On this day

February 12th

Rhythm

February 12, 2024

Simply put, all of my problems stem from trying to jam too much into each day. Partly that’s from my having too many ideas. But mostly that’s from insufficient self-awareness to let things go. Over a few decades I’ve steered away from the typical schedule (and it was never anything like a 9-to-5 job.) But I’m still on a strict sleep schedule, with strict light hygiene practices, and no alarm clock. I sleep in utter darkness, and I awake as the room lighting slowly comes up to full brightness—a mimicked sunrise. But I’m still clinging to set times.

Sometimes I break routine by staying out, or up, past my usual bedtime. Sometimes I’m traveling and staying with others. In either case, I don’t seem to have trouble bending my sleep schedule. I’m often the first person to “crash”, but other than that, with a bit of balance-the-total-sleep-time over-sleeping… I feel pretty normal the next day.

All humans, animals, insects and birds have clocks inside, biological devices controlled by genes, proteins and molecular cascades. These inner clocks are connected to the ceaseless yet varying cycle of light and dark caused by the rotation and tilt of our planet. They drive primal physiological, neural and behavioural systems according to a roughly 24-hour cycle, otherwise known as our circadian rhythm, affecting our moods, desires, appetites, sleep patterns, and sense of the passage of time.

~ Karen Emslie from, Broken sleep

slip:4uaeea13.

Except for how much I can get done. On those “next days” where I’ve been off my rigid sleep times. I get vastly less done, and not just because there are fewer hours in the day when I sleep longer in the morning. In fact, the more I glimpse that other world—went to bed whenever, slept until the right amount of time… and then face a less-productive day. The more I realize, that is the better amount of things to attempt to accomplish: Sleep on a healthy, light-driven cycle, and do half as much in the day.

ɕ

You don’t say

February 12, 2023

I first discovered sarcasm as a freshman in college, which I realize makes me a bit of a late bloomer as far as teenagers go. There were certain classmates who seemed to always come across as clever and funny no matter the topic. Over time I noticed there was a simple formula to their contributions and it was pretty easy to mimic.

~ Andrew Bosworth from, On Sarcasm

slip:4usupo3.

One could say (anyone who knows me surely would) that I can be a tad sarcastic. I used to be sarcastic, not just to a fault, but well into the realm of, s’rsly bro’, stahp. Of course I got various amounts of pushback over many years against my being so sarcastic. I received a ton of positive reinforcement in the form of attention, too. Still, no one ever made the point clearly: The sarcasm I was deploying didn’t add anything.

Reading Bosworth’s short piece made wonder: The point he makes is so clear, and yet I never heard it put as such. So how did I move away from being entirely sarcastic (“snarky” to put a fine point on it)? Well, I didn’t move away from it. Over time, with increasing regularity I moved towards engaging creatively with others; Writing, building things with technology, moving in parkour spaces, etc. The more creative I was, the more fun I had while experiencing the virtuous cycle of positive reinforcement from others. I still delight in sarcasm’s occasional use. But now I find [hope? *grins nervously*] that when I use sarcasm it brings some insight.

ɕ

Vulnerability

February 12, 2022

I had no choice but to let my guard down and be vulnerable for the first time. Shockingly, rather than drive my employees away, it drew them closer. Young team members actually pulled me aside and confessed that they used to think I was “superhuman,” meaning I was unrelatable [sic]. Now that I was showing my vulnerability, they said, they would follow me anywhere. The lesson: Rather than striving to be superhuman, I would aspire to be less “super” and more “human.”

~ Linda Rottenberg

slip:4a759.

Reflection: Day 43

February 12, 2021

WHAT HAVE I BEEN READING? — I’ve performed this experiment countless times. Read little: nothing happens. Read more: ideas, new connections, inspiration, questions, motivation, short-cuts, wonder.

