A nod to Lemony Snicket. But in this case more like a cascade of events. Dominoes. A catalyst. I used to be able to drink beer with near impunity. No more. Now it goes like this: I have a beer or two at the brewery after work, before dinner. Not only do I get a slight buzz, but I feel like crap, because that’s what beer does to me these days. Now because I feel Read more…
I’m going to refer to this footwear as “minimalist”, since it’s more accurate than “barefoot”. I’ve tried a few brands and styles, and some are far more “barefoot” than others. I think “minimalist” best covers this whole category of shoes that are thin-soled, zero-drop, bare-essential footwear. As with everything these days, there’s an overwhelming amount of information available on the pros and cons, some of it contradictory. I’m not going to cite articles, studies, or Read more…
It feels a little strange to write a review for a discontinued shoe…but I guess nothing is forever. If you’re new to barefoot shoes, read my post about them. There are evangelists on both sides. Both sides have valid points. Personally I love barefoot shoes. I think a review of these can serve as a general VivoBarefoot review, so it’s worth the effort even though you can’t get this model. Onward. These have camel hide Read more…
For most of you (my imaginary readers), I’m probably not telling you anything you don’t know. All the same… In the late 1980’s, Bill Moyers interviewed Joseph Campell. These interviews aired as a six-part series on PBS, one of the most popular public television series ever. Experts in their respective fields have plenty of criticisms of Campbell. He dabbled in arguably too many disciplines to have a complete understanding of each. For my part, and Read more…
I don’t read a lot of blogs, but there are a few I like. What I notice about the popular, successful ones is that they seem to have some unified purpose, a type of life philosophy, if you will. The blogs that is. Though often a blog with a life philosophy, or let’s call it a blog philosophy, are naturally written by people who have a life philosophy (you can learn more about the idea Read more…
Shit. All this time making fun of grumpy old men, and I think I’m starting to understand them. Heck, I’m in danger of becoming one. How’d that happen? Aside from the lucky ones among us, the battle not becoming one. The natural tendency for a lot of people is get annoyed at all the change around them. I never understood it. But what I’ve noticed as I get older, is that rather than taking life Read more…
You’ve arrived. This is it. You can and should plan for the future, and expect better things. But that idea that your life will start “someday”, that this is just something leading to that day when your life really starts? Stop that. This is it. This is your life. You’ve arrived. You’re there. What your life is now; that is your life. It may change at some point, but this is it now. That time Read more…
That’s a lie. But let me tell you: it’s the truth. That anxiety, maybe always in the background, but bubbling to the surface during downtime, when you’re alone or when the conversation stops; the fact is, that’s life. Excuse the Buddhism, but the first noble truth? Life is suffering. If you feel like something is wrong but you don’t know what, that’s alright. All sorts of things are wrong. You’re a wound up ball of Read more…
I have bad news for you. I’m dying. I’ve got, maybe…oh 50 years left at most. Best to remember that and act accordingly.
It’s not about being cool. It’s about being nice. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being nice. It’s not about being witty, or charming. It’s about being nice.