Ryminate

Armchair Science

Recently I've been reading Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, which I must say is the best armchair science book I have ever read (with perhaps E=Mc2: A Biography, placing second). Bryson does a great job of taking my mind to places I've never been since high school science class, and then providing just enough novel information to provide my mind a "leaping off point" in terms of thinking about how the universe works.

I just finished a chapter on the asteroids and their many near misses with Earth, and now I'm onto earthquakes. Bryson paints a sobering picture of both that has me looking at force majeure clauses in a new light :). Highly recommended book!

JOTT -- My "Always There" Personal Assistant

I hate to admit it, but my work life can be a bit email inbox-centric; consequently, I think I've necessarily become quite effective at inbox processing. In fact, I kind of delight in plowing through my emails each morning, firing off responses, dumping some to my task list,  delegating...   until I get to that beautiful moment of zen when my inbox is empty.

Since identifying my proclivity for inbox processing, I've tried to channel as much "stuff" as possible to my email inbox. Enter Jott, a free service that allows you send transcribed messages from your cell phone to your inbox. It's kind of like having an "always there" personal assistant. Since getting on board I Jott on the road, while in bed, and sometimes on bike rides. Check out a video demo:

How a Pocket Audit Saved Me From the Man-Purse

A few days ago I decided I was carrying around too much junk in my pockets. It was getting uncomfortable, and it probably looked even worse--especially in dress pants. While my pocket inventory consisted only of a wallet and keyring, both were getting out of control. It was either simplify, or spring for the man purse; I chose the former.

I began the simplification process by doing a pocket audit. My wallet was a leather, tri-fold model full of membership cards, punchcards, business cards, gift cards, notes, receipts, etc. (i.e., it was a fatty). My keyring had several keys on it that I only used periodically, a sentimental knickknack, a broken usb drive, and the keyless entry fob for my car.

After taking an inventory, I decided to strip down to the bare essentials (See picture). The wallet became a binder clip holding my driver's license; two debit cards--one work, one personal; and some cash. The keyring was downsized to two car keys, an office key, a house key, and a new usb drive (containing PortableApps for the geeks out there).

After making these changes I've been DELIGHTED with the difference. So far I haven't missed any of the extra inventory. I admit, I was a bit apprehensive about going without keyless entry for my car, but it's really not that big of a deal. It's amazing to me how small simplifications in my life can pay such large dividends.

The inspiration for this change was ZenHabits, a great resource on simple productivity.

Spc. Howell at the Broncos-Packers Game

A few weeks ago my brother serving in the Army in Iraq emailed us to say he would be on the jumbotron at the Broncos-Packers football game. Tickets were sent to our family to attend the game and me, my dad, and my two other brothers all ended up going. We had little idea that we would also be on the jumbotron, but when we arrived at our seats midway through the first quarter Miles the Broncos mascot and the cameras were all waiting. Check it out:

Doing Good Via the Internet

What do you do on the Internet? Me... a lot! I do email (gmail, Exchange), read a TON (mostly via Google Reader) , connect with people (LinkedIn, Facebook), do research, check the weather (SimpleWeather), listen to music (Pandora), watch TV, chat (Meebo), talk (Skype), build my family tree (Geni), blog and more.

While these things are all good, (like Google, I try not to be evil on the Internet), if I'm honest with myself these things are pretty self-interested activities. I guess I do send get well emails from time to time, or make charitable donations via the Internet, but I could certainly be better at using  the Internet to "do good."

Here are two great opportunities to "do good" on the Internet, each of which only take a few minutes:

1. Let'sSayThanks - Regardless of your position on the current Iraq mess, you have to give it up for our troops. They are loyal and courageous despite the tough situation. Let's Say Thanks is a site that allows you to send a free printed postcard to U.S. military personal serving abroad. Take two minutes and do this. On a personal note my brother and his new wife are both stationed in Baghdad, he on his second tour. They are both Army combat medics so they see the worst of the worst. I love catching them from time to time on Gmail chat--cool, huh.
2. FreeRice - Want to brush up on your vocabulary and at the same time do something good? Go to FreeRice.com and you will be quizzed on your English vocabulary. If you click on the correct answer you donate 10 grains of rice to those in need. The rice is paid for by corporate sponsors. This site is simple, fun, and good. (Maybe StartupWeekend should take a look at doing something good like this. Andrew...?).

Let me know if you have any other cool ways to "do good" on the Internet.