vi

Boil water advisory may be lifted sooner than anticipated: RM of Wood Buffalo

The flood stricken Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo says it is on track to lift its boil water advisory sooner than it was originally projected.




vi

The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 10

This week: Suddenly, shockingly, it’s Biden’s to lose Dem primary voters abruptly pulled back from socialism Democrats suddenly get a top candidate for #MTSEN President 2020 Super Tuesday: Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar knew they could not win. But they realized they could help Bernie Sanders win if they stayed in the race for Super […]

The post The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 10 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 11

This week: Sanders’s last gasp Coronavirus threatens to upend election calculus Sessions trails in runoff President 2020 Democrats: The consensus of the pundits is that Joe Biden won Sunday’s (mercifully audience-free) debate on points. But even if Bernie Sanders had laid him out flat, it wouldn’t have been enough to stop the former vice president’s […]

The post The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 11 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 12

This week: Biden has won — Sanders just has to admit it Political consequences of coronavirus Congress struggles with how to deal with the plague The world’s news is now clearly dominated by coronavirus. Everything — commerce, social life, and yes, even politics — has been put on hold.  Well, that last bit is not […]

The post The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 12 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 13

To our readers: We hope you are safe and well. Please exercise care, especially for the sake of your older loved ones, who are at greater risk if they contract coronavirus. This week: Pelosi loses the week Politics of coronavirus end up surprisingly good for Trump Biden faces his own #MeToo allegation House showdown: There […]

The post The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 13 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

The Briefing, Vol. VIII Issue 14

A very Happy Passover and Easter to all our subscribers. This week: Uncertainties prevent post-pandemic planning Democrats postpone convention Wisconsin supreme court race is on for Tuesday Coronavirus pandemic: Americans are just now getting used to the new realities of social distancing and work (or study) from-home-if-at-all. But what the nation needs next is a […]

The post The Briefing, Vol. VIII Issue 14 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 15

=This week: Blacks, not white socialists, are the Democratic Party’s lifeblood Biden’s campaign is coronavirus’ most prominent victim Behind the story of Wisconsin’s strange, last-minute election drama Sanders: Bernie Sanders failed to build on or improve his 2016 showing in the presidential race for one simple reason: He didn’t win black votes. If you are […]

The post The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 15 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

The Briefing, Vol VIII, Issue 16

This week: Negative coronavirus coverage slightly depressing Trump’s rating U.S. has fared well compared to most developing countries Republicans lose after insisting on Wisconsin vote President 2020 Naturally, coronavirus continues to dominate the national discussion, drowning out any mention or thought of the presidential election. Democratic and media efforts to make President Trump the inventor […]

The post The Briefing, Vol VIII, Issue 16 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 17

This week: Value of COVID ‘lockdowns’ about to be tested. Biden fearful over Trump’s fundraising Kansas GOP panics over crowded primary field President 2020 Coronavirus: In most of America, it really does appear that the coronavirus “curve” has been flattened, as people hoped. Thus, in seeking as swift a return to normalcy as possible, President […]

The post The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 17 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 18

May 4, 2020 This week: Biden finally forced to address rape accusation Won’t release his office records The Amash factor President 2020 Joe Biden: News consumers have become deeply fatigued by the coronavirus. Many people just don’t want to read or hear any more about it. It has come to the attention of multiple news […]

The post The Briefing, Vol. VIII, Issue 18 appeared first on Conservative Intelligence Briefing.




vi

Sport24.co.za | Nadal believes Djokovic will have to be vaccinated

Rafael Nadal insists all players, including Novak Djokovic, will need to take a coronavirus vaccine should one become available.




vi

Sport24.co.za | AC Milan announce no first team coronavirus cases

AC Milan have revealed that none of their first-team footballers or staff were positive for coronavirus.




vi

Watch The Delivery Man Online | Season 1 Full Episodes Video Streaming & Torrent Search

The Delivery Man Synopsis The Delivery Man is a comedy television series produced by ITV that premiered in April of 2015. The Delivery Man follows the story of Matthew (played by Darren Boyd – Spy), a police officer who decides to switch careers in his mid-thirties and becomes a midwife. The Delivery Man is currently […]




vi

Watch Other Space Full Episodes Online | Season 1 Video Streaming & Torrent Search

