If you have anger issues, this one is a great tool (h/t mindyourbusiness)
What I’m currently reading:
Disclaimer: I’m not your Supervisor. These are my opinions after reading through these books a few times.
November 26
“We are like many pellets of incense falling on the same altar. Some collapse sooner, others later, but it makes no difference.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 4.15
We all die. I hope to live a long and healthy life, but I know I have very little control over this. Our lives appear on the outside to be different, but at the core they are all very similar. It doesn’t matter what we face, it matters how we face it. I am at the age where most of my friends have lost their parents and I know that day will come soon for me as well. I could go before anyone else I know. I try to remember this when my mom is frustrating me.
November 27
“How satisfying it is to dismiss and block out any upsetting or foreign impression, and immediately to have peace in all things.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 5.2
This one is a good goal, definitely easier said than done. I see Fauci saying everyone needs to get vaccinated and I get hot. I have a blood pressure appointment coming up because wearing a mask(even below my nose) pisses me off so badly every time I go in the hospital. I have learned how to do this with a lot of things that used to have me seeing red, but I still have a long way to go.
November 28
“If someone is slipping up, kindly correct them and point out what they missed. But if you can’t, blame yourself—or no one.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 10.4
Was this written knowing I just spent a week at my mom’s house? I refused to engage her when she was talking politics and in the evenings when they turned on CNN, I would take a shower and go to bed. There is no correcting her, she is 100% certain of her positions, even though all it takes is a few questions to expose her ignorance. She is never rattled and can never admit to being wrong. If I blame myself for not being able to convince her, maybe I won’t have the “instant anger” pop up and maybe be able to talk about some things.
November 29
“Don’t lament this and don’t get agitated.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 7.43
Once again, easier said than done. I heard my mom talking about how Herschel Walker was a “dumbass”, and the next sentence was about how much she likes Fetterman. I said nothing and started talking about the Penguin game that was about to start. On the outside I was calm, but internally, I wanted to get her to clarify what she meant and how could Walker be dumber than Fettermen. Disclaimer: I don’t know if Walker is dumb, all I’ve heard about him is Steve Harvey trashing him on the radio in the office. I might not be great at this yet, but I am practicing.
November 30
“The person who follows reason in all things will have both leisure and a readiness to act—they are at once both cheerful and selfcomposed.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 10.12b
I try to follow reason, and I notice when I am able to logically say that nothing I do affects what is bothering me, I am much calmer and able to see the big picture. I still struggle with many aspect of this. On paper it seems so simple, don’t get upset at things you have no control over. In practice I get mad at stupidity, ignorance, and hypocrisy. I need to remind myself if I don’t control the outcome, getting pissed off not only doesn’t help, it can cause harm to my relationships.
December 1
“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. . . .The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is
never short of time.”
—SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 101.7b–8a
I try to do this. I make sure my wife knows how I feel and I have told her that if I am in an airplane crash or something similar, I will not be calling her to say “I love you”. I have told her that if it all ends tomorrow, the time we had together is better than a long life without her. She told me that she will be calling me in that situation because she thinks I could help keep her calm. I do have a loose end with my son, he is 20 and still doesn’t do anything. My wife lets him and I haven’t found a way to kick start him without alienating the two of them. If I died tomorrow, I don’t know what he would think of me. Something to work on for sure.
December 2
“Let each thing you would do, say or intend be like that of a dying person.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 2.11.1
We are all on the clock as it ticks down to the end. Since I don’t know when that will be, I need to be prepared and not careless with my words or actions. If I was given a definite limit, I don’t think I would change much. I might quit my job and help my wife figure out her next steps, but I don’t foresee any radical changes. Of course that is easy to say as I sit here mostly healthy and with a long time seemingly stretching out on front of me.
Music this week is one of the greatest country singers of all time.
“How satisfying it is to dismiss and block out any upsetting or foreign impression, and immediately to have peace in all things.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 5.2
*sticks fingers in ears*
Lalalalalalala I can’t hear you!
