Warm Recollection #7
More from the Bitz files
As introduced here, these Warm Recollections are random cullings from thirty years of notes files…
It’d be great if we could stop using the word “journey” to describe anything that’s a process, or merely “something that happened over a period of time”. I know how essential metaphor is to language but for some reason that one really gets on my nerves. Possibly because it’s so often used in conjunction with reflection over things that really don’t merit reflection, at least not in public. “I’d like to reflect now on my buying-a-sandwich journey today”. Cool, or… you could just not say anything?
Also, “Our Story” pages on websites. “Our journey toward building SaaSoft began when Josh realized there were too many pain-points in the data-sponging space and saw a way to reduce friction through a game-changing disruption of…”
That is neither a journey, nor a story, and I don’t care. Does it work, or not? Will you still be in business six months from now, or not? Shh. Go away.
Those albums you buy on a whim in a foreign city, by reason of temporary vacation insanity. Also, shirts. They should frisk for both at the airport.
“Sir, that cheeky little Hawaiian number you’ve got there — yes, the bright yellow one with parakeets. You really think that’s going to play in Cardiff, in November? Or anywhere in the UK, at any time, unless you’re at a costume party or a tightly-themed stag do? Come on, hand it over. And the Jimmy Buffet CD, too. Sure, I love him, we all do, but it’s simply not going to make sense in Newcastle. Leave it here with a friend, and listen to it when you next come back to Florida.”
One of the surest signs of having a mind is being able to change it.
A house testing new occupants to see if they’re up to scratch, dedicated enough to live there: the water heater suddenly failing, though it tested fine in the inspection; a cat getting somewhere it can’t be found for an hour; sending some very weird dreams.
With running injuries, there’s the question of whether continuing to run on them will help keep it loose, and merely hurt a little as you get the other side of it, or if that will actively make things worse. Probably the same is true of emotional injuries.
As always, if you can think of anyone who might enjoy this Substack, please spread the word.
Journey. JOURNEY! Do not get me started. Come sit on my porch, we will listen to Jimmy Buffet.
Whenever someone said "I changed my mind" Dad would ask "Does it work better now?"
The clothing purchased on a whim. I try to ask myself if I'll ever wear it again before buying it. Maybe an idea for a vacation clothes rental service.