David > Recent Status Updates

More reminders there are some seriously crazy people in the cycling world!

The fortitude of these kids just about blows my mind. I know it seems that people adapt to their circumstances, that we imagine we "need" far more than we really do, but it's hard to imagine how they dealt with all the bullying and mistreatment without crumbling and giving in to the numerous vices around them.

The move to Hobart street and the tiny house, where the kids start digging the hole for the foundation of the glass house but it gets converted to a garbage pit since they can't pay the garbage bill. And the yellow paint that nobody will help her apply that gets wrecked when it gets frozen. Makes a person want to cry.

We just watched the movie version of this memoir and I'm seeing how much they twisted some of the events together and relocated them from one time and place to another. It's hard to read about some of the troubles they have to go through because of dad's drinking and mom's "spaciness."

Good reminders that happiness doesn't care how we get there. Quote from Bertrand Russell: To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

Some interesting ideas about travel in retirement but also some crazy "rich person" ideas eg submarine trip under the ice cap etc. Travel near home is an idea to remember, and the ideas about moving places like college towns or warmer climes are intriguing.

The importance of friends - good friends, not the superficial acquaintances we might think of first.

A somewhat dated chapter: computers are a thing! Who knew? :-)

I'm finding that the focus here is fairly narrow on people interested in racing, while I thought there would be at least significant time spent addressing people who just want to get in better shape. Obviously the info can still be useful, but there's a significant amount to wade through that seems irrelevant if you're not planning to race.

I thought this book might remind me of "Educated" and so far it has, although the details are definitely different. The thought of a 3-year-old filling a pot on the stove one glass of water at a time and then lighting the stove to cook her own hot dogs, without any supervision, makes me shudder. Well, especially knowing she lit her dress on fire, got horribly burned, and then was "stolen" from the hospital by dad.

Who knew? Physical activity is supposed to be good for our mood and for keeping us mentally sharp.

Maybe not the most insightful observations but it doesn't hurt to state what seems like it should be obvious.

War came, but some tricky thinking and some big risks that worked out, plus a little "Deus Ex Machina," made things work out for Hazel and company. They had some injuries from their battle with Woundwort and his crew, but all-in-all they came through it in pretty good shape.

Sounds like war is coming to the warren.

The made it home to their warren, but Campion of Efrara knows where that is. Time will tell if there's a price to pay for letting that scout group leave alive.

Feeling like the stories and anecdotes are good, but it somehow lacks detail and specificity that I hoped for.