Trotting Turkeys
Just six runners took part in the first Turkey Trot back in 1896 in Buffalo, NY. This past Thursday there were nearly one million runners participating in Turkey Trot events across the United States, making Thanksgiving the most popular running day.
Source: Trailhead: An Attitude of Gratitude, November 29, 2022(UltraSignup.com newsletter)
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The Ups and The Downs
In this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all the friends I have met along the way. Many of you are on this email list and read this newsletter.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Luke Pearson in the past. Luke is a gifted videographer and storyteller. Occasionally he turns the camera on himself and when he does the results are both moving and inspiring. In his latest work, filmed during the midst of the pandemic, Pearson reminds us that there will be ups and downs in life and we should “celebrate the story over the outcome”.
Watching this short film makes me want to be a better dad.
If you’d like to see more of Luke’s work, you can view more films here.
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Overlooked
“Success is easier when you pursue things other people are ignoring. To do that, you need to get off the default path. Though there’s less explicit direction along the independent route, it unlocks far more opportunity because there’s so much less competition.”
Source: David Perell – Monday Musings (Finding Work You’re Passionate About) – Mon, Nov 14, 2022
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Cultural Differences
In The Faroe Islands, it’s not unusual for people to come aboard your boat, uninvited, at all hours of the day or night to ask, “Where was she built?” Faroese are extremely friendly and helpful. However, they have an interesting trait that can be unsettling until you grow accustomed to it. If you make eye contact and smile, you’ll receive nothing but a blank stare in response. It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever experienced this behavior.
A friend and I walked into a car rental agency in Torshavn, the capital of the Faroes and inquired about renting a car, asking “Can we rent a car?” “Yes,” said the man behind the counter, followed by a silent blank stare. I asked, “Can we get a diesel?” To which he responded, “No.” After a few more questions the clerk warmed up and was thereafter very talkative. This exchange was not unusual.
To Newfoundland and Beyond via Passagemaker
Are we more likely to accept cultural differences when we travel, and less likely to do so when we are at home?
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Occasionally I’ll realize that I’ve listened to a song for years (and maybe even know all the lyrics) without ever thinking about what it says. When I heard “The Weight” recently, I had to do a little research on the words and their meaning.
There are a variety of interpretations for the song’s lyrics. From what I can gather, the band was dismissive of any religious connections.
What do you think?
Here are the lyrics from Lyrics.com:
I pulled into Nazareth,
Was feelin’ ’bout half past dead.
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
“Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?”
He just grinned and shook my hand
And “No” was all he said.
Take a load off, Fanny.
Take a load for free.
Take a load off, Fanny,
And (and, and) you put the load right on me.
(You put the load right on me.)
I picked up my bag.
I went lookin’ for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the devil walkin’ side by side.
I said, “Hey, Carmen, come on, let’s go downtown.”
And she said, “I gotta go, but my friend can stick around.”
And take a load off, Fanny.
Take a load for free.
Take a load off, Fanny,
And (and, and) you put the load right on me.
(You put the load right on me.)
Go down, Miss Moses.
There’s nothin’ you can say.
It’s just old Luke and Luke’s waitin’ on the Judgment Day.
“Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?”
He said, “Do me a favor, son, won’t ya stay and keep Anna Lee company?”
And take a load off, Fanny.
Take a load for free.
Take a load off, Fanny,
And (and, and) you put the load right on me.
(You put the load right on me.)
Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog.
He said, “I will fix your rack if you’ll take Jack my dog.”
I said, “Wait a minute, Chester, you know I’m a peaceful man.”
He said, “That’s okay, boy. Won’t you feed him when you can.”
Hey.
And take a load off, Fanny.
Take a load for free.
Take a load off, Fanny,
And (and, and) you put the load right on me.
(You put the load right on me.)
Catch a Cannonball now to take me down the line.
My bag is sinkin’ low
And I do believe it’s time to get back to Miss Fanny.
You know she’s the only one who sent me here with regards to everyone.
And take a load off, Fanny.
Take a load for free.
Take a load off, Fanny,
And (and, and) you put the load right on me.
(You put the load right on me.)
Here’s a great live version by Bruce Springsteen: