Saturday, January 31, 2009
Isn't it funny?
Isn't it funny how good friends somehow know to call on the day you need to hear from them most?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
That explains it
I was getting some weird looks earlier this week while biking into work and I didn't figure out why until I was at my desk and took my face mask off. Normally, it ices up a little bit, but never quite like this. . .
Sunday, January 4, 2009
My Personal List of Influential Books in 2008
To start the year on a positive note, here are some books that I've really enjoyed over the past year.
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
While I think Pollan goes overboard a bit in this book, his general point is good. If a food is less processed, it's generally better for you. Arguing for eating exclusively local is great if you live in California, but is hardly easy if you live in a place like Minnesota. I knew this book had changed my point of view when I saw a commercial for a children's snack - some granola bar smeared with strawberry jelly - that advertised the snack as providing the nutrition of eating on serving of fruit. Why not just eat a handful of strawberries?
Traffic
This book will answer most anyone's questions about why driving can be such a pain. What do dogs meeting on leashes and cars meeting on roads have in common? The limitations on communication in these situations can lead to aggression. What do driving and email have in common? The perceived anonymity in both cases can lead people to do things they wouldn't otherwise. Also, the other lane does really appear to be moving faster, even though it's not.
Refuse to Choose!
This was a refreshing book - it gives you permission to find a career that embraces generalist skills. Or to find a good enough job that lets you pursue your hobbies in your free time. I always felt a bit odd because of the range of things I'm interested in, I seem to always have at least ten projects going at once. That being said, I think her organization tips aren't the best. For that, see the next book. :)
Getting Things Done
I wish I had discovered this book in 1999, when it was published. Most of the ideas in this book are common sense - but they're well-packaged and implementing them definitely decreased my stress level. His basic point is that you need to use a system that will store the things you need to do outside your head - that way you can focus on what you're doing instead of trying to remember what you need to do next.
Economics in One Lesson
Okay, I didn't actually read this one last year, I read it many years ago. But I recommend it. It's a useful primer that might help one understand hard economic times - and make smart decisions about what kind of remedies should be supported.
Miss Vickie's Big Book of Pressure Cooker Recipes
My nod to the retro trend was learning how to use a pressure cooker. They do a soft, fluffy baked potato in 20 minutes, can cook a chicken in half the time, and can even cook two dishes at once if you do it right. This is the best book I found - it has good reference chapters that explain pressure cooking basics.
In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto
While I think Pollan goes overboard a bit in this book, his general point is good. If a food is less processed, it's generally better for you. Arguing for eating exclusively local is great if you live in California, but is hardly easy if you live in a place like Minnesota. I knew this book had changed my point of view when I saw a commercial for a children's snack - some granola bar smeared with strawberry jelly - that advertised the snack as providing the nutrition of eating on serving of fruit. Why not just eat a handful of strawberries?
Traffic
This book will answer most anyone's questions about why driving can be such a pain. What do dogs meeting on leashes and cars meeting on roads have in common? The limitations on communication in these situations can lead to aggression. What do driving and email have in common? The perceived anonymity in both cases can lead people to do things they wouldn't otherwise. Also, the other lane does really appear to be moving faster, even though it's not.
Refuse to Choose!
This was a refreshing book - it gives you permission to find a career that embraces generalist skills. Or to find a good enough job that lets you pursue your hobbies in your free time. I always felt a bit odd because of the range of things I'm interested in, I seem to always have at least ten projects going at once. That being said, I think her organization tips aren't the best. For that, see the next book. :)
Getting Things Done
I wish I had discovered this book in 1999, when it was published. Most of the ideas in this book are common sense - but they're well-packaged and implementing them definitely decreased my stress level. His basic point is that you need to use a system that will store the things you need to do outside your head - that way you can focus on what you're doing instead of trying to remember what you need to do next.
Economics in One Lesson
Okay, I didn't actually read this one last year, I read it many years ago. But I recommend it. It's a useful primer that might help one understand hard economic times - and make smart decisions about what kind of remedies should be supported.
Miss Vickie's Big Book of Pressure Cooker Recipes
My nod to the retro trend was learning how to use a pressure cooker. They do a soft, fluffy baked potato in 20 minutes, can cook a chicken in half the time, and can even cook two dishes at once if you do it right. This is the best book I found - it has good reference chapters that explain pressure cooking basics.
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