Other Space Synopsis Other Space is a Science Fiction comedy television series produced by Yahoo that premiered in April of 2015. Created by Paul Feig (Freaks and Geeks) Other Space is set in the early 22nd century and follows the story of the inexperienced crew aboard UMP Cruiser on a routine space exploratory mission. In […]




vi

Watch Peter Kay’s Car Share Online | Season 1 Full Episodes Video Streaming & Torrent Search

Peter Kay’s Car Share Synopsis Peter Kay’s Car Share is a situation comedy television series produced by BBC One that premiered in April of 2015. Peter Kay’s Car Share follows the story of John (played by Peter Kay), an assistant manager in a supermarket and his co-worker and promotions rep Kayleigh (played by Sian Gibson). […]




vi

Watch Meet the Smiths Online | Season 1 Full Episodes Video Streaming & Torrent Search

Meet the Smiths Synopsis Meet the Smiths is a scripted reality television series produced by TBS that premiered in April of 2015. Meet the Smiths follows the daily lives of Kenny Smith, an NBA analyst for TNT and his wife Gwendolyn Osborne-Smith, a model for The Price is Right. The couple has five children together […]




vi

Watch Arranged Full Episodes Online | Season 1 Video Streaming & Torrent Search

Arranged Synopsis Arranged is a reality television series produced by the FYI Network that premiered in April of 2015. Arranged follows the story of the three American couples who all come from different backgrounds, but their cultural traditions allow for arranged marriages. The series chronicles their lives in the lead up to the wedding and […]




vi

Watch Wayward Pines Full Episodes Online | Season 1 Video Streaming & Torrent Search

Wayward Pines Synopsis Wayward Pines is a mystery thriller television series produced by Fox Network and set to premiere in May of 2015. Based on the book Pines written by Blake Crouch and produced by M. Night Shyamalan Wayward Pines follows the story of an FBI agent Ethan Bruke (played by Matt Dillon), who travels […]




vi

Watch Miles from Tomorrowland Online | Season 1 Full Episodes Video Streaming & Torrent Search

Miles from Tomorrowland Synopsis Miles from Tomorrowland is an animated television series produced by the Disney Channel that premiered in February of 2015. Miles from Tomorrowland is an American animated TV series about the adventures of an inquisitive, if somewhat reckless boy named Miles who travels the universe with his family. Miles from Tomorrowland is […]




vi

Watch The Protectors (1982) Online | Season 1 & 2 Full Episodes Video Streaming & Torrent Search

The Protectors (1972) Synopsis The Protectors (1972) was an action thriller television series produced by ITV that premiered in September of 1972. The Protectors (1972) was a British action thriller series created by Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds) about an international group of rich troubleshooters. Contessa di Contini (played by Nyree Dawn Porter), Paul Buchet (played by […]




vi

Watch Wormwood Online | Season 1 Video Streaming & Torrent Search

Wormwood Synopsis Wormwood was a children’s television series produced by Network Ten and ABC1 that premiered in October of 2007. Made as a joint Canadian-Australian production, Wormwood was a TV series about a quirky town where a group of kids investigated strange events. The series was based on the stories written by Paul Jennings. Wormwood […]




vi

Watch A Sharp Intake Of Breath Online | Season 1, 2, 3 & 4 Video Streaming & Torrent Search

A Sharp Intake Of Breath Synopsis A Sharp Intake Of Breath was a situation comedy television series produced by ITV that premiered in February of 1978. Created by Ronnie Taylor A Sharp Intake Of Breath followed the story of Peter Barnes (played by David Jason – Only Fools And Horses), an ordinary man who made […]




vi

Social Learning as a Way to Foster Productivity in the Workplace

In one way or another, social learning has been part of our lives for a long time. We spend a large amount of time at work. During this time, we are bound to learn from our colleagues and get a chance to talk on mutual topics of interest. Moreover, social media has given an outlet […]

