Seriously. He finds the best stuff online. While he doesn’t post everything he finds on his blog, wilwheaton.net, you can find him on Tumblr, where he furiously shares tons of memes.
Because Wil Finds The Best Stuff
General
For use when I really don’t have time to figure out to what category the post should belong.
Avast There, Matey
(TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY) As you are out and about today, don’t be surprised if people are saying, “Ahoy Matey,” “Avast,” “Aye, Aye Capt’n,” “Land ho!” “Hornpipe,” and many other pirate-like phrases, because it’s International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
While ordering your coffee in the drive-thru, ask if they have change for gold bullion. Try testing your pirate language out at the library when asking for the location of Moby Dick. The pirate language always fairs well in rough seas. Settle a debate with “I’m right or I’ll walk the plank!”
When the boss gives you a new project, “Aye, aye, Capt’n,” is the correct response. However, beware calling the boss any frothy names. The goal of the day is not to lose your job.
To polish your persona, practice a swagger, limp or squint. Long days at sea give pirates unique qualities.
Origins of the Holiday
- The Date: June 6, 1995.
- The Event: While playing a game of racquetball, one of the men, injured or frustrated, yelled out an “Arrr!”
- The Slang: They spent the rest of the match shouting back and forth in humorous pirate phrases.
- Choosing September 19: They wanted an annual date for their new holiday. They avoided June 6 because it was the anniversary of D-Day, so Mark chose September 19, which happened to be his ex-wife’s birthday and had no other major holiday conflicts. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
How It Went Global
- The Early Years: Baur and Summers celebrated quietly with just a small group of friends for seven years.
- The Dave Barry Effect: In 2002, they contacted syndicated humor columnist Dave Barry and pitched the idea to him.
- Global Spread: Barry wrote a popular column about the holiday in September 2002, turning it into an international phenomenon celebrated every year. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
About Running, Part ∞
It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted anything about running. I have been running, though not consistently. Still, recently, at least during the last three to four months, I’ve been putting in the effort. I end up taking a break here and there, but nothing longer than a week. Usually, when I have a poor night’s sleep, I end up not running. Recently, I’ve started not wearing my watch to bed, which seems to have improved my sleep at night.
Anyway, I went running this morning and achieved my fasted 1 mile since 2020! I managed an 11:38 mile. Not bad for a 64-year-old, overweight curmudgeon. My all-time best is 10:40, occurring on September 20th, 2020. However, that is the best as registered by Strava, my fitness app. My previous app, Runtastic, was ruined by Nike, so I switched in 2020. Prior to that, I did manage a 9:13 mile (to the best of my recollection). I’m not attempting to do that well again. I’m just putting in the effort to run consistently. Process over outcome.
For Them, Not For Us
Plutocracy at its most destructive.
Repost
Though Old, It’s Good
At Some Point
One should write original content. The quick posting of others’ content is convenient when in a hurry. And truthfully, getting ready to run is next on the agenda. But the first day of working at the new job doesn’t start until 9:00 AM. So there is room this morning to post content.
Yes, that’s right. New job. The owner of the former job disallowed the scheduling of lunch breaks to better meet the demands of chaotic people whose ability to have balance and order in their lives is highly suspect. While meeting the clients where they are at is the mantra of modern therapy, it is not helpful to start any relationship by engaging in their chaos.
But then, when profit trumps service, service suffers. And I’ll die on this hill: The root of all evil is not money; it is the focus on profit. Money is but a tool, neither good nor bad. And let’s submit intent drives Good and Evil.
So, what’s on your mind today? Are you intending to focus on profit? Or are you intent on providing a service? What do all the sacred texts of the world say one should do? In the Bible, Jesus drove the merchants from the temple. In considering the body (to include the mind) a temple, should not profit be driven out?
Hear, Hear!
The Best Quotes
An Old Post About Running
I no longer use Runtastic. It went completely mobile. So I switched to Strava some years ago. And I’ve fluctuated in weight since 2020, when COVID started. Thankfully, I never went over 250, but I’ve come close lately. I’ve had long stretches of time when I didn’t run. A combination of physical problems and work schedule interfered. Recently, I have managed to resume a semi-stable running regime and am losing weight again. I also received a compliment the other day. While doing CPR training, as I was getting up off the floor without needing to use any support, I mentioned being 64 years old. One of my co-workers was shocked I was that old; they said I was pretty spry. Personally, I thought I was decrepidly out of shape. But then, I still have an internal image of a young man.
Oh well. Progress, not perfection.