text:
"That's what I was going to say"
Most of us feel embarrassed when we're wrong.
Years of test-taking and school socialization drilled into our head that being right came with reward, usually in the form of praise or a good grade.
But even from an early age, the real reward comes from being wrong.
Because only when you're wrong do you realize what is right, only when we admit we are wrong are we able to see that there's a better, easier, faster, smarter way.
Rather than shield embarrassment with pride.
Rather than feel shame in being wrong.
Let's retrain ourselves to accept that there is reward in being wrong.
Because being wrong is the fastest way to learn.
And learning is how we get better.
From time to time, my wife and I like to give ourselves challenge. It helps us feel like a team, accomplishing some big goal together and it also let's us see a little clearer what's of value to us. Our challenges range from spending every Sunday reading the paper at a different coffee shop, to spending a month without eating sugar, cooking every meal for a week, re-watching an entire tv series together.
Our latest challenge was No-spend November. It came after an expensive Summer of getting married, honeymooning and a change in job situation which left me making less money. This month should have been an easy one: we were traveling to Chicago for a wedding and Thanksgiving was just behind that. Our rules were simple: we're allowed to buy groceries once or twice a week. Recurring utilities and bills like the gym or subscriptions don't count. And together we have a combined $100 of "just in case" money. That's it. No other spending.
For the first three days we would come home and high five at the ease in which we didn't spend money. Pre-packed lunch. No coffee. No happy hours. We signed up for 3 different dinners-in-a-box companies over 3 weeks, which give you the first box of meals for free (FYI we liked Plated the best. #NotAnAd). The challenges are never hard in the first couple days. It's always easy when it feels novel and you have a partner to remind you to stay on track. It's especially difficult if you're social and like meeting new people. Right now, specifically, when I have more time and doing a little bit of jobbing (I never call it a job "search" which feels a bit thirsty like you don't know what you're looking for; that's a topic for another post). So I've been meeting about 3-5 new people a week, which can get pricey in coffees, lunches, happy hours and dinners. On day four I went out to a lunch with a potential employer. We chatted work and future projects and the chemistry was feeling right. When the bill came, I had thought it was going to be obvious– he picked the place and we talked almost entirely about his work and what I could help out with. And then he spoke those three words I was hoping not to hear… "down the middle?" Ok no big deal. Day four and I've already spent $20.
Traveling to Chicago for a long weekend was supposed to be cost-free. Spending time with family and driving around site-seeing. Getting to and from the airport, we always take the train and the bus, and this trip was no exception… Except on the way back our flight was delayed and we landed just after 11pm. Google estimated a 90 minute train ride home, or a 22 minute taxi ride. Given we had to be at work the next day, we opted for the taxi, which set us back $40 and went against everything in our bones about how we like to spend money. There was an accidental coffee and a beer that was unavoidable, but we've got a few more hours left in the month and we're under our allotted $100.
There are a few takeaways for me from this month's experiment. First of all, it's nearly impossible to see people in NYC without spending money. Even harder in the winter. But you're always grabbing coffee or beer or meals that you may not even want to have in the first place, but the purchase implies that you have some sort of "right" to use table space. But if the goal is just to talk and get to know someone, or catch up, or visit, then there should be nothing stopping a meeting in the park, going for a walk, or just sitting and not needing to order (that works better in some coffee shops than others, and almost no restaurant).
One big observation is that the people we love, also love this challenge. Our friends, when we were more honest about it, responded so positively and were willing to change plans or help us figure out something more creative to do. We didn't limit our social calendar because we weren't spending money. Instead, we spent more time in houses, opening bottles of wine we already had, or bringing food over to cook with our friends. Or going on a bike ride or sharing a home-made lunch In a park and in an office, instead of dropping $20 on a sandwich I could have made. It also felt incredibly easy and empowered to not need anything. Specifically shopping. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, even just a regular Wednesday where I happen to be bored for an hour when I happen to get an email from J. Crew. The things I have are enough (for now) and this month won't last forever. But I really don't need any of that. Our bank statement and credit card bill makes us feel good. We were able to save almost double what we normally save in a given month.
It's not quite a sustainable lifestyle, but it was a really healthy reminder about how dependent we are to spending and thinking that spending money is so necessary. One interesting sidenote and outcome from this month was an increased sense of generosity. While it was easy to feel "cheap" and Scrooge-like, there was something inside us both that made us want to be more generous. We donated to several places after the election to support values we believe in, we donated to friends' causes and to family fundraisers. Much more than we normally would have, and that feels even better than buying a coffee a day.
The human mind is built for easier. Whatever takes the least effort, the shortest path, the lowest barrier for access, that's the route it will naturally take. That's default mode. But easier is not always better. In fact, most times easy and right choices are often the opposite. The harder choice is the one that's going to lead to more reward. The longer route is the more memorable and meaningful one and the one with the highest barrier leads to higher feelings of accomplishment and confidence.
In the Odyssey, Odysseus ties himself to the ship and pours wax in his ears so as to not hear the song of the Sirens, which is so beautiful it draws men to steer their ship into the rocks that will crash it. Whatever it takes, that song that plays to your most basic need will drive you off course.
So while the tv might be calling your name or you have the thai restaurant next door on speed dial (ok, maybe it's more like you've bookmarked their page on seamless) or the couch feels so good, steer clear. Pour the metaphorical wax in your ear and avoid it for just a little while longer– it will pass. Instead, have that conversation you need to have. Call your brother. Confront the challenge at work that seems hard. Spend time with your wife. Or parents. Go to the gym. Journal. Do something that is hard by design. Get good at choosing hard.
Today, I'm starting a chain… of no pornography. I'm not obsessed with pornography, but I, like most men with access to the internet and a personal computer, look at it on a semi-regular basis. On the one hand, porn is a way to realize our fantasies and visualize them. Men, it's been studied, are much more visually stimulated than women. So porn serves the function of appeasing men and our visual needs for stimulation.
The internet has made it incredibly easy to find and watch porn, with no consequences. Incognito mode, private mode, clear history, delete cookies. Porn lives on nearly every platform on the internet and with so much money in the porn industry, they haven't skimped on SEO and innovation. There's porn on Instagram and Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook. Google it. Porn in VR and porn conferences. The biggest problem with porn, and the reason to cut it out of your life is that it's destructive. It's destructive to relationships, to sexuality, to your career, even. That's because at its core, pornography plays into gender bias and reinforces misogynistic ideals that women are (sex) objects and they should be treated as such. And the boundaries between what porn tells us and what we do in our lives gets very blurred.
The internet, as Louis CK put is, hates women. And the way we're influenced by seeing women treated as objects, sex slaves, degraded, and valued for being such, has such a profound negative effect on how we see women not only in other forms of media, but in our daily lives and jobs, and especially in the bedroom of our own homes. Speaking from experience, I know that the things that "they" do in porn, are almost never realistically pleasurable to a real experience with a real woman. And the idea that we don't need to communicate with our partners because we know best because we have decades of experience (watching porn) and not understanding that every woman is different is so harmful to our own sexual lives and personal relationships. Plus, our own desires become shaped by what we see online, even if they're not personally pleasurable or what we believe.
We, as humans, try and mimic the people around us and fit in to be "normal" and when we see porn so often, it becomes normalized. So the sex acts that regularly happen in porn end up being the ones that we think are "normal" and we should be doing because everyone else is… even if our partner doesn't find them enjoyable (let alone pleasurable) and even if we don't, either.
So today is the beginning of a chain. The best way I know how to keep habits going is to make a chain. Let's see how long I can keep this one going. And with length comes depth: having deeper conversations and understanding about my own sexual relationship. Deeper introspection about what I like and what I want, and what my partner wants and likes as well. Taking that energy that was being put into porn and redirecting that into my own relationship and sex life will only benefit us both in the long run. So here goes another link in a hopefully long-running chain.
Lauren and I got engaged last weekend and we couldn't be more excited. Her therapist told her that sometimes people get engaged and second guess the decision and the person and have a hard time with the realities of it. Not us. Not yet at least. We're still basking in the love glow of the ring and the news and the vision of our wedding and future. In sharing the news with people over the last week, we mostly called around. Went down our list of who should know and had really meaningful short conversations as we delivered the news. What surprised me most was how many people called us out for having a phone call. They thanked us and felt honored and touched that we would call instead of what they had experienced with other couples. A mass text or mass email, an online chat conversation or a Facebook post.
In a call to one of Lauren's single friends, the conversation went a bit long as they caught up over other news as well. She shared a recent story about a guy who ghosted her after 2 dates. Are you familiar with that term, "ghosted"? It means you just slowly or suddenly disappear without a word. You stop returning calls and texts and stop communication and dating because you don't want to face the confrontation of breaking up or saying you're not that into someone.
This week also brought up a huge project we recently won, where I have to lead a workshop for a new client in a way I've never done before. I spent a day or two mapping out the desired goals and outcomes and drew up a few plans to organize the day. But I really didn't understand how to do what they wanted. So instead of reading minds and pretending like I was an expert, I went to my boss and asked for help. Admitting inexperience, I sought his help in collaboration and understanding what the assignment was. It turned into a great conversation and helped me feel closer and more trusting of him.
The lesson in all this, for me, is to be more human. I'm not a newspaper, or a ghost or a mind reader. We're empathetic, compassionate beings full of emotion and expression. We react and we respond to other humans, we build relationships on trust and you build trust through risk, vulnerability, support and other intangible things like eye contact, touch and quality time. The digital world might feel like it's real and by all means, it is easier. But that's the point. Being a human is hard. Making a phone call, confronting a hard conversation or being self aware is not easy and is not answered on Google or experienced on SnapChat. But the value of doing things the hard way and being more human pays off in the relationships you've forged, the character you've built and the experience you'll gain to be a better human along the way.
The most dangerous ideas are the ones that can't be executed.
"I'm thinking about writing a book," you may have said to your friend over lunch. Or you may have thought that you should go back to school or have a baby as a single person because, gosh, we're all getting older and there's not much time left, so better have a baby. Right?
Let's start at the very beginning. Let's define what an idea is. If we think about an idea as a seed, we can start to imagine what that might look like if it grows. Suddenly, we're caught up in daydreams about swinging from branches and sharing the fruits with our grandkids and partners when we're old. We envision a sturdy trunk with lush branches that cast shade in which we'll lie and live and love.
That is one sexy tree.
No but seriously. Sell me the tree and I'm ready to buy. I'm with you on that vision. I want branches and shade and fruit and love and a trunk to carve my name into. Yes! Give me the tree!
Except you don't have the tree. You have the seed. And the seed needs the right soil. And the seed needs the right light. And the seed needs the right water, and time and protection. The seed needs you to work and wait, and work and wait, and nurture it. Or it will never be the tree.
So now back to your book. Or your grad school. Or your idea to have a kid. Or let's get real: the idea to not let Muslims into the US, or to build a wall across the Mexico border. These ideas are all incredibly dangerous. These ideas are selling us the tree and ignoring the costs.
We often climb up trees and swing from their metaphorical branches, basking in the shade and fruits they bring without thinking about the years of time, the hours of labor, the care that went into its growth.
Don't get me wrong, it's the tree that ironically fuels the work of the seed. It's the dream of the fruit that propels us to water and nurture, whispering encouraging thoughts to our seed, making sure it grows strong.
But don't forget about all that work, all the cost that goes into an idea to make it not an idea anymore, but a thing. Turning an abstract concept into something you can touch and see and feel. That's where the magic is and that's why we keep creating. The power and magic that comes with turning nothing into something is the force that makes us go back to the studio, to pick up the pen, to buy another notebook, to stay up late and get up early. That's where the magic is.
Just remember that the idea isn't THE thing. It's not even a thing. It's the seed that will lead you to the tree you're dreaming of. So it's great that you even have one to begin with. But remember that that's a dangerous thing without a plan. Show me the shovel and the watering can. Show me the dirt and the fertilizer and the fence that will make your idea real.
Because if you want to swing from the branches, and you want to sell me on the shade and the fruit and the initials I carved into its trunk, I want to hear about the sweat and the dirt too.
Because without those, there is no tree.
You don't always get to choose when you're going to peak. Some people get lucky and a piece of work or something they do blows up and they're suddenly the most famous person on earth at 25. Or maybe you work your whole life towards something, improving with every project and relationship until your 50s and 60s and then your body of work becomes the thing you're known for. You can't plan for those things. Fame and success sort of happen on their own.
But let's say you could. Lat's say you're in control of when you peak in your career. Do you choose success at 20? And then spending the rest of your life in the shadow of that success riding it out and feeling entitled because, after all, you created that thing that everyone knows and loves. Or, do you choose to peak at the tail end of your working career? To have become such an expert and create a body of work that showcase true dedication and ability. I suppose it's also possible that you choose to peak in your 30s after a decade of service and work, or your 40s, to be followed with several decades of riding that wave.
Let's say you can't create that peak for yourself. You need press and followers and fans and attention in one way or another. But what are you in control of? (Is this a question just for creative people?) You're in control of the risks you take and the jobs you buy into. You're in control of your resources and where you invest your time, thought and money. You're in control of the network you build and the outreach you make. All of that stuff influences success and notoriety.
So if you want to be Mark Zuckerberg and peak in your 20s, then what are you staying up late at night thinking abut, making, and doing? Who are you surrounding yourself with and how are you taking risks that might pay off even bigger than you'd expect?
Now's the time.
Last week, a student of mine asked for some creative advice. I scanned my brain for thoughts on ideation, process, partnerships and landing a job. And the only truly valuable advice I can give right now about being creative and putting together a portfolio is "Do the kind of work you want to be doing."
Obvious, perhaps.
But the work in your portfolio should reflect the kind of work you want to do because that's the kind of work you're going to get. I've thought for a long time about Nick Felton and what he was doing before he made annual reports. And then he created something which is now the basis for his entire career now (I assume). Everything he speaks about or travels to work for is personal data visualization and Quantified Self. JJ Abrams. Shepard Fairey. The people who are most known for their own style and a single category and are working the hardest have carved a niche out for themselves and making work for themselves, really, not anyone else.
The kind of work you want to be doing for the rest of your career is the kind of work you need to start doing now. And better on you if you can articulate what kind of work that is. Define it for yourself so you can brand yourself as that kind of creator, and define it for yourself so you can be picky about the work that you look for and the work that comes in. Be picky. What's the kind of work you want to put in your portfolio? Because that's the kind of work you're going to get.
Keep going: Brand Thinking from Maria Popova's Brain Pickings
You're sitting around a table at brunch, or maybe it's a bar. Yeah. A dive bar. And someone asks "Have you seen Making a Murderer?" And some hands go up, some form of passionate agreement happens, and maybe even someone brings up that Steven Avery's story was already covered years ago by Radiolab. The non-believers will jump to their phone and look for the answer, and sure enough…
We've gotten pretty bad at asking questions, as a generation and culture. Google has trained us to ask questions with a quantifiable, simple answer. Having smart phones in our pockets have ended the bargument and we've reduced ourselves to asking questions that don't require thought.
I've noticed that dozens of people in my life are going through a crisis of purpose. A few years ago we may have called it a quarter life crisis, but I don't think it's that. These friends and old co-workers of mine (and I was there about 2 years ago myself) have realized that what they're doing isn't interesting or important to them anymore. And suddenly they freak out and want to change everything. I have to break up with my girlfriend. Leave this job. Quit and travel and I'll figure out what I want when I'm in Thailand. Sure, part of that has some truth. Traveling and being far from your current life can give you perspective and objectivity to evaluate and make a new plan. But I think being better about asking questions can solve that problem in a much more meaningful way.
I was at a bar a few weeks ago and one of my friends asked, "Do you guys have any idea how big Russia is?" And people start to chime in with various answers and interpretations. Square footage, people, number of time zones, the fact that it borders Finland AND North Korea. It's a pretty simple question but the answers came in layers. It was something that made you see Russia in a new way and started me thinking about asking better questions.
A question itself can give you purpose. My friend Dev told me a story of a week he spent in Malaysia where he went to see some sea turtles. But when he got there, he discovered that the turtles had stopped coming to the beaches to mate and lay their eggs. He started asking people, "What happened to the turtles?" and that lead him all along the coast of several islands with this quest. Now, the simple Google answer is "Plastic." But the multi-layered answer that took a week (and probably some more time of asking and researching and intervieweing) is much more about the story of how the resorts are now deserted and the people are suffering and the economy is shifting and the resources are becoming scarce. It's a deep answer. Dev isn't devoting his life to turtles. It was a question that gave his life direction and purpose for a week, and he left Malaysia with a deep understanding of what's going on there and of himself.
What if we all were asking better questions? What if we were more in the habit of asking questions about purpose, about priorities, about "enough," about values, about identity? These are the kinds of questions that get brought up over drinks and dinners and coffees and late night calls for weeks and weeks and can't be solved or answered with the internet or your smart phone. They take thinking and depth and time.
And if we got in the habit of asking better questions, maybe we wouldn't rush to quitting our jobs and moving and traveling and breaking up and freaking out about our lives. Maybe we would all be having conversations about our purpose and finding meaning in our lives through work, relationships, community, art and personal development. Maybe we've just lost the art of asking better questions.
Are you willing to ask better questions to find a deeper purpose?
Keep Going: "How to Ask Good Questions" by David Stork at TEDxStanleyPark
My favorite artist is Chuck Close. He paints these amazingly photorealistic portraits of the people in his life. Each one is gridded out from a small photograph and meticulously painted one color at a time, like a screen printer but by hand with a brush. Not only that, but Chuck Close is paralyzed. In his 40s he suffered a spinal artery collapse and became confined to a wheelchair. While his work style and process may have changed, his work ethic has not.
He says, "Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and work."
I think if anyone were going to teach us about work ethic, it's him. Austin Kleon talks about the habit of work and Chris Guillebeau talks about writing a page a day, so by the end of the year you basically have a book. Work, especially creative work, is not about doing it when the time comes or about inspiration and it's definitely not about being in the mood. Doing work is making a habit out of it and just showing up every day, even if your contribution for that day is small.
The work doesn't care if you're in the mood to put the effort in, but like Elizabeth Gilbert has said, if you show up, your muse or genius will do its part and show up to. The work is called that because it takes effort. Putting in the work means forming habits to push through blocks, because they will happen. Making work is about doing work, putting in work and showing up to do the work. Whether you're in the mood or not.
Keep Going: Elizabeth Gilbert, Your Creative Genius
It's human nature to protect our ideas. We've been taught that people might steal them or take credit or whatever might be worse than that. An idea feels ownable and delicate so we're generally pretty careful with whom we share it.
These last two weeks, I've had a pretty big idea for a company of sorts and I've been sharing it with whoever listens. The amazing thing, is that people want to help and make it better and if I'm open to it, change the path into something easier and more doable. Sharing your ideas is the best way to be accountable for them, to bring them to life, to practice explaining what the idea is in the first place and not just something that popped into your head in the shower or while you were driving. Start putting it out into the world and people will not only be finding ways to bring it to life, but it's also the best way to come up with more ideas. Some of the things you share will fizzle and never be made. That's okay. But some will!
And the more you share, the more you're forced to come up with more. Coveting ideas makes them feel scarce and precious, like you've never had a good idea before. But giving them away, you need to keep refilling and innovating and thinking (imagine that). So give your ideas way, share them with the world, start making some and start killing others. I think you'll be amazed at how quickly you come up with more.
Keep Going: Johana Blakley, Lessons From Fashion's Free Culture
I met a woman last night who moved to New York and spent her first month deciding if she was going to stay. Every night before she would get into bed, she would write a yes or a no on a calendar indicating whether or not she would want that day repeated again. At the end of the month, she looked at her calendar and saw more yes's than no's and decided to stay.
When it comes to decision-making, we have to weigh two sides. Our rational and our emotional sides: one option feels better while the other option looks better. Or, in this woman's case, one option includes hard data like number and "proof" of some sort, while the other option was just soft data–instinct, intuition and feeling. Neither are right, but understand that when your decision comes down to it, how you make it is entirely dependent on what kind of person you are: to listen to hard data or soft, to go with your rational side or logical side.
Listen to what they're telling you. About your decision and about yourself.
Your inbox is never empty. You're always going to have new things to do and new projects and assignments that you give yourself or just appear magically and left for you to solve. When you think you've crossed one big hurdle, it comes with three more to do it right or fully complete it. The big one is usually the first one. But if you add smaller hurdles leading up to the big one, the biggest one doesn't seem so big and you keep running in stride, not missing a beat. It's when you get to the ones that excite you that you run full speed or even add hurdles to make sure you're working on it for longer. It's these projects that need to be sought out and spent time on. The rest of the work will get done eventually.