The post Social Learning as a Way to Foster Productivity in the Workplace appeared first on Dumb Little Man.




vi

Newsroom: Twitch on Pace to Surpass 40 Million Viewers by 2021

February 20, 2020 (New York, NY) –For the first time, eMarketer is estimating the number of people who watch Twitch on a regular basis in its latest forecast.  Twitch hosts streaming […]




vi

Newsroom: Coronavirus Hits China Ad Spending

eMarketer cuts forecast for total media ad spending by 6.2%   March 17, 2020 (New York, NY) – Just months after the first case was reported, it is already clear […]




vi

Newsroom: COVID-19 Boosts UK Time Spent with Media

TV time among adult viewers up 10 minutes per day in 2020 April 23, 2020 (London, UK) – The UK’s social distancing measures due to coronavirus are having a measurable […]




vi

Newsroom: Time Spent with Media in China Grows amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Our Estimate for Time Spent with TV in 2020 Is Revised Upward by 5 Minutes April 24, 2020 (New York, NY) – Over the course of just a few months, […]




vi

Brighten Up Your After-Dark Road-Tripping with Lanmodo’s Vast Automotive Night Vision System

With a bright, 8.2-inch HD display and the flexibility to work in almost any vehicle, the Lanmodo Automotive Vast Night Vision System is a near-perfect alternative to factory-installed systems.

The post Brighten Up Your After-Dark Road-Tripping with Lanmodo’s Vast Automotive Night Vision System appeared first on Vagabondish.




vi

12 Peruvian Festivals, One for Each Month of the Year!

Perhaps you've read somewhere or other that there are over 3,000 traditional Peruvian festivals held throughout the year? It's a popular claim that pops up time and again in guidebooks and on websites, and though we ourselves haven't verified the number, it certainly wouldn't surprise us! Peru is a country that holds onto its traditions while increasingly embracing innovation as well, a perfect storm for festivals and fiestas of all types to flourish and to grow.

If you're planning to visit Peru, you might find yourself intrigued by the prospect of observing, or even participating in, one of these many different Peruvian festivals. If that's the case, you're in luck--we've taken the liberty to compile a list of some of our favorite Peruvian festivals, including one for each month of the year in hopes that you'll find something that corresponds with the dates of your trip. Keep in mind that this is very much just the tip of the iceberg--all of these Peruvian festivals are fantastic, but there are many more that we've had to leave out simply due to the nature of our list. If we haven't included any options that work out with your travel itinerary, don't fret--get to researching and we're sure you'll find the festival for you.

So without further ado, let's get to it! Here is our list of twelve awesome Peruvian festivals, one for each month of the year:

1. January--Trujillo Marinera Festival

Trujillo, a coastal city in northern Peru, is the traditional home of the marinera, an elegant couple's dance making use of handkerchiefs as props. Since 1986 it's been the official national capital of this dance, a status celebrated annually in a month-long marinera festival held throughout the city! The Festival de Marinera, as it's known in Spanish, features dance competitions, parades, and even exhibitions of the Peruvian Paso, a breed of horse also recognized as part of the cultural patrimony of the Trujillo region. One of our favorite Peruvian festivals, this one is a can't miss if you find yourself in the area during January.

2. February--Fiesta de la Candelaria

The Fiesta de la Candelaria is not only the largest and most famous festival in Peru, but also one of the largest in South America as a whole--in fact, throughout the continent, it's only dwarfed by the world-famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and the Carnaval de Ouro in Bolivia. The first of many religious Peruvian festivals on our list, the Fiesta de la Candelaria celebrates the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of the town of Puno where the festivities are held. Music and dance are at the core of this festival, all of it performed by elaborately-costumed participants numbering well over 40,000. An incredible two week-long synthesis of indigenous and Catholic traditions, this is one of the most iconic Peruvian festivals.

