SWTLO(micro)

"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom."

~Isaac Asimov

Photo of the week:

Five things for the week

1. This week wasn't all what I had envisioned at the start. I felt like each day I was simply treading water to keep up with everything that was going on. And to top it off, I had no energy left when I would get home in the evenings. This was proof that I didn't manage time and energy well.
2. The point (above) leads me to this: I need to start paying close attention to what I eat. It could be a combination of age and lifestyle changes but, I am starting to notice how different foods affect my mental and physical performance. It's a matter of breaking routines and starting new, healthier, ones.
3. It takes 17 (or 21, or 66) days to establish a habit... or something like that. I'm trying to get myself to write (with pen and paper) journal entries daily. It's not going well. Need to make this happen.
4. I feel like this is the year for the Dodgers... I want it to be. Really really want it.
5. Single-tasking, living in the moment, practicing mindfulness... yeah, let's do that.

Recently read:

Recently watched:

• Everything is Okay - a funny web series that I stumbled on (can't remember how). It has been in my bookmarks for a while, now. Reminiscent of Black Mirror. I liked the humor in this. Cirocco Dunlap is great (she stars and wrote).

//I’m trying out a new weekly format, more to keep track of the things I have read and watched. It’s also a format that, I hope, will evolve as I look to put together a weekly email newsletter.

youtu.be/5M853PO0q…

This came on during a train ride home (from work), this week. Great song.

Shiny

Impressive. 🥃

Everyone is a fan.

Game 5 magic.

Pregame shenanigans

I’m trying (again) to work myself back into the writing habit. I used to write a lot. A lot. But, over the years, I got away from it. And as I got further away form the writing habit, I find that I didn’t have the same focus, the same feelings, and the same… grounding that I used to have in my life. And I know this, and I know how important it is for me to write regularly. And so, I am working on establishing that writing habit again.

One of the ways I am doing this is to write a scene to a song. In other words, I’ll listen to a song and write something inspired by it. Most times, I’ll end up with a montage or something like a music video.

It’s kind of fun, for me at least. The last song I wrote to is below. Enjoy!

Wolf Alice - Don't Delete the Kisses

Photo of the week

Five things for the week

1. I spent ten days in Abu Dhabi (for work). Overall a productive trip; I enjoyed my time there and felt that we accomplished a lot. I also am looking forward to more work with that team (and more trips there) over the next couple years.
2. I love laptops. I could see being just as productive on a tablet (tried a few times on my iPad Pro and came very close to meeting all of my needs). I just like working on a laptop; it's much more enjoyable for me this way. I don't foresee ever switching completely form a laptop to a tablet.
3. One of the most underrated joys of my life is discovering new music, then spending hours diving further into the artist's work, and sometimes even discovering other artists because of it. I fully recommend spending at least an hour each week to just sit and listen to music (both old and new).
4. Still trying to decide whether to start that newsletter or just blog (here) more often... still unsure.
5. Push yourself. It's time to operate on the next level. You say you're better, then be it.

Recently Read

• I didn't read what I wanted to (over the past few weeks). I usually find it difficult to read during work travel. It's something I really want to do better/more of but, most times I end up working late into the evenings/night.

Recently watched

• Master of None: Season 2 - binged watched on the plane. The whole season is worth watching; I enjoyed it more than the first season. The "Thanksgiving" episode? Definitely one of the best episodes I have watched in all of 2017, for any show.
• Chefs Table: Ana Ros - just an all around impressive story. I admire what she has accomplished.
• Chefs Table: Jeong Kwan - This one blew me away. Absolutely fascinating.
• Chefs Table: Nancy Silverton - I have always admired her and what she has done for Los Angeles. And, after watching this, I really love that she finds so much joy in working hands on. I want to try the mozzarella bar!
• What Happened to Monday - So, this review (from The Verge) pretty much says what i want to say. I guiltily admit that I did enjoy it, though. The ending could have been so much better.
• Lion - No, YOU cried your eyes out in front of everyone on the plane while watching this move... Adoption storylines can vary from extremely corny to extremely well done. My own adoption magnifies whichever point adoption stories fall on that  scale. I lost it when they showed the real footage at the end.
• Jane Got a Gun - "Oh cool, a western with Natalie Portman. Strong female lead... should be fun," I thought. Nope. Fell way short of what this could have been.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers

Loved this entire set but, “All Night Long” stood out for me. Bought the entire album after watching this over and over a few times.

Bomba Estéreo - So Yo

Can’t explain it… I just love it.

Snail Mail

Another from NPR’s Tiny Desk series. Seeing this lead me to dive into their collection, where I ended up buying as much as I could find. I just really like their sound.

Lisa LeBlanc - 5748 km

I could write a few hundred scenes to this song. It’s just… good.

Morning light

Approaching Dulles

We were told that the heat shattered this window. As in, it was upwards of 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Must have been the combo of the heat outside and the air conditioned inside.

Took the morning to push out some much needed work. Too many things were piled up. Feels good to clear out most of my inbox.

Went to same hotel I stayed at (back in May) for drinks because, this.

damn dirty tinted windows spoil the photo.

Lunch view from the noodle bar.

Had dinner at a (very good) Mexican restaurant, in Abu Dhabi. It was part of a mall but also had this view. Things could be worse.

Photo of the Week

Five things for the week

1. I ordered a new everyday carry camera, this week. It also happens to be the iPhone 8+. Do I need it? Nope. It's an upgrade from my current 6s+ and a little treat to myself (treat yo self) for a busy 2017 and crazy looking upcoming 2018 at work. 1a. Sure, I want the iPhone X. It intrigues me; smaller form factor and better screen. But I don't want to be a first adopter with no mechanical home button and face recognition. I'll wait until the next gen.
2. This was a bad week for eating. Just bad all week, including ordering in each weeknight (long days, exhaustion, laziness). I ate lighter, and "more vegetarian" over the weekend to try to make up for it. Here's looking at a new start, this week. Healthier, home cooked meals.
3. I'm forty years old. I'm not who I want to be but, I am getting closer and closer to it each day.
4. I have slowly worked myself back into the habit of carrying and using a physical notebook, at work. I use it to take notes, plan, and sketch things out. Daily. And since making the switch, I feel more organized, remember more things, and think more clearly.
5. Weekly mantra: photograph more, write more, read more, be well.

Recently read

• The Western Star, by Craig Johnson - It's #13 in the Walt Longmire series, a series I fully enjoy for the modern western genre and the character development occurring throughout the series. The books far overshadow the short-lived tV series (though that had potential). It was a quick read that very much ramps up to the next book, which hopefully comes out soon.
• Why Cassini is Ending Its Life with a Kamikaze Plunge (Nautilus) - I grow increasingly fascinated with space exploration every. single. day.
• The Episodic Career, by Farai Chideya - A good book giving (me) some much needed insight in approaching my career. I have (at least) twenty more years of working life in me, with so many things that I want to accomplish. Highly recommended and a must read for those who are looking for perspective. I first was introduced to Farai Chideya though her podcast, One with Farai. I really miss it; she is a fantastic interviewer.

Recently watched

• What the Health - an... interesting documentary about the food industry and its relation to our health. I couldn't help but feel skeptical throughout watching it, though. It was more or less the same voices over and over again, and facts seemed to be few and far between.