Use your head
The head weighs about 8 pounds. It’s made up of the brain – about 3 pounds – and the skull – about 5 pounds. So it really paves way for two distinct meanings of “use your head.”
A new take on the Russia-Ukraine debacle
I listened to Lex Fridman’s interview with Serhii Plokhii, Harvard’s Director of Ukrainian Research Institute. Serhii is a wealth of insight and truly educated on all aspects of Slavic culture. Not only that but his explanation of the role Putin plays now in the conflict in Ukraine is quite different than the popular narratives I hear today.
Slavic history is a very old history – Caucus Mountains, Mongols, Huns, all that. Way back then. The Russia and Ukraine we know today are just the modern crust of a people who have consistently played a major role in the world’s history. This episode I both enjoyed and learned a lot about a history and culture that I previously knew very little about.
Tales from the ‘hood
The house we bought has a lot of windows. Whatever we lack in privacy, we are truly enjoying with sunshine and a commanding view around our neighborhood. This week I observed a lawn crew working across the street, and one of the workers, a young guy, a kid really, didn’t look like he was working too hard. It was the distinguishing characteristic in his work: the lack of effort.
Then he got on his phone. This was during my lunch so I was only passively observing until I saw a man, who looked like the boss, walk around the far corner of the house. This kid was gonna get busted on his phone. For sure.
The kid turns away, still on his phone. I was secretly wishing he’d put it away and get back to work before his boss catches him but he was totally consumed. The other man rounds the corner and pauses, behind the kid. The kid was completely unaware his boss was just 3 feet behind him. But this other man stayed there, even crept closer. Then I figured out what was going on.
He was going to startle this kid. And sure enough, he poked him in the ribs and the kid jumped and turned around. It was all silent and I only imagined that he yelled out, but it made for great lunchtime entertainment. A genuine human interaction.
Bonus: TV series recommendation
Feudal Japan. Tribal politics Ninjas. Sepuku. Fate and life’s true purpose. Pirates. Old Osaka.
If any of this sounds exciting, Shogun on Hulu is for you! A true tip of the hat to the original miniseries, Shogun will keep you captivated and itching to find out what devious deed awaits each character, cunning as they may be. It should go without saying but I’ll say it for clarity’s sake: you should expect violence and gore in this show, as well as some cussing and sexual content. The scenes are beautiful, and although it was filmed predominantly in British Columbia, this show captured the majesty of Japanese forests and countryside in all its mist and glory.