Building a Better Litter Box

First, I know as I write this that my friend Kevin will be emailing me later today that I’ve jumped the shark again (is it possible to do it more than once?)! Still, it’s every bloggers right to inject a small amount of whimsy into what they write and I’m exercising that right today. Over […]

Need Recommendations on Being a Better Listener

This past weekend I’ve been reading The Zen of Listening by Rebecca Shafir, part of my ongoing efforts to be better at many things and also part of research for an upcoming project. The book was a good starting point for me, with some ideas on the different types of listening and how mindfulness and […]

Be The Connector

Few things are more satisfying than to introduce two people when you think they have common interests. Often it’s driven by someone needing to fill a position or someone needing work, but that’s by no means the only scenario – it can just as easily be some common interest that has nothing to do with […]

How Will Your Product Fare Over Time?

I like to look at things that have been in use for a while to see how they hold up. Sometimes it’s a way to be smarter or more cost efficient the next time. Sometimes a reminder to sweat the small stuff. Sometimes it is just interesting. Here’s one example. About 6 years ago I […]

Miscellaneous Reading for July 2013

Must read blog: Sacha Chua. Lots of info on going solo, being productive, sketch noting. Related, if you’re trying to manage life and focus and progress, take a look at QuantifiedSelf.com Don’t tell people they can borrow your tow truck The Generals is a look at the evolution of the US Army as far as relieving […]

A Long Summer Vacation

Based on a bit of luck/happenstance I’ve been able to stretch my summer vacation to two months. I had planned to take a few weeks off to reflect on life and think about where I should be focusing (and I have done a lot of that), but the chance to take the summer off with […]

Visiting Atlantis

This week I got to visit Atlantis. Not the mythical island, but rather the ship, the Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center. The visit was part of my summer vacation, spoiling myself by doing something with my family almost every day. The official ‘launch’ of the exhibit is Saturday, we went early because it […]

Is $160 Per Day a Lot?

Recently I was in a small coffee/sandwich shop for early morning coffee and while waiting watched one of the employees taking cookies from a pan and putting into paper sleeves. A bit later when I returned for a refill (and was more awake) I asked how many cookies they made a day. They had three […]

Interesting Approach-One Time Tools

Recently I ordered a Paolini Pocket Rule from Woodpecker. It is one of a series of OneTime Tools they’ve produced over the last couple years. They come up with a design, take orders for a couple months, and then process the charge when the item ships. Think about what it means to see a market […]

Vacation Notes

First stop was Philadelphia, mostly because we scheduled our vacation to coincide with SQLSaturday #200, but also because we had never been. Subway is ok, but no where near as useful or as clean as the one in DC. We hoped to see the Liberty Bell, but the line was looooong The Constitution Center was […]