What I'm writing with
01/26/09 21:24
There are a few things that I am obsessed about.
The books I read is one of them. Another one is Bags -- the pursuit of the perfect bag is a lifelong challenge, I’ll have to talk about that later.
I’m also very particular about what I write with. I can’t stand cheap pens that sputter out their ink or have the feel of a plastic stick. I have several fountain pens, none more than $200 and a ton of other roller balls, felt tips, gels etc that I love to switch in and out of the rotation, depending on my mood.
These days I’ve been using my Monteverde Mega Ink Ball. Its a big thick barreled pen, so its definitely not right for everyone. What’s so cool about this pen is that it has a roller ball nib, but a fountain pen ink flow system. I’ve made the switch from cartridges to loading my pens directly from ink bottles -- I use various colors of Noodlers Ink (I read that was the best ink you could find somewhere and its stuck in my head whether its true or not). These days I’ve been in a blue ink kinda way, so I’ve been using their Ottoman Azure, and I just purchased a jar of their Blue Eel ink, which is supposed to help lubricate the nib and assist ink flow. That was my only grip with the Mega Ink, sometimes the ink just didn’t want to flow easily, the problem seems to have gone away with the eel ink.
Why am I using this pen these days? What makes it a good pen? Some of it is the feel. Its a sturdy think pen that has some weight but its balanced and not too heavy. The roller ball action is smooth, but not too loose or free with the ink, you need to apply some pressure to it which I like. The pen is pretty too, I probably get more looks and comments about this pen than any other I use.
The books I read is one of them. Another one is Bags -- the pursuit of the perfect bag is a lifelong challenge, I’ll have to talk about that later.
I’m also very particular about what I write with. I can’t stand cheap pens that sputter out their ink or have the feel of a plastic stick. I have several fountain pens, none more than $200 and a ton of other roller balls, felt tips, gels etc that I love to switch in and out of the rotation, depending on my mood.
These days I’ve been using my Monteverde Mega Ink Ball. Its a big thick barreled pen, so its definitely not right for everyone. What’s so cool about this pen is that it has a roller ball nib, but a fountain pen ink flow system. I’ve made the switch from cartridges to loading my pens directly from ink bottles -- I use various colors of Noodlers Ink (I read that was the best ink you could find somewhere and its stuck in my head whether its true or not). These days I’ve been in a blue ink kinda way, so I’ve been using their Ottoman Azure, and I just purchased a jar of their Blue Eel ink, which is supposed to help lubricate the nib and assist ink flow. That was my only grip with the Mega Ink, sometimes the ink just didn’t want to flow easily, the problem seems to have gone away with the eel ink.
Why am I using this pen these days? What makes it a good pen? Some of it is the feel. Its a sturdy think pen that has some weight but its balanced and not too heavy. The roller ball action is smooth, but not too loose or free with the ink, you need to apply some pressure to it which I like. The pen is pretty too, I probably get more looks and comments about this pen than any other I use.
I have six words for you...
01/12/09 20:55
In honor of the the book “Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs” I’ll make my review of it six words (cliche, I know):
Funny, moving, compelling, good for bathroom.
I believe I first heard about this book reading Dan Pink’s paradigm changing book, “A Whole New Mind.” If you haven’t read it, then stop reading this drivel, go to amazon and buy it now. I’ll wait... What you don’t have 1-click turned on? Sigh... Ok, you won’t regret it. (As an aside, I actually worked with Dan many years ago on the Ferraro for Senate campaign in 1992.) What is it about? Well, I’ll sum it up with a story my brother told me:
In 1950 they asked the leading futurists (people who think about the future, I don’t know its my brother’s story) what the most important skill of the next 50 years will be, and they said information management. During the next 50 years, we saw the growth of information professions, doctors, lawyers and the like. In 2000 they asked the next group of leading futurists, what the most important skill of the next 50 years would be, and they said story-telling. The book basically looks at this transformation, goes into his theory of why it’s taking place, and talks about the important skills (empathy, story telling, design) people will need to get along in this world that’s overflowing with information and access. Its one of those books that I’m constantly bringing up in conversation and recommend without any hesitation.
I just bought a new copy of it because I lent my old one to a so called friend who never returned (you better know who you are because I can’t remember).
The Six Word Memoirs can also be check out at the Smith Magazine website.
Funny, moving, compelling, good for bathroom.
I believe I first heard about this book reading Dan Pink’s paradigm changing book, “A Whole New Mind.” If you haven’t read it, then stop reading this drivel, go to amazon and buy it now. I’ll wait... What you don’t have 1-click turned on? Sigh... Ok, you won’t regret it. (As an aside, I actually worked with Dan many years ago on the Ferraro for Senate campaign in 1992.) What is it about? Well, I’ll sum it up with a story my brother told me:
In 1950 they asked the leading futurists (people who think about the future, I don’t know its my brother’s story) what the most important skill of the next 50 years will be, and they said information management. During the next 50 years, we saw the growth of information professions, doctors, lawyers and the like. In 2000 they asked the next group of leading futurists, what the most important skill of the next 50 years would be, and they said story-telling. The book basically looks at this transformation, goes into his theory of why it’s taking place, and talks about the important skills (empathy, story telling, design) people will need to get along in this world that’s overflowing with information and access. Its one of those books that I’m constantly bringing up in conversation and recommend without any hesitation.
I just bought a new copy of it because I lent my old one to a so called friend who never returned (you better know who you are because I can’t remember).
The Six Word Memoirs can also be check out at the Smith Magazine website.
The pleasure of Audible
01/07/09 12:14
Another Christmas present from my amazing wife (who just signed up for Facebook, and yes she knows the Crocodile Hunter is dead -- inside joke) was a subscription to Audible.com.
Audible is home to audio books. I was never a big fan of books on tape before even using my ipod now iPhone as much as I do, I never had much interest. But a series of long solo drives this summer stretched my podcast inventory to its limit (I guess I’ll have to do another post on what I listen to podcast wise).
So with 4 x 5+ hour trips ahead, I needed something that would get me through that long stretch at the end of the Jersey Turnpike (you know the one near exit 11 or 12) and beyond. I had tried audio books, but never really got hooked, well after those drives, now I’m hooked.
I find it gives me the same joy as reading while I waited for the subway when I lived in New York. I loved that commute time, savored it actually, it was all mine, no one could intrude. Time to yourself with a good book is time well spent. Well, these days, I don’t get much time where my head is able to focus on a book and my commute is either in the car or by foot (I’ve been doing a lot of walking since June, usually a 40 minute trip to Georgetown and then a 40 minute return at the end of the day). With audio books on my iPhone I find it opens up a whole new chance to “read” something wonderful.
I started my travel “reading” with “Bird by Bird,” by Anne Lamont. A great read/listen about writing. It was a book I had wanted to read for a while and poof, across the Pennsylvania Turnpike it was finished and Audible had a new fan.
Next was “Brain Rules,” by John Medina a wonderful book about how the brain works. Each chapter starts with a rule, like the importance of exercise, Medina then lays out the rule, why it might work that way, then discusses the implications of that rule. It was such a great read/listen that I savored it, not wanting to waste it for a mere 20 minutes jaunt walking, but I wanted to gulp it in hour long sessions. It was so interesting that I actually went out and bought the hard copy of the book.
(As an aside, we’ll need to come up with a word for what you’re doing when you read/listen to an audio book. Can you call it reading? Its more than listening I think but maybe not. Does a blind person “read” braille? Is it the same, does reading necessarily mean with your eyes? I guess the dictionary refers to printed material but maybe that’s just an outdated way of thinking of things. Back to our normal broadcasting.)
I just finished my third audio book “Traffic,” by Tom Vanderbilt. Sure traffic is boring to sit in (well maybe not so boring after reading this book), but its fascinating to think and learn about. If you’ve ever wondered where traffic comes from, had an accident or near miss, or just are curious how creatures who can barely sustain 20+ miles an hour can operate a ton of metal driving at high speeds with other creatures not designed for the same thing, then get this book -- even if you haven’t get this book, its that good. Seriously, this book will change how you see the world around you and turn an everyday mundane occurrence like traffic into some kind of lyrical dance of physiology, psyche, and physics.
