it did any good: I don't know, but it made me feel good, so... I think that should count for something. 
• All in all, I feel like this is one of the more patriotic things I have done. We participated in an event speaking out against government injustice, and there seemed to be a shared spirit of unity among everyone there - young and old alike. I was glad to be a part of it.

Meh, so there's some thoughts off the top of my head on this chilly Tuesday morning...

Trip to buda (kt & jj)

We made another quick trip to Illinois this past weekend. We headed there on Thursday when Jane got off work, and came back Saturday morning.

We went on Thursday because this was a trip mostly to see friends. My mom wasn't even there when we got there - though she did get back home Friday afternoon.

Thursday night we went out to K & Ts for supper. They are bible translators by occupation, having completed work in southeast Asia, not only on translating the bible into their language, but they first had to create a written language for them. It took about 30 years in all. They are dear friends, who are actually largely responsible for us being where we are. When we lived in Buda they asked if they could have a Bible Study in our home. I'd never done such a thing, but we did, and when they moved away, we kept it going with other people.

One of those people ended up being the other dear friends we visited on Friday. J & J now reside in Ireland (where she is originally from), and they have worked for the same organization as K & T, only in support/administrative roles. We met them at a coffee shop on Friday, and had a very nice visit with all the above.

The funny thing is, even though we rarely see these friends (especially J & J), when we do see them, we're able to pick right up where we left off. We just fall right back into friendship like we never skipped a beat. Funny how that happens with some people.

Otherwise... it was the same old thing. Jane went over to visit with her brother that's in a wheelchair and cook him some real food. I dinked around at my mom's house. We left early Saturday morning so we could make it back to the Fort for the No Kings protest Saturday afternoon.

Traffic was fairly decent both ways, taking about 4 1/2 hours each.

For crying out loud

Why is it so embarrassing to cry out loud (in front of others)?

I'm not entirely sure why I've been so emotional lately. My eyes will well up at the simplest of things, and, sometimes for no apparent reason at all. It feels weird, but... not in a bad way. It seems to me it's a good thing...

I suppose some of it has to do with my recent interest in David Foster Wallace. I am not at all comparing myself to him, but I somehow feel like I "get" some of the things he talked/wrote about.

The other night we watched 'The End of the Tour,' the 2015 movie starring Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg. It's based on David Lipsky's 2010 memoir 'Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself,' which is about a five-day road trip he had with Wallace.

Anyway, I was holding back tears (not so well) before we even hit play. I loved the movie.

Then we listened to Wallace's 'This Is Water' commencement address from 2005 (Youtube; transcript). I've heard it at least a dozen times. Same thing. 

Then... It seems one of the times I am most emotional is during certain songs at church. I just can't sing. It would get ugly.

And I wonder how many people around me are feeling the exact same thing... and what would happen if we all just stopped trying to hide it?

Reading Tim Ferriss' accounts of his struggles got me again last night (Some Practical Thoughts on Suicide, and My Healing Journey After Childhood Abuse)...

And, again, sometimes it just happens... whenever, for no apparent reason (like right now).

Anyway, there's no real point here. Other than... you know... maybe as a simple act of resistance. Like, the fuckers aren't going to harden my heart!!!

Maybe the world needs more tears right now...

You know? 

I dunno.

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 (RSV)

Five things friday (fall is for falling)

If you wondered how my 'simple acts of resistance' are going... Just shut up! ;)

Meh, life goes on - at least for many of us - hopefully yours is...

You know, there are sooooo many things going on... it's almost too much. Here are five on my mind:

1. THE PEACE PRICE

Personally, I find it hilarious that djt was begging for the Nobel Peace Prize. Isn't it ironic it went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for "her pro-democracy work"? I honestly don't know a thing about her, but pro-democracy work doesn't seem to be happening in Washington DC at this time. Anyway...

2.  FACEBOOK SETTLEMENT FUNDS

Did you sign up to be part of the Facebook Consumer Privacy Settlement? I vaguely remember doing so... some time ago (I think I just responded to an email or something). I didn't think much of it... until one day I was notified I would receive $36.93. Cool! I took mine on a digital debit card, and instead of using it on a Caribbean vacation, I bought some stuff off Amazon (please forgive me for using that devil store). It worked! Who knew? 

I think a number of people were hesitant/worried it might be some kind of scam. Heck, if there's a way to stick it to Facebook... I'm going to! Even if it's just $30!

