listen

One, other, or all?

Posted on February 17, 2021 by backuphill

Sometimes the choices about a how you use your time and the entertainment that you consume is tough. There are so many different options these days. From the extremely varied different video streaming services, to all the music streaming platforms, to all the options for books (real, audio, digital), podcasts, and social media.

It literally is difficult to keep up with all the options. Like literally.

I like movies and TV.

I like audio books.

I like listening to music.

I like listening to a couple different podcasts.

So, the question is, how do I do it all? Do I need a schedule? How do I give them all their due audience? Seriously.

I like music to fill time while I am putzing. I like to listen to podcasts and audio books while I putz. I listen to music while I work.

I like to watch stuff, but I actually watch – I can’t just listen. That takes time.

So, how do I watch my shows and movies, listen to audio books and podcasts, and how do I listen to all the music?

Are you like me? Do you do all this stuff or do you just focus on one? How do you deal with all this entertainment and balance it, like to keep up with it?

Abyss

Posted on October 19, 2020 by backuphill

If you need help deciding who to vote for this year, maybe this can help. I came across this video the other day and while I don’t normally stop to watch something from the source, I was intrigued. The pillars mentioned here are powerful and can’t be ignored when it comes to making a choice for your ballot.

Are the choices we have perfect? Hell no! I would prefer that it was neither of them. But, when it comes to the things that are most important, there is a clear choice. History has proven time and again where Socialism and Communism leads, and we don’t want to head down that road.

If you have 26 minutes to listen, I think you will find this informative, powerful, and impactful.

Blather

Posted on October 7, 2020 by backuphill

Drivel.

Drone.

Anyone else tired of it?

There seem to be a whole lot of people talking in circles and about nothing, blathering, droning, on and on and on about drivel.

I have co-workers who do it.

I have a governor who does it.

I have family members who do it.

Political candidates are experts at it. Politicians have made a living at it.

The media does it.

Hell, my kids do it.

Anyone else just frickin’ tired of people, life, everything?

I’m over it.

Posted on April 30, 2020 by backuphill

Photo by Noelle Otto on Pexels.com

It really sucks to see stuff happen to people.

But then again, there’s a reason the phrase “I told you so” often comes up in conversations after the fact. So, maybe it doesn’t suck. Dare I say it’s deserved?

It’s weird, isn’t it? How someone may (or may not have) ask for advice and you give it, and they ignore it. Then, almost as predictable as a fat kid near cake, what you predicted would happen happens and the only thing you can do is shake your head and bit your tongue as you think, “I told you so.”

When you ask someone with more life experience and they give you advice I would recommend you listen. Don’t just ask because you think it is the right thing to do or because you are looking for confirmation on the answer you want to hear. And if you don’t hear the answer you are looking for, certainly don’t go charging into the *insert problem/issue/dilemma/etc. here* without some serious other considerations. Ask more people. Sleep on it. Consider other options. Change course and see if something else will happen or something better comes about.

I hate being right.

No, actually, I don’t. I like being right.

Call me a jerk, if you want. But deep down, I know you like it too. And, secretly, we all like to be vindicated when we give advice and someone ignores it.

Are we bad people? No.

Should we celebrate in it? No. But we can secretly break our own arms patting ourselves on the back…go ahead and do it.

Feels nice, right?

At least that is better than sitting in public, pointing, and laughing. Of course, there may be a place for that too. But that’s a topic for another day.

Wise counsel

Posted on September 24, 2019 by backuphill

Grinding gears

Yeah, this today.

You know how you give someone advice you know is good advice because it comes from experience and yet they decide to do their own thing because they know better without having any experience (except failure)?

Yeah, grinds my gears.

I have not other words.

Ever find yourself giving wise counsel only to have it completely ignored?

I just knew it

Posted on September 10, 2019 by backuphill

Photo by Bas Masseus on Pexels.com

Ever had that moment of regret where you knew better but did it anyway?

Ever had that moment where your mind tells you, You’ve done this before and it didn’t work. Don’t do it again.

Why do we not listen to our inner voice? Why do we choose to ignore all the red flags and past experiences we have had only to find ourselves in a familiar place with familiar regrets?

My eyes are telling me that. They have been telling me that for at least a week, probably more. Maybe about a month. I should probably do something about it.

I was at Costco a while back and I was in need of contact solution. Many years back I had messed around with trying different brands, only to find that the Bausch & Lomb really WAS the best. So, I haven’t ever deviated from that brand since.

Well, dang it, my eyes observed a deal in the Kirkland brand solution (even though it has been tried in the past). Three bottles of solution for half the price the stuff I normally buy. Maybe it’s time to try it again. Hey, it’s made by a name brand company but just bottled under the Kirkland name. It can’t be as bad as I remember.

My inner voice needs a beating.

Seriously, someone needs to beat that guy up. He tells me not to do it and then turns right around and rationalizes doing it. Way to watch out for my me, inner voice.

My eyes are not as comfortable as they have been in the past and they can definitely tell the solution isn’t the same. My eyes are dried out and they always feel like they do when I am tired and as though I have worn my contacts for several days without taking them out.

Stupid inner voice. I gotta stop listening to that guy. No, I need to start listening to that guy. Wait, I can’t do both.

Inner voice, what should I do?

Just gimme an answer

Posted on May 21, 2019 by backuphill

Photo by Victor Freitas on Pexels.com

I had a friend in college that would never give a straight answer. He talked in circles. It was amusing at times, and we could spar for an hour or two before it got tiresome. Most of the time I got an answer but it was mental gymnastics to get there.

I have other people in my life who typically “beat around the bush” to give me an answer. They think they are being clear in giving an answer but it just isn’t. It could be interpreted in several different ways and trying to decipher the answer usually leads to more issues I can’t get answers to.

It’s a conundrum I tell you. The more I try to clarify the more frustrated they become because I am told that I am not listening. Really? Because there was no “Yes” or “No” in that answer so how am I not listening? Maybe it’s just that someone can’t speak clearly.

I know I can be a bit black and white at times, but not getting a simple answer to a simple question is frustrating as hell. Just gimme an answer!

Do you have someone in your life that frustrates you by not giving you clear answers?

Celebri-Don’t talk to me!

Posted on October 3, 2018 by backuphill

Photo by Jens Mahnke on Pexels.com

We’re all to blame for this, and we’re all dumber because of it.

Why do we constantly have to be bombarded with the opinions and thoughts of celebrities, former government officials, psuedo-celebs, and athletes? Oh, wait, because we show interest in what they say instead of being indifferent to their opinions.

I tell ya, I am tired of hearing from celebs who think we need to know their opinions. Former presidents endorsing political candidates. Musicians campaigning for politicians. Movie stars telling us what they think about social issues. Former FBI directors telling us whether or not an investigation is legit. B-level celebs making videos about the environment and what we should do about it. Former vice presidents touring the country giving speeches about pet projects. Etc., etc., etc.,…

Good, lord, its amazing we have survived this long.

Wanna make America great again? Stop listening to people who think they’re great. Better yet, stop helping people who think they’re great become great by listening to them.

Ya’ll should be ashamed of yourselves.