Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

Hello everyone! I’m back at it after a brief hiatus. You know, that phrase “back at it again” rings a bell, doesn’t it? If anyone knows where it comes from, please enlighten me! Life can get overwhelming, and sometimes you just need to chill out—perhaps by lounging in a kiddy pool filled with ice! This post draws inspiration from my workday on Wednesday and, more importantly, from what I was listening to while I worked. As some of you may know, I’m a huge fan of Neil Degrasse Tyson, whether it’s from Cosmos or Star Talk. This man shares some truly insightful thoughts.

On that Wednesday morning, I tuned into Star Talk and was engrossed in a discussion about multiverse theory featured in Endgame, an exploration of life’s extinction on Earth, and an intriguing interview with Stephen Hawking about time travel. It was absolutely captivating! I often find myself dabbling in such topics, and if I were to have a rabbit hole, it would be learning about random subjects that capture my interest. I'm a bit like a squirrel with a long attention span—complete with opposable thumbs! My point is, I usually don’t seek things out actively; they tend to find me. For instance, when I listen to music, I randomly select a song to match my mood, and before I know it, I’m immersed in an eight-hour Minecraft spree while jamming to Pink Floyd (WILD, I tell you, WILD).

To get to the crux of the matter, I’ve been emphasizing lately how our minds are our most precious assets, and time is our most limited resource. We can’t reclaim lost time or create more of it, and our minds are unparalleled in nature. In the last episode I listened to, NDT remarked, “Our minds are our most important gift of nature,” and I nearly leaped out of my seat, shouting, “YES! EXACTLY!” But then I remembered I was in my cubicle with 5–7 colleagues around, none of whom were sharing my enthusiasm for Star Talk, so… they might think I’m even crazier than they already do.

I don’t mention this to boast about being on the same wavelength as NDT or to imply that I’m particularly intelligent. Rather, I want to encourage all of you to consider how you spend your time and how you engage your intellect. Personally, I believe in maximizing utility—making the most out of every minute and every day while indulging in what we love, all in a balanced manner. This isn’t about a never-ending party where you’re going non-stop, nor is it about neglecting self-care just to fill every minute (looking at you, Ciana, make sure to EAT A SANDWICH OR SOMETHING!). Instead, it’s about extracting all you can from each experience.

Sometimes I grapple with my gaming habits. Sure, playing video games brings a sense of satisfaction, but what tangible benefits do I derive from it? Perhaps improved hand-eye coordination or the joy of accomplishment, but at the end of the day, what have I truly gained?

I have a deep passion for reading and often urge friends, family, and even strangers to embrace it. Anyone who can binge-watch a series in a week yet claims they lack time to read is missing the point. Just cut back on the binge-watching and strike a better balance (says the guy who had to reorganize his life last year—fair enough). My main concern is the fear of looking back at my life and regretting missed opportunities—wishing I had learned more, interacted more, exercised more, or chosen healthier foods.

Currently, I strive to approach everything I do with precision. I’ve transitioned from the initial burst of motivation to maintaining sustained effort. I’m keeping up with U.S. politics through NPR, reading nightly before bed, eating healthier, exercising more, attending therapy for mental health, taking guitar lessons, spending quality time with friends, improving my sleep, and making an effort to be more polite, thoughtful, energetic, and positive. The list of my aspirations is extensive as I aim for greater control and confidence in my life.

An interesting encounter occurred when I was waiting for coffee with my friend Kirk. Arriving early, I decided to strike up a conversation with a random girl—thinking, “Why not? This could be fun!” We had a great chat, but when I asked her to analyze me, she said I seemed to be striving for more control in my life. She then questioned, “Why do you want more control?” My response was, “I fear what may happen if I don’t, and with that control, I can accomplish more.” It was a thought-provoking moment, and I’m still reflecting on it.

What I know for sure is that I have an insatiable thirst for knowledge, especially about things I don’t understand. I love hearing about what people do for a living, their life purposes, their journeys, and the extremes of their experiences. I find myself asking deeper, more emotionally resonant questions. I believe I’m reaching a state where I can inspire conversations with anyone about anything, delving into what makes us uniquely human, as that’s when I feel most alive. Hearing harrowing tales of romance, heroism, political upheaval, and pivotal historical events ignites my curiosity about what lies ahead!

My challenge to all of you is to examine your lives and identify the things you claim you “don’t have time for” or wish you could explore. Make the time! Don’t let regrets about missed experiences haunt you; there’s always a way to add to your life and reassess your priorities. I’m guilty of this myself, especially when it comes to recommendations for movies or shows I should see. So, that’s a wrap on this post! For all Marvel fans, I highly recommend checking out Spider-Man: Far From Home—I saw it yesterday, and it was fantastic! Remember, never stop learning; it’s one of the greatest gifts the universe has given us! My simple quote is, “To Infinity, and Beyond!” — Buzz Lightyear.

Chapter 2: The Multiverse of Ideas

This video from Flight of the Conchords explores the whimsical concept of "Bowie in Space" that blends humor and imaginative storytelling.

In this second video, Flight Of The Conchords presents a creative rendition of a song dedicated to David Bowie, showcasing the band's unique comedic style.