Live your passion!

anotherbestday: Which rut are you in? We talk about being stuck...

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:34:03 -0500

Which rut are you in?

We talk about being stuck in a rut with a negative connotation. It is a bad place to be and something that you need to change; you feel trapped, limited, and that the only form of progress is reluctantly moving forward.

However, I’ve recently realized that ruts often come in pairs…as do the ruts in our lives: the bad rut and the good rut.

The bad rut is defined by troubled thinking, behavior, and sadness. It may be constraining, depressing, and frustrating. Be it diet, relationships, work, school, organization, attitude, industriousness, or some other part of life, one tough moment feeds another and there seems to be no end.

That said, the good rut also exists. Energy, focus, discipline, and optimism are equally powerful; good things are fueled by good things. So a shift, followed by a purposeful continuation, can lead to a rhythm that has a life of its own!

If you’re in the bad rut, make a deliberate move to jump to the good rut and embrace the new momentum.

If you’re in the good rut, keep it up, and continue to pursue that enjoyable path.

ABD,

Dave

pepperlive: Pahoa, Hawaii…….where all the hippies from the 70’s...

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:57:52 -0400

pepperlive:

Pahoa, Hawaii…….where all the hippies from the 70’s retired @jwlk (Taken with Instagram at “couldn’t locate your position”)

Priceonomics Blog: What Happens to Stolen Bicycles?

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 09:38:11 -0400

Priceonomics Blog: What Happens to Stolen Bicycles? :

priceonomics:

At Priceonomics, we are fascinated by stolen bicycles. Put simply, why the heck do so many bicycles get stolen? It seems like a crime with very limited financial upside for the thief, and yet bicycle theft is rampant in cities like San Francisco (where we are based). What is the economic…

Check out this lovely little melody from my brother,...

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:02:52 -0400

Check out this lovely little melody from my brother, Nathan!

nathangerry:

This is a song about feeling trapped in that rut between being a kid and a semi-adult college student.

Events: Your Experience is All that Matters

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:13:00 -0400

In this post, I delve into the mindset that helps me create events.

TLDR: If you’re throwing an event, be genuine, have fun with it and solve a problem.

I love events. But not just any events. I like events that greet me with a friendly smile, hand me a beer and give me a slick pair of rose-tinted glasses as a party favor.

At such events I wish to have a lot of fun, meet interesting people and learn something remarkable. This is not what everyone wants, and I get that.

Some Context

To give you an idea of who I am and where I am coming from, here are a few examples of recent events I’ve enjoyed:

July 4th — a bbq on a friend’s balcony and an evening spent chatting with an eclectic group of people, including, but not limited to: entrepreneurs, PhD astrophysicists, architects, and artists (yay alliteration!). It’s incredible to engage with people who have such varied perspectives.
Duke SBSI Conference — hearing from early Patagonia employees was truly inspiring.
Durham Bulls game — with family and friends, does life get any better?
And (of course)…

Startup and Play, Rd. 2

I enjoyed Startup and Play primarily because I saw you, the Startups and Players, having such a good time.

[Exhibit A: having a good time!]

The focus of S&P is on the community: bring entrepreneurs from across the Triangle together to support and celebrate local consumer-facing ventures. In large part, the community made the event and for that, we are all truly grateful!

Given this lens, I deem the event a success. Now, for some thoughts…

Live vicariously through others

I believe this is an important perspective to have whenever you produce something. I think of it like this: my success as a producer (whether it is an event, a product, etc.) is determined by your satisfaction as an end user.

At the end of the day, what you produce has very little to do with you, the Producer, and everything to do with how it makes the end user feel.

Don’t take it personally, but every person is the main character in their own life story… likewise, we are all primarily concerned with our own well-being.

[You are the star of your own life.]

Therefore, my interpretation of how an event went is much less important than how you feel about it.

Experiences are a little bit planned and a whole ‘lotta organic

As an event organizer, an important question comes down to: how much of an experience can be manufactured and planned and how much of the experience is organic and spontaneous?

I am a firm believer that you can prime for success through the framework you set around your product.

The “Why” behind what you do and the brand image you create (the personality, the name, the logo, the wording and tonality you use, etc.) will naturally attract those who share similar beliefs, demeanor and outlook.

Given this attraction, there is an inherent and congruent feeling that runs through the group. Seth Godin calls it your Tribe and it is an important first step towards building a successful event (and community).

[Exhibit B: Zombies are one example of a tribe. What does your Tribe look like?]

Lightly touching on psychology, much of what we do is in avoidance of pain. Or the pursuit of happiness (depending on your interpretation). Being around people who share similar values and beliefs is pleasurable.

Other tips for people who like lists

Below are a few additional things to consider as you go through the planning process for your next event:

Create something *you* would want to attend: A good question to ask yourself, “is this something I would want to come to in my own free time?” Be brutally honest and put yourself in the shoes of your audience.

Solve a problem: For Startup and Play, there were no events catered specifically towards consumer-facing companies where they could get feedback from the community, sign up potential users and gain exposure.

Have fun: This is your thing, enjoy it. Let your personality come through, be yourself and people will respect you for it. You won’t please everyone so don’t even try.

Bonus: It’s the little things: Recognize and thank those who helped you along the way. They are your early adopters and cheerleaders, the ones who saw potential in you and your idea.

Wrapping this all up

[Grain of salt. And then some.]

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. This is only one perspective and in all likelihood, I could be very wrong.

Saying that, in my experience if you are genuine in who you are and what you do, you will find your tribe and enjoy the things you do.

Call to action

Events are just one way to bring people together and to help build the community. There are many more ways that you, and all of us, can help.

What do you want to see improved in the Triangle entrepreneurial community? How can you help (in both big and small ways)? How can I help you?

Photo

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 07:00:49 -0400

I only heard this song for the first time about an hour ago, but...

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 22:14:00 -0400

I only heard this song for the first time about an hour ago, but for some reason I felt the desire to post my interpretation of the lyrics…

The slow, almost somber tone initially led me to believe this was a song of melancholy. After reading the lyrics (and playing the song on repeat), I instead hear a pensive embrace of a truth that binds us all: love is everlasting, but we all bare scars that tether us to the past. I believe the character referenced in the song and the narrator were once lovers and this is a reflection of their experience together.

Discussing the title, I interpret “red right ankle” to infer the abrasions formed as a result of wearing shackles. The term is metaphorical and largely represents an emotional bondage.

And how the muscle, bone, and sinews tangled
And how the skin was softly shed

I believe that the character referenced in the song was, at one point, “chained” to the narrator, by way of his would be “red left ankle”.

Oh adhere to me
For we are bound by symmetry
And whatever differences our lives have been
We together make a limb.

They are bound by the symmetry of their past love. Thinking literally, being coupled by chains means they would have to walk in unison; their adjacent legs become like one limb. Despite their differences, they were bound together by something more powerful.

In the next verse, I may read too far into the Pyrenees reference, but it could speak to the Greek myth about Pyrene. If this is the case, perhaps the gypsy uncle is actually a metaphor for a child of theirs that was not given the blessing of a lasting life. In their feral love affair they made a bond and a promise; an ill-fated child, an unfortunate secret to be locked away. More so, a child could be the “limb” in which the narrator speaks of earlier.

But you wanted to keep his secret safe
So you threw the key away.

I am further convinced theirs was a youthful affair. I believe the narrator speaks literally when he refers to “the boys who loved you,” specifically referring to his young age and their son. One hint of their child comes in the verse, “and some just laid around in bed,” inferring a child in a crib. The narrator further references a young child with the line, “Some had crawled their way into your heart.”

The narrator hints at his strong influence in the matter of their child, juxtaposing his pugnacious attitude with the sweet innocence and love from the child. I propose that the narrator pushed to give up the child and was rather cruel in his treatment of his lover.

This is the story of the boys who loved you
Who love you now and loved you then
And some were sweet, and some were cold and snuffed you.

Throughout, it is clear that the narrator deeply loved the woman and maintains tremendous love for her now. Unfortunately, the narrator became cold and cruel after the birth and it is likely that the narrators’ youthfulness and emotional immaturity inflicted tremendous pain.

Some had crumbled you straight to your knees
Did it cruel, did it tenderly
Some had crawled their way into your heart
To rend your ventricles apart

The first line is a wonderful play on words; the woman rushed to her knees to reach for her crawling baby yet also collapsed as a result of the harsh treatment of the narrator.

At the end, I am struck by the complexity of the song and the sense of atonement the narrator has. It is clear the narrator has spent years considering how the situation unfolded.

Whether my interpretation is correct is not the point, but the beauty of art is that it is open to your perspective, thoughts and feelings.

What do you think the song means?

Full Lyrics:

This is the story of your red right ankle
And how it came to meet your leg
And how the muscle, bone, and sinews tangled
And how the skin was softly shed

And how it whispered,
Oh adhere to me
For we are bound by symmetry
And whatever differences our lives have been
We together make a limb.
This is the story of your red right ankle.

This is the story of your gypsy uncle
You never knew ‘cause he was dead
And how his face was carved and rift with wrinkles
In the picture in your head.

And remember how you found the key
To his hideout in the Pyrenees
But you wanted to keep his secret safe
So you threw the key away.
This is the story of your gypsy uncle.

This is the story of the boys who loved you
Who love you now and loved you then
And some were sweet, and some were cold and snuffed you
And some just laid around in bed.

Some had crumbled you straight to your knees
Did it cruel, did it tenderly
Some had crawled their way into your heart
To rend your ventricles apart
This is the story of the boys who loved you
This is the story of your red right ankle.

bijan:

The Decemberists - Red Right Ankle

shared from exfm

How You’re Going to Make Someone’s Day Awesome Today

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 21:33:00 -0400

TLDR: We are going to make the Triangle startup community exponentially more robust, one introduction at a time.

Sharing is caring

You’re going to make someone smile today. Hurray! Someone will say, “thank you,” or “you’re awesome!” Maybe even, if you’re lucky, someone will give you a slow-motion, jumpin’ heel-click, high-five. Those are the best.