3. AI HAS NO MORE CHARACTER THAN HUMANS

From Zain Kahn's Superhuman newsletter:

AI’s quest for attention may be more dangerous than we thought. Stanford researchers Batu El and James Zou found that when large language models are trained to compete to sell, persuade, or capture clicks, they can start distorting reality — even under explicit instructions to stay truthful.

The more AI tried to win, the more it lied. The Stanford study found that in simulations across advertising, politics, and social media, small gains came with big costs. A 6.3% sales boost produced 14% more deceptive marketing. Election gains of 4.9% coincided with 22.3% more disinformation and 12.5% more populist messaging. Social media fared worst with 7.5% higher engagement that came with a staggering 188.6% spike in false content and a 16% rise in harmful behavior promotion. Researchers call this “Moloch’s Bargain.” Named after the mythological god who demanded human sacrifice, it captures how AI systems sacrifice accuracy and safety to survive in competitive environments. This isn’t about malicious intent: models rewarded for engagement naturally exploit human psychology, replicating the manipulative loops already embedded in social platforms. The truth ain’t enough. The study exposes a systemic flaw in current AI safety. Even the most well-intentioned models will deceive if success is measured by influence, not truth. If we don’t fundamentally rethink how we train, incentivize, and align AI models to resist market-driven pressures, deceptive behavior may shift from an edge case to a systemic outcome.

Yeah, as for that last sentence, I see little chance us humans will do anything about it, since we seem to be no better...

4. RANDOM FACTOIDS

I saw some of these elsewhere too, but Mike Woodruff covered them all in his Friday Update this week, so I cherry picked a few from there:

• The price of coffee is up 22% this year, the greatest spike of any government-tracked food item.
• 28.5% of Gen Z women identify as bi-sexual. 
• The percentage of Americans with a passport climbed from 5% in 1990 to 48% in 2023.
• 97% of the political posts made on X are made by 10% of the people.
• The wealthiest 10% of Americans own 93% of all US Stocks.
• 1% of musicians account for 90% of streams.
•  100 companies generate 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

5. A QUOTE/PRAYER

Richard Beck shares a nice reflection on Psalm 123, which seems relevant to our politically over-pumped culture. Verses 3-4 make a nice prayer:

Show us favor, Lord, show us favor,

for we've had more than enough contempt.

We've had more than enough

scorn from the arrogant

and contempt from the proud.

And... like I said... I collected too many things this week. Perhaps it's best they're just filed away... forgotten. More important are birthdays (two grandkids have them this week), last volleyball & football games of the season (for the other two grandkids), books to read, concerts to set up for and bartend, church, and... It's actually looking like a fine fall day outside. Let's do that!

These are my totally inefficient, hand-crafted, algorithm-free thoughts (other than the ones I borrowed).

Thanks for reading. :)

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 (RSV)

Simple acts of resistance

The other day I was thinking of adding this line to my blog (and other writings):

"These are my totally inefficient, hand-crafted, algorithm-free thoughts. Thanks for reading." 

I don't know that it matters... Well, in fact, I DO know that it doesn't really matter - given how few people ever see them... But maybe it's one of those simple things I need to do for myself; so I know.

Anyway, as I forced myself to go on a walk this morning (when I didn't really want to), I began by asking God, "What in the hell am I doing here? What do you want me to do/see/hear? And... if there's anything else you wanna say... please, be my guest." 

As per usual, God was pretty silent. I often wonder if maybe he stays in bed, instead of going on walks with me! I don't like letting myself think those thoughts but, you know... sometimes...

Well, eventually, my mind began wandering/wondering about how to resist all the evil forces at work in our world today. You know, what can *I* do... little ol' me, on this little ol' blog... in this little ol' corner of the world wide web? 

I was thinking of just some simple things like: going "psst" at every cat I see; smiling and waiving at little kids; reading through the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 every day; I've been trying to do at least 10 pushups every day (geez, are pushups stupid or what?); and... I don't know... just stuff like that. Stuff to keep me from going insane...

Although, that made me think: What exactly am I resisting? I mean, there are the big things like fascism, fundamentalism, fanaticism... but I'm going to run out of "F"-words eventually. What about simple acts of resistance to:

• the physical effects of old age
• becoming a curmudgeon attitudinally
• senility
• the addictive pull of our capitalist pursuits as a country/world
• marketing strategies
• social media algorithms
• the evils of money and the want for more
• keeping up with the Jones's
• the idea that I need to be "more," "better," "other"
• and so on and so forth...

