Character Limit by Kate Conger & Ryan Mac
I found this book by way of the Vanity Fair article, mentioned in Salacious Tech Entertainment. Though this was quite the page turner and well written, it was a tough read. I had forgotten some of the awful events of 2016 - 2023 detailed in this book. This was also an unfortunate book choice the week of the election given how, in my opinion, Musk and Trump seem to be cut from the same cloth.
Princples vs Preferences
One of my favorite pieces of parenting advice is to consider if you are using your parental authority over principles or preferences. An example being, talking disrespectfully to others is something you enforce because that is a principle you value, but the color of clothes one wears is a preference, so give some latitude. It can be an interesting lens to hold for those who have authority over you, particularly at work.
My Struggle Book 4 by Karl Ove Knausgaard
Book Four covers Karl Ove’s years from 16 to 18. I decided to start this book a bit early in the Fall as I usually wait until Winter. This is an easy read and I enjoyed it. Again, the My Struggle series hits the mark for my generation and life as a man. His writing is deeply personal and very relatable. As one reviewer put it, you see the world from inside his head and aren’t left with much of an opinion of anyone else because that is not the point.
Another Re-Org
I moved a lot when I was a kid, so I don’t mind work re-orgs.
Wooden Satelites
Only in Japan, a satelite made of wood.
https://www.dw.com/en/worlds-first-wooden-satellite-launched-into-space/a-70691359
Salacious Tech Entertainment
This article had been sitting in my to-read list for well over a month. When I started, I could not stop. This hits close to home. I immediately ordered the book Character Limit by Kate Conger and Ryan Mac.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/elon-musk-twitter-buyout
Spring Foot Injury
It wouldn’t be a new season without some foot injury. This time it is the form of Extensor Hallucis Longus Tendonitis. This is the tendon connecting the big toe to the muscle that can lift it. I injured it on a run last Tuesday, one week ago. I suspect my shoe may have been too tight or it could have been something else. Today it is swollen after two days in a row of pushing hard with walking.
Foot Health
This was the podcast I have been waiting for from Dr Peter Attia. I have been on a three year journey to gain foot health and Dr Courtney Conley knows her stuff. This podcast had me encouraged to double down on foot strengthening exercises and I had ordered some toe spacers to start wearing.
Stay Away From Toxic People
I had seen a list of how to have a better life and one of the suggestions was to “stay away from toxic people”. I generally agree with this advice, but I think the term “toxic” has lost its punch. It seems like the modern interpretation is “stay away from people that give you negative feelings” and that can just be shortened to “just stay away from people”.
Everyone has terrible traits, including you and me.
Tax Day
In the United States, it is tax day. I had a history teacher in high school who was very anti-government. He introduced me to the ideal of Ludwig Von Mises and to this day, I am a reformed Libertarian (I don’t trust healthcare to the free market). He encouraged us, when it was time, to make our checks to the IRS out to Internal Revenue Bureau. I think of this every tax day.