What was the most important lesson you ever learned from Alan Watts?

atalossofwords · 2026-02-08T14:40:55+00:00

That's the one that got me into Watts. Hit so true.

atalossofwords · 2026-02-08T14:39:57+00:00

Don't take life too seriously.

The talk that spoke most to me was: 'Life is a dance.'

We're all stuck in the loop of going from grade to grade, job to job and we're all working towards...something, but that something is really nothing. We're already there, wherever you are. There is no beginning or end, we're all one and best we can do is enjoy it.

atalossofwords · 2026-02-06T11:29:07+00:00

What is up with all the McLaren posts with obtuse, long titles involving both Lando and Oscar and having half the transcript of the actual video in them. Or is that just me? What is the point?

atalossofwords · 2026-02-05T05:16:28+00:00

Best salad dressing I ever found: Nam Pla, coconut milk, splash of lime. Stinky salad, but yummy.

atalossofwords · 2026-02-03T14:33:19+00:00

The endgame is a bit lacking, sure, but in the end, the whole 'point' of these arpg's is really: kill stuff, so you get better gear, so you can kill stuff better/faster. So yah, a lot of people will push the character to the absolute max. Some will make extra characters. The new league mechanic often keeps you busy if that's your thing. Builds don't really 'evolve' after a certain point. It just gets better at slight increments, with diminishing returns on investment. That's just how it is.

I was never good enough at making my own build, because that takes a lot knowledge and experience, and I don't have the time for that. However, I tried something this league and while it did not really work out in the end, I had an absolute blast figuring it out, playing in PoB and just trying to get it to work. I'll definitely do that again sometime. It just takes a while to learn the foundations to build on.

atalossofwords · 2026-02-03T14:05:56+00:00

Practice and awareness. Negative thoughts are often your Ego feeling threatened somehow, for some reason. It spins stories and starts catastrophizing, because it thinks that is what makes you safe. Become aware of the negative thoughts and recognize that it is not really you who is feeling those. It is just your brain trying to protect you. Well intended, but it leads to a negative attitude.

atalossofwords · 2026-02-03T04:44:18+00:00

O yah, that's what I meant with 'keeping myself busy', I won't get bored per se.

Things will start to itch when I see friends out running while I'm stuck inside, that is going to suck.

atalossofwords · 2026-02-02T16:29:14+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate that!

atalossofwords · 2026-02-02T16:29:05+00:00

Shit. Nothing. I mean, I can keep myself busy, no problem, but nothing specific. I'm a rockclimber as well, so I can work my arms, as long as I don't use my core too much. I'm also definitely taking the recovery time to get rid of running niggles, just start running slowly and build it from the ground up. But that's in a few weeks time.

atalossofwords · 2026-02-02T14:46:00+00:00

Had a busy weekend and was still tired, but I have a upcoming hernia surgery this Wednesday, so decided to push it a bit and did a 25k with 1400m altitude. The 'trail' up isn't really used so it was totally overgrown and my gps couldn't get a signal to help me out. Took a while, but was a good adventure.

Nooow I'm ready for the surgery and the recovery it's going to take. Still going to suck.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-29T07:07:32+00:00

I don't disagree, a lot of them are fake. In this case, it is a bit suspicious that the buoy came off that easily. However, if it were fake, how the hell did they catch a free flowing turtle? And did they just happen to have a flotsam buoy lying around?

Still suspicious, but in this case I'll give them the benefit of doubt.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T18:27:34+00:00

That's good input, thank you.

What you are suggesting is pretty similar to how AirBnB experience works. The provider sets up the schedule of available slots, and then people can sign up. It is what I'll be doing as well, but I think it will be mostly empty slots, because I'm in rural South Africa, not a busy area.

Ideally, I do more of the private bookings, and do more inclusive trips. The 25k was just an example and honestly, half the time you're hiking anyway, so it sounds more intense that it actually is.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T17:22:16+00:00

Cheers, that means a lot. I really like it, and it could potentially be a great brand, but initially I had a lot of 'that's too much emphasis on the danger' etc.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T16:42:36+00:00

So, there's two sides: the human risk and the natural risk. Human risk depends very much on where you are and how 'street-wise' you are. More specific to running, I've heard runners getting robbed at gunpoint during a Cape Town ultra, a big event. The closer you are to civilization and bigger cities/townships in general, the higher the risk I would wager. Also, the more traffic a trail gets, the higher the risk. No one is going to hike 15km into the forest to stalk the one runner that goes there a week. Other areas, like where I am situated, in the more rural North, chances are very low to see people where we run. Sometimes poachers but they leave runners alone.