I actually had a whole list in my head at one time, and it sounded better than this one...

So... that's where I'm at. Trying to think of little shit to do to keep from being sucked in by Big Brother, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Big Insurance, Big Government, and Donnie's big ol' bag of lies.

However, I suppose maybe this is a good time to read through the fruit of the Spirit...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law."

- Galatians 5:22-23 (RSV) 

There ya have it. These are my totally inefficient, hand-crafted, algorithm-free thoughts. Thanks for reading.

Trip to minnesota

There was really only one thing I wanted to do (other than spending time with the humans we were visiting). We didn't do it.

We took a quick trip to St. Paul this past weekend. Flew up on Friday morning and back on Sunday night. It was the usual laid-back, event-free, relaxing time we normally enjoy. Along with cuddles and giggles from the youngest grandchild!

I wondered how flying might be, what with the government shutdown and TSA agents working without pay. That part was fine. Unfortunately, our plane for the trip there had mechanical issues, so instead of leaving Fort Wayne at 7:10AM, it was more like 3PM. The trip home, through the Minneapolis airport, was a piece of cake. 

While there, we mostly just hung out at their house, and did things around Wynn's naps.

Friday night we walked down the street to a restaurant/bar called Shamrocks for supper. 

Saturday we went downtown St. Paul and visited some kind of musical instrument museum - where you can actually play the instruments! We also had lunch at a little place downtown, then went back to their house for the afternoon nap. Saturday night we ordered Thai food for supper and Isaac walked down and picked it up.

Sunday we walked down to this neat place for breakfast. It is called Brake Bread, and you order at a window, then they have an old bus you can eat on, or there are picnic tables set about. It was cool. After that we were going to go to some sort of vintage-fest thing, but realized it had actually been on Saturday. The one thing I wanted to do was go see the finish-line area of the Twin Cities Marathon, but no one else seemed too interested, plus it was spitting rain off and on. Instead we met Ricci's mom at a vintage store somewhere north of Minneapolis.

That was about it. We took an Uber from the airport to their house ($30) on Friday because Wynn was sleeping and Isaac was home alone with him. Isaac dropped us off at the airport on Sunday around 5:30PM. There's a little place in terminal A where we like to get tots and a glass of wine before boarding. Interestingly enough, we actually saw a couple we used to know from Applebees here in Fort Wayne at the restaurant, and they were on our flight!

So, while I didn't get to run or spectate the marathon (I'd looked into running the half, but it was sold out several weeks before), we still had fun! 

And, one perk we usually splurge for on these flights is the Comfort+ seats. Not quite first class, but... classy enough for us! :)

Five things friday (tech tock)

Hey there, friend. I'm glad you stopped by, but...

Let me say here: I'm not sure what's going on. I noticed a huge jump in visits to this site the other day and... I'm pretty sure it's not because I've been discovered as the next big blogger! Most of hits are from other countries, just scrolling through post after post after post... and I'm not sure why.

My fear is this little blog is about to be invaded by something or someone, and I've no idea what that might mean. Or, I'm just being paranoid. Either way, I wanted to let you know in advance... in case we wake up someday and this everyday stuff has been raptured (or spammed).

Anyway, while we wait, here are five things for your Friday fun!

1. TECH TIGHTWAD

Did you know Elon Musk become the first person ever to reach $500 BILLION in net worth this week (via)? Holy cow! Just think of all the good things a person could do with that kind of money? Or, as the meme goes...

"He's the richest person in history. Isn't it weird there are no Elon Musk hospital wings. No Musk libraries. No Musk schools. Are there any philanthropic causes that have Elon Musk's name on them? Has he ever helped another human being?" 

I mean, sure, it's his money... but isn't it just kind of sad? I think so.

2. TECH NECK

File this under "what the what?" Have you ever wanted to record your conversations and have them transcribed into a searchable personal journal? No? Me neither. But if you have... you're in luck! Taya is marketed as "intelligent jewelry." Yeah... sounds more like a convenient way to eavesdrop, spy, or be a weirdo...

It's craziness, I tell ya. Elegant, perhaps. But craziness nonetheless.