My new favorite inside joke I have with Lauren is something we call "future reminiscing." We narrate what we're currently doing as if we're in the future and we can't believe how great we had it. It started as something pretty ridiculous: we were walking around the west village one evening and I said something like "Remember when we used to live in New York and just decide to go for a walk around the west village just because we didn't have anything else we wanted to do?"
And we do it a lot now, actually. It makes us laugh but it also gives us perspective and reminds us that we are, in fact, lucky. Not only could we be in a totally different situation that other people living in New York are facing right now (homeless, overworked, unhappy, lonely) but even more than that, there will be a point in our future where we won't be able to do that stuff.
I hope we'll always go for walks and not have too much stuff to do, but a future that involves children and most likely living outside New York means that we actually will be saying those things we joke about now. While they're still inside jokes, reminding us to enjoy the moment we're in, I'll keep laughing.
If you're anything like me, preparing and overwriting are a big part of a presentation or lecture. This week, however, I was challenged to come into class without any preparation. So with less than 10 minutes of thinking and notes, I walked into a class that I would normally devote 2 to 3 hours of prep. How did it go? Well, as an indicator, two students stayed after class to talk and brought up what a helpful and practical class this last one was. Pretty cool. The lesson was actually for me. That I'm enough– I can trust myself to do the work I already have spent years thinking about and executing. And that there are other ways to teach than to lecture. When you've already put in the work, doing extra work won't get you there better or faster, necessarily. You may surprise yourself if you trust that you are already enough and let the experience be your preparation.
Without noticing the shifting definitions in our lives, words grind up against new definitions like tectonic plates. They move daily but seldom feel them, and when we do they rock our world. Aftershocks of slowly moving earthquakes in definitions of "friendship" and "fun." What used to be the person you obsessed over, wanted to be like, spent every minute with and called every night pushes against the plate that represents "work" and "home" and friendship has turned into something you do over an activity to catch up on how work has been and who's the last person they went on a bad date with. The new definition of fun is splitting off, like The Great Divide in The Land Before Time– an infinite chasm widening with time. Because for years, fun meant drinking and staying out late and going on irresponsible adventures through a city, meeting new people and eating bad food, laughing all the way. But on the other side of that chasm, the word "fun" has split off into a second definition. Fun means truly connecting with someone you love. It means long conversations and meals that are well-made and just slow enough to appreciate. Fun is learning something new and being challenged in how you think, expanding not only the definition of fun but the definition you had of yourself, too. What side are you on? In a shifting world like ours, we don't always notice the movement of words and definitions until the earthquake. That is, until they make their change known. But these words are constantly changing. Definitions fluid and ever-moving. Until one day–after a night that you never planned turned into a night you were reminded of being your parents, too adult to ever be recognizable as the definitions you've had before–you wake up and say, "last night was fun."
I opened up my shade this morning to see that it's pouring. 7:30am and Hurricane Joaquin is approaching. Just a week ago, I was sweating through shirts and buying iced coffee. The weather plays into a city's collective attitude, and in New York everyone is hustling. I believe that most of this has to do with seeing change and movement all around us here. Seeing changing weather, and seeing a constant urban motion tricks our brain into thinking that more time has passed than it actually has. And that makes us feel like we're losing time and needing to work more and harder to catch up. Everyone else is working hard or making change, right? So we better be working hard and making change, too.
The only way to measure time without a watch or calendar is to see change. Change IS time. When people go through big changes in their lives, be it a change in jobs, a breakup, a marriage, a move, or even a diet, they make conscious efforts to create change in order to feel like more time has passed.
After a change in jobs, it's customary to buy some new clothes. A breakup can often lead to a dramatic haircut or massive home cleanup. A marriage results in lots of new gifts and items to change the way you live. A move is all about throwing away old things and rearranging what's left. We can trick ourselves into believing that more time has passed by creating more change in our lives.
The rain outside is a reminder that Summer is actually over and Fall is very vocal about her presence. And as the world outside me is changing, it's a good reminder to make sure that I am too. Constant movement and change, with regular pauses and inward reflection to make sure that the direction I'm facing when I move is always forward.
This year could be seen as not the best one. I could talk about Papa dying, Auntie Judy being diagnosed with brain cancer, and finding out that Natalie Sun has breast cancer. I could talk about the shingles I got from stress or the part where I didn't like my job for 4 months plus. There's also the Jordan breaking up with his ex and flipping out at the family. This year included paying over $1000 more in rent than I've ever paid before and not landing two jobs that I thought I was perfect for.
Except that's not how I see this year.
I see it as the year I moved to NY and found a pretty unexpectedly cool job where I get to run the creative department. It's the year Lauren and I became closer and really worked on our relationship in the same city. The year she confirmed her Judaism at the Mikveh and the year I started You're Better Than Brunch.
It's not about changing your mind. It's changing your mindSET. Not that people are mean and the world is out to get you. If you change your mindset and believe that people are having a tough time, and the world wants to support you, you feel differently about your daily interactions and you reframe the negativity. I love this idea of Pronoia, that the world is conspiring to hep you.
You can look at things a lot of different ways and focus on the stuff that doesn't matter. Or you can look for the good. Just shift your mindset.
Keep Going: Derek Sivers, Fixed vs Growth Mindset
I belong to over a dozen small private Facebook groups. I am on several Twitter lists. I'd talk about Google Plus circles if that were relevant anymore too. I won't even downplay real life groups. I'm a fairly social person and feel like I belong in several groups of friends– from my creative accountability group, to the group that traveled across the country together or a group of old coworkers who moved from LA to NY within the last 2 years.
These groups are a way to feel like I belong somewhere, but more than that, they're a group of people that has an excuse to have fun together and fill a date in the calendar. Sure, that's important.
But the thing that we're missing is community. Like, real, back-in-the-day, pre-internet, pre-television community. I'm talking about the kind of community where 100 people know your name and you know theirs and you know their business and they're in yours. The emotional support that comes from that, where people know how to provide you with comfort and encouragement after a breakup, before a job interview, or during pregnancy. A network of people who share their network with you. Community is a group of people that selflessly give and blindly share because you're extended family to them. That doesn't exist.
Millenials (ugh, I hate that I used that word) are shying away from religion because it's expensive, they believe it's not relevant to their daily life, and because they want to be free thinkers and not just do what their parents did or are asking them to do. And with that departure comes a lack of in-person, community as family, leadership, support and guidance with a dose of purpose.
You can see it with the explosion of EDM culture and music festivals. It's one expression of a group of people coming together to share an experience, connect on an idea and issue and feel a part of something ritualistic, meaningful, relevant and fun. There's a void right now in our world and I've been thinking a lot lately about how to create community again.
If you'd like to be a part of something meaningful and supportive, email me. I'm not sure what I'm building, if anything, but there's something to be built.
Keep going: Hack The Met
Creative Mornings
We live in a world of constant information and stimulation, it's amazing we get anything done at all. I found myself (even now as I write this) checking Facebook or veering off to refresh my inbox just to make writing this a little more exciting than starting at black letters on a white page.
So this week I downloaded a tool called Pomodoro. It's based on a method of working in 25 minute sprints with short breaks in between and a longer break every 3 cycles. It's been proven to increase productivity and attention. I actually love it and in the last couple of days have gotten more work done and felt better about the quality of my work than most other weeks.
The hardest part was not switching to a new method though or even trying something unfamiliar. The hardest part was just admitting that I can't focus on my own and, therefore, need help. I find that people give themselves too much credit that they'll focus when they have to, eat healthily and regularly, exercise just as hard or even find the right partner, all on their own. Myself included in that.
But it's ok to ask for help because outside help will get you there faster and better. Outside help teaches you to trust, teaches you about yourself and your weaknesses and therefore how to get better. And outside help comes in a lot of forms. Download an app, talk to a friend, join a club, sign up for an online dating website or even make a list and keep it up.
Use the stimulation that's around you for good. Help yourself to the buffet of information and sort through it to find the things and people that will help you. Realize that we're all imperfect and working to be better, and then reach out to get the help you need.
Team building needs a new name. It's boring and functional as a pair of words right now but the actual activity itself is so necessary. Building a team is a lot of work and when it's done right, the people involved don't want to break up the team. They enjoy coming to work together and pull more of their own weight to contribute because they don't want to let the team down.
It needs a new name because… ughhh a team building exercise? We're going to a team building event? Gross. No thanks. But when you're going out to drinks, planning your summer party, bringing donuts into the office or planning a workshop, aren't you building strength within your team? Aren't you making your workplace a little bit better to be at? Aren't we trying to make our team a little bit happier?
So why not call it something a little more appetizing? The summer party. Funday Monday. Friday breakfast club? I don't care. It honestly doesn't matter what you call it as long as the people planning it know that the intention is to build a stronger team through trust and fun, creating memories and better communication among your team.
Yesterday my team and I went to a trapeze school where we learned how to swing through the air and do tricks, and then we spent 3 hours having drinks and sharing stories. It was great and I love my team that much more because of a couple hours of memorable activitiy and open communication.
There's no right way to do it, but the wrong way just may be to call it a team building exercise and make it feel like work.
Keep going: Nick Daze, Building Creative Teams Without Your Gut
I've been told the secret to a great life but I don't believe it.
It's this idea that all you need is one thing. One thing is all you need to pour your life into, to find your purpose, to light you up on nights and weekends–it's one thing that you can really nerd out on. And sure, that makes sense. If you got really into surfing and it was your passion, you find ways to take lessons from it and live a better life. There are tons of parallels from surfing into every day life: waiting for your wave, committing to it once you're too far in, everyone falls at the end you just have to learn to get back up and do it better next time. It's easy to show the same thing when it comes to religion or children. That one thing that people get really into and live their lives for.
Truth be told, I don't consider myself religious nor do I have children. But I don't agree with that whole "one thing is the secret to a great life."
I pride myself on being a well-rounded creative person. I look up to people like Jim Henson, Paul McCartney, Albert Einstein; people that are known for doing multiple things. Henson wrote, directed, performed, but also spent time as a teacher and a father. McCartney has painting besides music and Einstein was known to play a little tennis and go for bike rides.
See, creativity is all about making new connections. Metaphors are the lifeblood of creativity, says Twyla Tharp. It's about making new connections and unlocking a greater truth. So while getting really into surfing might be the path to a great life because you understand more and because it gives you purpose, I think it's more than that. It HAS to be getting into more than one thing. It might be having your surfing, but you gotta be interested in something else on the side to draw parallels and connections that will bring a new creative energy to your life and make it truly great.
Keep going: Derek Sivers, Meaning of Life
In order to ensure success, every company has some kind of board of directors. The board acts as a regularly meeting community of members who have expressed commitment and interest in guiding the company to success. They consult, they inspire and they help make difficult decisions.
It's an idea that has existed for centuries. I can't imagine that King Arthur pulled the idea of the round table out of nowhere, that something must have existed like this long before he gathered his knights.
It's proven to work.
And while we're not all entrepreneurs, running our business and deciding where our next investment is going to be, we are all running our own lives. Do you have a personal board of directors? Do you have a group of people who help you make decisions and chart a path towards success.
You should. And maybe you already do and don't know it.
The trick is to make sure the people you surround yourself with, the ones whose opinion you ask for, are truly invested in your success and the best outcome for you. Because if you're ultimately having to be the one to make, you better not be taking advice from someone who may or may not want to sabotage or experiment with you instead of see you succeed.
Think about parents, siblings, mentors, teachers, spouses, coworkers, neighbors and friends. Collect your personal board of directors. Keep it small and keep it to loyal people. And then call your first session.
Keep Going: Laura Montini in Inc, "How to Assemble your Personal Board"
Here's a short thought that might change your mind about being generous. What if instead of talking about what you or your company does and the services you provide, you actually gave away one of your services? What if you solved a small problem that needed to be solved like getting people around your office building to meet each other? Or take a break for lunch? What if the slow and crowded elevator had rules to follow or there was a way to have more people take the stairs?
Part of your job, no matter what kind of company or person you are, is to change people's minds. The best way to change someone's mind is to make the change seem easy. So rather than have them connect the dots that you provide x service and oh wait! They need x service soon. So they should call you and have a talk about how to work together, show your thinking in action. Show that service applied in the world. Go do something for people. And you'll be surprised how a small act of generosity will change people's mind and bring them your way.
(Maybe I just did it to you…)
Keep going: Paul Saginow and Ari Weinzweig's Commencement Speech, University of Michigan 2015
One of my all time favorite movies is Finding Nemo. In case you haven't seen it (and what a tragedy that would be), a father and son fish are separated and the father swims across the ocean to find his son Nemo. I've been thinking about one scene in particular this week: when Marlin, the father, has to follow the turtles on the East Australian Current. It's a fast-moving jet stream that seems to be somewhere in between a high-speed highway and a water slide roller coaster through the ocean.
We live our lives in an ocean, surrounded by currents; fast moving waves of people all doing the same thing. The trick is to realize whether you're in an ocean or a current. It's easy to surround yourself with like-minded people all on the same path and believe that you're in the middle of a current, instead of a school of fish. Go to a conference, join a Facebook group, sign up for a mailing list. These groups will sometimes feel like you're in the middle of a fast-moving water slide roller coaster. You just go with the flow and it will take you, like everyone else, through your path until wherever it is you're "supposed to be." But maybe you're just in a school of fish, everyone just trying to be like the next one just so you don't get eaten by a shark. Maybe the water around you is static and you're just fooled that the movement of the people is the movement of the ocean.
A real current is your calling. When you find something that you're passionate about and aligns with your values and talents and skills. You won't be able to control the momentum of your trajectory. You'll be moving so fast, enjoying the ride so much that you won't second guess where you're going or where anyone else is on their path.
The key is to recognize where the motion of your ocean is coming from. Who's pushing you forward? Or what? Is it the people around you imitating a strong current, or is it a flow moved by your desires and talents and values? Where are you in your ocean, where is the movement coming from? And then, only then, you should go with the flow.
Keep going: "Shut up and find a career" by Marc Manson and Elizabeth Newkirk
Remember when you were an intern or at your first job? That first week, you're so excited to go into work and meet lots of new people and you're asking questions and being helpful. "Is there anything else you need me to do today?" You were so hungry for work and to feel important and needed. And over time, you stuff yourself day after day with a full plate of email and desk lunches and you satiate yourself with all the work you can do at once. And you go back for more on the weekends and late into the night. So much so that you're just not hungry any more.
Is your boss force-feeding you?
Are you taking more even though you're full?
Are you going back for seconds of work because you think that's what you're supposed to do?
It's important that you know your limits and not overeat every single day. It's crucial to you wanting to ever eat again that you can step away and give yourself time to get hungry again. Take a little walk, go on a vacation, have the weekend away from your computer, don't check your email for a whole Sunday. Whatever it takes, find a way to not eat at the never ending work buffet every single second. Because no matter how good that cake (or new client) looks, if you're so full that you can barely remember what it was like to be hungry, you shouldn't go for the cake.
And when your boss makes you believe that even though you're full, this giant piece of steak should be seen as a dessert and don't worry because they'll pick up the check, sometimes you just have to excuse yourself from the table and let it digest. Take a nap, go for a run, watch a movie, spend a night on a date. How are you making sure you stay hungry?
Keep going: Can you Stress Yourself To Death?
All along the east coast, across Massachusetts lives a bird like no other. The plover is a shore bird that builds its nest on the beach, except this bird is clever. Over the years, it has learned to find ways to protect its eggs and build its nest in unusual places–like lobster traps. And it's perfect. The trap properly protects the eggs and allows shelter for the mother while she nests. But if a plover were to ask a lobster, "is this a good place to build a nest?" the lobster would freak out. "NO WAY! THAT THING IS CERTAIN DEATH. STAY AWAY!" But the plover doesn't listen to the lobster, does it? Nor should you. We are birds living in a world of lobsters, asking the wrong people to look at our work and give us their opinion. The lobsters in our lives don't believe what we do, don't see the world in the same way and they make us scared and change our mind.
I did an entire project in 2010 around an article I read about Dunbar's number. It's a sociological theory that says we can only maintain about 150 relationships at once. And the people you have in your life now are different than they were a year ago, even moreso 5 or 10 years ago. And the best part about this theory is that these 150 people are unique to you. ONLY you have this particular combination of 150 people, which got me thinking… the people in our lives shape who we are much more than we thought. These 150 people are why I am unique, because they all affect me in different ways and I am a unique combination of their influence.
So think about the people you keep in your lives, who you spend time with and who ends up affecting you. Choose people that make you better. Stay with the birds and as much as you can, build your lifestyle without lobsters.
Keep Going: Jon Acuff, Do Over
and Dunbar's Number, Wikipedia
If you had the choice, would you rather be the dean of Harvard University or the personal assistant to a celebrity? You can have either. Right now. You're still thinking about it? A recent study showed that most people turned down Harvard. Ok, fair enough, I don't know exactly what a dean does and I have a better idea what I'd do as an assistant. But I the point is our desire for celebrity. We want the spotlight without knowing what we'd do with it. We want fame without thinking about its cost. They're right at our fingertips, just out of reach. If we only had that one video that went viral, or that tweet that got picked up by some big named celebrity or that Instagram account everyone has to follow. So we continue to strive for celebrity without thinking about what or what we'd do if and when we ever got there.
Maybe a better option, maybe what we really want (or need) is to be known. Being known means that you matter to someone. Being known means you have a reputation and credibility. Being known comes with purpose.
Jonathan Fields, who runs Good Life Project among many other amazing and worth-your-time writing/podcasts, gave a talk yesterday about The Art of Becoming Known. Without trying to water down a 3 and a half hour talk into 3 and half paragraphs, my takeaway was that being known can be a choice and it's work. What do you want to be known for? To whom? And why? Who already is known for what you want? How can you do it better? What is your medium and where can you find the right people and place to work to be known for what you want?
So think about your goals and write them down. Do you really want to be a celebrity? Or do you just want to be known for something great to a certain group of people?
And remember,if you're going to be digging 10 wells, it doesn't help to have all 10 in different stages of unfinished. If you focus on one well, you will get the water that will sustain you and allow you to keep growing to dig the rest.
You have a choice.
Keep going: You are not special a discussion of David Brooks' "The Road to Character."
It's our job to be creative for a living. It's our job to solve problems, come up with new ideas and solutions to communicate messages that will make people see something in a new way. It's our job to create and shape and change culture. There's an inherent problem with this (which is great, because like I said, we're problem solvers).
The problem is that there are two directions to go when we're shaping culture. One way is to create something that adapts and reflects culture. Go with the flow and trends, get on board with society thinks and behaves. The other way is to go against the grain. To recognize problems with current trends and movements and create work that wakes people up to a truth or reality that shifts culture in a new way.
I've been thinking a lot about technology lately, specifically our phones. They've become this slot machine of random rewards in our pocket preventing us from having one second of non-stimulation and monotasking. They're potentially a dangerous tool as a way that shapes culture into a world where people need constant engagement with technology, constant access, and a desperation for indirect contact with people that are busy doing other things with real people in real life. So when you're creating an idea for an app, for an advertisement, for anything where you're suggesting "This is how I want people to use their device and how technology should be used" you're making a statement. You're answering very important question, and it's something we should be thinking about every day.
Do I like where the world is headed and want to continue to drive way people believe and behave? Or do I want to create a different world and change the way people think and act?
Will you go with the flow and use trend momentum to push the world further in the direction its headed? Or will you swim upstream and change the course of our cultural movements?
You're in control and stronger than you think.
As you get older, your brain starts to harden. Literally. The soft tissue once flexible and spongey begins to harden. Figuratively, it also means that as we age, we become more closed minded and stuck in our ways. Learning becomes much more of an effort and has to be much more intentional. No more sponge.
It's harder because age tends to make us more confident and sure-footed, more closed minded and more set in our ways. We're less comfortable feeling dumb or starting over or feeling lost. It's not part of our lives the way it's so tied to being a kid and going to school every day and being in an environment where not only you but everyone around you is in a place designed to learn.
So how do we adapt as adults? Try putting yourself in a position to learn. Allow yourself to feel stupid, to ask questions and to be wrong. Go to meetups and classes and places designed for learning. Another way is to evaluate after something is finished to look back and learn something from it. A project, a week, a relationship, an experience. Don't be afraid to challenge your brain, challenge the way your body is aging and keep things soft and flexible. Even hard materials can be molded, carved and sculpted. Some of the best artwork is made of marble, iron, bronze and stone. It's not too late. Mold your brain, shape your mind. It's good for you.