*Hopefully this is some Stoic derivative of sarcasm.
so immigration bad?
I did not realize the last thread ended so I will copy paste my last comment here for no apparent reason
well the week is done just poured myself a glass of red…
what is everyone doin/drinkin?
Drinking coffee and thinking about putting up some Christmas lights.
Drinking Powerade and acting like I’m working
Drinkin’ coffee, glibbing, working on an assignment from an online training course, reading for the current book project, checking World Cup scores.
And procrastinating, lots and lots of procrastinating. Need to get my stoic on.
An Atkins chai latte protein shake in a futile effort to offset yesterday’s toasted ravioli, jambalaya, and pumpkin pie. And continuing to avoid writing up this month’s Board meeting minutes.
Drinking Irish coffee.
I have some work to do around the house later.
“Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life’s books each day. . . .The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time.”
I need to be better at this. There are loose ends that I could easily tie up but too often I ignore them.
Thanks, Ron! Saving this one as a reminder.
“We are like many pellets of incense falling on the same altar. Some collapse sooner, others later, but it makes no difference.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 4.15
easy to say when you don’t have a scotch collection to drink before you die. It makes a difference.
what is everyone doin/drinkin?
Last cup of coffee.
ever?
Of the pot.
“If someone is slipping up, kindly correct them and point out what they missed. But if you can’t, blame yourself—or no one.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 10.4
this one is for Elon Musk
My life is such a tangled mess of loose ends it’s ridiculous.
Sometimes I think I should just bulldoze everything into a pile and torch it, with me in my Viking finery on top.
Having ended one life and begun anew I find a true sense of freedom and peace, but responabilities never go away.
If someone is slipping up, kindly correct them and point out what they missed.
“Constructive criticism” was one of my dad’s favorite expressions.
ever?
You slay me.
“I do have a loose end with my son, he is 20 and still doesn’t do anything”
I threw my daughter out of the house when she was about 20. Dec 23rd. Wouldn’t work, wouldn’t go to school. She started to learn about life after that. She had a lot of real life problems and struggled to get them solved. I helped her a little here and there, mostly with emotional support. She’s now 56 years old and trying her best.
I have two that are like that, 26 and 22. Good to hear there might be hope.
Mine are 24 and 21. The younger one is set to graduate in May, and have his Masters in 2024, he’ll be fine I think. Older boy is working, but could do better. I get frustrated, then I remember that I was unceremoniously kicked out of the house at 22 and didn’t really get my act together until age 35. I’m trying to be patient, and need to remember that growing up takes more time for some.
XX is 19, has a good, stable job with FedEx Freight driving a forklift, but only part time and she’s waiting for a full-time to pop up. She lives at home. Pays rent and her share of the utilities. We treat her like a roommate, although I have to bite my tongue a lot. She can stay as long as she likes.
XY is almost 17. He is in limbo at the moment, but we’re going to cut him loose as soon as circumstances allow.
Adding: As long as I know where both of them are and that they’re safe I don’t worry. But XX is a nervous driver so I get nervous when she leaves. As soon as one or both of them are out on their own, I’m still going to worry. My mom says parenting never stops. I didn’t think about any of this when I wanted to get married and have kids.
My son is moving out (he’ll be 20 in March) down to an apartment on-campus. He’s a manager at a Levi’s store and works a lot in addition to going to school. I think he’ll work out okay.
I got him part of his Xmas present — toolbox filled with tools. My dad never bought me tools and I wish he would’ve.
Great gift!
Whoops- put this in the dead thread-
Insult weapons
“The idea (that) we still allow semiautomatic weapons to be purchased is sick, it’s just sick. It has no social redeeming value, zero, none. Not a single, solitary rationale for it,” Biden told reporters during a brief gaggle outside the Nantucket Fire Department in Massachusetts, where he greeted first responders.
