Senses working overtime #517

1 Second to last week of term feeling

Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

2 Reading: The Sea, The Sea - Iris Murdoch

3 Watching: Jack Irish (Netflix)

We're currently watching season 2 (of 3).

4 Reading: Courage is Calling - Ryan Holiday

5 Listening: WTWMC - Aussie Battlers

One week to go for this list.

Overtime: James Clear

"Although losing is never fun, there is a certain satisfaction that can be found on the other side of losing — but only when you give your all. To lose with half effort offers no pleasure in the moment and no peace in the long run. But if your ambitions were full and your attempt was genuine, after the sting of losing wears off you'll be left with something resembling contentment. The reward is not always in winning, but in striving."

Senses working overtime #513

1 The feeling this week:

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

2 Watching: Karen Pirie

3 Listening: Al Stewart - Past Present and Future  (1973)

A recent purchase from Real Groovy's sale bins. Mint condition for $6. Bargain!

According to Al, "My first four albums have been, for me, an apprenticeship. The new album.....is my thesis".

4 Reading: Ryan Holiday - Discipline Is Destiny

Also got this from Time Out Books in Mt Eden (a great bookstore - GK's favourite)

5 Compiling: WTWMC - Aussie Battlers

Yes, the amigos are at it again, this time watch in real time as we compile 90 songs by Aussie battlers (a.k.a. our colonial cousins across the ditch)

Overtime: Balance

Social media consultant Charles Miller on balance:

"Spend a handful of hours a day going fast. Crush a gym session. Do deep work on a project you care about. Spend the rest of the day going slow. Take walks. Read books. Get a long dinner with friends. Either way, avoid the anxious middle where you never truly relax or truly move forward."

Senses working overtime #495

1 Fund raiser for men;s mental health: Movember

Photo by Disney . on Unsplash

First week of the Movember fund raiser for men's mental health is ahead. You can support me and this cause during Movember, via this link.

2 Reading: The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday

3 Reading: The Bookshop - Penelope Fitzgerald

4 Listening: WTWMC - Beasties

We've now completed this playlist - 105 awesome songs. Do try it.

5 Listening: Jan & Dean - Drag City

Try Surfin' Hearse for a laugh.

Overtime: Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell - Bob Dylan

While reading The Obstacle is the Way, Ryan cites the 'Hurricane' Carter story superbly (Carter was falsely imprisoned, but retained his dignity and power of choice while in prison for 19 years) and Dylan's perfect phrase came to mind.

Senses working overtime #489

 1 Quote of the week

Nature is merciful, and does not try her children, man or beast, beyond their compass. It is only when the cruelty of man intervenes that hellish torments appear. For the rest - live dangerously; take things as they are; dread naught; all will be well.

Winston Churchill


2 Reading: Dr. Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection

3 Watching: The Rookie (season 1)

4 Reading: Anne Tyler's Morgan's Passing

5 Listening: WTWMC - Beasties

First week is done and dusted.  

Overtime: 

None of us own anything. Everything is constantly in flux. What we have today may be gone tomorrow—we ourselves may be gone tomorrow. Understand that. Appreciate everything accordingly. Be grateful and humble...or life will rebuke you.

Ryan Holiday

Senses working overtime #488

1 Feeling this week

2 Listening: WTWMC - Motorvatin'

The three amigos have completed their travels and returned home (next up is an animal centric playlist, as in critters/beasties). Final Motorvatin' playlist has 105 carefully selected songs for your listening pleasure.

3 Reading: Right Thing Right Now

It's so good! Ryan Holiday's book deserves another plug on JFTT.

4 Watching: The Good Cop

Jacky isn't feeling it but I'm enjoying its quirkiness. Tony Danza is an acquired taste though - I get that.

5 Listening: Hard-Fi

Love their first two albums. Takes me back to living in the UK in the mid naughties.

Overtime: R.I.P.

Sérgio Mendes

Herbie Flowers

Doug Hood

Senses working overtime #487

1 Spring is in the air at Maple Grove

2 Reading: Right Thing, Right Now - Ryan Holiday

3 Listening: Garden Fresh - John Hanlon

John Hanlon is one of my favourite NZ artists. This was his break through album in NZ (1974) and still sounds pretty great to me.

4 Reading: George Orwell on Charles Dickens (Selected Essays)

Still reading through this collection of essays. I'm up to this one on Charles Dickens from 1940. First sentence:

Dickens is one of those writers who are well worth stealing.

5 Listening: Austin Kleon's Playlist

Austin created and shared his playlist of songs that inspired The Beatles White Album (so named - actually it was just called The Beatles - and officially my favourite album of all time). Nice concept!

Overtime: 

"It's nice to have a little help, but we often resent when someone else tries to do it all for us. Each individual wants to make their own dreams a reality. If someone hands you the whole thing on a silver platter, they gift you the result, but rob you of the accomplishment.

Remember this not only when chasing your dreams, but also when supporting others. Help along the way, but let them run their own race. Your job is to live life with them, not live their life for them."

James Clear