The reason I bring all this up, is with my Audible.com subscription, I get a credit a month towards a book (most books are only one credit). So I can’t decided what’s next, damn. I’ll keep you posted on what’s next. If I had comments, I would let you suggest something, I guess you’ll to e-mail me instead.
Audible is home to audio books. I was never a big fan of books on tape before even using my ipod now iPhone as much as I do, I never had much interest. But a series of long solo drives this summer stretched my podcast inventory to its limit (I guess I’ll have to do another post on what I listen to podcast wise).
So with 4 x 5+ hour trips ahead, I needed something that would get me through that long stretch at the end of the Jersey Turnpike (you know the one near exit 11 or 12) and beyond. I had tried audio books, but never really got hooked, well after those drives, now I’m hooked.
I find it gives me the same joy as reading while I waited for the subway when I lived in New York. I loved that commute time, savored it actually, it was all mine, no one could intrude. Time to yourself with a good book is time well spent. Well, these days, I don’t get much time where my head is able to focus on a book and my commute is either in the car or by foot (I’ve been doing a lot of walking since June, usually a 40 minute trip to Georgetown and then a 40 minute return at the end of the day). With audio books on my iPhone I find it opens up a whole new chance to “read” something wonderful.
I started my travel “reading” with “Bird by Bird,” by Anne Lamont. A great read/listen about writing. It was a book I had wanted to read for a while and poof, across the Pennsylvania Turnpike it was finished and Audible had a new fan.
Next was “Brain Rules,” by John Medina a wonderful book about how the brain works. Each chapter starts with a rule, like the importance of exercise, Medina then lays out the rule, why it might work that way, then discusses the implications of that rule. It was such a great read/listen that I savored it, not wanting to waste it for a mere 20 minutes jaunt walking, but I wanted to gulp it in hour long sessions. It was so interesting that I actually went out and bought the hard copy of the book.
(As an aside, we’ll need to come up with a word for what you’re doing when you read/listen to an audio book. Can you call it reading? Its more than listening I think but maybe not. Does a blind person “read” braille? Is it the same, does reading necessarily mean with your eyes? I guess the dictionary refers to printed material but maybe that’s just an outdated way of thinking of things. Back to our normal broadcasting.)
I just finished my third audio book “Traffic,” by Tom Vanderbilt. Sure traffic is boring to sit in (well maybe not so boring after reading this book), but its fascinating to think and learn about. If you’ve ever wondered where traffic comes from, had an accident or near miss, or just are curious how creatures who can barely sustain 20+ miles an hour can operate a ton of metal driving at high speeds with other creatures not designed for the same thing, then get this book -- even if you haven’t get this book, its that good. Seriously, this book will change how you see the world around you and turn an everyday mundane occurrence like traffic into some kind of lyrical dance of physiology, psyche, and physics.
The reason I bring all this up, is with my Audible.com subscription, I get a credit a month towards a book (most books are only one credit). So I can’t decided what’s next, damn. I’ll keep you posted on what’s next. If I had comments, I would let you suggest something, I guess you’ll to e-mail me instead.
My Latest Project
01/05/09 12:32
Just finished a new video for Static Across America. Its on youtube as well so take a look.
The video uses kinetic typography, which is all the rage these days and starting to make its way into commercial advertising -- I just saw it in a truck commercial for Ford or Chevy (what does it say that I can’t tell the difference, brand failure).
Here’s a discussion of the technique at one of my favorite blogs Presentation Zen. Stick around and read some of the other articles there, Steve Jobs presentation v. Bill Gates, Vader v. Yoda. Garr Reynolds, the writer of Presentation Zen, provides a lot of information for anyone interested in design and story telling, which at the end of the day is what its all about.
