Pirating the Big Easy

Quick trip to New Orleans, complete with a course of training. When in Rome…we do all the things the Orlians do. Or whatever they said.

So much coffee.

And cozy spots to chat.

And balconies.

A trip to restore the mind, body, and soul. Many conversations were had, and many will live in infamy. Alas, that’s what best friends are for.

________________

I ask you –

What does “when in Rome” mean to you?

(The post Pirating the Big Easy first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

1%

I forgot to mention a pretty amazing email I received on my birthday. Not the freebies. An invitation to publish in the US Public Administration Journal (USPAJ). I was floored. It’s been almost a year since I defended my dissertation and graduated, but there is never an end date on research and scholarship. It is a process to have it peer reviewed then published. However, it was a process to get this far so what’s new.

Photo by KoolShooters on Pexels.com

If 1% of humans serve in the military and 1% of humans earn a PhD, then what is the percentage of veteran women with a PhD? According the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, in 2023, 1.7% of women veterans have earned a PhD. In fact, trends point to higher education attainment in women veterans and women nonveterans versus men veterans/nonveterans.

Other interesting facts –

Only 1% of the population is truly ambidextrous. Many believe (or claim) ambidexterity; however, it means equal strength, ability, etc.
Chenowith, while studying civil disobedience, found it takes just 3.5% of nonviolent campaigns to spark political change.
Experience Aphantasia, a rare condition which prevents a person from visualizing an image in their mind, impacting the ability to dream or remember, among other issues.

Although I have only listed a few instances of 1% facts, undoubtedly there exists countless other examples. In this day of roughly billions of human inhabitants, it can be difficult to believe there are still rarities which exist. Not to worry, I still believe you are special!

________________

I ask you –

Are you part of a certain 1%?

(The post 1% first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Expand Your Mind, pt 2 – The Dunning-Kruger Effect

Up next, we have The Dunning-Kruger Effect – the premise is people who know the least often feel the most confident.

This particular phenomenon is one of the funniest to me because it posits one’s own incompetence prevents them from recognizing their level of incompetence. Basically, they think they’re smarter than they really are. Don’t we all know someone like this.

It originated in the late 1990s by Dunning and Kruger, psychologists who studied social limitations. This effect opines that a cognitive bias causes a person to overestimate their competence, including painting a comparative picture of believing what comes easily to you must be the same for everyone else. Unfortunately, people experiencing (or portraying) the Dunning-Kruger effect are inherently resistant to change and to being taught what they do not know. Remember, they think they know it already. Bunch of know-it-alls.

This effect mimics the saying “I don’t know what I don’t know”. As seemingly humble as this phrase is, it is a problem when recognizing how to overcome the limitation collides with what is already known. The “self-inflated assessment” of one’s own abilities may lead to mismatched perceptions, evaluations, and merit. Often, the Dunning-Kruger effect is easily recognizable in those who confidently speak about topics they are not masters of.

Notably, children may fall into the trap of believing they are experts after having completed the task/activity/skill once. Upon the next opportunity, when the task does not go as well as it did before, there is a moment of consciousness whereby competence is questioned. “Unskilled and unaware” is how Kruger (1999) described his original research. Hence the loudest voice is not always the wisest.

As far as phenomenon’s go, I actually expected more from this one. Despite knowing many who may be suffering the negative effects of this phenomenon, more worrisome is it seems some don’t know how to fix it or refuse to do so, whereby it simply indicates stupidity.

More to come!

________________

I ask you –

Were you aware of the Dunning-Kruger effect? Perhaps it goes by a different name in your circle?

(The post Expand Your Mind, pt 2 – The Dunning-Kruger Effect first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Outtakes, episode 10 (in progress)

On my birthday weekend, Mini outdid herself! She ran a 5k with me, she finally showed up to help me with the short disciples, and she found a new bathing suit! All tougher than they look.

A whole photo shoot, courtesy of mini.