Asked whether he would try to take action on guns, the president said, “I’m going to try. I’m going to try to get rid of assault weapons.” When pressed on whether he would try to do so during the lame duck session, he said, “I’m going to do it whenever – I’ve got to make that assessment as soon as I get in and start counting the votes.”
As a good-faith gesture to demonstrate your sincerity and conviction, you should instruct the members of the Presidential protection detail to carry nothing but hammerless five shot Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolvers with a two inch barrel.
That should be more than sufficient firepower. After all, you love everyone, and everyone loves you. Right?
RIGHT?
Does he know what a semiautomatic weapon is?
When he says assault weapons, does he include all semiautomatic guns in that category?
Or does he mean AR-15s?
Either way, he can go to hell.
I’ll repost my reply there:
It’s easier to get rid of one man than millions of guns.
Watching Diners, drive-ins and dives…
EVERYTHING HAS FUCKING SUGAR IN IT.
Ahem. Sorry.
And grease. It wouldn’t be Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives without the grease.
At least there is a health argument for fats.
And that is just his hair!
Speaking of grease, this was my go-to establishment in the 1970’s. They had a “grease for peace” promotion during the Vietnam-era protest. Tasty but not gentle on the digestive tract
https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2015/10/glimpse_of_history_no_charge_for_extra_grease_in_n.html
I don’t think there was sugar added to the Raclette Ramen from a place here in Cleveland.
*dusts ramen with powdered sugar*
Not distilled water.
These establishments never serve distilled water.
As long as you don’t eat it every day, there’s some great f-ing food on that show.
When he says assault weapons, does he include all semiautomatic guns in that category?
For the peasantry?
Anything more modern and sophisticated than a matchlock.
Hmm, so Canada is just a puppet regime?
Klaus’s hand fits nicely up Justin’s ass.
And Xi throws his voice for effect.
Shocking
Nine months after invading Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is beginning to fracture the West.
Top European officials are furious with Joe Biden’s administration and now accuse the Americans of making a fortune from the war, while EU countries suffer.
“The fact is, if you look at it soberly, the country that is most profiting from this war is the U.S. because they are selling more gas and at higher prices, and because they are selling more weapons,” one senior official told POLITICO.
The explosive comments — backed in public and private by officials, diplomats and ministers elsewhere — follow mounting anger in Europe over American subsidies that threaten to wreck European industry. The Kremlin is likely to welcome the poisoning of the atmosphere among Western allies.
“We are really at a historic juncture,” the senior EU official said, arguing that the double hit of trade disruption from U.S. subsidies and high energy prices risks turning public opinion against both the war effort and the transatlantic alliance. “America needs to realize that public opinion is shifting in many EU countries.”
The EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell called on Washington to respond to European concerns. “Americans — our friends — take decisions which have an economic impact on us,” he said in an interview with POLITICO.
The biggest point of tension in recent weeks has been Biden’s green subsidies and taxes that Brussels says unfairly tilt trade away from the EU and threaten to destroy European industries. Despite formal objections from Europe, Washington has so far shown no sign of backing down.
Profiteering? From the war? Us?
Let the harrumphing commence.
Why, it’s almost like … like … he PLANNED it that way!
Fucking Europe. Everyone saw where this was headed. Now the leaders are contemplating how cold and hungry populations might react.
I’ll bet lamp posts make them uncomfortable.
Nine months after…
If only this had been aborted instead of going to term.
Big, politically connected US companies profiting from an emergency? Inconceivable.
As they attempt to reduce their reliance on Russian energy, EU countries are turning to gas from the U.S. instead — but the price Europeans pay is almost four times as high as the same fuel costs in America. Then there’s the likely surge in orders for American-made military kit as European armies run short after sending weapons to Ukraine.
It’s all got too much for top officials in Brussels and other EU capitals. French President Emmanuel Macron said high U.S. gas prices were not “friendly” and Germany’s economy minister has called on Washington to show more “solidarity” and help reduce energy costs.