text:
Blood Orange Tree Decides to Bloom Now Thinking It's in Australia; Gypsy Music Enveloped and Embalms All These Seemingly Unrelated Happenings
This morning, it all came together… solar eclipse, the new Peacock Angel from Mexico and three White Eagle feathers landed on a tree and wall this morning. A new Blood Orange tree we planted only a few weeks ago decided to bloom. Guess it must have assumed that it is in Australia or New Zealand where it is springtime now.
And all that happened in between the various recordings of my Gypsy music creations.
The best part? None of this was planned. Everything happened spontaneously. I just had to follow the signs and not resist the guidance I was receiving.
The eagle feather sculpture instantly became a part of the new Eagle's Nest logo. And the Peacock Angel assumed its dominant position atop the tallest tree stump left after our trimming back in September.
You can see here the process of the Peacock Angel's "landing" on top of that tree this morning. I lifted it up to the fence and then pass it on like an Olympic torch to Joe, Elizabeth's son-in-law. He placed in on top of the tree.
You can see Joe above putting the finishing touches to the wires securing the Peacock Angel atop the tree.
The peacock sculpture actually sways and rocks in the wind, as do some of the owls which landed on our other tree stump about a week or so ago.
And now a story behind the story. A few weeks ago, I said to Elizabeth, "let's both think about how we can use those two tree stumps for art display."
Last weekend, the owl idea came to me. Because we named place Eagle's Nest. we kept looking for a large eagle sculpture to put on top of that bigger tree. Alas, we could not find any. Then on Saturday, as we set out to look some more for it in Cave Creek, we happened upon a Wild West festival.
In the midst of all this hullabaloo and gunfights, I happened to have spotted a large three white eagle feather sculpture mounted high up on a ceiling of an antique shop. I had to get the owner to climb up to get it down for me. Judging by the amount of dust on it, it must have been there since the real Wild West days. 🙂
I bought the feathers without realizing why. In fact, looking at them from the much darker back side, I thought at first they were three leaves. 🙂 Then gradually, the Spirit revealed to me why they found me and I bought them.
White Eagle is one of my most active spirit guides. These feathers symbolize his patronage and protection of Eagle's Nest our home. That is what the Spirit wanted us to have, not an eagle sculpture.
Then as I Elizabeth, her granddaughter and I were strolling among some other Cave Creek shops and exhibits, I noticed this peacock sculpture on the ground gently swaying in the wind. It was made in Mexico. I was attracted to it instantly. Again, I did not know why at first.
After looking around at some other shops, I returned to the peacock sculpture and bought it still not knowing why. My intention was to somehow put it on top of that tall tree stump. Just how I was to accomplish that was still a mystery to me. I just asked for Spirit's help. And it arrived in the form you saw above.
Then this morning, as I took those pictures of the Peacock at the time of the solar eclipse (which was not actually visible here in Arizona), the penny dropped. This is the Peacock Angel. The Peacock Angel was the first and the oldest deity to show himself to me at the start of my spiritual journey.
In fact, for about the first two years, I was infatuated by peacocks. And vice versa. A real live bird literally crossed a busy road in Kihei (Maui) trying to come to me back in April 2009. The oldest tribe known to man on this planet, the Yezidis, believed that all life on this planet started when the Peacock Angel landed in the area that is now known as Kurdistan. You can check out here a short video about them:
In learned all of that back in early 2008 and, in fact, saw a resemblance between the Abbott's Kitchen tower at Glastonbury, England, and the Yezidi spires. I wrote about that during my Crop Circles tour in July 2008.
And now, the Peacock Angel from Mexico has assumed the highest guardian position at Eagle's Nest in Scottsdale, Arizona. Hail to the Angel!
I said earlier that the Peacock Angel sways and rocks in the wind. Well today, Elizabeth and I made a short video to illustrate that as the Peacock and I honored each other.
Honoring the Peacock Angel at Eagle's Nest