3. March--Festival Internacional de la Vendimia

Depending upon where Easter falls during a given year, the month of March can either be very busy or very quiet as far as major Peruvian festivals are concerned. That said, we figured we may as well take a break from the religious festivals to focus on something else with a different sort of appeal--wine! The Ica Region of Peru is famous for a number of things, the Nazca Lines and the desert oasis of La Huacachina among them, but those in-the-know also recognize it as the finest wine-producing region in the country. This role has been celebrated annually in March since the 1950s during the Festival Internacional de la Vendimia, or the International Harvest Festival, in which a queen is famously chosen to ceremoniously stomp the first grapes of the season.

 4. April--Festividad del Señor del los Temblores del Cusco

Image appears courtesy of www.photoexperience.net.

El Señor de los Temblores, or the Lord of the Earthquakes, is the patron saint of Cusco and the celebratory focus of this major Holy Week celebration. The story goes that during an earthquake here in 1650, a canvas image of Jesus Christ was held to the sky as prayers were offered, causing the tremors to subside and saving the town from ruin. Since then, this statue commemorating the original image has become the focal point of an important annual celebration. Each Easter Monday at 7 PM, the statue is removed from Cusco's cathedral and paraded throughout the city. Amazingly, it's said that the statue was not originally black, but rather that its color is due to years of exposure to smoke from incense during religious ceremonies.

5. May--Fiesta de las Cruces

First of all, let's be clear: the Fiesta de las Cruces, or the Festival of the Crosses, is not a uniquely Peruvian celebration. However, the way the Peruvians celebrate it does make it one of the most important Peruvian festivals. You see, the Festival of the Crosses is not held in just one spot in the country. Rather, the festival is celebrated in towns and cities throughout Peru, each putting their own unique spin on things. Though the name may conjure up solemn images, don't worry--festivals throughout the Peruvian highlands include music, dancing, and even events such as bullfighting as part of the celebrations.

6. June--Inti Raymi

Inti Raymi, the ancient Inca Festival of the Sun, is one of the most traditional Peruvian festivals on our list, indigenous in design and untouched by Catholic tradition. Held annually on June 24th, Inti Raymi is meant to celebrate the Winter Solstice--remember that we're in the Southern Hemisphere here! Banned by the Spanish and the Catholic Church after 1535, the modern incarnation of the celebration began in 1944 based on the few historical records of the festivities that managed to survive. Since then it has grown in size and scope, and though sometimes derided as tourist pageantry by detractors, its historical and cultural significance definitely make it worth checking out among the many Peruvian festivals.

7. July--Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen

Image appears courtesy of canadiansocietyforasianarts.org.

Another fine example of traditional Andean culture blended with Catholicism, the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen is held annually around the 16th of July in the relatively small town of Paucartambo, some four hours outside of Cusco. This three or four day festival is nominally religious but also one of the biggest and wildest parties in Peru, drawing visitors from all over the country, many of whom pass the nights sleeping under the stars as there's simply not enough space in town! If you know what you're looking for, you'll actually notice some serious Peruvian history depicted in the festival's songs, costumes, and dance--for example, black-masked dancers represent African slaves imported to work the silver mines here during the colonial era.

8. August--Día de Santa Rosa de Lima

Santa Rosa de Lima was the first native-born American saint canonized by the Catholic Church, and her legacy is celebrated throughout the world. However, it should come as no surprise that the grandest festivities take place in her home country of Peru. On August 30th, the anniversary of her death, celebrations and memorials take place throughout the country, the most famous being in Santa Rosa de Quives just outside of the capital city itself.

9. September--Mistura Culinary Festival

As you should know by now, Peruvian cuisine is some of the world's best and Lima in particular features what is probably South America's most impressive culinary scene. And as if the food wasn't enticing enough year round, the prospect of eating your way through Peru becomes even more appealing each September when the Mistura Culinary Festival rolls around. Featuring over 200 restaurants and bars not to mention plenty of outdoor vendors and food carts, well over half a million visitors stop by to enjoy the festival's offerings over the course of some ten days in mid-September. Though certainly not one of the most traditional Peruvian festivals on our list, this is without a doubt the most delicious.