3. TECH SLOP

Maybe our only hope is this new word making the rounds in American workplaces — “Workslop” refers to content that “masquerades as good work” but is incomplete, confusing, or missing key context. The real damage happens when the subpar work gets passed along to teammates, forcing them to clean up the mess." This could explain why 95% of organizations see no return on their AI investments — AI tools might create more work instead of eliminating it.  (via superhuman.ai)

4. TECH TEARS

No, I'm not shedding any for tech. But I did start a new book this week: 'The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for An Age of Outrage' by Fr. Richard Rohr. As with any book I read, I started with the front cover, then the back, the inside flaps, the pages before the chapter titles, and introduction. That's as far as I've gotten, so now all that's left is the content. I'm looking forward to it. Because "how to live compassionately in a time of violence and despair" is something I need help with. :)

5. (NON) TECH QUOTE

"Any roadtripping family will tell you the map is important, but the way you travel marks the difference between a vacation and a week of hell." - Winn Collier, via this excellent post on the Way of Jesus

Okey, doke. That's all I've got for today...

Btw, I have no idea how this turned into a tech talk (of sorts). Life is strange like that, in't it?

Peace out; and in

David foster wallace & new sincerity

Alright, so I've been digging on David Foster Wallace a bit... 

We were both born in 1962, grew up in central Illinois, struggled with depression & alcohol, and we have a few other similarities...

Anyhew, I've heard his name tossed around over the years, and listened to this famous commencement speech from 2005, This Is Water, a number of times (it is well worth 20 minutes. Listen to it!).

I included part of an interview with him in this post from August - where he discusses the dangers of the internet ...in 1996! 

And along comes a couple posts from The Honest Broker:

• David Foster Wallace Tried to Warn Us About these Eight Things
• Where to Start in Reading David Foster Wallace

 That's what sent me down this road...

Then there's the fact DFW was raised by atheist parents, yet still sought to join the Catholic church (though he twice flunked the entry requirements), and eventually became part of a Mennonite community...

And that he committed suicide at age 46...

What really caught my eye, though... I read the list of 'literary movements' he was a part of... Postmodern literature, post-postmodernism, Metamodernism, neoliberalism, and... NEW SINCERITY!

Just the combination of those two words: New Sincerity. Doesn't that strike a chord with you?!?

Like, YES... this is something we need!!! This is something worth fighting for!!! This is... possibly... the antidote to... (I can't really bring myself to say it, because... I know... but...)

I'm not entirely sure I understand the concept just yet, but I asked ChatGPT to explain it to me like I'm a 6th grader in 100 words or less, and this is what it said:

"New Sincerity is a way of thinking and creating where people show real feelings instead of being sarcastic or trying to look 'cool.' It started because some people got tired of always joking or pretending not to care. Instead, they wanted to be honest, kind, and open -- even if that means being a little awkward or vulnerable. In books, movies, or music, New Sincerity means being true to yourself and caring about things, without making fun of them. It reminds us that it's okay to feel deeply and to say what we really mean."

Gawd, isn't that beautiful?!?!?! Yes, yes, and yes!!! I know I sound like the pot with a kettle, but THAT'S HOW I WANT TO BE!!! 

...and that's how I wish the world was...

So, 'scuse me while I wander down this drift. I'm going to start by reading 'Something To Do With Paying Attention,' and we'll see where it goes. 

And, I know... sometimes I get excited about things and then... nothing happens. 

So, sue me. ;)

Emails

I like email. It was a wonderful invention. I can still remember - maybe in the mid-late 1980s - when some friends of ours who were living overseas first suggested we get it. I believe we'd just gotten our first computer. I'm not sure I'd even used it yet. I had no idea what they were talking about. Now...

I spent this morning organizing and deleting my personal email "collection." Compared to most people - especially working people - I probably get very few emails. Most of them are newsletters I've signed up for, or substacks, or some such thing. So, they're almost all things I want to read. Sometimes it just gets too much though. 

I don't like having more than 100 in my inbox... that's where I keep the most important stuff I either need to remember or want to read (there are currently 89, of which 26 are unread). Therefore I have a lot of folders. Sometimes, if the title is catchy, I may just delete some emails. Other times I'll stick them in their appropriate folder.

