Some Like It Hot

An artifact of recently turning 50 is that I've been spending time (yes, probably too much time :)) thinking and reflecting about the choices that I've made and where I am in life.

Heavy stuff. Or amusing stuff. I guess it depends how you look at it. :)

While I was doing a bunch of reading and research, I came across a compliation of speeches from Robert Downey, Jr that resonated with me. In them, he talks about how you can overcome things that come your way and find peace of mind while keeping passion alive.

You screw up. You push forward. And we need breaks.

Making the choice to overcome your problems is the hardest thing of all. But if you keep going and never give up you will find that you can get out of the negativity and pursue anything you desire. However bad things get, you must never give in. Focus on yourself, get back into a positive mindset and then pursue your certain something with all you have when the time is right for you.

If you're interested in my daily ramblings, follow me on Twitter or my posts on this blog.

Forward Thinking

I came across one of the most unlikely sources yet fascinating watches about problem solving and the ability to understand what's going on around you.

In this case - reading body language.

In a video published by Tennis TV, Agassi reveals that he realized that Becker's tongue was the big giveaway to which direction his serve he was going to go. If his tongue pointed straight, then that meant he would be launching a serve down the middle. If the tongue pointed to side of his mouth then a wide serve was incoming.

Incredible.

Latest obsession

This may sound like a silly one, but one of the greatest additions to my EDC this year has been the EverRatchet Ratcheting Keychain Tool.

It's a simple and elegant tool that has a #2 Phillips Bit, 1/4" ratchet, fire flint, scraper, 7 wrenches, bottle & box opener in a handy low profile format that goes with me wherever I go.

Small but strong, and highly recommended.

This weeks "Deep Links"

Here's a few of the articles and videos that resonated with me over the last week:

• In one of the more interesting posts of the week, "How I Mastered the Art of Ventilating My Home", Craig Mod takes you through his obsession with fans and home ventilation. What started out as an attempt at a mold-free life, turned into an experimentation with pressure gradients and fluid-mechanics. Facinating - More
• I tried to make smash burgers on the grill (and a cask iron skillet) for the first time this week, and they came out surprisingly well! In "Why have flat-grilled “smashburgers” recently become so popular?", a look at the Maillard reaction which occurs to give them their distinctive flavor - More
• Snapchat has a "speed filter" that 'documents real-life speed, hoping for engagement and attention from followers'. Well, now "Snapchat Can Be Sued Over Role In Fatal Car Crash" because of it. It's always amazing what people will do for 4 minutes of Internet fame - More
• "The Soviet RBMK Reactor: 35 Years After The Chernobyl Disaster" explores what happened and the aftermath of Chernobyl (side note, if you haven't watched the HBO series, it's a must watch) - More
• Always been a HUGE fan of Guy Kawasaki (especially the amazing 10/20/30 rule), so I was pleased to discover that he now hosts the "‎Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People" podcast. Subscribed - More
• "Productivity Is About Your Systems, Not Your People" dives into four different ways to improve your efficiency. I found this read provided useful insights around aligning responsibility with authority - More
• "How to Jump From a Speeding Car" you know, just in case you ever need to know how - More
• I never knew that NPR got into the Star Wars saga by producing a radio drama of the original trilogy. Read "'Star Wars,' The Trilogy That NPR Turned Into Radio Drama" - More
• "The night Lincoln was assassinated, his new bodyguard went missing" looks deeper into John Frederick Parker, and his dereliction of duty that changed history - More
• Is stress good or bad for you? In "Are You Working Too Hard?" goes over the neurological effects when you encounter stress - More
• As someone who has difficulty in relaxing or disconnecting, "On taking time off" is a great discussion on how to take extended time away from the office in order to reset, refocus, and get the most out of it - More
• "Time perception matters because it is the experience of time that roots us in our mental reality." - heavy stuff, but in "Why Time Slows Down When We’re Afraid, Speeds Up as We Age, and Gets Warped on Vacation" examines how humans construct the experience of time - More

Fin

To wrap up this week's newsletter, I encourage you to treat yourself to this powerful video from 2012 of a flashmob performing the Beethoven's 9th symphony. Simply beautiful.