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Set yourself apart from your peers and specialize in the wines of France! There is no other study and certification program in the world that covers French wines with such breadth and depth as the French Wine Scholar curriculum. Gain the confidence to taste, sell, and speak meaningfully about all aspects of French wine, from Champagne to Bordeaux and everything in between. Pass the exam and earn the title French Wine Scholar and FWS post-nominal.
Developed by the Wine Scholar Guild with the support of the French Ministry of Agriculture, this specialization program is designed for advanced students of wine, whether professionals or serious wine hobbyists. Students should have professional wine experience or previous classroom study and have experience tasting wine in a formal setting.
The course consists of 9 classroom sessions starting Tuesday, September 6, 2016, plus a review and 1-hour exam.
For exact dates, please see our calendar of events.
To register for the class, please visit the course website.


text:
37 listed
|Digital Photo Editing Services
Invensis Digital Photo Editing Services can help you to attain high-quality post-processed photographs, while saving time and costs. We offers Portrait Retouching, ... more »
|LED Signage Sydney
At Comcut, we are Sydney's leading custom business signage and digital printing company. Please call us for more information on our services. Light Boxes / LED ... more »
|IndyLogix Solutions
In 2011 IndyLogix was founded and we have since grown to a team of 25 specializing in providing complete digital solutions pertaining to Web & Mobile ... more »
|D&D Digital Printing
Printing brochures, leaflets, postcards, invitations, greeting cards, A0 A1 and A2 posters, business cards, training materials and business stationery.Brochure ... more »
Studio Common Ground is a Melbourne based design collective. We aim to work with people who have like-minded ethical and sustainable business objectives to develop ... more »
We are a creative consultancy devoted to inspiring positive change for a sustainable society. We create engaging brands, stories, products and experiences ... more »
Architecture. Sustainable design is a clear response to the wide range of issues relevant to each site and the design criteria to be sought with each project. ... more »
Alfred Shaw is professional Marketing Executive with this firm, which is a reputed web development company offering premium quality solutions. Alfred shared his ... more »
Ducoo Machinery located in Xiamen, China, is a manufactory-trading company which specializes in precision machining parts. We have operated in this manufacturing ... more »
Our Expert developers design and code bespoke ecommerce or CMS websites for a very low cost let it be on magento, wordpress, joomla, prestashop, creloaded or zencart. ... more »
Our Expert developers design and code bespoke ecommerce or CMS websites for a very low cost let it be on magento, wordpress, joomla, prestashop, creloaded or zencart. ... more »
Website Hotline has become an advanced web portal design provider promoting crucial Internet techniques for small business owners in Australia. Our website services ... more »
Magento Experts For Ecommerce Websites, Joomla Developers, Prestashop Designers And Wordpress designing By Expert PHP Programmers. Enlightened's Magento experts ... more »
We help small businesses to connect with their customers and prosper, through intelligent, affordable website design. Our company provides professional, responsive ... more »
Hello, Hope your business is going well. Our Company Clipping Path Lab ( clippingpathlab[dot]com) provide professional photo editing services along with more than ... more »
Inspired Design provides high-quality wedding invitations. We have a huge range of wedding invites and engagement invitations. Shop our full range online today!invitations ... more »
DatacolourOnline, online ordering portal of DataColour, that has been servicing customers from Melbourne Metro for over 20 years, offers now easy online print order ... more »
View a large selection of high quality Logo designs and Business cards designs online at Brand In A Can. Each logo is customized for your company with very ... more »
The Balcony Garden has been designing, installing and maintaining balcony gardens for over eight years. They pride themselves in having done extensive research ... more »
At the Internet and Website Development Regulatory Office (IWDRO), we have vetted a database of web design and website development service providers who meet our ... more »
If you are making your way to deal with Java based back end then you will certainly face a lot of problems as it is known to as a tedious task that can be completed ... more »
Welcome to Osjag : Australia's Most Trusted Wholesaler of Bridal Jewellery, Designer Earrings,Bracelets,Pendants,Silver Jewellery. Affordable Australian Jewellery ... more »
Laguna Pearl is the #1 source for pearl jewelry on the internet, offering customers the ability to purchase exquisite pearl jewelry at 50-75% off retail prices. ... more »
Sonja is a competent and reliable eco graphic designer. She has a weatlh of knowledge on the topics of sustainability and design, merging them together to create ... more »
Sign Doctor can custom fabricate sign frames, posts, pylon signs, light boxes at our Hervey Bay factory. In fact we can nearly create anything else you might need ... more »
Beautiful Australian made modern wedding invitations online by lilykiss. Hand drawn and crafted by our talented designers our unique wedding invitations stand ... more »
At Turnkey Decks we are committed to providing both building excellence and value for money for our customers. That's why at Turnkey Decks we don't ... more »
Perfect Petals is a boutique retail florist shop located at Cannon Hill on Brisbane's southside. This bridal award winning florist specialises in wedding bouquets ... more »
Picture Frames Online offer Australia leading range of Picture Frames. Our collection includes exquisite contemporary designs and natural timbers gathered from ... more »
Everything Vibrant was founded in 2008 with the simple goal of supplying Digital Transfers to the wholesale market. Since then we have grown exponentially to what ... more »
12 listed
Our expertly trained staff can machine most materials such as stainless steel, brass, copper, acrylic, polycarbonate, PVC, timber, aluminium and mild steel just ... more »
|China Products Components
Ducoo Machinery (Xiamen) Co.,Ltd. provides customers with precision machining spare parts, products elements, composite processing and supporting services ... more »
|China Metal Surface Treatment
Ducoo provides different kinds of metal surface treatment technology and process according to customer's technical requirement. We have met the requirement ... more »
|China Hinge Machining
Technical parameters: 1. Corner-55. 2. Material: Iron. 3. Surface treatment: Electrophoresis. 4. Application: Seiko production, used for cast aluminum steel ... more »
|Sheet Metal Welding Stamping
We have unique perspective about the selection of raw materials, various kinds of processing and metal surface treatment skills. Our professional machining ... more »
|Branding, Logo design
Just starting out? or looking to refresh your current brand? Studio Common Ground can help with all your Branding and logo design. From Business cards and letterheads ... more »
|Brochure and publication design
Studio Common Ground can help with all your printied promotional material. Please refer to out website www.studiocommonground.com... more »
|clipping path & photo editing service
Hello, Hope your business is going well. Our Company Clipping Path Lab ( clippingpathlab[dot]com) provide professional photo editing services along with more than ... more »
|Magento Web Design
Alfred Shaw is professional Marketing Executive with this firm, which is a reputed web development company offering premium quality solutions. Alfred shared his ... more »
|web design company
choosing the best web design company for your internet business needs. get a web design quote from iwdro registered and trusted web design companies. At the Internet ... more »
Architectural Design Product – Art Supplies – Centre For Sustainable Design – Design – Design Sustainable Furniture – Designer Home – Eco Design – Graphic Design – Web Design – Website Design


