Brain-Slaps for a Happy, Happy New Year...
and a fews books thrown in
Think About it…
3 quotes to guide me into the new year:
Old George Orwell got it backward. Big Brother isn’t watching. He’s singing and dancing. He’s pulling rabbits out of a hat. Big Brother’s busy holding your attention every moment you’re awake. He’s making sure you’re always distracted. He’s making sure you’re fully absorbed. He’s making sure your imagination withers. Until it’s as useful as your appendix. He’s making sure your attention is always filled. And this being fed, it’s worse than being watched. With the world always filling you, no one has to worry about what’s in your mind. With everyone’s imagination atrophied, no one will ever be a threat to the world
Chuck Palahniuk
No resolutions but let’s Vow to be present this year.
Be a threat.
We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.
Einstein
Let’s take a 360 degree view of all our thoughts and feelings. Take the time to reflect on issues not follow along with the loudest mega-phone’d sound bites.
Here’s a great pdf about free speech and educating ourselves by looking at all view points.
John Stuart Mills - Heterodoxacademy.org
And it’s free
Whatever you do today, do it with the confidence of a 4-year old wearing a Batman tee-shirt.
- Not sure where this came from but I love it.
Just fun. And so true.
Read it…
My favorite reads from 2022. In no particular order…
Two Heads - anything that helps me understand my brain is a must read for me
Mongrels - I got away from reading horror stories sometime in my early 40’s. I came back to it this year and fell in love with the writings of Stephen Graham Jones.
My Annihilation - Japanese writer Fuminori Nakamura unleashes another modern noir. He’s a rock start in Japan but not for the faint of heart. Twist after dark twist.
Wonderbook - for anyone that wants to learn more and have practical examples and prompts for the creative process - especially writing. It’s a beautiful book.
Fat City - Top three boxing book of all-time. Think Grapes of Wrath with fighting. You’ll love it if you write. It’s clean, precise.
Anthem - by Noah Hawley. Just enjoyed this one. I’m sure there’s a movie somewhere in the future for this book.
Do it…
My son and I always have a movie marathon on New Year’s Eve. Sometimes it’s a party. Sometimes it’s just us.
This year we each select a movie around one of the five senses - touch, sight, smell, sound, and taste.
Have to be able to justify your pick.
We each throw our picks into a randomizer and watch what comes up.
Somewhere in there we break for dinner (also themed), watching fireworks from the balcony, and a New Year’s Eve gratitude toast…
Our family tradition.
I hope you enjoy your family’s traditions and if you don’t have one - make one.
Ciao.