Anyway, I thought it would be a nice exercise in posterity to make a list of the regular emails I receive:

1440 (news)

Backstory Preaching

Baker Street Centre (concert info and whatnot, from the place we volunteer)

Canvas Community

CGGC

Chi Living

Christopher Smith (Englewood Review of Books, The Conversation Life)

Chuck DeGroat

Coach Approach Ministries

Darious Foreox

David Fitch

Don Kern (Grand Rapids Marathon)

Gravity Commons (as well as Ben Sternke & Matt Tebbe's personal substacks)

James Clear

Josh Spector

Mike Woodruff (the friday update)

Renovaré

Richard Beck

Scot McKnight

Superhuman (ai)

Ted Gioia (the honest broker)

The Neuron (ai)

The Pour Over (news)

Tim Ferriss

Various health things, a few running communities, and some I'm forgetting...

 

So, there ya have it. These are the emails I'm currently receiving and reading

The fall festival half marathon

There’s one Saturday every fall when Fort Wayne feels a little closer to heaven: the annual Fort4Fitness Fall Festival 4-mile, 10k, and half marathon! This was our 14th consecutive year participating. Jane did the 4-mile, and I ran the half marathon. 

This event is special to us for a variety of reasons. This is where I ran my first-ever half marathon, in 2012, and that's what got me hooked on running!! That year I believe there were around 10,000 total participants, and it really did create quite the community-wide buzz. The field has shrunk over the years—just over 3,000 runners this time—but it still feels huge, and it’s ours! This is where we live, and this is the vibe we love!!

Personally, I felt like this year was a little funner than some recent years had been. I mean, I think ALL running events have been down since 2020 (covid). For me, though, this is also the first year in awhile I wasn't merely using this as part of a training run for a marathon. The past several I've either run some before, after, or both while also doing the half marathon. It seemed to coincide with my 18-20 mile run, which would be done at a much slower pace. So it simply lacked some of the usual excitement. This year I only ran the spring marathon, so I could enjoy this half for what it was! It made it much more enjoyable.

Statistically, I ran it in 2:09:35, for a 9:54/mile pace, and finished 470th out of 940 (exactly in the middle of the pack - I should get a prize for that!). I was 8th out of 22 in the 60-64 age group, and the 326th male. My watch said I ran 13.17 miles in 2:09:36 for a 9:51 pace (pretty darn close). Some other random stats from Garmin:

• Ave. heart rate was 152/ max of 175
• Ave. cadence - 166
• Ave. speed 6.1 mph, with max of 6.8
• Slowest mile - 10:18 (I walked for a bit, and there's a story, haha)
• Fastest mile - 9:30 (last one)
• 3 miles were over 10 min./ 10 were under 10 min.

I do have to say... Even though I'd already run a number of half marathons this year, this one kinda took a lot out of me! Earlier this summer I was thinking I'd like to do another one in under 2 hours. After the last half I did (September?) I developed a bit of plantar fasciitis in my right foot... but I was still hoping for something less than my normal 10-min./mile pace. So I went just a tad faster than usual, it was also hotter than I expected, and even though I didn't kill myself... I had to work for it a little bit. In the end, I was happy with a 2:09. I know I can go faster, but this way I could enjoy the traditional post-race beer with my love, and the next day I was no worse for wear!

An added bonus this year was Pinhouse Social at The Fairfield of Fort Wayne hosted an after-party, and they allowed us to park there for the entire event! It made for convenient parking before and after, and a nice place to eat lunch and celebrate with other runners (plus get a free drink)! 

The only real complaint I heard this year was - just like every year - the number of walkers in the shorter races who made it difficult for runners to get through. This was the first year they had the half start at 8am and the 4-mile and 10k both started at 8:30. With everyone finishing on the same route at the stadium it did create a bit of a bottleneck at times. I'm sure there is a way to alleviate that. Although, us half marathoners do need to remember it's not all about us. The walkers are making strides of their own - literally! The point is that we all encourage one another to be active, and I think we can (right??). :) 

All in all, this is kind of a pinnacle point for me every year. Sure, I plan to do one or two more half marathons this year, but this is the BIG EVENT. The post-race letdown will fade soon enough. For now, I will enjoy the fact that the tradition continues... and wait for next year!!!

Five things friday

Rest assured, my friend... I made it through the week. I hope you did too!

There was no long run today, so I'm at it a little earlier than usual. Plus we're working a concert tonight (Coco Montoya), I have a grocery run, and picking up our race packets for tomorrow, so... 