text:
Want more from Genius Kitchen?
Watch on your Apple TV, Roku, or Fire TV and your iOS, Fire, or Android device.Learn More
"This is a nice way to use up some summer squash. I used yellow summer squash because I have an abundance in my garden, but it would work just as well with zucchini. I used about half as much oil as similar recipes use, but more squash than other recipes. Lots of people sub apple sauce for oil, but in this case, I just subbed extra squash for oil, which does the same thing.Finally, I keep bees and always have lots of honey. If you don't have honey, you should add an extra 1/3 c sugar, a few Tbs of water, and a Tbs of vanilla to give it flavor. I don't use vanilla if I'm using honey, in order to enjoy the honey flavor."
Summer Squash Muffins
0 recipe photos
READY IN:35mins
YIELD:24 muffins
Ingredients Nutrition
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 1⁄4 cups granulated sugar
- 1⁄4 cup raw honey
- 1⁄2 cup canola oil
- 2 cups enriched white flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 cups summer squash or 3 cups zucchini
- Preheat oven to 325°F Put muffin cups into 24 tins.
- Mix all ingredients, in order. Make sure wet ingredients are blended before adding dry, then mix thoroughly before folding in squash.
- Fill cups about half-way. Bake for about 25 min until toothpick comes out clean.
get the genius kitchen app.
Watch on your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android, Roku, or Fire TV.Learn More


