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

Featured patmcg1 Comment

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.” 🪄

Featured patmcgLeave a comment

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.”

Featured patmcgLeave a comment

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

“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.”

Featured patmcg1 Comment

I love this quote, which I came across in a list of ancient stoic quotes (with some pretty good visuals).

Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.
Epicteus

This quote reminds me of a series on Confucius, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad.

This series noted the one thing these leaders had in common: sure, they all had interesting ideas, but more importantly, they lived by their ideas. If they had just talked a lot, they would not have had the real-world impact that they had. Their actions were inspiring.

So if you want to be a pretty cool and impactful person, in whatever form that takes, then figure out what you stand for and live it.

I know, I know… that’s easier said than done.

But what else are you going to do that could be any better?

Besides, it’s fun to do stuff, and talking gets old.

entertainment · Quotes

“I wasn’t making any waves, so l made a decision.”

Featured patmcgLeave a comment

I always love a good story of transformation.

The documentary STEVE (martin) tells the story of a really awkward, out-of-place aspiring comedian who wants to do something genuinely new but was initially failing badly.

It is cringe-worthy at times. What is this guy doing?

But Steve keeps relentlessly trying things, observing, and changing. It goes something like this (so far)…

Is there a future for me as a magician?

-> No, that looks like a dead end. Let’s try comedy.

Should I follow the classic comedy conventions like using “indicators” to signal when the punch line happened?

-> Nope. Let the awkward tensions build naturally and see what happens.

Should I open for other acts and perform for 1000 people who are there to see someone else?

-> Nope. This is getting me nowhere. I’d rather headline for 50 people who actually want to see me.

And finally, this long-haired comedian who looked he was “trying to be the Eagles” decided to change his whole look and attitude. I just like the clarity he finds.

I wasn’t making any waves, so l made a decision.

Instead of being at the tail end of an old movement, I’ll be at the front end of a new one.

And he follows it up with action.

And so l decided, “Okay, I’m putting on a suit, I’m putting on a tie and I’m cutting my hair.”

Instead of looking like a hippie from the ’60s, I’ll look like somebody new from the ’70s.

And of course kind of a punch line.

Or like someone from the future.

Someone from the future indeed. He was about to become the biggest comedian in the world.