SWTLO(micro)

Layers of blue and yellow and orange stretch across the horizon, while deeply concentrated reds hover around that sinking star. I stare out the window, the airplane’s engines humming noisily in my right ear, watching the colors adjust their shades from light and pale to dark and over-saturated. And, as if unexpectedly, they disappear into the horizon. 

I reflect on the melancholy of the Billings winter landscape. Fresh layers of white force many to remain indoors, spending time with loved ones (or hated ones, depending on each family’s dynamic). Some venture out, whether to run necessary errands, because they love the winter, or simply to avoid the oncoming cabin fever. 

The last week has given me time to reflect on what has transgressed over the past year, and ponder what is in store for us over this next one. It’s quite a bit when thought of all at once. 

I refuse to make resolutions for the coming year. If I did, they’d sound eerily similar to those of these recent years. Instead, I will simply encourage myself to live the life that I want to live. 

Perhaps that’s the resolution itself? It’s just not something I need to wait until the start of a calendar year to do. It’s simply something I should be doing all along. 

[gallery]

This is so beautiful.

Threes. 

I spent last week in Redmond, WA, in a series of meetings with our partners at Microsoft. My initial inclination is to describe the week as “interesting” and “productive”, which wouldn’t be untrue. But, I fear falling into the habit of describing every week that way. 

I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I was able to keep up with the conversations when they became extremely technical. I’m not sure where I picked up the technical knowledge that I have as I’ve seemed to soak in and retain quite a bit. On the other hand, I am very much realizing where I need to do some reading and learning in order to be able to contribute more to the conversation. 

It’s like my (in)ability to speak Spanish. I can follow a conversation but, when asked to speak, that’s where I struggle. 

But, as I’m learning, that’s not my role. My role is to translate real world implementation and practical uses into the technical development of how we do it. In other words, I make sure that we don’t develop something so complicated that our users simply avoid using it. 

We accomplished a lot but, there is still much to do. Much. To. Do.

It looks like my business travel is complete for 2014. If things come together as discussed, the majority of the first quarter of 2015 will be spent on the road. 

My first official trip (second overall) to Washington, DC, as SOI staff, occurred this week. I boarded the flight very nervous, even having some doubts about what I was getting myself into. I knew that the week would be filled with meetings and information overload. I also knew that I would need some down-time, alone, in order to properly process everything. 

So, that’s how the week went. Meetings throughout the day, alone time into the evenings as I read and wrote and relaxed. My boss has apparently talked me up to everyone, as there seem to be some high expectations already. I’m feeling very confident about it all, though. This is what I wanted; it’s a chance to use my existing skills/experience and challenge myself to gain new ones. 

I didn’t do any sightseeing. And, even though I brought my camera, it never found its way out of the bag. I kept telling myself, “you can photograph that on the next trip” as I simply wanted to take everything in, naturally. 

I’m also taking notes on my travel habits and tendencies with the hope that I can 1) establish a solid routine, 2) eat healthy consistently, and 3) be realistic about what to pack, with the goal of always packing as little as possible. These are all very important, as I will be traveling quite frequently. 

On Monday, I start my new position as Senior Manager, Program Technologies for Special Olympics, Inc. The possibility of this happening has been in discussion for a while now, dating back to when I first became involved with supporting some of our World and National events, in 2011. But, even with all of the talk, the position wasn’t created until just recently. 

And then, once created, everything happened so quickly. So, so quickly. 

I’m looking forward to this for many reasons, like: 

• An opportunity to challenge myself at a different level, moving from supporting programs in Southern California to being able to make an impact on all of the programs, across the globe. 
• More focus on information technology strategies, and the opportunity to bring the organization up to speed with software and tech solutions to help run our programs better (and make it easier to do so). 
• A whole new set of challenges to work through (my favorite part of working) and skills to learn. 
• Opportunities to travel and see how programs are run in different geographies and cultures. 
• Being able to stay with an organization that I believe in, and am passionate about. 

It wasn’t that I was looking to leave my job at Special Olympics Southern California. There are plenty of opportunities for me there, if I had stayed. It was more that this opportunity came along, with all positive things - both personal and professional - converging on it at the same time. Simply put, it was too good to pass up. 

Most of all, I’m anxious, nervous, excited, optimistic… happy. 

Paired with the first one, this is turning out to become one of my favorite animated movie series. How To Train Your Dragon 2 is simply gorgeous to look at. The cinematography, the detail in the scenes, and the sense of scale all make for a fantastic movie-watching experience.