text:
MB Holding Website Wins Gold At
Oman Web Awards
The MB Holding
website was adjudged as Gold winners at the Oman Web Awards held
at the Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The website won
the top honour in the Corporate category which is the most
keenly contested one.
The Oman Web Awards is an annual event that has been held for
the last 6 years under the patronage of the Information
Technology Authority (e.oman). The awards were first introduced
by the Pan Arab Web Awards Academy with the objective of
promoting the spirit of innovation and creativity within the
digital domain of Oman.
On receiving the award, Mr Mohammed Al Kharusi, Director –
Corporate Operations, MB Holding, said, "The Company's corporate
website aims to provide a spectrum of information about the
Company and its subsidiaries and also streamline communication
with its business partners. It also aims to showcase the
Company's phenomenal march ahead that has been made possible due
to its commitment to high standards of health, safety and
environment protection and the strong support of its customers.
We are honoured to receive this award and I would like to thank
team MB Holding for making this possible."
"In today's times, a website is the first interface of the
company with potential clients, associates, suppliers and
employees and hence it is pivotal to have one that truly
establishes our credentials best. Last year, we redesigned the
website and it highlights our commitment towards high standards
in serving the needs of our customers," he added.
MB Holding LLC is a group of companies devoted to achieving
their vision of global eminence with diversified presence in
more than 20 countries. The dynamic group which started
operations in the year 1982 has diversified businesses including
drilling and integrated oilfield services, the exploration and
production of oil and gas, investments, engineering,
manufacturing & trading, and mining and processing of minerals.
Today, MB Holding group of companies employs more than 6000
employees from over 51 nationalities who are committed to
achieving the vision and mission. We continue to achieve growth,
efficiency and profitability with focus on quality, safety and
teamwork in Oman and internationally. Some of the key group
companies are MB Petroleum Services, Petrogas E & P, Mawarid
Mining Company and United Engineering Services. For more
information, please visit
2013, MB Holding Company


text:
Thanks for stopping by! You are more than welcome to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. These might be about either the website, or about heat press machines in general. We are always happy to hear from visitors to our site.
You can also email us at hello AT howtoheatpress.com, or message us through our Facebook page.


