Five Things Friday Vol. 103

Five Things Friday: just five things I’m thinking about or things that made my week, or things that I otherwise feel like sharing.

You will probably not see this (in time), I assume, but I just wanted to let you know that I am aware that Feedly is AGAIN not working for my blog RSS feed. Sigh. It’s been awfully quiet around here this week. I am not blaming you. I completely rely on Feedly myself to keep up with all your blogs, so if you’re having Feedly issues as well, I apologize for not always checking your blogs for new content. I guess you’ll read this (and my other recent posts) when you read this.

I will say though that I am writing another email to all involved parties (Feedly, hosting service, BitNinja). I cannot let this rest. This shouldn’t be happening.

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We were supposed to have another opportunity to access our new rental today and take some measurements, so I could better plan out our move. Unfortunately, the rental company canceled our appointment 15 minutes before we were supposed to meet because they didn’t have the key to the property, and said that we had to reschedule for next week – when I’ll be traveling for work for four days. And did I mention that we are moving next weekend? GAH. What in the world? I think I said on Melissas’s blog recently that my biggest pet peeve is inconsiderate people, but I think it’s topped by bad communication (which is probably part of the same thing). Thankfully, the person did end up calling me back and was able to reschedule for Sunday. Partially redeemed.

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I had a bit of an annoying week (at work) and while I won’t go into details, I’ll hint at the fact that it has to do with bad communication, poor leadership, and (maybe just perceived) unequal treatment. As you know I’ve been working on advocating for myself better and working with my mentor has helped tremendously, but I still struggle with asking for things (that others seem to be afforded quite naturally), standing up for myself, and generally feeling like I have agency in my position. I am working on it but it’s not always easy.

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Yesterday was my mom’s 75th birthday (yes, my parents’ birthdays are only 2,5 weeks apart) and it was also German Unity Day (35 years!). My whole family went to Köln for brunch at BASTIAN’S (which is a bakery/restaurant). They had a great day and I am sad I couldn’t be part of it.

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My sister recommended a book to me that was recommended to her by her gynecologist (who has a very all-encompassing approach to healthcare and does not only care about the female reproductive system but someone’s overall well-being). She recently got her blood work done and was prescribed some supplements and the OB/GYN also recommended the book “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” by Peter Attia. Have you heard of it? Attia advocates for a proactive rather than reactive approach, a prevention strategy rather than after-the-fact treatment of diseases, which prolongs lifespan but not necessarily healthspan. I’ve only read the first few chapters but I am super-intrigued by this (what seems to me, a no-brainer) approach to health and longevity! I am probably going to share more as I read this because I already have so many thoughts!

Have a great weekend!

14 Comments

  1. I am so frustrated on your behalf about Feedly. It is so odd. My site was taking longer and longer to get pulled by Feedly, and then one day last week it took like THREE MINUTES to show up after I published. What goes on behind the scenes? I recently added a WordPress plugin that makes it easier for people to sign up to get an e-mail notification each time I post something new. It’s a full and complete solution, but might a good place to start…at least until this Feedly situation improves.
    That rental situation is so frustrating. Poor communication drives me crazy.
    I’m sorry about the work challenges. It can be exhausting and disheartening to have to continue to advocate for yourself – and expend that energy – when your position shouldn’t *require* advocating. Gold stars for persevering and I hope the path ahead is smooth.
    Happy Birthday to your mom. I’m sure those special celebrations are bittersweet as you’d love to be there in person. I love how close you stay in touch with your family, though. It’s a testament to how much you love each other!!

    1. It’s *not* a full and complete solution, but *it* might a good place to start.

  2. Ugh, it’s THE WORST when things just don’t work like they’re supposed to, and it happens so often that it’s almost surprising when things just DO work.
    My parents’ birthdays are three days apart, which is good because we remember their birthdays, but embarrassing because we somehow STILL seem to forget our anniversary which is literally in between the two birthdays.
    I had a crummy day at work Wednesday that also involved having difficulty standing up for myself, and then kind of standing up for myself and the fallout being a bit icky. This stuff is endlessly difficult.

