It’s been a while since I did one of these. In fact, I was in my 8th week of “teaching” from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had fun writing that post and thought, as “the sands” that mark my summer break begin to slip through my fingers, it might be fun to think back on some things I’ve been enjoying during this much needed time of rest.

Music

Western Stars by Bruce Springsteen

As I wrote in my last post, I bought this album in mid-June. I’ve listened to it several times since then. One of the many things I’ve always liked about Springsteen is his ability to tell a story in his songs. The main characters in his stories reveal so much, what is on their minds, their experiences, how they feel about what is happening, and how it all impacts their daily lives. In my opinion his brilliance comes shining through in that while we are witness to the character’s experience we are too, allowed the chance to weave our own lives into the story extrapolating our own meaning from it. In addition to his superior song writing I also feel that the music (instrumentation) provides an additional opportunity for the listener to not only think and feel alongside the characters but to reflect on our own experiences. One song on the album that I think pulls this all together extremely well is “Stones.” In my mind, this is a song about a man dealing with trust issues between he and his lover. The first two lines of the song bring that to light…

“I woke up this morning with stones in my mouth.” “Said those were only the lies you’ve told me.”

The song goes on to document the pain that the character is going through as he attempts to come to terms with a relationship that has been mostly based on “only the lies you’ve told me…” a line that repeats several times throughout. This song has allowed me to think about many aspects of my life including the importance of trust in my relationship (almost 30 years married) with my wife and while the tone of this song is very painful I “enjoy” it for the pain it allows me to experience.

Rough and Rowdy Ways by Bob Dylan

Shortly after buying the Springsteen album I became aware that Dylan (someone that Springsteen looks up to) had put out a new album; his first piece of original work in almost a decade. Whenever I listen to Dylan I feel very much present while at the same time being entertained. The references he buries into the lyrics of his songs are amazing. For example, in the opening track of Rough and Rowdy Ways, I Contain Multitudes, he drops, “Got a tell-tale heart, like Mr. Poe.” If you’re not paying attention (present) you miss these golden lines. But that’s the thing with Dylan…you cannot not listen attentively to his music. When he’s not dropping golden lines like that he’s using language in a way that just knocks you on your @ss…in amazement thinking to yourself, how did he just do that?! Take this verse in the song False Prophet…

I’m the first among equals

Second to none

The last of the best

You can bury the rest

Bury ‘em naked with their sliver and gold

Put them six feet under and pray for their souls

I mean…come on!! This is a master song-writer, in his late 70’s mind you, telling all of us what we’ve come to understand over his career, he is the first among equals, second to none, last of the best, bury the rest! The thing I enjoy most about this album is something that I can only hope for as I grow old…his ability to create relevant content has never been slowed down by that which makes all of us mortal; the fact that we grow closer to death each day. He truly does embody an “immortal spirit!”

Podcasts

The Flop House

I listen to more podcasts than some and fewer than others. I could have written about how any one of them is bringing me joy. That said, I’ve written about this podcast before. So, why am I writing about it again? Well, since writing about this particular podcast in mid-January, I’ve come to appreciate even more what these 3 guys are doing on a few levels. To review…or…inform…the show has 3 hosts…Dan McCoy, Stuart Wellington, and Elliott Kalan. The show consists of the hosts reviewing a “bad” movie. But…it’s so much more than that. Since that mid-January post I’ve really come to enjoy their superior knowledge of pop culture which takes their annotated dissection of said “bad” movies to the next level. Whether it’s over the course of a full episode or during one of their mini-shows, which they started back in February, the listener is guaranteed to laugh out loud while learning why or why not to bother watching the movie that is the subject of their critique. I’m a late comer to this podcast (episode #300 was my entry point) so I’m not sure if what I’m about to say existed prior as I’ve not been able to go through the entire history of the podcast. “Lately” they’ve had guests join them and the cool thing about this is that they let the guest pick the movie to discuss. If you’ve not tried this podcast yet and you are looking for some humor in a time where there isn’t much to laugh about…this is the podcast for you!

Reading

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

I bought this book many years ago. I’ve dabbled with it on and off since then. Recently, it’s been bringing me some cerebral enjoyment. What drew me to this book was the promise of a better understanding of how the mind works. Very early in the book, the author outlines that existence of, “two systems in the mind, System 1 and System 2” (p. 20). System 1 is quick, dare I say, “Fast” and automatic. When operating from System 1 the mind is basically at the controls. System 2 is more nuanced, dare I say, “Slow.” When operating from System 2 the mind directs attention to the, “effortful mental activities that demand it, including complex computations” (p.21). The book is a master-class in how we should be suspect of our own (and others) intuitions and how thinking “slow” can be helpful with regards to lowering our anxieties and stress...among other things. If you are interested in how the mind works and why you shouldn’t put your faith, and wealth for that matter, into financial “experts” who are, more often than not, lucky more than they are accurate in their predictions, check this book out.

To conclude

These are just a few things that I am enjoying right now. Another thing I have to mention, that I’m enjoying, is the opportunity (privilege even) that I have to even sit and compose such a post. I am very lucky to have the life I have. I know that there are others around me that, for a number of reasons, do not have the luxury of time to sit and write about things they are enjoying. I must say though that writing these posts provides me the opportunity to slow down, pause, get my head/mind out of the daily weeds to think about such things. By the time I publish this post I will know for certain what school is going to look like as we “reopen” for the fall. The thought occurred to me the other day that it might be interesting to write a post like this one seasonally. I started in the Spring, this is the Summer post so the next time I do one of these I will call it “Some things I’m Enjoying: Fall Edition.” Based on how things are going right now with regards to the pandemic and social unrest our nation is navigating, I have a feeling that my decision to slow down and pause, to think about things that are bringing me joy is going to be a good idea!