Hey everyone!
Coming to you live from Austin, Texas. Here’s your weekly dose of Arman’s Antics. A few morsels that will either make you think, laugh, cry (or a nasty combination of the three).
Welcome to the three new subscribers receiving this for the first time (273 total). I don’t take your attention for granted.
Essay I wrote last week
In my humble opinion, names are overrated.
A book could have an incredible title but if the pages are filled with gobbledygook then it’s not worth reading.
But it seems to be human nature to judge a book by it’s cover, so I decided to rethink the name of this little corner of the Internet.
Arman’s Antics wasn’t cutting it.
I needed to come up with something that better reflected who I am and who I want to resonate with.
Which is why Arman’s Antics is now:
Podcast that bent my mind
They’re controversial to some but fascinating to me. Joe Rogan and Robert Kennedy Jr.
We did a three hour road trip from Austin to Houston this weekend (without A/C). But I quickly forgot about the sweat pouring down my forehead after we clicked play.
I had zero background knowledge about Robert (JFK’s nephew). I figured the whole family had been murdered by now. And I know politics as well as my fiancé knows the starting lineup of the Atlanta Braves.
But after doing a quick duckduckgo search, I was shocked how negative the article headlines are.
He’s labeled an “anti-vaxer” and “health conspiracy theorist” and “Mr. Misinformation” but I can’t help but question these after listening to him.
I avoid politics like the plague and he’s planning to run for president in 2024, but his story is intriguing if nothing else.
So I encourage you to listen without the preconceived notions the headlines try to tell.
I’m not saying he’s going to get my vote (most likely nobody will), but he is a fascinating person who has been willing to take heaps of attacks for what he stands for. How can you not respect that?
Dog problems
I’m not having girl problems so thankfully JayZ wouldn’t feel bad for me. But I am having dog problems.
Xena has a weird quirk. Can you help?
She is terrified of stairs. Avoiding eye contact with them and using all her energy to sprint away when we come within sniffing distance. I think her family may have been massacred by the stairs mafia.
Why?
I have no clue.
We’ve tried carrying her up and down, placing her favorite treats on the stairs, and more. But nothing seems to work.
Any tips to help our sweet girl?
Book I’m rereading
The Obstacle is the Way. By Ryan Holiday.
Tim Ferriss first introduced me to Ryan. And I’ve been hooked ever since.
He went against all his advisors and mentors by building his entire brand on the ancient teachings of a once obscure philosophy — Stoicism. People thought he was crazy, but to say it worked is the understatement of the century.
This book was his first attempt to make Stoicism cool again. And 24,000+ ratings on Amazon later, I’d say he did a decent job.
Through captivating stories, this book reminds us that trials and tribulations are not something to be avoided (since they’re inevitable). They are to be expected and embraced on the path to a worthwhile existence. Pick it up. Read it. Absorb it. And thank me later.
Random thought
Truth isn’t set in stone. Truth is fluid like the water floating down a river.
That’s it for the 39th edition of Arman’s Antics. Thank you for stopping by while sipping your strong cup of coffee. Now back to your regularly scheduled nonstop scrolling.
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Cheers,
Arman
Likes and comments below.
That episode of JRE should be mandatory listening for everyone.
Driving in heat without a/c? You're brave! I would have drowned in sweat!
Love the new name. It sums up your writing style and ideas! And what better way to begin than with that JRE episode!