Live Long and Prosper. Question of the Week. Darkness Again. Thoughts. Pure Talent.
Defining Old. Politics. Ain’t No Sunshine. Already the 11th Month. Neil and Eddie.
Quote of the Week: “Every man desires to live long, but no man wishes to be old. – Jonathan Swift
I see the word ‘old’ differently because its meaning depends on context. Old compared with whom—or old as in outdated or obsolete? Not wanting to be old raises the question of what we are comparing ourselves with. I may be older than someone else, but does age alone make me old? If our health and lifestyles are similar, and I can keep up with them in the gym, in a 10K, or on the tennis court, am I old?
Society views the age of forty as the start of middle age. I would beg to differ with that view, and I am sure you do as well. Yes, we viewed our parents differently as we watched them age into their 50s, 60s, and beyond, but healthcare and physical dynamics have drastically changed over the last forty years, with many more people living a more vibrant lifestyle. When we hear the cliche that ‘age is just a number’ we all smile and agree to some level. To me, age is just a number, especially when I get my ass kicked on the tennis court by two men in their late 60s/70s. While I understand Jonathan Swift’s quote, I respectfully disagree.
Here is Susan Rice discussing age. Funny and at some level, true.
Thank you for your answers to the Question of the Week regarding your favorite myths or urban legends:
- Real estate only goes up in $.
- Bigfoot…though I believe that Bigfoot is not an urban legend
- The Bunny Man – back in the ’70s in Northern Virginia.
- Wilt Chamberlain’s 20,000 women!
- Slenderman; weird and creepy for sure.
- Bigfoot and Cow Tipping are considered urban legends, but are they? 🤔
- The Lock Ness Monster. Many Scots believe in “Nessie.”
- The Apollo 11 moon landing was fake….
This week’s Question of the Week: Though I stay away from politics, here is one for you to answer: Which party will control the House and the Senate on Wednesday morning? (yes….many states drag their feet with election results, but I am asking for your prediction).
For the ten years JustMyTake has been around, I have asked and pleaded for Daylight Savings Time to be year-round. Legislation would always come and go, with both the House and the Senate never approving the Sunshine Protection Act. Daylight Savings Time is now a distant memory as tonight the sun will go down early in the evening and in parts of the U.S., late afternoon.
Back in July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill with bipartisan support, backed by President Trump. Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, the Bill stalled in the U.S. Senate, adjourning without bringing the Sunshine Protection Act to vote. A few Senators voiced their concerns with the early morning hours being dark, subjecting school children and commuters to darkness. Some other Senators echoed their concerns from the healthcare community, with one Senator stating Standard Time is healthier than permanent Daylight Saving Time, due to “better alignment with human circadian rhythms and safety concerns regarding morning darkness.” Really, Senator, as if you know the definition of circadian rhythms?
Bill Withers and I cannot wait for Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 2:00 a.m.
Thoughts for the 1st day of November 2026.
- I cannot wait for this Tuesday to be over.
- Sir Patrick Stewart passed away last week at the age of eighty-six. My mom once described him as a modern-day Yul Brynner. Stewart’s career was broad, collecting two Laurence Olivier Awards and a Grammy Award, as well as nominations for a Tony Award, three Golden Globes, four Emmy Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. RIP, Sir Patrick Stewart.
- Christa Pike is complaining that she is now in constant mental and physical pain. Good.
- The space race from the 1960s is back on, with NASA fast-tracking their plans for a 2028 moon landing. Love this.
- I bought a bottle of Willie’s (Nelson) Remedy, which offers hemp-derived THC, in theory providing “a gentle, relaxing body and mind buzz without the morning-after ‘fog’ and hangover.” A spontaneous purchase along with Johnny Walker Black from Total Wine. No, I have not opened the bottle and most likely will make it a holiday gift. 🙂
- Can anyone offer up an explanation of worldwide brewers reporting weak beer sales, with some reporting non-alcoholic beers as their only category of growth?
- Why is there a new documentary focused on Elizabeth Holmes? Do we have that big of an appetite for fraudulent behavior?
- I was looking forward to Kid Rock and Eminem releasing their new song, Heal My Faith. The song is not doing well on the Billboard 100 chart, but I like it. Thoughts?
Pure Talent. Two unmistakable voices, one remarkable performance. Not everyone shares my appreciation for Neil Young’s voice, but his unconventional pitch and high, nasal tones bring songs to life as few others can. Pair him with Eddie Vedder’s rich baritone, vibrato, and emotional delivery, and you have an unforgettable blend of vocals and guitar. In this 1993 performance, Pearl Jam plays Rockin’ in the Free World, with a magical interlude from Neil Young. Yes, Pure Talent.