The first time I saw this style and maybe the best example of it is a video called “The Girl Effect.” Inspiring, information, compelling -- what more do you want from 2 minutes of your time?
The video uses kinetic typography, which is all the rage these days and starting to make its way into commercial advertising -- I just saw it in a truck commercial for Ford or Chevy (what does it say that I can’t tell the difference, brand failure).
Here’s a discussion of the technique at one of my favorite blogs Presentation Zen. Stick around and read some of the other articles there, Steve Jobs presentation v. Bill Gates, Vader v. Yoda. Garr Reynolds, the writer of Presentation Zen, provides a lot of information for anyone interested in design and story telling, which at the end of the day is what its all about.
The first time I saw this style and maybe the best example of it is a video called “The Girl Effect.” Inspiring, information, compelling -- what more do you want from 2 minutes of your time?
Some New Reading
12/25/08 19:46
So I now have a plethora of books to read in 2009. I got eight, count ‘em eight new books for Christmas, enough for every night of Chanukah.
I got:
“Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What we Buy and Who We Are” by Rob Walker, this is a book that I’ve had my eye on for some time. Had it in my hand 5 times at Barnes & Noble, about to buy it, just didn’t pull the trigger, what did it say?
“Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior” by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman
“Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell a perennial favorite if you haven’t read “Blink” or “The Tipping Point” stop reading this dreck, go out and buy them (at least purchase them on Amazon, and have them shipped to you, then keep reading the dreck). Whether you agree or disagree with him, its always an entertaining read.
“Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin, ok yes, I caught up in the Obama hype. But I’ve always wanted to read this book, and I was a history major in college, so there.
“Reality Check” by Guy Kawasaki, I loved “Art of the Start,” so I’m glad to be picking this one up. Wish it was a paperback. Its a big hard cover. Does that seem shallow?
“Yes: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways To Be Persuasive” by Goldstein, Martin and Cialdini. Never got around to finishing “Influence,” by Cialdini, but I’ve seems this book raved about, and its on a topic of interest to me.
“The Path of Least Resistance: Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life” by Robert Fritz, useful self help or new age drivel, not quite sure yet. Yeah of all the great books this is the one I’ve started reading, not sure exactly why, maybe its the fact that I’m trying to make some life decisions, maybe it was the catchy title. Maybe its the fact I’m not sure it was given to me (long story) so I’m trying to read it before it has to be returned.
In addition I got the next two installments of the riveting comic book, “DMZ,” about a second Civil War, and the no man’s land that is Manhattan Island.
I got:
“Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What we Buy and Who We Are” by Rob Walker, this is a book that I’ve had my eye on for some time. Had it in my hand 5 times at Barnes & Noble, about to buy it, just didn’t pull the trigger, what did it say?
“Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior” by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman
“Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell a perennial favorite if you haven’t read “Blink” or “The Tipping Point” stop reading this dreck, go out and buy them (at least purchase them on Amazon, and have them shipped to you, then keep reading the dreck). Whether you agree or disagree with him, its always an entertaining read.
“Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin, ok yes, I caught up in the Obama hype. But I’ve always wanted to read this book, and I was a history major in college, so there.
“Reality Check” by Guy Kawasaki, I loved “Art of the Start,” so I’m glad to be picking this one up. Wish it was a paperback. Its a big hard cover. Does that seem shallow?
“Yes: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways To Be Persuasive” by Goldstein, Martin and Cialdini. Never got around to finishing “Influence,” by Cialdini, but I’ve seems this book raved about, and its on a topic of interest to me.
“The Path of Least Resistance: Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life” by Robert Fritz, useful self help or new age drivel, not quite sure yet. Yeah of all the great books this is the one I’ve started reading, not sure exactly why, maybe its the fact that I’m trying to make some life decisions, maybe it was the catchy title. Maybe its the fact I’m not sure it was given to me (long story) so I’m trying to read it before it has to be returned.
In addition I got the next two installments of the riveting comic book, “DMZ,” about a second Civil War, and the no man’s land that is Manhattan Island.