For 3.14, we celebrated Pie Day with a 5k and pie! Any excuse to eat pie is a good one in my book, so I didn’t need convincing. Mini chose blueberry pie, which we both enjoyed. She came in first in her age group…and now that I’m in a new age bracket (40-49) I also placed first in my age group!

The following week I managed 2 runs, twice as many as achieved nearly the entire month prior. Now, to keep the streak alive.

Not much for this post. Hope you all have an amazing day!

________________

I ask you –

If you like pie, what is your favorite? Aunt Mary Catherine’s blueberry pie.

(The post Outtakes, episode 10 first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Cheers to 40 Years

Mini’s got jokes

When I tell you I thought the week leading up to 40 (not 50 as mini would have you believe) was difficult, even the word difficult doesn’t capture how trying it was.

I’d like to think I’m prepared for anything. But when a situation stops you dead in your tracks and you are forced to navigate your own emotions, moving away from those emotions is like falling without a parachute. Though I wouldn’t exactly know. Never could I be prepared for the adrenaline dump. It’s a moment like this I’m thankful for others who checked on me, who let me take a minute to breathe, who were gentle with me. Living should never be taken lightly. And asking the really really really hard questions is not for the faint of heart. My title isn’t free. It comes with a heavy cost and, although I’m living a career dream come true, the title is paid for in blood, sweat, and tears.

On a more lighthearted note, this cake makes the toughest days a little brighter.

Lemon blueberry cake, courtesy of Tanto

So do beautiful flowers –

Muse love

And the real reason for all the shenanigans –

Spare Parts and I

40!

She and I received so many messages, calls, texts, and a visit from her sweet grandbaby! Our families and friends made today extra special. If this is 40, I’m a big fan!

________________

I ask you –

Do you celebrate your birthday or is it just another day?

(The post Cheers to 40 Years first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Expand Your Mind, pt 1 – Fermi Paradox

I’m starting a new series with a borrowed idea. Lately, my social media curation includes things I never knew, rare scientific facts, collections of words/phrases/themes, and/or whackadoo crap I’m wholly unprepared to speak to. Surprise.

Beginning with The Fermi Paradox –

Upon a basic search, the Fermi Paradox, also known as the Great Silence Theory, was surrounded with every iteration of “where are all the aliens?”

In 1950, physicist Enrico Fermi, posited if we haven’t discovered other life by now, then it just does not exist. Fermi reasoned that even a small number of the hospitable hosting planets could harbor life, rapidly expand their own technology and intelligence, then reach out. The fact that it has not happened yet is the premise of this paradox.

Some explain the lack of other life with the Dark Forest Theory (extraterrestrial civilizations choose to stay hidden), Zoo Hypothesis (aliens observe us but do not interact), and/or the Great Filter Theory (explained later).

Limiting observations: similar to “just because I don’t see something, then it doesn’t exist”, scientists have bridged a vast universe of data, or lack thereof, into one paradox. Obviously, this type of philosophy comes with challenges.

Recently, the New York Post published an article stating scientists have determined most civilizations last only about 5,000 years which is not enough time for other species to make contact, citing “space weather” and other space-related challenges as the reason for this relatively short time span.

The SETI Institute also has a great article providing more information on Fermi and some of the core arguments for/against the paradox.

As I learn about these (new to me) ideas and principles, maybe it will spark more creative learning topics. Because why not. Never too old to learn! I understand many will believe this nothing more than a load of crap, but when we stop exploring or challenging ourselves with our own thoughts, the brain slowly loses capacity to understand new ideas and we may even become resistant to other people.

But not me!

________________

I ask you –

Were you aware of the Fermi Paradox?

(The post Expand Your Mind, pt 1 – Fermi Paradox first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Things it doesn’t take a PhD to do

Read the directions
Properly fill out a form
Ask for help
Say no
Reschedule a meeting/appointment/obligation
Be kind
Laugh maniacally

Side note. I posted the above photo on Instagram and no one commented. And I wasn’t flagged either. Maybe I’m losing my touch. Parts and I had the best laugh when she shared this info with me one morning on the drive to work. I thought she was kidding. The previous dude was Mencho or Menchi or some iteration of a word I am too lazy this moment to research. We went from him to Sir Yogurt. Classy. I really should not joke about these things because my history precedes me.

