Senses working overtime #353

1 The greatest guitar solos of all time

2 

 3 Might as well quit

4 Betty White was always on TV

5 Poetry corner

Epitaph on a Tyrant Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after, And the poetry he invented was easy to understand; He knew human folly like the back of his hand, And was greatly interested in armies and fleets; When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter, And when he cried the little children died in the streets. W. H. Auden (1939)

Overtime: 

Biochemistry professor and science fiction author, Isaac Asimov, on the unnoticed good in the world:

"It is important to remember that the viciousness and wrongs of life stick out very plainly but that even at the worst times there is a great deal of goodness, kindness, and day-to-day decency that goes unnoticed and makes no headlines."

Source: The Roman Empire (Courtesy of James Clear)

Senses working overtime #352

1 How science is uncovering the secrets of Stonehenge

2 Books for the journey 

From Seth Godin

3 Poetry corner

The Goodyear Blimp The Goodyear Blimp has lost itself, has gone down peaceful in a cornfield. The grounded pilot walks out of the field, no one hurt, no one around but the blackbirds, who laughed and kept laughing. He walked down the empty road in the middle of the day. It was fine to be uninjured, to have hurt no one, to walk in the brief sweet world of the saved. Laura Jensen (1982)

4 Sleeping Dogs

I spent a lot of time listening to this soundtrack from 1977 this week.

5 Spotify - its new priorities

Overtime:  Taking action

Stoic philosopher Epictetus on taking action:

"Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer.

Put your principles into practice – now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren’t a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you’ll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better.

From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do – now."

Source: The Art of Living (courtesy of James Clear)

Senses working overtime #351

1 Tuna lovers! Meet your ultimate sandwich!

2 Ostracodish - Seth Godin

3 Quitting stuff (a how to guide)

4 Is old music killing new music?

5 Thich Nhat Hanh's final mindfulness lesson.

Overtime: 

Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, on life:

"When you are a young person, you are like a young creek, and you meet many rocks, many obstacles and difficulties on your way. You hurry to get past these obstacles and get to the ocean.

But as the creek moves down through the fields, it becomes larges and calmer and it can enjoy the reflection of the sky. It's wonderful. You will arrive at the sea anyway so enjoy the journey. Enjoy the sunshine, the sunset, the moon, the birds, the trees, and the many beauties along the way. Taste every moment of your daily life."

Source: Good Citizens: Creating Enlightened Society (Courtesy James Clear)

Senses working overtime #350

1 Tongan volcano

This amazing once-in-a-lifetime event has dominated our news in NZ this week.

2 Nubya Garcia

I've been listening to this a lot this week.

3 Letting go as a concept simplified by Nietzsche

Amor fati explained in an entertaining way!

4 Lana Del Rey - Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass

I have been enjoying her readings of her poetry - here is an example - LA who am I to love you

5 Poetry corner

from Time Pieces How briefly a day lasts, unravelling so fast you can't keep pace. You are at the morning bus stop, wondering if you definitely locked the hall door when, what seems like seconds later, sunset struts by in all its sky-draped finery, its evening wear, and you are unlocking the hall door. Dennis O'Driscoll (2002)

Overtime: 

Flow (and progress) - Seth Godin

A flow state is priceless. It happens when we lose ourselves in the work, simply connecting with the task, without commentary or doubt. When we’re in flow, time slows down, satisfaction rises and we feel fully engaged.

An easy way to end a flow state is to see how well you’re doing. Are you ahead of the other runners? Are you progressing according to the milestones? Do you have more social metrics now?

The irony, of course, is that the best way to make progress is to find flow. But if you’re using progress as a yardstick, it won’t last long.

Senses working overtime #349

1 Macca and Joko

2 WTWMC Body Parts!

The Three Amigos (Kev, Greg and me) have finished our latest Spotify playlist - 45 songs with a body part in the title from 1951 to 2021, which you can enjoy (and even like) here.

3 Janet Jackson (remember her?)

4 Songs as shelters in time - Austin Kleon

5  In praise of Ginger Baker

Enjoying playing this double LP compilation LOUDLY today!

Overtime: RIP Ronnie Spector - a unique voice; RIP Michael Lang 

Senses working overtime #348

1 How to make 2022 the year you finally smash your goals!

2 The 45 most anticipated albums of 2022

3 The Power Of The Dog

We watched this recently and really enjoyed it! Keen to watch it again having read that article.

4 Alan Watts - Why we resist change

5 The Mandalorian

Jacky and I are enjoying Season 2 on Disney+

Overtime: Wabi Sabi - Nobuo Suzuki

Jade gave me a copy for Christmas and I'm enjoying the wisdom in imperfection as I paint and decorate half of Maple Grove. 

Senses working overtime #347

1 Top photos from 2021

Finally, these last two kind of sum things up well

2 The joy of reclaiming long lost positive words

Some of our happiest words are such because they make us smile, and often involve a bit of fun at our own expense. Who can resist such nicknames as “cacklefarts” for eggs, or “bags of mystery” for sausages (because you never quite know what’s in them)? Even the prudish Victorians knew hankies as “snottingers”, and umbrellas as “bumbershoots”.

3 Omicrom variant - 2022's hero or villain?

A woman draws on the National Covid Memorial Wall on the embankment in London.

4 Poetry corner (for new year's day 2022)

from What I Want Yes, that's what I want right now, Just that sensation Of my mind's gradual Deceleration, as if I Took my foot off the gas And the Buick rolled to a stop. Alicia Ostriker (1992)

5 RIP painter Wayne Thiebaud (pronounced T-Bow) aged 101

Overtime:  Austin Kleon's quotes.