Procrasti-Nation

We went to the beach last Sunday (you can read about it here in TravelingBoy.com). You’d think that I would take in that ocean air more often considering the Pacific Ocean is less than 20 miles away from me; but no. I always think I would do it next week and next week never comes. Similarly, I regret I didn’t visit the Smithsonian Museums more often when I lived near Washington, DC. Yup! I admit it. I’m part of the Procrasti-Nation. If you’re honest, you’re part of it too.

We Southern Californians procrastinate going to nearby places which global tourists visit in droves. And we return the favor and visit their touristy spots which they (the locals) rarely visit. Explain that to a visiting alien from space.

I wondered if there’s a term for this. Couldn’t think of any and so I asked AI to write a song about this. I was impressed. So let’s all rise and sing our AI-inspired Procrasti-National Anthem:

(Verse 1)
Welcome to the land of procrasti-nation,
Where tasks disappear without hesitation.
I’ll get to it later, I swear I will,
But for now, let’s chill and just Netflix and chill.

(Chorus)
Pro-cras-ti-nation, the art of delay,
In this realm, productivity fades away.
With every excuse, I justify my hesitation,
Lost in the twisted path of procrasti-nation.

(Bridge)
One more cat video, one more quick scroll,
Oh look, an email, I’ll just read it all.
Time slips away, how quickly it goes,
In procrasti-nation, even minutes are foes.

(Chorus)
Pro-cras-ti-nation, the procrastinator’s dream,
Avoiding work has become my daily regime.
The to-do list grows, but motivation is weak,
In the vast land of procrasti-nation, I seek refuge and peace.

(Outro)
Oh procrasti-nation, my constant companion,
I’ll conquer you someday, with fierce determination.
But for now, let me bask in your sweet embrace,
As I procrastinate, leaving tasks in disgrace.

(Yes, Chat GPT AI actually wrote that song)

But more than procrastinating on work and chores, I think the things I procrastinate and feel guilty about the most are:

• Spiritual health: Not meditating on scripture as much as I should.
• Physical health: Not exercising. Not eating healthy.
• Other Stuff: Not learning more computer skills to catch up. Not painting or creating art as much as I could. Not learning to play the piano. Not reading more. Not converting my VHS family tapes into digital format.

During my Dad’s last days here on earth I wish I had told him I loved him more. I didn’t expect him to lose his cognitive abilities so quickly. So I’ll add one more item to my list:

• Not saying “I love you” more often.

How about you? Name 3 things you know you ought to do more often. How about it? Let’s call it our mid-year resolution! Let’s start now … okay, let’s start tomorrow … Aw c’mon! … really?!

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Warren of Orange County, CA

Video of the Week

Have you ever wondered how the Chinese type on a keyboard? I have wondered for years. This video is not a joke. It’s pretty long. But I found it very interesting.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena. CA

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

The post Wookie Jar appeared first on Traveling Archive.

From Within and From Without

Yesterday I found myself in the middle of the lion’s den. Someone invited me to a meeting thinking that I shared the same world view as the organizers. I didn’t. I was an unwilling spy. I observed the way they talked, the way they urged everyone else to join their campaign. I had only known this species in their hostile state so I was impressed at their friendliness, ease with technology and their gift of gab (although it was English they spoke a different language). I did see a problem with some of their assumptions but who was I to expose myself? Still, I would like to have a real conversation when both our shields are down.

A day before, I was informed that someone in my own inner circle was moving to another church. You think you know people well enough but I was unaware of his unmet needs within the church.

How little we understand people outside of our circle. How little we know the people in our own circle.

The Turtle and the Grasshopper

There was a turtle, a grasshopper and a highway. The grasshopper convinced the turtle that there was more food on the other side but the turtle warned the grasshopper of the danger of the cars whizzing by. The grasshopper teased him and jumped back and forth from side to side showing him that his fears were unfounded because there wasn’t any car in sight. Persuaded that it was time to face his fears, the turtle started his journey to the other side. All the while, the grasshopper is jeering and running rings around the turtle. Varoom! A car drives by and the grasshopper is squashed like a pancake. The turtle is protected by his shell and survives. But the angry driver (who was forced to swerve because of the turtle) picks up the turtle and lays him upside down on top of a fence to die a slow death.

Questions:
When opportunity presents itself, are people too smart to realize they’re playing with danger? Are people too slow to grab the opportunity? Instead of making a killing, do we always expect the worst and turn into roadkill? When can we trust enough to turn down the divisive walls and learn from each other?

We think we know but we really don’t until we live among them.

TGIF people!

Raoul

“When we lower out shields, we become vulnerable and open to both help and harm equally. In order to bond on a spiritual level, we have to lower our ‘shields’ and become authentically vulnerable with the other person.” — Warren Lamb, PHD in his book Unbound.

2 From Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Mel of Washington. DC for this joke.

Video of the Week

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Mel of Washington DC for this joke.

Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood, CA.

The post Gossip appeared first on Traveling Archive.