I took my weekly walk with my friend Nikki today: two women, striding along an expanse of snowy tundra under a clear blue sky, masked, talking a mean streak. How are you managing? We ask each other. We don’t want the, at-the-end-of-the-day, answer. We don’t want the pre-packaged, wrapped-up-in-a-bow answer. Each of us wants from … Continue reading Two Friends Go For A Walk
I Care What You Had For Lunch
Today I was thinking again about that silly book: No One Cares What You Had For Lunch. I think of that book a lot. I wonder if I still have it. Or did I give it away in a fit of manic bookshelf cleaning? If it’s still in print I think I’ll order it again. … Continue reading I Care What You Had For Lunch
You Can’t Be Creative If You’re Not In A Good Mood
When I read it, it seemed so self-evident, and yet the wisest thing I had read in a long time. It was in Steven Kotler's lastest, and, I think, best book: The Art of Impossible. And what are the requirements of a good mood? ExerciseA Gratitude PracticeA Mindfulness PracticeA Good Night's Sleep If I'm in … Continue reading You Can’t Be Creative If You’re Not In A Good Mood
Monthly Check-In: February
Inspired by: Hmmm… People on YouTube, particularly Ali Abdaal who is quite engaging and talks about a lot of stuff YouTube-related like how to get started, tips and tricks for filming, etc. Watching: The Wilds, finished Red Oaks (sniff), we watched Hamilton a few weeks ago on Disney Plus, Uncle Frank, This is Us. I … Continue reading Monthly Check-In: February
I Thought Getting My Covid Shot Would Feel More Dramatic
Trying to get this appointment took a village. It took getting up at 5 AM to check sites where vaccines might be available. For weeks G tried. But, nothing. Then someone posted a link on Facebook and she followed it and, bam! It worked! I was so happy! Ebullient, even. I drove down to Williamsport … Continue reading I Thought Getting My Covid Shot Would Feel More Dramatic
Facebook Might Be Good For Something
Yesterday I was thinking a lot about Facebook and how, ever since I watched that Tristan Harris documentary, The Social Dilemma, I have been really wanting to be done with it. Every time I open the app I feel like I’m stepping into a sandbox in Chernobyl: a toxic, radioactive playground. A place I … Continue reading Facebook Might Be Good For Something
My 21 for 2021 List
I like Gretchen Rubin. Her podcast is one of my faves. Every year for the past three or four she’s suggested doing a list for the New Year based on the last two numbers in the year. So this year it’s 21 for 2021. This list is just random stuff you want to do in … Continue reading My 21 for 2021 List
What To Say To People Who Ask How You’re Doing
You could go the sarcastic route: “Livin’ the dream.” Or you could go with the stoic response: “Controlling the controllables.” Or you could just lie: “Great.” Or you could sit down and fill out this short fill-in-the-blank list and take your answer from something you write down here. This list comes from a cool workbook … Continue reading What To Say To People Who Ask How You’re Doing
Word of the Year
Word of The Year My word of the year is Pro. As in Professional. As in Turning Pro, from the Steven Pressfield book of the same name. Pressfield says there are amateurs and there are pros. Amateurs work when they feel like it. Pros work even when they don’t feel like it. Pressfield also has … Continue reading Word of the Year
November 5: Learning My Video Camera
I'm using a new productivity tool these days called Trello. I created a number of boards and lists on Trello the other day to help keep track of all the things I want to do. Cal Newport uses this tool, so I'm predisposed to give it an earnest try. But this is NaNoWriMo month, so … Continue reading November 5: Learning My Video Camera