  3. Loved outlive!!! I feel like there needs to be a new feed reader if Feedly doesn’t stay updated. But I’m going to work on my bookmark game :)

    Just thought of you bc I had to quit my long run at mile 3 due to rain and persistent lightning. I was thinking this would not ever happen in California! Luckily the weekend has two days so I will try again tomorrow!!

  4. I have read most of Peter Attia’s book. Overall, it’s quite good but it’s also similar to a lot of non-fiction personal improvement books that are 10-30 pages of real content stretched over 200. I’ve heard some people say that there are some snake oil segments which I don’t doubt, but I didn’t see anything too egregious on my read. The big takeaway/validation for me is that you should live a lifestyle now that sets you up for the health level you want in 20-30 years. I think he calls it the “Centurian Olympics” when it comes to workouts. Refreshingly, he also notes that it’s hard to do it all so prioritization is also important.
    In my own practice, I feel like I see a lot of patients who have problems that just need a time machine to take them back 20-30 years so they can make different lifestyle choices. It’s hard to undo the results of years in one doctor’s visit. A specific example is that there are so many musculoskeletal complaints that lead to pain, restricted mobility and imbalance/dizziness/headaches. I would love if everyone did 10 minutes of mobility/stretching/yoga a day. 10 minutes! That’s all! (I’m going to write a book, hahaha).

  5. I feel so great about things now that I just rely on my blog roll and never check Feedly. I will admit that it does make things a little slower for me, but I don’t miss anything! Until I find a reliable feed reader, this solution has been working for me!

    I am so bummed about your work situation. I hope that maybe there is hope for change (new boss?). Or, if not, is it time to look for another job? Job searching is terrible, too, though. Ugh. Sorry about the whole situation!

  6. San, I use The Old Reader instead of Feedly, and it has been working perfectly fine for your blog. I don’t know if that helps, but it’s definitely a Feedly problem and not a YOU problem. Good luck.
    Good luck with the move! That will be a busy time for you but I’m sure you’ll love the extra space.
    It was just my dad’s 75th birthday this past week!

  7. I got a bit behind on blog reading so I just noticed now that your Feedly wasn’t working when I tried to check it on your blog. That is SO frustrating!!! As you know, I had issues with that, too. I’m not noticing issues on anyone else’s blog right now on Feedly, although I think SHU said she was having some trouble more generally?

    Outlive was all the rage I think last spring it was? I read it then and gifted it to m dad too. I found it all really fascinating! I read it on Kindle but would like to eventually get a hard copy to reference. Some of it is super motivating! Though I’m not sure if I’ve actually put it all into action…

  8. I’m sorry that you’re struggling with Feedly and that work is a pain right now and that you are having bad communication with the rental company. I hope that your move next weekend goes smoothly! At least it shouldn’t be so darned HOT.

  9. Good communication is key. I’m sorry that work and the rental company have struggled with communicating. My heart hurts for you, thinking of you missing your family’s gathering. That must be so difficult. The book sounds interesting.

  10. San, this sounds like a lot of frustrating things all at once. I hope things smooth out for you soon. Moving is SO stressful, all on its own, and I’m so sorry you are dealing with all these other irritations on top of it.

  11. That is annoying about your appt being canceled at the last minute like that! Your move is SO SOON! Were you able to get out of your lease or will you have overlapping leases? Or had you already given notice and were just working to find something you could move into before your lease expired? That is one aspect I don’t miss from renting! It was stressful to figure out the next solution when I was nearing a lease expiration and didn’t want to renew.

    Feedly is super annoying. I hope you can get this figured out for good!

  12. I am a big fan of Peter Attia’s work, his podcast and book. I highly recommend the book to understand the major pillars of our health and how we can prevent them.

  13. Feedly is such a nuisance. And just when we are heading into NaBloPoMo for crying out loud. I am sorry the struggle continues.

    Also Inconsiderate people are the worst. Like you did schedule it into your day to be there and build your todo list around that appointment. Sigh.

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