And ya know what? Someone is going to make *your* day. I’m sure of it.

“Why?,” you may ask. Because of a little social experiment I propose to each and everyone of you.

How this is going to work

Goal: Each and everyone of us is going to make one introduction for someone we meet, every day this week.

Say what?

The intent is to help make the Triangle entrepreneurship community the best it can be. We are going to start with becoming a tight-knit crew (down with the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill divide!).

Likewise, we are all going to become great connectors: we are going to make introductions, share interesting studies, articles or books, and generally be helpful to each entrepreneur we meet.

Everyone (yes, especially you), has a great wealth of knowledge and connections. But, it will mean so much more if you share those resources with friends, colleagues and especially your fellow entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs are a but a drop in the population bucket

Think of us like a small, scrappy, motley crew fighting to make great changes in a world bent on maintaining the status quo (or worse). We need all the help we can get/give.

In order to maximize our chances, we need to support each other, encourage each other and aid our fellow entrepreneurs in the pursuit of our dreams

What’s in it for you?

If you need further motivation, what goes around tends to come back around:

“The easiest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want.” - Deepak Chopra

Even more, giving back has the lovely benefit of making you more happy!

Now that you’re sufficiently convinced…

Here’s how to do it

Each day this week, as you are out and about meeting people:

Initiative a conversation with someone*
Ask, “what are you passionate about?”*
Listen intently*
Ask, “how can I help?”*
Make a connection and/or introduction!*

*Important steps

Who’s with me?

Networking is a part of the startup life and it can be supremely (more) fun if we make connections for each other.

It’s all pretty simple and that’s the best part. So, if you are feeling up to it, please proceed to place your left hand on the computer screen and repeat after me:

“I, [your name], pledge to make one introduction for someone I meet, every day this week. Because I rock.”

Places to practice

What’s more, there are plenty of opportunities to practice this week!

Are you up to the challenge? What are your thoughts on improving the local startup scene? What else can we do to help each other?

**As always, feel free to reach out at anytime if there is anything I can do to help you out as well! @aarongerry**

Photo

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 17:36:13 -0400

Dan Harmon Poops: HEY, DID I MISS ANYTHING?

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 17:26:18 -0400

Dan Harmon Poops: HEY, DID I MISS ANYTHING? :

Tell it like it is.

danharmon:

Kids:

A few hours ago, I landed in Los Angeles, turned on my phone, and confirmed what you already know. Sony Pictures Television is replacing me as showrunner on Community, with two seasoned fellows that I’m sure are quite nice - actually, I have it on good authority they’re quite nice, because…

Once

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 22:57:15 -0400

nbashaw:

Startup people are generally optimists about new ideas. They get excited about an opportunity to solve a problem - even if the solution doesn’t work or there isn’t really a problem. Most of the time they’re wrong.

Normal people are pessimists. They often see no reason to try something new. Most of the time they’re right.

They don’t realize that being wrong 99% of the time is just fine. You only need to be right once.

Monkey Mace: All you need is e-mail, e-mail. E-mail is all you need.

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 19:13:57 -0400

Monkey Mace: All you need is e-mail, e-mail. E-mail is all you need. :

monkeymace:

Why build a new messaging product when the basic functionality of email combined with a little effort from the user can achieve the same result?

Everyone is trying to tackle the problem of private group communication. Like, Google, Glassboard, Groupme, Life360, and I’ll even add Path to this…

Timelapse video of Raleigh. Reminds me of a late night,...

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:45:54 -0400

Timelapse video of Raleigh. Reminds me of a late night, leisurely stroll or a small child waking from a restful sleep.

TLDR: Capitalize on impulse buying. Clever way to increase the...

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:58:41 -0400

TLDR: Capitalize on impulse buying.

Clever way to increase the speed of sale through the incentive of a discount. Reduce inhibition with consumers by forcing them to purchase at a faster rate for a greater reward. Wonder how many sales it led to?

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” - Theodore Roosevelt"

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:42:54 -0400

““It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” - Theodore Roosevelt”

On why he didn’t finish the Wonderlic Test, the...

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:39:46 -0400

On why he didn’t finish the Wonderlic Test, the NFL’s version of an IQ test:

“I looked at the test, and wasn’t any questions about football. I didn’t see no point in the test. I’m not in school anymore. I didn’t complete it.”

- Morris Claiborne

Praise be the power (and deliciousness) of sriracha!

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:14:52 -0400

Praise be the power (and deliciousness) of sriracha!

Timely for me personally as I recently started a diet that cuts...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:55:00 -0400

Timely for me personally as I recently started a diet that cuts out the aforementioned carbs. But, but, but… beer?!?!?!

onwander: No. 1 / Doublenaut

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:41:03 -0400

onwander:

No. 1 / Doublenaut

Will we eat our ocean dry or will we start drinking the waters...

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:12:17 -0400

Will we eat our ocean dry or will we start drinking the waters of sustainability?