10. October--Procesión del Señor de los Milagros

The story might sound a bit familiar--an 18th Century earthquake destroyed a good part of town leaving only this iconic image of Jesus Christ standing. This was considered a miracle, the image became even more venerated, and with time the celebration of its feast day became the largest religious celebration in Peru featuring one of the longest processions of any religious gathering in the world. If you're just looking to have fun, this one probably isn't for you--however, this considerably more solemn celebration is one of the most important Peruvian festivals and we couldn't leave it off our list.

11. November--Puno Week

Perhaps the name Puno rings a bell? If so, you've got a good memory--this is the same city where our February festival choice of the Fiesta de la Candelaria took place! Puno Week takes place during the beginning of November and centers around November 5th, also known as Puno Day. The purpose of Puno Day, and by extension Puno Week, is to celebrate the legendary birth of one Manco Cápac, said to be the first Inca. This involves a very interesting reenactment of his arrival on the shores of Lake Titicaca bordering the city--and it's also just a great excuse to party the whole week long.

12. December--Santuranticuy

Image appears courtesy of www.cuscoperu.com.

As we wind down our list, a few things should by now be obvious: the first is that Peruvians love their festivals, and the second is that many of these Peruvian festivals feature religious--and here that means Catholic--themes. The final entry on our list is of course no exception--Santuranticuy is held exclusively in the city of Cusco each year on Christmas Eve, December 24th, and is essentially a massive outdoor marketplace set up to celebrate the holiday. The festival's name, which means "sale of saints," is quite appropriate, as the primary draw here are dolls, sculptures, and figurines used to decorate the nacimientos, or Catholic nativity scenes, found in many Peruvian homes during the Christmas season. However, even if you aren't religious, you're sure to find something of interest at this most shopper-friendly of Peruvian festivals.



  • Food and Festivals
  • Machu Picchu Inca Trail
  • Places To See and Stay
  • festivals
  • Peru

vi

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Peruvian Beaches

When someone mentions “Peru,” images of bucolic mountain pastures, ancient Incan ruins, and verdant Amazonian jungle are probably the first thing that pop into your mind. But this beautiful South American nation boasts miles and miles of gorgeous Pacific coastline, and it is also home to some amazing beaches. Let’s take a look at some of best beaches Peru has to offer.

Cabo Blanco: Arguably the most famous beach along Peru’s 2,500 kilometers of coastline, Cabo Blanco is routinely hailed as one the best surf spots in the world. When Peruvian surfer Gordo Barreda was scouting the area for great waves, he randomly paid a visit to the village, where he stumbled upon the now famous Peruvian Pipeline. A hollow, powerful left-hanging wave, it is arguably one of the best places to catch a wave on the continent’s entire Pacific coastline. Even before Barreda’s famous discovery, this fishing hamlet long enchanted visitors with its small-town charm and thriving fishing industry. In the 1950s and 1960s, fishermen routinely made the trek to Cabo Blanco in search of the area’s legendary large marlin. The famous writer Ernest Hemmingway spent several months here during the filming of the movie adaptation of his novel “The Old Man and the Sea.” During his stay, he reportedly caught a 700-pound marlin.

Mancora: Once a quaint fishing village, Mancora has exploded onto Peru’s backpacker scene as a major hub in the last decade or so. Located right in the middle of Peru’s sunniest and warmest region, you can relax on beautiful beaches during the day and then party the night away. Mancora is great for travelers on a budget, and cheap hostels abound.

Vichayito: If you want great beaches without a slew of rowdy partiers, Vichayito is an excellent option. Situated about 7 kilometers to the south of Mancora, this is an ideal spot for families. The water is ideal for swimming and kite surfing, and the beaches are clean and quiet.

Punta Hermosa: Just an hour drive from Peru’s capital, Punta Hermosa is popular with Limeños looking for a summer retreat from the city. While not as spectacular as the beaches of Paracas or Mancora, Punta Hermosa’s proximity to Lima makes it a great option for looking for a quick weekend escape from the city.

Asia: Peru’s most opulent beach, Asia is all about glitz and glamour. The upper echelons of Peruvian society have luxurious summer homes at this beach resort town, making it a hub of wealth. The beaches are great, but what really make Asia stand out are its high-end restaurants, luxury shopping center, and dazzling nightclubs.