text:
Two companies that have been cast by the wayside due to lack of growth appeal are software giant Microsoft
Although I don't own either company at this point, I have spent a significant portion of the first half of the year defending them as if I did. I have been an unabashed apologist whenever I hear these companies are unable to grow. True, the '90s are long gone. But that does not mean either company has reached the point of insignificance.
More than half of the Internet is powered by Cisco's equipment. Microsoft remains the dominant PC operating system with both consumers and the enterprise market. Yet, in the minds of many investors, these two are dead. In fact, real life death experiences such as what is happening at Research In Motion (RIMM)
Microsoft's stock traded relatively flat over the past decade; Wall Street does not care much for the company's management, as it has done little to inspire confidence and produce the rate of growth that investors crave.
To some extent, the same can be said about Cisco and the criticism that its CEO, John Chambers, has had to endure over the past several years. Fairly or unfairly, both companies are now more often regarded for what they are not instead of being credited for what they are.
Meanwhile Cisco continues to churn out one good quarter after another -- essentially five consecutive earnings beats where most recently it reported Q3 earnings of $0.48 per share. The company reported net income of $2.2 billion or $0.40 per share on revenue of $11.6 billion -- topping net income of $1.8 billion or $0.33 per share for the same period last year. So what exactly is the problem? It's a case of "relative analysis."
Should the fact that neither Microsoft nor Cisco is growing at the rate of Amazon
It seems that both companies have arrived at mature statuses and to keep their "growth" status will need to find new markets beyond their core competencies. Cisco tried this with the Flip camera, Linksys router and to some extent its acquisition of Scientific Atlanta and failed.
Nonetheless, both have loads of cash and are one acquisition away from generating some real excitement. Microsoft will soon unveil its Surface tablet and has recently acquired Yammer on the heels of its Skype acquisition one year ago.
So it is not out of the question that growth just might be right around the corner. Whatever the case, it's getting progressively difficult to stay optimistic on both names even though I think the shares are trading at attractive levels.
Perhaps Wall Street is right and I'm the one being stubborn.
At the time of publication, the author held no position in any of the stocks mentioned.
This article is commentary by an independent contributor, separate from TheStreet's regular news coverage.
- 1
Daily Recap Newsletter
entertainment, education and
smart market commentary.


text:
I was 8 years old, standing in the middle of a paint store - Airbase Carpet Mart? Market? Something like that. I was facing tower after tower of wallpaper rolls. We were moving and I was getting a new room! I remember it vividly. I remember my mom's excitement as she pulled out the pale yellow wall paper and with the small pink flowers. We bought matching everything - bedspread, pillows, lamp shades, curtains, wall paper, border, EVERYTHING.
I remember that room vividly.
I wanted my girl to have that, to have a dream bedroom to move into.
When we bought it this house to renovate, I imagined a big HGTV reveal where I opened the door and the whole house was done. Silly me.
BUT, if I couldn't have that, I certainly wanted my girl to have it. So, we sent the kids to Nana and Grandpa's for the weekend and we went to work.
I've had a few people shoot me a message asking for the details since posting her room on facebook and Instagram so I thought I'd put it all in one place:
The inspiration: MERMAIDS.
She helped picked out the colors: Behr Marquee - Celestial Light & Whipped Mint We painted before we moved in so here are a few picture of the colors with her old bedding:
I decided to start a pinterest board to collect ideas:
Then we picked out the bedding. Most of the mermaid bedding was too cartoonish. Then we found the Isla bedding and Mermaid sheets from Pottery Barn and we knew we were onto something!
I shopped around for loft beds for quite some time. I hemmed and hawed over the expense. I decided that getting an inexpensive bed would allow a few more splurges. This one is from walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/29845496
She was begging for a canopy for her bed. While shopping, I found this amazing jelly fish at HearthSong
Then it was just a matter of shopping for some artwork on Etsy and pulling it all together.
Only the rest of the house left!!
I'd love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment below.
If you have any questions about where other things came from, please don't hesitate to leave me a message or question in the comments and I'll reply as soon as I can!
January February (11) March (11) (1) April (1) (1) May (1) (1) June (1) (1) July (1) (2) August (2) (8) September (8) (5) October (5) (3) November (3) (2) December (2)
(6) January (6) (3) February (3) (1) March (1) (2) April (2) (1) May (1) (1) June (1) (1) July (1) (4) August (4) (1) September (1) October November December
January (2) February (2) March April May (1) June (1) July August September (1) October (1) November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December


text:
Gina Godin is an Ottawa, Canada interior designer specializing in modern kitchens and bathrooms. Alongside architect Chuck Mills and homeowner and cabinetmaker, Denis Staples, the team renovated this ranch home to better suit a growing family of five.
As the president and co-owner of Deslaurier Custom Cabinets Inc., Staples knows a lot about maximizing space for both beauty and functionality, and his home easily doubles as a showcase for the artistry of his company's work. That sounds like a great theme for Niche! As an artisan, handmade brand, the stunning cabinetry provides the perfect backdrop for a series of three of our signature Stamen pendant lights in Crystal glass.
The kitchen table lighting hangs from individual junction boxes, which is an easy way to hang multiple pendants. Equipped with Niche's standard black cord set and black ceiling canopy, they're a perfect fit for this black-and-white styled kitchen.
Adjacent to the kitchen and custom wine cellar is a narrow bar that leads into the dining room, perfect for serving drinks and entertaining. Two of Niche's Pharos pendant lights in Crystal glass make an appearance, lighting the way between the two gathering spaces.


text:
Available on Amazon
Paperback $10.99
The follow-up to "Waiting for Karl Rove." Think Thelma and Louise—only Thelma's menopausal, Louise is an erratic big-mouth with a penchant for discussing her hemorrhoids, and they're on a road trip to wrestle an apology from Karl Rove by any means necessary. *~* I laughed. I cried. I thanked the Creator I'm not married to either of them. ~Greg Crites, author of Crusade Satire is difficult and this one slams it out of the park. This sort of cultural analysis has a long history… a form of burlesque epic that uses exaggeration and mockery to attain its result. I would categorize Waiting for Karl Rove as in that long tradition of hilarious satire. Outrageous, offensive, daring, political, feminist in a daring way. When two women can join forces and write something hilarious about contemporary politics in America, it should be a Pulitzer Prize at least. ~Nadine Gallo, author of Impetuous Heart


text:
Lake Manyara is an integral part of the Northern Safari Circuit and most visitors tend to stay here for a night or two on their way to and from the Serengeti Plains and Ngorongoro Crater. But with its array of wildlife and scenic setting on the shores of an alkaline lake in the awe-inspiring Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is well worth visiting. There are a variety of accommodation options here to meet your every need - whether you want five-star luxury, comfortable accommodation or value for money (or all three!) one of our consultants will organise this for you!
NB: Our consultants have been to the properties below so they can help you make an informed decision on where to stay & what to do.
Don't delay - contact us to plan your tailor-made trip!
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the only lodge in the diverse Lake Manyara National Park in northern Tanzania. Crafted from local timber and makuti (palm fronds), Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is discreetly tucked away in an ancient mahogany forest.
Lake Manyara Serena
With an elevated position on the escarpment ridge of the Great Rift Valley the panoramic views from here are incredible and are alone worth the visit, although a stay here will be rewarded in many other ways.
Lake Manyara Hotel
Lake Manyara Hotel is situated high above Lake Manyara National park and offers exceptional views over the 330 km squared National Park that boasts over 380 bird species.
Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp
Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp offers some of the most spectacular views of the Rift Valley and Lake Manyara, all from the comfort of your own private patio.
Sanctuary Escarpment Luxury Lodge
Take in the incredible beauty of the African bush from the comfort of the Escarpment Luxury Lodge atop a verdant perch in the Lake Manyara National Park.
Maramboi Tented Camp
Maramboi Tented Camp overlooks Lake Manyara in the spectacular setting of the Rift Valley, the ideal base for exploring the area and its fascinating ecosystem
Call Us
0808 238 0044
888 2156 556
1 800 447164
1 800 947168
1 844 8517 090
800 900 341
800 101 3310
080 045 2877
800 018 4895
0800 182 3211
0800 562 964
0800 295 105
0800 919 394
0800 721 24
800 260 73
0800 848 229
1 844 2867 643
9009 476 83
0018 005 11710
0800 444 6880
018 0051 81669
0800 7618 612
800 827 648
+27 21 469 2600


text:
- Home
- The Popski Story
- Reference
- Remembrance
- PPA Memorial Fund
- Shop
- The LRDG Story
- The LCP Story
- Desert Exploration by Car
- About
Desert Exploration by Car
There is so much material on pre-WWII desert exploration by motorcar in Egypt and Libya, that we almost don't know where to start. One useful book, available from the Silphium Press, and including a chapter about Popski's pre-war desert exploration, is "Wheels Across the Desert" by Professor Andrew Goudie...
|Wheels Across the Desert 1916-1942
Not many people realise that Popski was a lifelong Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, proposed in 1937 by his Ma'adi neighbour George Murray, head of the Egyptian Survey, and seconded by George's survey colleague Pat Clayton, later a founder member of the Long Range Desert Group.
A central character is of course the Hungarian Laszlo Almasy (see "The English Patient", book and film). Our colleagues Kuno Gross and Wolfgang Kuhmann of the Desert Vehicles Preservation Society, have over the last couple of years acquired a Model A Ford and then rebuilt it to be an exact replica of Almasy's own desert exploration motor. Never content with merely doing some metalwork, they then took it from Germany to North Africa to try it out under real desert conditions...
Also well worth exploring are these two websites...


text:
June 21, 2016
Pasta Primavera (10 Person Minimum)
$8.95 Per Person
A medley of sautéed seasonal vegetables in a white wine, garlic & olive oil sauce served with your choice of Spaghetti or Penne pasta.
Menu Sections: Entrées This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 21st, 2016 at 8:30 am.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.


