Head-dibs

Hard to stop watching . . . (ht: BoingBoing)

"Every year on Memorial Day weekend, CrossFitters in affiliates across the world perform the Hero workout, ‘Murph’. It is a workout that has become synonymous with CrossFit, not just for its brutal toughness, but for what it represents. ‘Murph’ is not simply another workout we do in a class to increase our fitness before moving on to whatever else we have going on in the day. It is a workout designed to honor and remember the men and women of the armed forces that have lost their lives in defense of our freedom. And as is the case with every Hero workout, it has a story of courage and sacrifice behind it. ‘Murph’ is named after Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005. He was 29-years-old. After graduating from Penn State University in 1998, Murphy rejected offers to attend law school and instead accepted a commission in the United States Navy and became a SEAL in July 2002. For a man whose nickname was ‘The Protector’, the de

The past few days we have given thought to the subject of "happiness" based on Book 3 of Boethius' " Consolation of Philosophy ." At this point one begins to wonder if it is possible for man to find happiness at all. Wealth is powerless to deliver on it's promises; honor and fame not only borrowed but are also not universally recognized; and the only land a man truly possess is his burial plot. But have all these desires and seem to experience something called, "happiness." "Waiting For Godot" by Samuel Beckett If we step back and consider true happiness, we realize we find it at that moment when all things are balanced together, a unified whole. This returns us to the definition of happiness Lady Philosophy offers at the very beginning: "a state which is made perfect by the union of all good things." Let me illustrate: One person is happy to sit on the couch and drink his tea.  Another person is happy to sneak up

 (ht: Ranker)

Today's WOD was awesome. Feeling mighty. 4 sets 10 reps of Deadlift (135#, 150#) then AMRAP 10 minutes of 1 Deadlift 1 Power Clean 1 Front Squat 1 Shoulder to Overhead Press Here's a couple post-WOD lifts cause I had a few more in there:

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” (C.S. Lewis, The Weight Of Glory, 1941) What brings happiness? In previous posts we've defined happiness and have put many sources of happiness to the test and so far, we're still trying to discover the answer to this age-old question. "HOW MUCH LAND DOES A MAN NEED?" The great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy answers that question in his short story published in 1886. Pakhom supposes that if he had enough land, life as a peasant farmer would be over--including his fear of the devil himself. Through a series of moves Pakhom begins to acquire land but he is not satisfied with so little--he wants more! In a business deal that's almost too good to be true, Pakhom pays 1,000

Enjoyed digging deep today 'cause that's where the gold is. Gold is deep. Train for greater things. Bigger things. Pain only hurts for a little while but then you get your head together, feeling mightier than before and you think, "what comes next?" Reflecting on the fact that I just turned a year older (50) and knocking this kind of stuff out just thrills me. Heard a great thought recently that fits in nicely right here: "be an active participant in your own life." I'm tired of sitting by watching life pass me by. Sitting still hurts more than moving. That's why I train, to get stronger and "go places." And becoming an active participant in life has done just that. We'll all be active participants in our death, but why not live a lottle? I admit: today's WOD got me like, "woah" but when I think that I'm not staying still, that I'm getting stronger--I get excited. Here's what we did today: 3 sets, 10

A number of years ago I was invited to lecture in Kenya, Africa. I prepared my lectures, got my shots, packed my bags and found myself in a village somewhere between Niarobi and Kisumu speaking to a group that grew larger daily for a week straight. So many were coming that we started a whole separate conference the next week to cover material for people who were still arriving! My first day began with tea where I was introduced to local dignitaries along with my credentials and Me with Johann, my driver qualifications. Being introduced to the main audience, my host announced my credentials I was warmly received, picking my way through the material as the audience took notes. I planned an hour and a half at the end of each day to field questions: the first half dedicated to answering questions related to the topic on which I spoke; and the second half dedicated to answering "open-ended" questions. The attendees asked questions that revealed a deep desire to learn--ve

4x15 Back Squat then "Jack" AMRAP in 20 minutes of: 10 Push press (115#) 10 KB Swings (40#) 10 Box jumps (20") [completed 6 rounds, total weight of 4800# lifted--FEELIN' MIGHTY!] Army Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III, 26, of Bethany, Oklahoma, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Wash., died September 29th, 2009, in Jolo Island, Philippines, from the detonation of an improvised explosive device. Martin is survived by his wife Ashley Martin, his parents Jack and Cheryl Martin, and siblings Abe, Mandi, Amber and Abi.

If happiness is the acquisition of the highest good, how do we find happiness in that which is not the highest good? How have we become "far too easily pleased"? As we think about this, let's discover if money can bring happiness. Here's a song:   "Money, get away Get a good job with good pay and you're okay Money, it's a gas Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash New car, caviar, four star daydream Think I'll buy me a football team . . .  Money, it's a crime Share it fairly but don't take a slice of my pie Money, so they say Is the root of all evil today But if you ask for a rise It's no surprise that they're giving none away."   Does money buy happiness? Pink Floyd gives us both sides of the proverbial coin in their 1973 hit. Since nothing's new under the sun, Pink Floyd echoes the truth that Lady Philosophy was trying to impart to Beothius nearly 1500 years previous: if you accumulate all you c

Eggs, Hash and home-made New Mexico red chili. Yum!