Here are five-ish things on my mind:

1. EXTREME BRAINSTORMING

I love these Extreme Brainstorming Questions to Trigger New, Better Ideas, from asmartbear.com (ht to Tim Ferriss).  

The prompts are designed for businesses, intended to jostle teams out of what can often be very tiny thinking (but I think they can be used elsewhere too). The idea is to think of something "so extreme it's nearly nonsense." Yet, as they say...

Sometimes the extreme is surprisingly appropriate. Unique business models emerge when at least one dimension is so extreme that it defies critics and competitors to even conceive of its possibility. A fantastic idea fulfilling the right extreme can be a company’s entire strategy...

For instance: Zappos' free shoe returns, Amazon's free delivery with Prime, Netflix's mail-order DVD rental, AirBnB, Uber, etc. People initially thought these were totally impossible!

Just a few they suggest:

• What if you were forced to increase prices 10x, what would you do to justify it?
• What if you had to deliver, or make a decision, in half the time you have?
• What if you were forced to charge your customers in a completely different manner (flipped business mode)?
• What if you could no longer have meetings?
• What if you could change anything, regardless of what anyone thinks or feels?

Those are just a few... but you should check the above link if you're needing a stretch. Some great ideas!

2. STRATEGIES TO DISRUPT STUPID DISCOURSE

Matt Tebbe shares a list of 9 Strategies to Disrupt Unhelpful Social Media Discourse. If you're given to still trying to discuss things on social media, you should check them out. However, it doesn't have to be limited to social media. Matt says these are, "Some strategies/phrases i find helpful when dealing with people who 'want dialogue' or are 'interested in conversation' when it seems to me that their engagement isn't in good faith." You know you know what he's talking about. ;)

Here are just a few:

• "I don't believe you." (simple, straight-forward, and often the case)
• "I've given all the time I have today for this conversation." (probably should be the case)
•  "What kind of evidence would you need to change your mind? Be specific please."

He gives explanations for each of these in his post. I found it helpful for me. Check it out!

3. "THOSE WHO HATE PEACE"

Another way of dealing with the above is suggested by Richard Beck in this commentary on Psalm 120. It's a super short read, and it was just what I needed last week. He references verse Psalm 120:6 in particular: "I have dwelt too long with those who hate peace" (CSB). 

In the midst of the mess this world is becoming, he offers this in his closing paragraph:

"More and more, I feel that my work concerns virtue. The fruit of the Spirit in my own life. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I find it difficult to know what to think or do about the state of the world. Courses of action seem murky to me. But I do know the sort of person I'm called to become. And as I look toward that horizon, I see a long road ahead of me and a great deal of work to be done. The long obedience. And maybe that's the gift you’re supposed to offer the times you are living in. To show up sane, wise, humble, and kind."

Personally, I find that refreshing; but at the same time, I'm not sure how it meshes with my more prophetic calling of speaking out against injustice and untruth. I probably don't do either very well... but it's not because I don't want to...

4. RANDOM THOUGHTS O' MINE

Not that I'm real great at this... but a few things I've been doing (to try to keep my wits about me):

• I've severely limited social media (IG/FB). I'll take occasional glances, but scrolling is not good for me.
  
• I read the news less and less. If it's a bad day - not at all. When I do read the news, it's mostly the 1440 Daily Digest. 
• I do... Read books. Right now I'm going through Andy Squyres's collection of essays in 'Poet Priest, vol. III'.
• Listen to music. I rarely, if ever, listen to music at home. I've started forcing myself to at least listen to one song a day (or an album). I think it's making me more emotionally soft (which I think is a good thing).
• Write in a journal. Just one page of... whatever is on my mind. And I write it in cursive. I don't know, just something about pen on paper...
  
• Read the Grand Rapids Marathon weekly newsletter (the link to subscribe is at the bottom of their page). The guy who writes it (Don) is one of the best motivators I know of. This is a 'can't miss' read for me each week!
• Understand that DJT, Stephen Miller, RFKJ, and the like are idiot anti-christ elitist rich folk... and times have actually been worse (you'd think we would learn but... nope). 
• I've been practicing this advice from James Clear: "A gift you can give yourself: Stop what you're doing. Close  your eyes. For the next 60 seconds, just breathe." I also force a smile during that time. :)

5. A QUOTE

"You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it." - Paul Coelho

And... there ya have it! It's Friday, it's Fall, and... I'm running a half marathon at the Fort4Fitness Fall Festival tomorrow! This will be our fourteenth year in a row (I think). One of my favorite days in the Fort. That's a lot of f-words, and all of them perfectly... fine! 