The story, and the drama, seem to be a little much. There’s a lot packed into this movie. And, while I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, it transforms this from simply an animated family film to bordering on an epic.

It will be interesting to see how they finish the trilogy.  

It’s not that I didn’t like the movie, it’s just that it wasn’t what I really was hoping this movie would be. I wanted far more evil. I wanted something far more dark and brooding. I wanted this to solidify that Maleficent, the character, was the most evil of all Disney characters, ever. Unfortunately, it didn’t do any of those things.

I think the only thing I liked about this movie is the Lana Del Rey cover of “Once Upon A Dream”.

[youtube [www.youtube.com/watch](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8waJ7W3QcJc])

I know that I’m late to the party. This is simply a very fun, action movie. It’s what I envision comic book movie adaptations to be. It doesn’t take itself seriously. It has a great, classic soundtrack. My only regret is that I didn’t see this on the big screen (I rarely see any movie in a theater) when it was first released.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ptaillon/15551216597/player/

Michelle and I were able to sneak away to Sebastopol, CA for a weekend, attending the wedding of one of her cousins. The ceremony and reception was held at Vine Hill House. The whole evening was perfect. Michelle summed it up best with, “This is so perfect, it feels like a movie wedding!”. Indeed, it did. Very much so.

The night before the wedding, we enjoyed a great dinner at Zazu Kitchen and Farm. The chef/owner was so wonderful, even serving and bussing tables herself. The food and atmosphere was perfect. So simple and delicious.

With a little more than 15 hours on the road (driving up and back from Long Beach), I had a lot of time to think. There are questions that I still need to answer and there are actions that I have decided to take. And, I gave myself a deadline: by the end of the year. Rather than wait for the New Year, and using that opportunity to launch anything, I decided that the time is now.

While I don’t mean to be so cryptic about it all, there are things that I want to keep to myself. All of the questions and actions have to do with personal development. Mainly, in the immediate, I want to take a much more simplified approach to my life. I don’t see myself going the extreme minimalistic lifestyle but, I will be implementing much of the minimalist philosophies in everything from material possessions to how I eat to how I decide to spend my time.

The first step: start organizing.

The first thing that comes to mind when trying to describe Celeste Ng’s, Everything I Never Told You is simply, it’s one of the best books that I have read in 2014. Celeste crafts a beautiful story about the interplay between family and culture. Each character feels very real; it’s as if you know these characters in your own life. And, even though the story is set in the past, it all feels as if it could happen now, in 2014.

Michelle and I were able to sneak away to Sebastopol, CA for a weekend, attending the wedding of one of her cousins. The ceremony and reception was held at Vine Hill House. The whole evening was perfect. Michelle summed it up best with, "This is so perfect, it feels like a movie wedding!". Indeed, it did. Very much so.

The night before the wedding, we enjoyed a great dinner at Zazu Kitchen and Farm. The chef/owner was so wonderful, even serving and bussing tables herself. The food and atmosphere was perfect. So simple and delicious.

With a little more than 15 hours on the road (driving up and back from Long Beach), I had a lot of time to think. There are questions that I still need to answer and there are actions that I have decided to take. And, I gave myself a deadline: by the end of the year. Rather than wait for the New Year, and using that opportunity to launch anything, I decided that the time is now.

While I don't mean to be so cryptic about it all, there are things that I want to keep to myself. All of the questions and actions have to do with personal development. Mainly, in the immediate, I want to take a much more simplified approach to my life. I don't see myself going the extreme minimalistic lifestyle but, I will be implementing much of the minimalist philosophies in everything from material possessions to how I eat to how I decide to spend my time.

The first step: start organizing.

The first thing that comes to mind when trying to describe Celeste Ng's, Everything I Never Told You is simply, it's one of the best books that I have read in 2014. Celeste crafts a beautiful story about the interplay between family and culture. Each character feels very real; it's as if you know these characters in your own life. And, even though the story is set in the past, it all feels as if it could happen now, in 2014.

ch you lead your life, so as not to feel the horrible weight of inertia wrecking your will and bending you to the ground, so as not to spend a single night more wondering what there is to do or how to connect with your neighbors and countrymen, you must make secret plans without respite. Plan for adventure, plan for pleasure, plan do pandemonium, as you wish; but plan, lay plans constantly.