Many arts teach the lesson of simply being. Zen, for example provides koans: “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”

ɕ

Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)

Angel Griffin | Performance 101

February 12, 2020

On Castbox.fm — Angel Griffin | Performance 101

How can gym owners effectively create and manage performance teams that provide opportunities for athletes to grow and succeed in professional environments?

Building a performance team can transform a gym’s visibility and offer athletes pathways into professional arenas like Cirque du Soleil and stunt shows.

We live on the policy of, push our coaches to be the best that they can possibly be.

~ Angel Griffin (5:15)

The conversation explores the process of creating and managing performance teams within gym environments. Angel shares insights from her experience directing Firestorm Talent and Entertainment, emphasizing the importance of defining goals before launching performance initiatives. She outlines paths gym owners might take, such as raising community awareness, generating income, or offering new channels for coaches and students to develop.

Angel discusses how performance teams provide opportunities for athletes to transition into professional careers, citing successful placements in Cirque du Soleil and stunt shows. The conversation highlights the significance of supporting coaches’ ambitions, even if it leads them to leave the gym, and underscores the importance of delegating leadership roles to passionate individuals to ensure performance teams thrive without compromising gym operations.

Takeaways

Building community awareness — A performance team can increase visibility and attract new gym members.

Professional pathways — Athletes can transition into professional careers with proper guidance, including resumes, headshots, and demo reels.

Delegation and leadership — Gym owners should delegate performance team management to passionate individuals to avoid spreading themselves too thin.

Coaching retention — Supporting coaches’ personal goals often leads to long-term benefits for the gym and community.

Simple starting points — Birthday parties and small performances provide accessible entry points to build a performance team.

Clear goals — Defining the purpose behind starting a performance team is crucial for success and direction.

Training for success — Teaching performance etiquette and backstage processes prepares athletes for professional environments.

Networking value — Connections in industries like Cirque du Soleil can create opportunities for athletes to achieve their dreams.

Resources

Firestorm Talent — The official website for Firestorm Talent and Entertainment, showcasing performances and services.

Firestorm Talent @firestormtalent

Art of Retreat — Official site for Art of Retreat, the event where this conversation took place.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

ɕ

Do the work

February 12, 2020

She didn’t give me a chance because I was an “insider” or because I had the fire of an “outsider.” She gave me a chance because I did the work. When she was in on the weekends, she saw me there too. When she asked me to read something, she got a report on her desk the next day. If she took the time to solicit ideas from the window seats, I spoke up. I made an ass out of myself more times than I’d like to admit but I watched, read, and learned.

~ Steven Pressfield from, «https://stevenpressfield.com/2013/04/insideoutside/»

In all my years I’ve never worked a “real” job; I never had one of those corporate wage-slave jobs you may have heard of from the 80’s and 90’s. I had two, generic-type, hourly-wage-type jobs; one involving insane physical labor as a grounds-keeper on a golf course. I worked while in college, but only for the extra spending money, so I had the luxury of working jobs I wanted. Lots of people at those jobs helped me out, and lots of people have given me breaks along the way. Why?

Because I did the work.

I cut the edging of sand traps in the blazing heat, by hand, with a machete. I mopped floors, loaded and drove a delivery truck. Mowed grass, mucked horse stalls, loaded tons of paper into laser printers, read a room full of manuals, typed and then edited an entire book chapter full of complex math. Some things I did for money, some for favors, and some for fun. I put my back into it, literally and figuratively.

So now—on a Wednesday morning, relaxing before a fire, deciding what I will do today—I’m also thinking: Who do I know that could use a tip? Who could do wonders with an opportunity? Who could accomplish a lot if I just helped them get in motion?

Yes, each of us should seize the day, chart our own course, and begin now under our own power. But those of us in positions where we are able, we should be helping, nudging, pushing and guiding wherever our efforts can have outsized benefit.

ɕ

Duke of York

February 12, 2014

A 150-year-old view from the pub ‘Duke of York’ on Dering street in London. The pub was first licensed in 1722, renamed the ‘Duke of York’ in 1806, and rebuilt in its present form in 1886.

ɕ