I feel like sharing a few random thoughts today, so get yourself a cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever beverage you like) and sit with me for a minute, will you? I’d prefer we could do this in person, a quick little coffee date at the local coffee shop, but I’ll take a virtual date over none.
Too far
Today is my Dad’s birthday and I am not there to celebrate with him, which is a huge bummer. I wish they lived close enough for a weekend visit. At least, we got to “see” each other via FaceTime. Technology has come such a long way. I know we sometimes long for simpler times, but I cannot imagine anymore not to be able to (basically for free) video call with people overseas anytime I want to.
Last year at this time, we were two weeks away from my parents visiting us for three weeks and I wish we could turn back time and anticipate their visit again. I don’t know when I am going to see them next, but I hope it’ll be soon (in the spring at the latest).
A glimmer of common sense
I am sure you’ve heard that SCOTUS rejected FDTs restrictions on mail-in ballots for the midterms elections? Two of the corrupt judges sided with FDT, but thankfully lawfulness and decency prevailed with the other judges for now. I am more curious about what might happen on January, 3rd when newly elected members of Congress are supposed to be sworn in.
Estate Update
I haven’t shared any updates recently, because there aren’t any. My mother-in-law’s estate is still not settled. I want to say more, for example that I am frustrated with the process, but also that I’ve been putting off dealing with my brother-in-law. He’s the executor and he’s… well, not executing. I already talked to a trust attorney (back in June) but she basically said that unless we want to get legal representation (which we don’t want to do), there is really no oversight over the timeline and execution of the will. I honestly had to hear this from an attorney’s mouth to believe it, because what’s a trust for, if nobody actually oversees its execution? (I thought that was what the law firm that created the trust was for).
According to standard procedure, the executor of a trust/will is supposed to keep financial aspects documented and transparent, keep the beneficiaries in the loop, and divide/distribute the assets in a reasonable amount of time, and let’s just say, none of that has been happening. Accounts outside of the trust were handled and dispersed, but the house and personal belongings, etc. are still in the trust.
More thoughts on tech and A.I.
I recently shared the quote it’s a crime against yourself to let a machine speak for you, that it equates to the silencing of your own voice by writer, Dave Eggers. Intrigued by this statement, I checked out his books and I am currently reading his book “The Circle“. It’s a 2013 dystopian novel that explores the dark consequences of a dominant, rapidly evolving tech monopoly and a culture of surveillance, promoted as the only way for full transparency and accountability. I am only half way through but I know I already have A LOT of thoughts about it. Have you heart about or read it yet?
Time to DNF
I am sure you have heard of the HYROX poop controversy? If not, the scoop is that a female Australian athlete lost control of her bowels during a HYROX fitness competition in Beijing on September 12, but was allowed to continue the competition to win first place. Many people were outraged that she wasn’t pulled off the course, few argued that pushing through was the right thing to do.
For the people in the back: this is the time to DNF*. Nothing – no title, no medal, no matter how hard you trained – justifies staying in the competition and putting everyone around you at risk for your own selfish reasons. As many athletes likely know, shit happens. Sometimes literally (and when it happens, there’d better be a restroom nearby!). In the running world, we call it the runner’s trots. There are famous incidents of marathoners that finished races after soiling themselves and I still don’t think that’s condonable, but at least it was happening outdoors. HYROX is an indoor event with shared equipment and she should have been disqualified immediately.
* DNF = did not finish.
top photo credit: @gaellemarcel via Unsplash
coco
September 17, 2026 at 12:35 amI’m so not following news. I only recently learned about hydrox as our gym has it! I didn’t know you could lose your shit during a competition. wooo . I don’t know how I feel about it. can’t imagine being her nor the people around her.
San
September 17, 2026 at 12:31 pmAs a runner, you must be familiar with the running trots, but yeah, I mean, I’d die of embarrassement and would quit a competition right away if that happened.
Catrina
September 17, 2026 at 12:42 amIt’s hard to live far away from family, especially when you don’t know when you’ll be seeing them again. I hope a trip is in the pipeline soon! Maybe next spring?
And that HYROX poop controversy! Just yesterday I saw a joke on social media about how “going to the bathroom” has apparently become “I need to go for a HYROX” among athletes.
San
September 17, 2026 at 12:33 pmI know you must understand, Catrina, as you also live far away from your parents (and family). How often do you get to visit? I am hoping for a spring trip for sure!
Elisabeth
September 17, 2026 at 4:14 amIt must be so hard to be away from family for so many years. I hope you’re able to get a date on the calendar soon for a return.
I have mixed emotions about the whole poop situation. I suspect the contestant was deep in competition flow. So while there have been all sorts of articles about how she was being selfish and should have withdrawn, I feel like she was likely running on autopilot. Clearly she is at the TOP of her game (to win under those circumstances), so I have to imagine she is insanely dedicated and into it. The onus, in my mind, is entirely on Hydrox to shut it down immediately (they’ve since changed the rules to include things like feces, blood, and vomit as reason for disqualification).