Ministers and diplomats based elsewhere in the bloc voiced frustration at the way Biden’s government simply ignores the impact of its domestic economic policies on European allies.
When EU leaders tackled Biden over high U.S. gas prices at the G20 meeting in Bali last week, the American president simply seemed unaware of the issue, according to the senior official quoted above. Other EU officials and diplomats agreed that American ignorance about the consequences for Europe was a major problem.
*wobbles off toward fainting couch*
Never give up energy, manufacturing and food sovereignty.
Unless, of course, you want to be everyone’s bitch.
Biden unaware of the consequences of his arbitrary policies? I’m shocked, shocked, I tell you!
They’re not unaware, it was part of the plan.
Oh, I’m sure “they” (the puppet masters) are aware; Biden himself has no idea where he is.
Another EU diplomat argued that “the money they are making on weapons” could help Americans understand that making “all this cash on gas” might be “a bit too much.”
The diplomat argued that a discount on gas prices could help us to “keep united our public opinions” and to negotiate with third countries on gas supplies. “It’s not good, in terms of optics, to give the impression that your best ally is actually making huge profits out of your troubles,” the diplomat said.
Hey, you fucked up. You trusted us.
👆
And they trusted their own governments, which betrayed them. The European people deserve some sympathy, but not their leaders.
https://katu.com/news/local/staffing-shortages-to-affect-snow-removal-in-oregon
Washington Monument strategy in action. How about putting your useless office staff in those empty seats? Particularly your spokesweasel? Never going to happen.
You know how much damage those plows would do driven by those people?
Crazy thought: Uber for plows.
This one is a good goal, definitely easier said than done. I see Fauci saying everyone needs to get vaccinated and I get hot.
Yep.
Thanks Ron!
Stoicism – could lead in to US v. England. One lineup change – I’m skeptical. Maybe that will facilitate more cohesion – have to assume that is the hope.
7 down, 83 to go.
I root for the US but I don’t have illusions that they are that good, although they are ranked higher than I expected.
We’ve played pretty well. Should be 3 yellow cards against England.
Should be 4 now.
I kept expecting him to be a bitch and pull the first one on us. Credit, he didn’t.
Ugh. First game I’ve watched. Didn’t realize Fox was doing those stupid personal interest stories during the match.
Australia: Python bites and drags five-year-old into pool
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-63699886
Survived!
The kid or the snake?
Tankie tweet of the day
https://mobile.twitter.com/RadLad__/status/1595892761475039233
Speaking of grease, this was my go-to establishment in the 1970’s. They had a “grease for peace” promotion during the Vietnam-era protest. Tasty but not gentle on the digestive tract
Which reminded me of this place
Hackensack. Apparently they’re still up and running. I used to eat lunch there now and then.
Yup, still there. My kids went to HS up the road from that joint, but I never actually checked it out. Parking is a challenge.
I’d give it a shot…. But “challenging parking” in NJ is a real thing that has stopped me from more than a few places.
Anthony works in the grocery store
Savin’ his pennies for someday
Mama Leone left a note on the door,
She said,
“Sonny, move out to the country.”
Workin’ too hard can give me
A heart attack
You oughta know by now
Who needs a house out in Hackensack?
Is that what you get with your money?
Wasn’t Marcus Aruelius a warmongering POS? Why should I care what he thought?
That may have sounded more dickish than I intended. Whatever. #daydrinking
The wisdom Sun Tzu seems to have endured.
Wasn’t Marcus Aruelius a warmongering POS? Why should I care what he thought?
I have a hard time accepting the image of warrior/general/emperor Aurelius as some sort of egoless passive mendicant on the road to enlightenment, myself.
Yeah, I can’t imagine Marcus Aurelius being stoic about people who can’t thread properly.
Jack Grelash has a lot of punchable facial expressions.
Berhalter was still late with the subs, though not with the bad effect on Mon.