Brought REM’s ÜBerlin to mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZITh-XIikgI
The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
451–456 of 456 posts
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#452Too many negative comments here. This is just someone discovering something new and sharing it very excitedly. Almost 6-7 years ago, I read about a 30min challenge to sit upright without doing anything in a chair challenge. That changed how I think about distractions. If I had written about it, there surely will be people who would just like here say... What is so crazy about it? I do that all the time... To me, this…
> a 30min challenge to sit upright without doing anything in a chair challenge Quakers call this "silent meeting."
For those that don’t know, the Quakers are like Zen Buddhism met radical Protestant Christians in the 1600s. There is no creed, no minister/priest/leader.
We sit together quietly for 60 minutes. If someone feels inspired, they stand up and speak. Then they sit down and the Meeting continues in silence. Some Meetings are silent from start to finish; others have speakers the whole time.
While there is no creed, people often speak about truth, equality, peace, and simplicity. I found it when looking for a belief system to pass on to my kids, should I have some.
If you’re curious, try it some Sunday. It’s an interesting experience.
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#453I used to work in investment banking in the city of London and later in Canary Wharf. I loved working in the city as it was a beautiful old place, people were very social and having 2-3 hour boozy lunches with someone who you might do business with one day wasn't a rarity (mind you, I moved out before covid, I understand things have changed quite a bit). Then I switched jobs and ended up in Canary Wharf. For those wh…
I'm starting to think I'm the only person in the world who loves La Défense.
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#454I used to work in investment banking in the city of London and later in Canary Wharf. I loved working in the city as it was a beautiful old place, people were very social and having 2-3 hour boozy lunches with someone who you might do business with one day wasn't a rarity (mind you, I moved out before covid, I understand things have changed quite a bit). Then I switched jobs and ended up in Canary Wharf. For those wh…
You should do more writing! I really enjoyed this and the way you write!
Another +1. You have a really nice writing style!
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#455Earlier quoted context omitted.
I’m just curious about the “wasn’t allowed to have friends or go anywhere” part. Can you elaborate? Why not? Is this some form/culture of parenting I’m not familiar with? This idea of not allowing a child to have friends or go anywhere just sounds like actual emotional abuse.
> just sounds like actual emotional abuse. it was. my father assured everybody that he and I were best friends and I didn't need anybody else. I was allowed to go to school, that was it.
Gotcha. Thanks for sharing, and I'm truly sorry you had to deal with that :(
Re: The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
#456Earlier quoted context omitted.
> just sounds like actual emotional abuse. it was. my father assured everybody that he and I were best friends and I didn't need anybody else. I was allowed to go to school, that was it.
Gotcha. Thanks for sharing, and I'm truly sorry you had to deal with that :(
that's okay, they predisposed me for Stoicism and independence.