Paracas: The Paracas National Reserve boasts some of Peru’s most dramatic desert landscape. Here, enormous sand dunes and dramatic sandstone rock formations meet the azure waters of the Pacific. The reserve, which consists of a total of 335,000 hectares of tropical desert on the Paracas Peninsula, is intended to preserve the area’s rich marine ecosystem as well as protect its unique cultural heritage (the site was of great significance to the Paracas, a pre-Colombian indigenous group that inhabited the area between roughly 800 BC and 1000 BC). There are no formal hotels within the reserve, though there are many sites popular with beach campers.

If you are looking for more luxurious accommodations, they can certainly also be found. Though beach destinations to the north of the country often attract the majority of tourist attention, it is Paracas where you will find the most luxurious beach vacations Peru has to offer. Just a few miles from the park’s entrance, you will find Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort complete with 5-star accommodations, three pools, and a luxury spa.

Marcona: For those really looking to get off of Peru’s beaten tourist trail, we recommend a visit to the rugged, windswept beaches of Marcona, located roughly 8 hours south of Lima. The waters here can be quite cold year-round thanks to the Humboldt current, which brings water up from Antarctica along the Pacific coast of Chile and southern Peru. But the cold temperatures mean that waters are teeming with marine life. With any bit of luck, visitors might catch a glimpse of one of the zone’s enormous seal colonies. The beaches are known for their dramatic rock formations and rough surf, but they are a great place for those looking for options totally free of tourists.

Courtesy of flickrhivemind.net

So they you have it, our pick of the best Peruvian beaches. Happy adventuring in Peru!



  • Places To See and Stay
  • Tips and Things To Know

vi

Watch preview clips

Part of the They've got the look promo for the BBC UK Homepage




vi

Video: Stars' Oscar preparations

Part of the Going for gold promo for the BBC UK Homepage




vi

Video: 3D map of Antarctica

Part of the Antarctic diary promo for the BBC UK Homepage




vi

Video: Organic or not?

Part of the Food for thought promo for the BBC UK Homepage




vi

Video: Star-studded trailer

Part of the Sport Relief promo for the BBC UK Homepage




vi

Video: Merlin's Time & Attention Talk (Improvised Rutgers Edition)

Video: Merlin Mann - "Time & Attention Talk (improvised)"

Audio (mp3): "Merlin Mann - 'Rutgers Time & Attention Talk'"

This is a talk I did at Rutgers earlier this month. I kinda like it, but for a weird reason. Something something, perfect storm of technology Ragnarok, and yadda yadda, I had to start the talk 20 minutes late with no slides. Nothing.

So, I riffed.

And, I ended up talking about a lot of the new stuff you can expect to see in the Inbox Zero book—work culture, managing expectations, the 3 deadly qualities of email, and one surprising reason email's not as much fun as Project Runway.

Some people liked it. I think. I liked it. I hope you do, too.

Here's the slides I would have shown. ;-)

Many thanks, again, to my great pal, Dr. Donald Schaffner, for bringing me in for this visit. I had a great time and met some fantastic, passionate people. Much appreciated.

 

Hey—know anybody who should hear this talk? Hmmm?

I’ll bet. Lucky you, you can hire me to deliver this or any of my other talks to the time- and attention-addled people you work with as well.

Current topics include email, meetings, social media, and future-proofing your passion.

Drop a note if you have an upcoming event where you think we two might be a good fit.


update 2010-04-27_13-50-00

Apologies—my friends at Rutgers (inexplicably) have placed this video under lock and key. Fortunately, I have a lock-picker called Firefox. Samizdat video available soon...

update 2010-04-27_14-42-24

Yay, fixed! Many thanks to my hero, Jesse Schibilia.

Video: Merlin's Time & Attention Talk (Improvised Rutgers Edition)” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on April 27, 2010. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"



  • Time and Attention
  • Videos
  • world of work

vi

Video: "Broken Meetings (and how you'll fix them)"

A couple weeks ago, my pals at Twitter were kind enough to invite me in to visit with their (rapidly growing) team. The topic was meetings, so I used it as an opportunity to publicly premiere a talk I've been presenting to private clients over the past few months.