Mostly, I feel intensely sorry for this woman. Her life will NEVER be the same again. Ever. This will impact her for years and years which is really sad.
San
September 17, 2026 at 12:36 pmThank you, Elisabeth. I am hoping for a visit in the spring.
I’d love to have your compassion for the athlete, but as a regular competitor, I’d hope she’s more in tune with her body and know when to push and when to stop. But you’re right, the responsibility also lies by the organizer.
While I don’t think she deserves all the backlash and memes, I also think she was too nonchalant about it all.
NGS
September 17, 2026 at 8:49 amThe Hyrox thing is insane. What has this world become that we’re so competitive we put other people in danger (feces are a biohazard – and they were using SHARED equipment)?! I want to be as sympathetic as Elisabeth (she’d dedicated, etc.), but I just see it as a failing of our entire society. Why do we think it’s okay if people compete so hard they vomit/poop? Why would that be acceptable AT ALL? While I do think the athlete should take some blame, I think we need to take a hard look at the society we’ve created that has led to needing rules about when to DNF/DQ that should be common sense. I have so many feelings about this.
San
September 17, 2026 at 12:38 pmI agree with you. I cannot really be sympathetic to the athlete… everyone who has pushed themselves athletically must have had “incidents” before and should be smarter. Is society really expecting people to push through incontinence? I don’t want to think so.
Lisa's Yarns
September 17, 2026 at 11:08 amI am so not in the loop on news these days so I had not heard about the Hyrox competition thing but gosh that is GROSS. Is this race such a big deal that she felt the need to push through pooping her pants? I don’t get it. At all.
I’m sorry to hear about the estate settlement issues. Sadly the settlement of estates tend to really mess with family dynamics. Some of my SIL’s family are estranged over the settlement of her grandmother’s estate. In that, it was another situation where the executor was dragging his feet/not doing a dang thing – and her grandmother appointed her son-in-law to be the executor, so that made things even worse as there were other siblings that she could have chosen, rather than choosing a family member who wasn’t a direct descendent… ay yi yi.
San
September 17, 2026 at 12:41 pmThanks for commiserating about the estate settlement process. You’re right, it can get messy… even if you don’t want it to be.
The executor should be – IMHO – a neutral entity, not a family member and not a son-in-law (although I want to think that your SIL’s grandmother appointed the son-in-law precisely to not put the burden on one of the siblings). Either way, I think there should be outside oversight… it would make things much easier. Estate affairs have to be really carefully thought through.
Nicole MacPherson
September 17, 2026 at 1:25 pmI have not heard of the HYDROX thing, and now I wish I hadn’t!
I hate to say it, but in my experience it can take a really long time – like years – to settle an estate. Especially if the executor isn’t super motivated to get it done. “Reasonable amount of time” is very up for interpretation, unfortunately. I have also, unfortunately, seen families become estranged after estate settlement. All of which is to say you have my deepest sympathy, because it’s an awful situation on all levels.
San
September 19, 2026 at 11:48 amUgh, yes, “reasonable amount of time” is definitely up for interpretation. Thanks for commiserating, Nicole.
nance
September 19, 2026 at 12:59 pmI’m sorry about your frustration regarding the estate. It’s very disappointing when family seems to let us down.
Engie’s comment echoes my own feelings on the whole Hyrox situation. I get really tired of the whole No Pain No Gain mentality, especially when it has such an impact on others. Sadly, it’s even pervading kids’ sports.
Michelle G.
September 19, 2026 at 4:49 pmThank goodness for FaceTime chats with your family. It’s not the same as being there with them, but gosh, I also don’t want to go back to when that technology didn’t exist. I heard about the HYROX thing. Those poor people who were behind that woman. I can’t even imagine.
Stephany
September 20, 2026 at 1:51 pmOkay, I had heard some stuff about the Hyrox controversy, but I didn’t really look into it. OMG. That is… so gross. Blergh.
The estate stuff is SO complicated. But honestly, my mom’s situation was REALLY difficult (8 people in the will, 3 of whom lived out of state, NOTHING figured out by my grandpa) and she still got it done in, like, 8 months maybe? That has to be so frustrating on your end!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
September 20, 2026 at 2:06 pmI feel you on the estate thing. We are going through it too or better the husband. Luckily his executer is executing but at times in a bit of a naive way. It is all very complicated and hard from afar. So it’s trying. I know.
Also, I do have the circle on my TBR for years. I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet even though it’s in my parents book shelve. Maybe I need to move it up.
Anne
September 24, 2026 at 2:59 pmThe Hyrox thing… I just… what? I mean, in what universe is that okay? (Never mind, there are a lot of things in this universe that are Not Okay right now…)
I’m so sorry about the estate and the challenges with getting things done. It must be so frustrating to know that someone can do something to make it better and they haven’t. And when it’s family, it must be even worse. Hugs from here. <3