brainmower

Revised book review: 4 Hour Workweek

Stuart — Fri, 21 May 2010 04:23:34 +0000

On March 3rd I reviewed the book The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss.

I was not very kind to the author. I’ve been following his blog and now that I know who he is it seems like he pops everywhere.

Now that I’ve had some time to let the book sink in I can definitely say that Tim has won me over as a fan of his philosophy and, if given the opportunity and despite my earlier comments, I’d buy him a beer.

Hanging out

Stuart — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:49:26 +0000

Friend and I hanging out at Altitude during a Padres game.

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Places to See

Stuart — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:03:21 +0000

I like it when places I’ve been show up in my “Places to See”. Sometimes it’s the little things in life.

New Hampshire

Stuart — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:34:28 +0000

Always do your best

Stuart — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:56:11 +0000

One of the The Four Agreements is “Always Do Your Best”. That is a guidepost for future blog posts. Reading my past posts my writing has much room for improvement.

Thank you Google Buzz

Stuart — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 21:02:41 +0000

I want to offer my gratitude to the Google Buzz team. My life has been enriched by their creation. I have saved time, rediscovered old friends and relearned important lessons about the value of communication.

It just so happens none of this actually happened *on* Google Buzz (mostly because not much of *anything* happens on Google Buzz) but rather this all occurred for me because my high hopes for Google Buzz were my inspiration for disabling my Facebook account.

I would not describe myself as a social media junkie (some friends may disagree, shut up) but I was a frequent user. I felt Social Meida was a new frontier. I was on the cusp of the paradigm shift. Endless opportunities abounded. Exciting times indeed.

As the promise of Buzz beckoned I became emboldened. I deactivated my Facebook account and struck out as a new pioneer on the Buzz Frontier and then…nothing…happened. By nothing, I mean silence. In that social media void I began to reach out via traditional methods. You know, with telephones or emails. Real conversations. With people. Using spoken words or paragraphs >140 characters. Gone were the quick quips, comments, LOLs, confusing timelines, useless email notifications about lame Facebook updates and endless Mafia Wars invites.

I enjoyed this new space. I didn’t miss Social Media. The paradigm was shifting, or not, and I didn’t care.

I still have several Twitter accounts. I still have Google Buzz. I have not, and do not plan to, reactivate Facebook.

When it comes down to it, I’d prefer to have the right conversations with the right people than to share my every thought with the masses. I wish the masses felt the same way.

National Money Hole

Stuart — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:18:31 +0000

Sometimes The Onion is pretty funny.

In The Know: Should The Government Stop Dumping Money Into A Giant Hole?

Vacation in Italy

Stuart — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:10:49 +0000

So…I went to Italy. It was the best time ever.

St. Peter’s Basilica blew my mind. I am still in awe. Next was the Statue of David. You can’t get your head around how amazing a statue can be until you see it in person.

But my favorite thing was Venice. Yes, Venice. There is no place like Venice and unfortunately it may not be around for much longer.

I almost didn’t go because I was too wrapped up in my own trivial drama. I am so glad I got my head on straight and made it happen.

Books: 4 Hour Work Week

Stuart — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:57:58 +0000

The 4 Hour Work Week was an interesting read. The author, Tim Ferriss, proclaims to run his business in just 4 hours a week, take multiple mini retirements and to have completely automated his income.

I like his writing style. It is somewhat in your face. At the same time I think I wouldn't like Tim in person. That's a weird comment, but I kept getting that feeling while reading. I enjoyed the book, don't know that I would enjoy the author's company over a beer.

The first part of the book covers his philosophy, some background and a fair amount of boasting. The second (and boring part for me) covers how to make your own business automated. Interesting, but nothing ground breaking.

What I did like was the challenge to not live your entire life in a cubicle. The world is a big place. Don't work for 20 years then rely on retirement. Take time off now (he was doing up to six month or longer "retirements").

I support that idea. Travel now. Why wait? Perfect timing for me as I leave in less than 2 days for ITALY!!

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El Camino for breakfast

Stuart — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:16:13 +0000

Download now or watch on posterous

IMG_0127.MOV (798 KB)

Duck!

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