brent evans

Enjoying some morning beverage out of my Batman mug today. BUT – I have to admit something – it’s not coffee. It’s called MUD\WTR. I used to drink way too much coffee – like some people would ask me “how many cups did you have?” I would answer: “Cups? how about pots?” Anyway, it was bad and MUD\WTR has been an incredible replacement for some of my daily java intake.

Got my the newest Ronin issue from Captain Blue Hen Comics in Newark on Friday. It’s the final one – Issue 5 of 5. I still have to read #4 . . . so, I’m looking forward to digging into that today . . . hopefully. Need some “fun” reading!

More Book talk and, in particular, Tim Ferriss books. He has been an incredible influence on me and I have added him as a G.O.A.T to the Morning Babble Top 5. He joins David Chang and Ryan Holiday. I know, here we are wrapping up February and only 2 months into the year and we already have 3 of the top 5. BUT – I kind of knew that those 3 were on the list. I really don’t have any idea what other ones will be added . . . so, you are all along for the ride. In the meantime, go get some of these Tim Ferriss books:

• The 4-Hour Body
• Tools of Titans
• Tribe of Mentors
• The 4-Hour Chef
• The 4-Hour Workweek

Goodbye February! Bring on March!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“”Being busy is a form of laziness – lazy thinking and indiscriminate action.” – Tim Ferriss

Happy Saturday Morning – no work today . . . at least on the road. I’m home. Enjoyed another episode of WandaVision last night – awesome stuff. And then, my wife and I followed that up with Brian Regan’s Netflix special. If I slip into any Brian Regan-isms . . . I apologize but he’s simply the best and CLEAN! I like some naughty comedy but it is incredible how funny that guy can be while being profanity free.

Answers to 3 questions:

1. When’s your next 3 day fast? Well, March is Monday and it doesn’t begin then. I will be doing it the follow Monday (3/8) begins after dinner that night.
2. How many miles have you run so far? Almost 200 miles. I do expect to be running some more once I get outside some more this Spring, Summer, and Fall. Some runners have picked on me for not going outside more. I have no fear of the cold or the rain. BUT – I’m not running outside at 4:30am in the woods. Treadmill is awesome at 4:30am.
3. Have you used your Mad Libs yet? No, but they will be packed for next weekend. Our family is going away for the weekend. Going to be interesting how the run and vlog happens, but it will. The streak must continue!

James Clear wrote Atomic Habits – haven’t read that yet . . . my wife is still working on it. But, I do receive his weekly email. Go sign up for it here – it’s free! Anyway, what’s written below is taken directly from one of his recent emails. Gave me something to think about:

“For a few weeks, I started each morning by writing “What do I actually want?” at the top of a blank page. It’s surprising how useful it is to keep asking the same question. Each time, my answer became more precise. Once I knew what I wanted, I turned it into action steps.”

So, I haven’t tried it yet, but I am considering, because I could use some more focus and precision on what I’m doing!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“It’s so much better to promote what you love than to bash what you hate”– Jessica Alba

Shout out to Jill who saw her band’s sticker – Gingham Shmuz – on my bulletin board. I met Jill back in my college days at the University of Delaware, when we were in a show together. I got to kiss her on the cheek. Sorry Don (husband), but it was in the script! He’s the guitarist by the way. Anyway, they went on to do a ton of shows, some albums, AND they won a slot at X-Fest for WRDX, The Rock of Delaware. They got to perform at the Big Kahuna and say that they opened for The Black Crowes. Very good times!

New Music Friday:

• Quick note – Daft Punk – the French duo – all gone. Their 1st big hit was from 1995 – Daft Funk. I remember the song they did with Pharrell – “Get Lucky” (2013)

• Speaking of Pharrell – he’s on the new Blink 182 album – so says Travis Barker. Also, guests are Grimes and Lil Uzi Vert. I’m all in for some new Blink.

• New Elvis? Sort of – it’s a remix. All you Peloton riding people got to hear it earlier, but now all us treadmill people can enjoy it. “Do the Vega” – A Dillion Francis remix.

• Hootie & the Blowfish “Only Wanna Be With You” – you got Post Malone covering it.

• Elle King and Miranda Lambert came out with the love song – “Drunk (and I don’t wanna go home).” Gearing up for post COVID times with that jam.

• Mentioned last week how Green Day – all three of them – will be getting their own Funko POP figures Well, they just released a new single – “Here Comes the Shock.” Also, somehow, they still plan on doing the Hella Mega Tour with Weezer and Fall Out Boy, that’s tentatively slated to begin later this year. I miss concerts.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” – Kurt Cobain

More raw scribble below . . . gotta get to work. The clean-up is coming!!

Happy Friday Eve!

Charcuterie Board blue card – follow up! My wife said that she’ll make one. I win!

Now, I try to make this babble thing upbeat and happy. But – I’m really not trying to only show the pretty things – something that Instagram gets blamed for.

The Daily Stoic – I read this every morning

The Daily Stoic Journal – I write in this every morning and evening.

Big props to my Big Sis who is doing something today that we never would have imagined a year ago. We lost Barry late last year. But – she lost her husband. Officially selling their house today. I’m with you girl.

If you can hug ’em – HUG THEM!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Let us greedily enjoy our friends (and family) because we do not know how long this privilege will be ours.” – Seneca

This is the raw part of my morning scribble – I’ll clean it up later, but I’m late for work.