Yesterday we thought about happiness and found that the first state of all things is the highest good  of all things. In other words, the first state of all creation is happiness. When reading and thinking of The Bird for yesterday's post, the following poem came to mind and I feel I would be remiss if I did not stop to allow the poem to elaborate on that picture of the happiness of The Bird. (Side note: might there be more to Skynyrd's "Freebird" than meets the eye ear?). Caged Bird (by Maya Angelou) A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky. But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing. The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the cag

(ht: Boing Boing)

My first pet was a dog named Rusty. I think was three. I may have done something three-years-oldish to the dog, but all I remember is that he bit my face and I never saw him again. Then there was Petey, a parakeet. Had him a long time. One Sunday morning we were walking out the door on the way to church when he fell off his perch, dead as a door-nail. He’s buried in the woods somewhere in Texas. My parents had a dog names “Whiskers.” Drove me nuts. Now there are three cats in the house: a massive pure white cat named “Runt” (he was the runt of the litter), “Buddy,” a jet black cat who thinks he rules the world, and “Lilly,” the blondest a cat can possibly be. She’s alright. Runt keeps to himself, which is good. And Buddy . . . what can I say? “Get down!” “Stop that!” Things like that, I suppose. photovide.com What makes an animal happy? For Buddy, it’s food in all three bowls (he’ll clink them together with his paw if low or empty). A dog? Whatever makes his tail wag perhaps.

death-trap of spidery . . . death. I nearly stepped into it!

We talk and hear much about happiness today but what is happiness that so many are eager to pursue it? What is unhappiness? How does one know if he or she is unhappy if one does not know what happiness is? What words or terms come to mind when thinking of happiness? Delight. Joy. Freedom from care, pain, sorrow, want. Contentment. I don’t like how the dictionary defines happiness: “the state of being happy.” That doesn’t tell me what happiness is. Is happiness a destination or a by-product?  Is happiness a choice? Is happiness good health?  Is happiness a person? or people?  Is happiness a warm donut? A warm puppy? A Warm Gun? [ Original song from The Beatles' White Album ] In Book 3, Prose 2 of Boethius’ “ Consolation of Philosophy ,” The Love of Wisdom (“philosophy”, personified as a lady in white) defines happiness as “a state which is made perfect by the union of all good things.” A much better definition. In other words, happiness is attaining the highest good. Wr

“Is this your first entrance upon the stage of life? Are you come here unprepared and a stranger to the scene? Think you that there is any certainty in the affairs of mankind, when you know that often on swift hour can utterly destroy a man?” (Beothius, " Consolation of Philosophy ," Book 2, Prose III)* The allegorical “Lady Philosophy” sitting on the edge of despairing Boethius’ bed asks if he just fell off the proverbial turnip wagon. He’s not a young man (most likely middle-aged) who has been digging himself an emotional hole from which “the love of wisdom” is trying to raise him. He’s up to his proverbial eyeballs in a veritable “slough of despond,”** the quicksand of despair, worrying over his loss of fortune. Truth be told, that’s the way the big wheel spins when it comes to fortune. “Wheel goes round, landing on a leap of fate Life redirected in ways unexpected Sometimes the odd number wins The way the big wheel spins” (Rush, “ The Big Wheel ”) Lad

I don't know about you, but I'll never watch this scene the same way again. How musical! How lyrical! The rhythm of the scene! What genius! (ht: Boing Boing)

“ The Consolation Of Philosophy ” is in some ways a familiar story: an innocent man is unjustly convicted and executed. What makes his story unlike so many other is that, among other writings, he gives us a kind of journal of how he received consolation while waiting to die. Written in the 6th Century AD, Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius left a legacy of instruction fit for the life-long learner. Encyclopedia Britannica Face a-dew with tears, Boethius lamented his condition--he lost everything and was awaiting execution. As nothing could save him from his situation, was there any hope for his languishing spirit? Philosophy appears to him in a vision in the form of a nurse and sitting on the end of his bed, applies a healing balm to his weary soul by helping him remember foundational truths he appears to have forgotten. Like the farmer expecting a crop, he may have to find another means of sustenance, as it were, as lamenting will not help a fallow ground to grow a crop. As if

Look carefully and you can see where the bodies fell . . . and got back up again . . . and again .  . . and again MARSOC Short Card (modified) 15 Push-ups 30 Air squats 30 Sit-ups 10 Burpees 10 Windmills 15 Push-ups 30 Mountain climbers (2-count) 30 Flutter kicks 10 Burpees 10 Cherry pickers (4-count) 15 Push-ups 30 Star jumpers (or jumping jacks) 30 Back Extensions ("Supermans") 10 Burpees 10 Chain breakers 15 Push-ups 30 Walking Lunge Steps 30 "Hello dollies" 10 Burpees 10 Trunk twists

