I find it funny that dishwasher detergent cleans dishes but leaves residue inside the dishwasher. So, what cleans the dishwasher? 💭🤔
I find it funny that dishwasher detergent cleans dishes but leaves residue inside the dishwasher. So, what cleans the dishwasher? 💭🤔
Listening to: The Rolling Stones: Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll (Part 1) by The Rest is History. The two main points I learned about were the political and economic context of the early 60’s in England and an intro into why the Beatles were viewed as being “good” and The Rolling Stones were viewed as a “threat” - even though their hair was about the same length. 🎙️
While ROI (Return on Investment) is a common metric to measure, does anyone know of work that has been done to understand “Return on Effort” or “Return on Change”? Those seem to be important measurements that are often overlooked. 📐
Continuing from this post, I see a connection here between the river metaphor for understanding change and the “moneyball” approach of Shane Battier and the Houston Rockets in the “The No-Stats All-Star” article by Michael Lewis (of Moneyball fame). One approach to dealing with change, based on the article, is to find how you can move the needle, focus on that effort, and if things to wrong you understand that “losing” will always be a potential outcome. Like guarding Kobe Bryant, you cannot redirect the current of the river, but you can find small, sometimes unrecognizable ways to create an impact. And, like Shane Battier, that work will likely be unseen. 📐
The conversation between Jonah Goldberg and John McWhorter included a few minutes on the metaphor of language being like a river that constantly changes. John, for his part, isn’t interesting in trying to defend or protect anything as the river will do what it will. I think there is value in seeking to preserve the good, but with the understanding that you don’t, and can’t, control where the river is headed.
The river metaphor also reminds me of the fun, and true, Heraclitus saying:
You cannot step into the same river twice.
Listening to: Jonah Goldberg’s interview with John McWhorter on John’s new book Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words. It’s amazing how much I don’t know, or even consider, regarding language I use every day. If only I had time to read the book…📚 🎙️
While I enjoy the convenience of reserving library books ahead of time, that cannot replicate the serendipity that occurs when you browse the stacks. 📚
Currently reading: Stories of the Saints by Carey Wallace 📚This book includes a brief 2 page introduction of each saint along with a accompanying illustration. The illustrations are really well done.
After listening to the How I Write podcast on “Jerry Seinfeld’s Rules for Writing” I have been dedicating a small part of each day for writing out thoughts and ideas. I am now over one month in. And as Jerry would say, “don’t break the chain.” 🎙️🖋️
I had given up on my fountain pens and started to use a Sharpie S-Gel pen for almost everything. Last week, I finally cleaned out my fountain pens and started using them again around the house. I forgot how great it feels to write with a fountain pen. Glad to be back.🖋️
Libraries allow you to browse a large amount of options in a public space and then pick out what you want to look at and have focused, personal attention with that item. Museums curate the options available for you to browse, leaving most items in storage, and if you want to focus on an object you have to do it in a public space with others walking around, sometimes even crowds.
The point? Libraries offer the best experience by allowing unlimited browsing with the option of personal engagement with a selected item. If a museum could function like a library, its impact on communities and culture could be far greater.
This post from Seth Godin about “Designed, Designy or Well-designed” caught my eye. My perspective is that the primary purpose of a “designy” solution is novelty. “Look at this interesting and fashionable thing.” A well-designed object’s primary purpose is to solve a problem or make something better - with beauty and context being considered as part of that solution. Doubtless, there are some designs out there that fulfill both definitions of “designy” and well-designed. 📐
I recently came across Thievery Corporation’s performance at KEXP back in 2016. My favorite highlight is watching the bassist on Forgotten People. I need a dose of that before heading to work… 😂🎶
Finished reading: Shopkeeping by Peter Miller 📚 The shop is different from a store as it is run by a shopkeeper instead of a manager. There is someone personally invested with their livelihood on the line, laboring over details in order to allow the store to flourish.
Indoor golf is gaining momentum, even being written about in the Wall Street Journal. I understand the perks of a quick game, rain or shine, with food and drinks nearby. But when I played golf with my grandpa as a kid and teenager, the best park was walking between shots, meeting new people to fill a foursome, chatting while you wait for the group in front of you, and dealing with whatever weather you had that day. Most kids walked and carried their bags.
Indoor golf seems to draw those who want the opposite of what I experienced. And I have no desire to check it out. ⛳️
Currently reading: Between Two Sounds: Arvo Parts Journey to His Musical Language by Joonas Sildre 📚
Adam Cullen’s illustrations do a great job of assisting the story but not taking it over. I always appreciate the black linework with simple, blocked gray tones to add shade and shadow. I first saw this in sketches by Marcos Mateu-Mestre, who is a bit more severe in his style but has the similar comic look. 🎨
Currently reading: Between Two Sounds: Arvo Parts Journey to His Musical Language by Joonas Sildre 📚
I don’t typically read graphic novels, but the drawings are an interesting companion to the story, especially as the “notes” move across the page in musical sections. This book doesn’t cover how tintinnabuli works, but focuses - as the subtitle suggests - on Arvo Parts creative journey up to his exile from Estonia in 1980.
I get that the Savannah Bananas are popular and that they are selling out football stadiums in major cities, but let’s all remember that these are one-offs. If “banana ball” was what was on offer for 81 home games a season, I don’t think the numbers would be as good as the MLB. Entertainment as sports has its limits. 🍌⚾️
Currently reading: Sideways Stories From Wayside School by Louis Sachar 📚
I have been reading two of the short stories per night to my kids (between ages 4-9). They love the stories, and they are fun for me to read too, which is a bonus.
I am a fan of Chris Bangle’s views on running a creative studio - automotive design specifically, but the advice is pretty universal. 📐🎨🖌️
Say what you want about the “Bangle Butt” on the 7 Series during his tenure. The Gina concept is still unmatched since its introduction in 2008. 🚗
Listening to: Beethoven Blues by Jon Batiste. The kids love it as it is fun to listen to. I enjoy the tracks where the improvisation is integral to the original music vs the ones where improvisation feels pasted on. But even then, the more I listen to it, the more more I enjoy it. 🎶
Good to see a great Red Bull livery coming back to NASCAR. 🏎️
Two albums (new to me) that I enjoyed over Christmastide:
Listening To: Amassakoul by Tinariwen Good music to keep you feeling warm during a cold snap. 🎶🥶
Listening to: Various albums by Jorge Ben Jor
Taj Mahal is stuck in my head… 🎶