I hope you'll enjoy, Broken Meetings (and how you'll fix them).

Slides:

Supplementary links and commentary forthcoming, but I wanted to go ahead and post the talk as quickly as the video was available. Special thanks to Michelle, Jeremy, and the crackerjack Twitter crew for a swell afternoon.

I really like this talk and sincerely hope you will find it useful in helping to un-break your own meetings.


Video: "Broken Meetings (and how you'll fix them)"” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on October 06, 2010. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"




vi

Video: John Roderick on String Art Owls, Copper Pipe, and Bono's Boss

[jump to video]

Long story (not very) short? One night in 2003--after killing it in front of audience of about 30 lucky people in Oakland--The Long Winters needed a place to crash, and my wife and I were happy to oblige. 

So, they drove their Big Stinky Blue Van over the bridge, slept on our floor, and by breakfast the next morning, it'd become clear to me that I'd provided lodging to a man who was not only very likely a member of my karass--he was also one of the smartest bullshit artists I'd ever met. 

Almost eight years later, although I don't see him nearly as much as I'd like, I still count the guy as one of my best pals ever.

That's John Roderick. And, I think you need to know about him.

John doesn't read this site--he's more of a Twitter person--so I don't risk feeding his astounding excess of dignity by saying he's one of the most gifted writers and bon vivants of our generation. He's just the best. In large part because he's congenitally incapable of suffering bullshit.

This was never more apparent than the Saturday morning in 2007 when we sat in my back yard and talked about a lot of stuff. Playing guitar, advertising on the web, the evil work of promoters, and why everyone is always trying to shortchange everyone on copper pipe. 

That talking became a four-part interview I ran on the late and occasionally lamented The Merlin Show, and, to this day, it's one of my favorite things I've been lucky enough to post to the web.

So, y'know how I'm definitely "not for everyone?" Well, John is really "not for everyone."

He's opinionated and arrogant and undiplomatic and unironically loves Judas Priest--meaning everyone will find at least one thing not to like about him. Despite being hairy and enjoying laying on your bed, John is not exactly a teddy bear. 

But, John's also right a lot. And, he never sands off the edges of his personality or opinions to make you theoretically "like" him. Which, it will come as no surprise to you, is a big reason I love the guy more than a free prime rib dinner. 

So, why the jizzfest about that awful jerk, John Roderick?

Because, as I noted the other day on the Twitter, in our first episode of Back to Work I misattributed a line that should have been credited to John. Which in itself is unimportant, except inasmuch as finding that link to correct the error got me watching our 50-some minutes of chatting again. I also received some at-responses and emails that reminded me how much people enjoyed our chat. 

But, really it made me realize how much that rambling morning in my back yard still resonates so much with stuff I care a lot about. Independence. Agency. Directness. And, never apologizing for wanting to get paid. Also, guitars and talkative hippies.

So, anyway. John. 

I edited all four parts of the video into one big (streamable/downloadable) movie that should make it way easier to watch at a sitting. Should that interest you. Which it may not. Which, as ever, is totally fine, and kind of the point.

But. If you like Dan and my new show (and, seriously—God bless you magnificent bastards who helped briefly make B2W the most popular podcast in the world [gulp]), I think you'll really like this interview a lot too. I hope so, anyway.

Thus, submitted for your disapproval, permit me to present my four-year-old visit with the acerbic, opinionated, and reportedly unlikeable bullshit artist whom I respect and adore more than just about anybody. 

Meet Hotrod.

Video: John Roderick on String Art Owls, Copper Pipe, and Bono's Boss” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on January 21, 2011. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"




vi

Nerdiest Interview Ever: MPU Workflows Part II

MPU 046: Workflows with Merlin Mann II « Mac Power Users


I have the life that I have because I've made a lot of weird decisions, and they've worked out well.


Not gonna lie to you. I'm a huge nerd. Surprised?

Yep. I can recite big chunks of The Big Lebowski from memory. I can argue for an hour on the merits of Dick York over Dick Sargent. And, I can—and frequently do—catch myself thinking Catwoman, Batgirl, Princess Leia, and Emma Peel should have a light-hearted pillow fight that ends with an hour of genial french-kissing.

