Quotes

“Right at the center of contradiction is the place to be.”

U2, which has been a post-punk band, an artsy ambient band, a hit American artsy roots band (even though they’re not American), a hit 90’s eurotrash band, and a back to a local Dublin band of sorts, is fronted by a guy who understands contradictions and tension.

His band has a long and mighty legacy, and he asks: are we really that good?

You don’t have to solve every contradiction. In fact, right at the center of contradiction is the place to be.- Bono in A Sort of Homecoming

I think he’s onto something. I love a good contradiction. It tells you: maybe I’m actually onto something.

I’m personally full of contradictions. I’m a straight, middle-aged man who’s into gardening and Lana del Rey. Is that a contradiction? Only if you think it is, my friend. And that’s the place to be.

“I am writing My Life to laugh at myself, and I am succeeding.”

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Lately, I’ve been shifting my writing time and energy to a novel. It’s fictional but based on some real experiences.

I have four chapters drafted, and, let’s see… about 64 chapters to go. 😆

Accordingly, I have note had as much time to put into this blog.

But I’ll do my best to keep writing here from time to time.

In the mean time, this quote from Casanova (yes, the actual Casanova) is a good reminder to keep it light.

I am writing My Life to laugh at myself, and I am succeeding. – Giacomo Casanova

This dude was quite the adventurer and had a lot of interesting things to say.

I need out check out his story about his life, although that may require a time investment beyond my reach any time soon. He seemed to have a lot to say: three volumes, about 40 hours each, if you’re doing audiobooks.

He sounds like kind of a gabber. I hope he’s not an Uncle Colm.

Casanova: proof that a pasty dude with a hair bow can get lot of chicks. 😉
(via Wikipedia)

Quotes

“Let life surprise you a little.” 🪄

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As people are graduating all around the land right now – most notably for me, my daughter – they’re looking for their next steps. Maybe they’ve picked a college. Maybe they’re trying to earn some money and support themselves. Maybe they’re doing both and more.

Sure, it’s good to plan things out, but it’s also wise to leave some room for the unknown. I like how author Julia Alvarez put it.

Don’t plan it all. Let life surprise you a little.

Often, what you actually find is more important than what you’re looking for.

All the best to the classes of 2024. 🎓🙌

entertainment · Quotes

“Doubt can only be removed by action.”

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One thing I love about Ted Lasso, especially on rewatching, is how it often brings some old wisdom to life within the story.

Yep, Ted Lasso can make even an old German guy from the 1800’s sound interesting and relevant in the right context, as in this brilliant quote from Goethe in S3E1.

Doubt can only be removed by action.

Now this quote may not sound like much on it’s own, but it really hits in the show.

It reminds me of the many conversations I’ve been stuck in where people are going back and forth debating the theoretical merits of idea. Goethe reminds up that the only real judge that matters is action and its consequence. 🙌

This is a nice counterpart to Epicteus, who was also into actions over ideas.

Still, while the old German guy and the old Greek guy are great and smart and all that, wouldn’t you rather get your philosophy from this crew?

Quotes

“I’m cute, and I can rhyme my ass off. No wonder they want to destroy me.”

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Trying to challenge myself and write some original songs instead of just doing covers, I’ve found that the lyrics come a lot easier than the music. Putting together some new and interesting musical chords or, heaven forbid, a melody? That’s hard. But I can rhyme all day.

So I thought it was funny when Keeley Jones, the soccer (aka “football”) team’s vivacious marketing honcho on Ted Lasso, said this on S1E3.

I’m cute, and I can rhyme my ass off. No wonder they want to destroy me.

Kudos to Keeley for that laugh and for giving me something a little lighter to post here today.

Back to your regularly scheduled philosophy quotes, tech sketches, artsy photos, and amateur ramblings later.