And when you come to, on the steps of the presidential palace, in the green grass beside the highway, in your cell’s gloomy solitude, your secret plan finished or foiled, ask your comrades, as your cellmates, ask the wind, the waves, the stars, the sea, ask everything that ponders, everything that wanders, everything that sings, everything that stings- ask them what time it is; and your comrades, your cellmates, the wind, the waves, the stars, the sea all will answer: “It is time for a new secret plan. So as not to be the martyred slave of routine, plan adventure, plan pleasure, plan pandemonium, as you wish; but plan, plan secretly and without respite.” *

nevver:

How to breathe

Sometimes, we all need a reminder.

I love podcasts for the variety and the ability to listen whenever I want (versus tuning in to a radio station at a certain time each day). I see my podcasts app as my “DVR for radio”. I usually have a podcast playing during work or long, solo drives.

Here’s an alphabetical list of podcasts that I currently subscribe to (as of Nov 1, 2014):

The Apple Byte - A fun way to keep up on Apple news. At times, this podcast is cheesy but still entertaining. Aquarium of the Pacific - One of my favorite Aquariums. I’m also a member and live just a few miles away. Betty in the Sky With A Suitcase - Hilarious stories from pilots, flight attendants, and people she’s met in her travels. C|Net Update - a quick, daily look at tech news. I like Bridget Carey’s (host) subtle commentary on the news. Freakonomics Radio - I like the “story-fied” take on world economics. Human Needs - Interesting and current stories that give me another insight to the world. Insights Per Minute - Insights from designers (and other creatives). Been a while since they’ve updated. KCRW Good Food - Evan Kleiman (host) does a wonderful job covering local and world food trends. Fun show. KCRW Today’s Top Tune - Love discovering new artists through the top tune podcast. KCRW Press Play - Madeline Brand’s daily show about Los Angeles (and national, sometimes world) news. KEXP Song of the Day - Another way to discover new music. Korean Class 101 - I’m learning. The Moth - Great stories shared by people from all backgrounds. NPR How to do Everything - It’s just interesting. NPR Sunday Puzzle - Keeps the mind sharp… or, reminds me how unsharp my mind is. One with Farai - Fantastic interviews/conversations with a lot of diverse views and insights. Radiolab - Fun, educational show that covers a variety of topics. Serial - New, interesting way to report a news story (over a series of podcasts). Shots of Awe - Interesting, to say the least. Quick bursts of forward thinking. Stuff You Missed in History Class - I really wish my history classes were taught like this. Stuff You Should Know - I like learning about… things. Tekzilla - I like tech news. TED Talks HD - On occasion, I’ll listen to a bunch of TED talks for inspiration. Terra: The Nature of Our World - Interesting short films/documentaries on environmental issues. This American Life - I love human interest stories. This is Your Life - New to my library of podcasts, it was recommended to me by a colleague. Still evaluating. Travel With Rick Steves - Feeds my travel lust.

And, all of Scientific American’s 60-second podcasts. I like their short scientific stories that sometimes prompt me to Google for more info.

An interesting read, here. 

“… I have been an analyst for more than fifty years and I still find it astonishing that every patient has something new to communicate. Sometimes I’ll encounter a patient who has so much new to say that it’s bewildering. It is as if any analyst is living not only his own life, but also the lives of countless other people. So I think I am making a bargain with Death. I am cheating. I am living more than one life.” — Marin Bergmann, PhD

This is a fascinating series of photographs and quotes. Definitely worth checking out, here. 

Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.

An interesting documentary, watched yesterday. At the very least, it’s a start to educating and spreading awareness. But, there’s still much work to do if we truly want to solve some of the issues it brings up.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7L2PVdrb_8?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=281]

Yep. I’m hooked. 

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8oRNXt7Xbc?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=http://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque&w=500&h=281]

I got caught up watching this, last night. I found it extremely fascinating, especially learning how much has influenced the development of California over the years. It’s definitely worth your time.

After the 1998 (American) “reboot”, I was really turned off from watching anything that wasn’t a Japanese release of the series. But, last night, I was very pleasantly surprised with Godzilla (2014). I felt that it was even one of the better films of the entire series.

Three reasons:

1. The characters: Wow, far better acting and character development than one would expect.
2. The story: it had one! And the way it was built was perfectly entertaining.
3. The visuals: every shot was engrossing and kept drawing the viewer more and more into the story itself.