Go have fun!

Five things friday (f*cked)

I wasn't going to write today. What's the point? I mean... what is the point? The whole world is crazy...

Yet, I already had most of this written, and while on my 12-mile run this morning... I was reminded of something...

So, in these bat-shit crazy times... here are five things:

1. REMEMBER WHEN

Remember earlier this year - just before trump was to begin his second term - and Facebook/Instagram/Threads took the step of no longer fact-checking? Do you suppose that plays into anything going on in the world, or at least USA, right now? (Not to mention that Tiktok ban that was supposed to take place).

Personally, I've been trying to severely limit even looking at any of them (actually, I'm not on Threads; rarely even look at Insta; so mostly it's just ever-briefer glimpses of FB). 

Yet, when I do look at it, so much of it isn't even true! It can be anything from sports, to politics, to... basically everything the current fascist administration says!

I think it's all connected; and all designed to create further and further divide among us. I've been thinking this for awhile, and I think it more and more. So why aren't Zuckerberg and all the other 'tech bros' held accountable for what they're doing to the world??

2. ANTIFA VS. FASCISM

Ironically, I posted this on FB yesterday - in light of the president calling for antifa to be declared a terrorist organization:

From Google's AI Overview:

"Antifa is a portmanteau, or shortened form, of the term "anti-fascist"...

Key Aspects of Antifa:

"At its core, antifa is about opposing fascism, racism, and authoritarianism."

FYI: Fascism (according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary) = "a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition."

 

I mean, antifa isn't an organization, so you can't really ban such a thing. But it will be interesting to see if they try to name certain acts or demonstrations as part of "antifa" in order to justify the use of force.

 

As the meme says, though, "World War II veterans are Antifa because they fought fascism." 

 

Who'd have ever thought there would be people in this country supporting a fascist regime? I suppose the people of Italy and Germany can understand...

 

3. THINGS ARE DIFFERENT

 

I read THIS POST from Kristin Du Mez with sadness the other day. She drew largely from THIS PIECE by Jeffrey C. Isaac. Change is happening. The world is not the same as it once was. People are afraid.

 

What really stood out to me was this blurb by Kristin:

“…it is crucial that all of us find ways to tell the truth—to others, and to ourselves. To be as courageous as we can. To remind ourselves who we are, and what we value. Because another thing that history teaches us is that entire populations can forget these things with alarming speed, given the right circumstances.”

We need this. We need the truth! Even if no one else speaks it, we need to speak it to ourselves.

 

4. HOLD ME, JESUS

 

This is what I was reminded of on my run...

"Let people see your struggles, and don't ever fake it." -Rich Mullins

He died in a car crash twenty eight years ago today. His words and music impacted me in a powerful way. Still do. He spoke in a way I'd like to think Jesus spoke. 

 

As I think about this in light of those worshiping trump today and thinking Charlie Kirk was some kind of martyr and... It seems so hopeless.

 

I just don't understand how almost every scholar, theologian, pastor, and thinker I know and know of... can be wrong about trump, christian nationalism, and the selling out of the church...

 

While taking a shower after my run... I just completely broke down, bawling like a baby. I don't understand...

 

I'm glad Rich is no longer alive. I don't know if he could take it. In fact, I doubt he'd have anything at all to do with what people are trying to pass off as "christianity" these days. Although... who knows.

 

Anyway...

 

I never could listen to this song without crying. It's even worse now:

 

Well, sometimes my life just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small

 

So hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't you be my Prince of Peace?

 

And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart

 

So hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't you be my Prince of Peace?

 

Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what you give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees

 

And this Salvation Army band is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin

 

I'm singing hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't you be my Prince of Peace?

 

5. A QUOTE/POEM

What if the conflict was never

real but carefully planted?

 

Triangulation is a tactic to

turn you against people who

were never your enemy,

because division keeps you

easier to control while the

truth gets buried under

manufactured chaos.

     

                    - Robert Wilkinson

Oof. Sorry. That's all I've got...