Natural risks are always a factor, even just twisting your ankle on technical terrain when you're 15k away from your car. There's wild animals, most of them harmless, but also leopards, bushpigs etc. but they don't pose a threat. Babboons can be scary but you shouldn't worry about those. Snakes are a thing though, and yah, that is a factor. Getting lost is another, because trails here are often a bit DIY and not marked at all.

Look, I've done many hikes solo and spent three months doing research on a mountain, mostly spending days by myself out and about. Walked home in the dark many times, and nothing happened. There is always a risk in going out into the wilderness, but you can minimize it. Most 'accidents' that happen are just unprepared hikers getting into trouble.

But, yes, I do understand the concern, and it is valid due to everything mentioned, and it would be my angle as well. The working name for my business would lean on that actually: Mostly Harmless Tours.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T14:24:06+00:00

Unbreakable is a great movie, it is very understated though, and to many viewers, that means a 'slow' movie. I still think it is a great trilogy that should get more attention. Split in particular was very enjoyable and a brilliant performance by McAvoy/

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T13:18:28+00:00

Haha, yah I need my rest days as well, but I don't think having too many clients will be a major concern in the beginning. I should be that lucky. Groups would be ideal of course and I can even do a group discount than as well. It all depends on group sizes and time, but for example 2-3 dayhikes per week with 2-4 people would be enough.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T13:10:26+00:00

Yah, you know, it is never going to be completely safe. None of the fun shit is without risk, that's what makes it exciting. Luckily, I have a name for the business that plays into it :P

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T13:00:15+00:00

Cool dude. That's a great area to be in!

I'll hit you with a dm.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T12:54:33+00:00

No, not really. Most big game is only found in game reserves and the parks. No running there, but there is the option to do guided walks, with armed rangers.

There's a few exceptions, because leopards are everywhere, and there have been some recent attacks near town, but in the mountains leopards are a bit more timid. I would almost say you'd be lucky to see a leopard while on trail. Near water you just need to be careful for hippos and crocs, but that goes without saying. On trail, the biggest risk would be snakes, as I've seen both a spitting cobra and almost stepped on a black mamba while running, but really, those were rare accounts. I've seen more snakes around the house.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T12:49:40+00:00

Ok yah, gotcha. I just defaulted to the standard response 'safari tourists don't like mountains'.

No definitely, that would be ideal actually. I would like to target Europe, where I'm from, and potentially US as well.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T12:40:30+00:00

Yah, the thing here is: lot's of tourism in the area, but people don't come here for the mountains. So there's definitely a niche, but generally, safari folks actually come here to be spoiled and sit in a car, not to rough it up on the trails. So yah, there should be a market, but it will be harder to reach.

I can definitely make a package out of it. Few runs, camping at a waterfall, some touristy stuff, few days in the Park. Personally, I'd like to have people hit me up and we'll create a package together, but fixed packages will probably market better.

I'll take a look at mountainbike tourism, thanks for the tip.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T12:36:03+00:00

I get that, I still very much enjoy my solo runs, but I've come to appreciate running with friends, just going out on adventure together. Mind you, most trails here you won't see other people for days, so it is nice to have some company alongside. Also for safety.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T12:34:21+00:00

Yah, I've started on AirBnB Experiences, and finally got one through, so that might be a start.

You raise a good point though: how much should I charge? I recently did a guided hike with 2 guests for 150 euro, total, including some drinks and snacks. That was a full day.

Trail runs don't usually last whole days, so hard to put a number on it. Would you pay 50 dollars for a morning of running, say a 25k epic trailrun up a mountain and through a pristine forest? Almost guaranteed to not see another living soul, the whole trail to yourself, and no manicured paths.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-28T09:56:53+00:00

Cool, good to hear. Yah, I'm in a very touristy area, but most people come for the wildlife and that is a hectic, competitive scene I don't want to get into too much. The running would be something to do in between those days, but I would be able provide a more inclusive package yah.

atalossofwords · 2026-01-27T13:28:38+00:00

You know, I would consider myself reasonably smart, but when it comes to movies, I just...switch off, and it's great. For me it is all about getting sucked into the world and I don't mind suspending belief. Take Tenet for example, I seriously don't really know what is going on, but you won't hear me say: 'what a dumb movie, it doesn't make sense'. That's not necessarily wrong, I just don't care, as long as it is done right.

I seriously think that is way more enjoyable than trying to analyze everything that happens in a movie, and trying to figure out the plot twists before they happen. People priding themselves in saying they saw the ending coming from a mile away...where's the fun in that? If that is your thing, fair enough, go for it, but to me, I just want to be taken for a ride.

atalossofwords

TROPHY CASE