8. Balance junk with “healthier” options. Oreos + chocolate milk. Disclaimer: the sugar free Oreos are really nothing special. Personally, I’d choose the gluten free ones because I think they taste the best of all – super crunchy, no after taste, and (maybe?) slightly healthier than regular Oreos.

________________

I ask you –

What is your favorite type or flavor of Oreos?

Of the 8 listed items, which do you find the easiest and which is the toughest?

(The post Things it doesn’t take a PhD to do first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

(Belated) February Recap

Courtesy of Strava

In February, my goal was to complete an activity every single day. Whether it be even a simple walk, I wanted to purposefully prioritize daily movement. As it’s also the shortest month, I figured my chance of fulfillment was high. I was not wrong. And, now that I know I can do it, why not start a streak. To March we go!

Any opportunity to seek and find my favorite flowers is an opportunity well done. At the time of this post, the flowers will have continued to grow with more visible blooms and maybe my tulips will have bloomed, too. However, if we don’t get some rain soon there will be no flowers. I heard Texas Tulips was in full bloom the next few weeks…

I recognize we’re partly into March and I’m just now posting this recap. Whoopsies! It’s a short one today. Surprisingly, I’m running low on words. ‘Til next time!

______________________________

I ask you –

Recap your February for me!

(The post (Belated) February Recap first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Outtakes, episode 9 + Hobbies

For all my complaining the past few weeks about my helper moving on, away from me, the very next session included only 3 short disciples. And they weren’t even my own child! Just 3. Tres. All girls. It was chat time central that day.

lights are on, no one is home

The following weekend they bribed someone to help me. I’m convinced.

Once again mini-less and it was the wildest group ever. I even had to raise my voice once. Trust me, it’s not pretty when I do.

Next topic.

I like to play a little game called Mind Charades. It’s awful. Your brain tells you how many words, anywhere from 1 to 1 billion, you spend upwards of 1/2 the day trying to figure out the word(s), then completely forget what you were thinking so hard about remembering. Welcome to my life. It’s fun here.

Our local arts council has a workshop series titled “Granny Hobbies” and the snort which exited me would have made a farm animal proud. Can you imagine. The workshops include learning to crochet, acrylic painting, and other fun hobbies. I think I have a leg up, though, because my hobby is more self taught than classically trained – puzzling! Next month is my 40th birthday and my granny hobby is well underway!

Mini also has granny hobbies as evidenced by the amount of yarn and crochet hooks perilously perched on every surface. She comes by it honestly because Parts is also a granny, literally and figuratively. When did we become such hobbyists?

And on hobbies … drums, round 2 is going swimmingly! My skills are growing, I (try to) practice 2x/week, and I’m loving the new lessons. I’m sure it doesn’t help my mind charades when I constantly chant one-eeeh-and-uh, two-eeeh-and-uh, etc. As our lessons are being taught by someone with both classic training and self-taught principles, the mix is beneficial. Will I ever be the drum soloist I aspire to be? Eh, here goes nothing.

________________

I ask you –

Share your most recent experience with forgetfulness. If you can remember.

(The post Outtakes, episode 9 + Hobbies first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

When …

When you think you’re taking leave, then they drop the anxiously anticipated fitness updates.

When you thought heights couldn’t possibly get any scarier, then they extend the ladder. (this is 100% not me, but it is a very brave woman!)

When your favorite flowers are ready to explode into bloom!

When you can’t remember if you’ve already shared the photo so you do it again. Because why not.

When you find an unrelated puzzle piece that does not fit the puzzle. Surely it belongs to one of the others previously completed. Right?!

______________

I ask you –

When…insert something of your own!

(The post When … first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)