Pretty much like you, probably. I dunno, maybe your version includes Kitty Pryde. Po-tay-to/Po-taht-o, right?

Perhaps most saliently, by virtue of having spent a solid 2,399 days as a Fake Productivity Guru, I have been provided with an unquestionably Janusian monkey's paw of a gift; I now know a lot about workflows. Nerdy, nerdy workflows.

I can tell you a few things that almost always work, I can tell you a handful of things that almost never work, and—best or worst of all—I can tell you thousands of things that might work. Sometimes. Maybe. Kinda. For some people. For now.

And, at the risk of gay-marrying my arrogance to my hypocrisy, I can tell you that I also know enough about the unholy diarrhea of potential options for Theoretical Productivity to share two big patterns:

  1. Getting your workflow right matters.
  2. Getting your workflow right to the exclusion of the actual work is a fool's game.

But. Managing to get the most useful and most elegant and least fiddly mix of 1 and 2 right is super-hard. Especially for nerds. Especially for me.


So, as I type this today, I believe there can be no greater testament to these claims—or, at least, no greater place to test the veracity of these claims for yourself—than in this TWO AND A HALF HOUR-long interview for Mac Power Users.

It is reeeeeeeeally nerdy. Almost intolerably nerdy. Just…overwhelmingly nerdy.

But, man, is it ever really good, and really fat with the most insanely granular details of How I Work.

Lo, even these 928.5 days after officially retiring from productivity pr0n, my desire to not "vend stroke material for your joyless addiction to puns about procrastination and systems for generating more taxonomically satisfying meta-work" is tempered by a (widely under-reported) practical streak.

Yes: I continue to despise empty advice about rearranging deck chairs on The Titanic. But, yes: I do also still very much enjoy talking about how all the tips and tricks can or can't work in the context of work you care about. That matters. It really does.


So. Here goes. A one hundred and forty six minute-long, Joyce-ian amble through the Big Stuff and the Little Stuff. David and Katie were very patient.

How I name text files. Why I break iOS apps. Why I love the letter "x." Why I won't row out to islands any more. How a 115,000 word book manuscript is "like a house full of confederate money." How "The Cloud" broke in New Zealand. How I use MultiMarkdown, Scrivener, TextExpander, OmniFocus, TextMate, Notational Velocity, Dropbox, and an explosive combination of Elements, Notesy, Nebulous, Simplenote, CF Outliner, iThoughts, Instacast, Good Reader, and wow wow wow.

How I try not to fiddle—how I sometimes succeed and often don't. But, how I try.

Anyhow. There you go. A perfectly nerdy bookend to last year's first Magnum Opus MPU interview on these same topics, Mac Power Users Episode 46 is just insanely nerdy. And, what have you.

I hope you like it. I hope it's useful. I hope you don't use it to replace real work.

And, as ever, I really hope Batgirl starts having more sexy pillow fights.

Enjoy. And, God save you.


MPU 046: Workflows with Merlin Mann II « Mac Power Users

Nerdiest Interview Ever: MPU Workflows Part II” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on March 27, 2011. Except as noted, it's ©2010 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"










vi

Death toll hits 25 in Simcoe Muskoka as senior's facilities continue to struggle with virus

A woman in her 90s living at the Bradford Valley Care Community is the latest coronavirus victim in the region.




vi

Woman, 70, airlifted in serious condition after car collides with transport truck in Huntsville




vi

Local health unit credits public with slowing COVID spread, encourages cottagers to stay home

While infection rates remain steady across the region, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is reporting more than half of all 360 cases have now recovered.




vi

B.C. records 29 new cases, one more death from COVID-19

B.C. recorded 29 more cases of COVID-19 and one more death over the last 24 hours, provincial health officials announced Friday.




vi

'The horror stories get worse and worse': Some tenants taking advantage of eviction ban

Landlords who are missing thousands of dollars in rent or who find their properties damaged or strewn with garbage are concerned some tenants are taking advantage of the eviction ban put in place during the pandemic.