I'll just leave this here. ht: Open Culture

While imprisoned and awaiting execution for curiosity, for teaching and for not believing the same gods as other Greeks, Socrates was visited by Crito early one morning and Crito had an offer: bribe the guards and escape! One wonders how long the 70 year-old man had to think it over because in the end, he went on to his execution. This is important because if he took Crito’s offer and escaped, a domino effect would have started and the world as we know it would not exist in the form of the absence of Plato. Socrates had to die and the reasons he gives are worth investigating. Plato's " Crito " is a short read. “TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT” First, Socrates discourages the bribing of the guards on the grounds that two wrongs don’t make a right. “[W]e ought not to retaliate or render evil for evil to anyone, whatever evil we may have suffered from him.” Yes, there are problems in that an innocent man is condemned to death, but what happens to the integrity of a man if

January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated the 35th President of the United States. At the inauguration, poet Robert Frost read his poem , "The Gift Outright" The land was ours before we were the land’s. She was our land more than a hundred years Before we were her people. She was ours In Massachusetts, in Virginia, But we were England’s, still colonials, Possessing what we still were unpossessed by, Possessed by what we now no more possessed. Something we were withholding made us weak Until we found out that it was ourselves We were withholding from our land of living, And forthwith found salvation in surrender. Such as we were we gave ourselves outright (The deed of gift was many deeds of war) To the land vaguely realizing westward, But still unstoried, artless, unenhanced, Such as she was, such as she would become. January 29, 1963, Robert Frost died. The impact "The Gift Outright" made on JFK was so significant that on October 26, 1963, Kennedy deli

“Philosophy” literally means, “love of wisdom” (philos = love; sophos = wisdom) and all the true philosopher wants to do is accomplish the mission set before him: to see others love wisdom too. He must speak truth. That “philosophy” has come to mean “the nature of knowledge” (as now defined in our textbooks) indicates an extraordinary shift away from the essence of what true philosophy is. Those who study the nature of knowledge actually practice “philognosis” and are hardly philosophers at all. According to Socrates, the task of the philosopher in speaking the truth is to examine life, questioning the answers (not answer the questions); in other words, test the presuppositions. The differences are staggering. The philosopher wants to see people improved so that society is improved, in turn. This means “philosophy” is much more than a subject to study or a technique of clarification. The philosopher is concerned for mankind and struggles to find meaning. “Apology” can be a com

Time is Too Slow for those who Wait, Too Swift for those who Fear, Too Long for those who Grieve, Too Short for those who Rejoice; But for those who Love, Time is not. (Henry Van Dyke, 1852 - 1933) photo: Columbia Metropolitan Airport, 5/3/2017

Since Cinco De Mayo always follows May the Fourth . . . Have a good one!

Not many items on my Bucket List, but here's a peek at one of them: hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Or any portion of it (mostly the northern). Described as "the wild and scenic path from Mexico to Canada" this 2,659 mile trail starts in the California desert, moves over a grand total elevation change of 420,880 feet through Oregon and ends in E.C. Manning Park, British Columbia, Canada. The highest point is over 13,000 feet. This guy did it and put together a nice seven-minute video of 2600 miles. What an amazing contrast from beginning to end. (ht: Boing Boing)

Plato’s “Meno” is a fun read. Meno (μένω), whose name means, “abide” or “stay” describes a student who wants to learn, and Socrates seems to enjoy interacting with an open mind. Contrast this against “ Euthyphro ,” were Socrates plays with an arrogant man like a killer whale plays with his food. Meno is not a terribly long read and should be done with pencil in-hand for it helps to make marginal notes (true for all interactive reading). Two major subjects are treated in this work, with perhaps a third as it relates to “forms,” but we will treat only one here presently, that being the subject of virtue. Meno wants to know if virtue (Ἀρετή, “arete”-- also translates as “excellence”) can be taught. What is virtue (excellence)? The beauty of Socrates is that when asked a question, he always assumes ignorance and through dialogue intends to search out an answer (in short, the second subject discussed in “Meno” is the subject of learning, where Socrates holds that since the soul

"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" turns 50 this year. This is awesome. And there are more videos! (ht: Boing Boing)

What is “right”? What is “good”? How do you know if what you are doing is right? What is the measure of “good”? Age old problems, age old questions. Nearly four hundred years preceding the birth of Jesus, a Greek priest and a philosopher wrestled with these issues. Specifically, they discussed the matter of piety. What is piety? That’s the beauty of this conversation. Meeting at Magistrate court, the priest wondered what the philosopher was doing there. The philosopher explains he is being indicted for corrupting the younger generations by rejecting the state gods and replacing them with his own. [I can't resist posting a clip from one of most favorite movies of all time, ever, "Fun With Dick and Jane" . . . I could loop this movie and never tire of it.] Back to serious.  What was the priest doing in court? He is prosecuting his father for killing a man who killed another man. How does piety fit into all this? The priest feels he is able to press his case o