text:
Welcome to the Virus Encyclopedia of Panda Security.
Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95
Rontobrok.A is a Trojan, which although seemingly inoffensive, can actually carry out attacks and intrusions.
It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy:
user's browsing habits.
It sends the gathered information to a remote user by any available means: email, FTP, etc.
Rontobrok.A uses the following propagation or distribution methods:


text:
Graham's Country Crafts is hanging on to its stock and trade despite the proliferation of crafts franchises along the Highway 101 corridor.
Helen and Carl Graham are good-natured about the competition, knowing their vast emporium is unique.
Their location in the bucolic Two Rock Valley means customers need a little determination to find th e store. But the Grahams are undaunted.
"People come here and say, 'I knew I could find it here,' " Helen Graham said.
The store, situated in a converted barn on Pepper Road, about 10 minutes from downtown, is filled to the ceiling with every imaginable craft supply and how-to book.
If a customer wants to know how to sculpt applehead figures, there's a slim book entitled "The Applehead Museum ."
Another book, "Egg Carton Novelties," describes how to transform ordinary egg cartons into decorative plaques or such animals as bunnies, ducks and poodles. The book, which has probably been on the shelf for years, is priced at 50 cents.
The Grahams joke that some of their merchandise may be 20 years old, but it's the truth. In many cases, the prices haven't changed and are a bargain in today's economy.
In addition to books on common crafts like doll making, seasonal decorations and fabric painting, booklets tell how to decorate an RV with macrame hangings or make mini dream-catchers.
The selection of videos is smaller, but if you're searching for video instruction in lampshade crafting, Graham's has it.
The couple stays abreast of what's new in the industry.
In early March, they flew to Las Vegas for a convention devoted to tole painting, decorative painting traditionally done on wood.
Although Graham's Country Crafts has everything needed for that type of project, the couple says it's important to check what's new in the marketplace to keep their inventory up to date - and to keep themselves up to date with suppliers.
"We go to so many crafts shows and so many of the distributors aren't there anymore," Carl Graham said. "They went out of business; even one of the big ones went out of business recently."
With yet another national competitor, Michael's Crafts, preparing to open in Petaluma, the Grahams are determined to stay in the business they began 33 years ago on their family farm.
Helen Graham was a teacher at the Petaluma Adult School, and after lugging supplies back and forth to town, she asked if she could teach the class at home. She was given permission as long as students enrolled, and since then she has had a steady flow of pupils.
Edna Schiele has been a faithful student for 20 years. Along the way, she became close friends with another long-time student, Julie Bernardini.
"This is like therapy," Schiele said. "There's nowhere else you can go and have classes like this."
Baernardini agreed. "We just sit around and talk to everybody. We know what they're doing," she sai d.
Classes are held Monday evenings and Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Students choose the projects they want to do and teachers with versatile experience help.
Many of the students and customers are middle-aged or senior citizens, bu t the Liberty 4-H club brings in children on a regular basis.
The store also hosts children's birthday parties, giving partygoers a project they can complete in one session.


text:
This week we are having our speaking tests at school. How do I know, because I'm a teacher and my students are enduring them, and because everybody is speaking English everywhere, in the corridor, in the library, in the staircase, everywhere.
And I was wondering, why don't we do it from September to June? Why do we have to wait for our exams to speak English? Imagine what would happen if you did it whenever you came to school, since you arrive till you go. If you arrived earlier to chat with your mates in English for 15 or 20 minutes twice a week? Wouldn't it make significative changes in your speaking?
What do you think? Are you ready to start a change?
If you want to practise for your speaking test, here you are a tool you can use. Please read the tutorial carefully and leave your contribution following the instructions given.
Read the instructions here:
Do the activity here (click on the picture)
The activity for básico is between slides 1 and 6.
Most of you have taken your speaking test last week, but if you haven't these are some last-minute tips for you. This is just a reminder of the things we've already told you in class.
-Arrive at school earlier and have a conversation in English with your partner. If your partner hasn't arrived, you'll find somebody to talk to in English around.
-Don't panic, our teachers are really warming and are conscious of how you might be feeling, they will help you in every moment.
-Don't feel depressed if you see teachers writing all the time, they do write both good and bad things.
-During the monologue you can look at your partner, you'll feel less nervous.
-During the dialogue try to be gentle with your partner, trying to let him speak and opening the conversation if it's sort of finishing before time. Try to participate in the conversation with long and elaborated sentences, don't say just yes or no.
Both if you are taking your speaking test tomorrow or not, this is your song. Repeat its message to yourself.
Don't give up, keep on trying.
Certificate exams are round the corner and this blog is full of recommendations for you. Let's talk about all the possibilities we offer here once again. Don't say you don't know where to start from!!!
- Watch these videos of students taking their English exams, revise the teachers' notes and try to improve your skills.
- Watch these videos by the British Council, they give you advice about what to do and what not to do during your speaking test.
- Saro Rosales, a teacher at EOI Las Palmas GC wrote an article for her students giving advice for the speaking test, don't miss it.
- Would you like to do a language exchange? Here you have a list of sites where you can do them.
- Intercambio de idiomas, a website where you can find out about places to practise English with other learners and native speakers. People gather together to practise while having a drink.
- Finally, here you have a list I wrote for my students back in 2009, why don't you take a look at it?
vocabulary and expressions
- Read this document written by my friend María Valdés, it contains expressions that can help you both with your writing and with your speaking.
- This post contains a slideshow presentation with a summary of the different types of texts you could find in your certificate exam.
- Guidelines for writing, a slideshow presentation with lots of tips.
assorted skills
- Try to follow the advice given in this article, where you can find tips to practise listening, writing and reading.
- Do you know ELLA? Here you can practise all skills.
- Busuu helps you with all skills, and you can even practise Engish with other students and native speakers. It's a great community to learn different languages.
All levels:
- Randall's Cyber ESL Lab: Listening activities for all levels.
- Podcastsinenglish.com: Weekly podcast with video and activities. Good for all levels. Podcasts are free, but to download activities you need to pay for a subscription.
- BBC Learning English: Different podcasts with activities, video and a series.
- RepeatAfterUs.com: Plays, prose, poetry, fairy tales, etc.
- Everydayenglish.com: Videos with grammar explanations for all levels.
- English Listening Practice: Listening activities and other resources.
- Voa News: News with an American accent.
- mansioningles: listenings with differentiated tasks for all levels.
- EFL club movies: Activities with movie trailers and videoclips.
- EFL club songs: Activities with songs
- Free Audio Books: Download audio books in English in different formats (mp3, iPod, etc.).
- Arlyn Freed's Listening Resources: List of links to assorted listening activities.
- The Internet TESL Journal: Assorted links for all levels.
- Learn English through movies
- Randall's Cyber ESL Lab: Listening activities – do the activities for the easy level.
- Podcastsinenglish.com: Weekly podcast with video and activities. Do the activities for Level 1. Podcasts are free, but to download activities you need to pay for a subscription.
- mansioningles: listenings with differentiated tasks – do the activities for level 'Básico'.
- ELLLO: Real life conversations with different accents. Good for Intermedio 1 and 2, y Avanzado 1
- Global English Salon: Artículos actuales que se pueden escuchar (con acento americano) y leer
- Breaking News English: news articles for reading or listening. Good for Intermedio 2 and above.
Avanzado 1 and 2:
- BBC Four Interviews: interviews with actors, composers, singers, politicians, athletes, etc.
- Cinema Activities: Online activities based on movie trailers.
- English as Second Language: Several activities for this level, it also includes some indications to improve your listening.
If you are taking your speaking test this week and you don't know what you should be able to do, here's a a list of videos that can help you with this issue. These videos have been designed to exemplify the levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You can visit the Wikipedia if you don't know what we are talking about.
The correspondence with our levels is as follows:
How this site works
- Click on this link
- Click on any of the names given, you'll be shown several videos. You might be given a message saying that you need to use a plugin, say "yes", it's completely safe.
- Each pair of names represents a pair of students with certain level. You can try to guess their level or just go to the next step.
- If you click on LEVELS, you'll be taken to a document with the level of each of the students shown on the videos.
- If you click on comments, you'll see what teachers have said about their performance.
Now it's your time to decide if you are prepared for your exam or not.
These videos have been taken from the Centre international d'etudes pédagogiques.
Saro Rosales, teacher at the EOI Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, has published a superb article giving advice for the speaking exam. Besides, she includes a list of possible topics and another list with useful expressions.
You can also find examples in the post published yesterday, Pruebas de certificación.
I'm sure this information will help you with your speaking tests, that's why you shouldn't miss it.
See you!!


text: Yosemite Lanscapes | California's Pacific Coast | Only The Lonely - Monterey Cypress Blog | Store | Featured | Search | About | Contact | Licensing Home»California's Pacific Coast Only The Lonely - Monterey Cypress Standing like a sentinel, battered and pounded by Pacific storms as they move eastward across California the Lone Cypress was once part of a large forest of Monterey cypress trees which lined the coast of central California but are now limited to two small groves near Monterey and Carmel. This famous 250 year old icon of California stands rooted in to a surf pounded rock and has even survived an arson attempt which prompted the Pacific Beach Golf Club to build a small wall around the exposed roots and install support cables to keep the tree from falling during high winds. Under normal conditions the Monterey cypress can grow to 80 feet however The Lone Cypress stands only 25 feet tall due to the harsh conditions. The tree is a popular photographic location and has been filmed by Ansel Adams and Edward Weston. © Darvin Atkeson 2011 Store | About | Contact | Licensing Powered by ZENFOLIO User Agreement Cancel Continue