Walk into the scene / Weather people on-location / Snow!

Bringing my hat – might get too warm for the winter hat – yes!

I ran!

New Blue Card – Charcuterie Board

meats and cheeses / olives / honey / dips / hot peppers

story from Saturday

Worcestershire – 3 ways to say it?

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“My talent is making mistakes and then learning from those mistakes.” – Dave Chang / He’s got a book that I need – memoir – called Eat A Peach

I’m sorry, but I failed to mention that it was National Margarita Day yesterday. We recognized it properly here in the Evans household. Yes, I have certainly been enjoying the alcoholic beverage of choice lately as I see April looming closer & closer – still planning on doing the April Draught. Who’s with me?

Yesterday, I explained the 15 minute rule with the alarm and waking up. That’s where if you wake up within 15 minutes of your alarm going off . . . you should just get up. But – I still could not find who said it. I tried again last night.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.” – learned about this one in Essentialism by Greg McKeown, but it was Lao Tzu – Ancient Chinese philosopher.

Back at it on a Monday . . . and I sooooooo wasn’t feeling it today either. I had read or heard that if you wake up within 15 minutes of your alarm, you should just get up.  Today, I woke up 20 minutes before the alarm and chose to just lay there.  I probably should have gotten up.  In fact, I know that I should have done that because I laid there awake not doing anything but thinking about getting up. 

Again, I know that I had heard this “15 minutes or less before the alarm – just get up” rule before because I had it written down on my pad.  So, like with anything you’re looking for – I “googled” it.  Ugh, there are so many tips on sleeping.  Too much.  I just know that all people are definitely different.  I mean, 7 to 8 hours is typically what’s needed, but then there are the Jocko Willnick’s in the world . . . who needs 4 or less.  Check out this book of his.

But you know what – I did get up at the alarm. And – I ran! Doing this vlog every day . . . I just can’t imagine having to come on and saying that I didn’t. So, thank you.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan

Today is a Smorgasbord of stuff

My Philadelphia Flyers are supposed to play outside today in Lake Tahoe against the Boston Bruins. Game has already been pushed back from 2pm to this evening due to extreme weather of too much sunshine and warmth. Aww – that’s rough. The NHL does miss out on being on network television and to push to another channel – lost money. But – I then heard Gary Bettman (hockey commish) push out this quote “You can’t have success if you don’t risk failure.” Not a huge Bettman fan, but good quote from him.

The Adventures of Mr. Sticky –

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I saw on Spotify how one of the guys at Third Man Records (Jack White’s record company) created a Night Bath playlist to listen to at night. But, since I saw it this morning, I tried it out and chilled to it while journaling and reading. I’m excited because I might have a new go-to playlist for my time in the house library. I’m not a fan of silence.

Winston Churchill – The Last Lion – I can’t wait to read this!

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life” – I saw that on Mark Manson’s Instagram post, but it’s Winston Churchill

Travel mug day . . . that means I’m on the road today working. Fun. My daughter was sad, so she wanted me to have company. She gave me “Mr. Sticky” (watch that video below). It’s okay. You can laugh. I made this with her. As you can see – Arts and Crafts is obviously not my strong suit. Alright, you can stop laughing now. Anyway, “Mr. Sticky” is coming with me and today I’ll send my daughter pictures to her iPad. He even has a backpack. Guess he’s doing some drawing today with me.

Thank you for the recipes to make my own Butterfinger Peanut Butter. But – I want Butterfinger to actually come out with their own PB. Open up that jar and see that smooth top. And yes – I’ll dig in with a spoon.

IRREVELAVANT FACT OF THE DAY:
The house in Pixar’s UP has exactly 10,297 balloons on it.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Are your obligations real or imagined?” – Max Shank

50 videos / 50 runs of 5k! / Small milestone, eh?

Answers to 3 questions:

1. Did I finish the Sleepy book (Why We Sleep)? No – not yet. Before March – that’s the goal!
2. Do I still have a hole in my pants? Yes, but not these. I’m hanging onto those cargos for as long as I can. Trying to get to the cargo shorts weather, but it’s still so cold.
3. You talk about WandaVision a lot. What did you think of the Mandalorian? Well, I have talked about Mandalorian. And I loved it. My man, Berman, who is my guru on anything Star Wars gave me the heads up about its nomination for Best Drama Television Series at the Golden Globes! If something Star Wars is happening, he’s tweeting about it. If someone dies, he’s the first to always know and tweet about it. Been busy lately huh, Berman. Yesterday, we lost Prince Markie Dee of “The Fat Boys” – he was only 52.

New Music Friday:

• New songs from Ariana Grande and 24kGoldn, but nothing major and no surprises. No new Drake either – still rehabbing his knew, so that January promised album looks like it’s not happening for February.

• New song released – Way Less Sad – from AJR’s upcoming album which will be out in its entirety on March 26th

• Manchester Orchestra Announce New Album, Share New Song “Bed Head”

• Something for Green Day fans, the three bandmates will be landing alongside many others in the next Funko POP Rocks wave! They will join fellow punk bands like Fall Out Boy and Blink 182 as have their own figures.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“If you swallow the coin
From the wishing well
Your dreams will come true
In heaven or hell”

Sent to Tom Morello in late night text message by fellow Audioslave member Chris Cornell.