I have mixed feelings about 2009. In some ways it feels like a lost year. It went by really quickly and I feel like I'm in the same place that I was last year...only with more clutter and less money.
Good things happened, but bad stuff happened, for sure. Let's get that out of the way first.
On the personal level, some of my friends died, some of my friends' parents died, I got ripped off by an evil businessman, I had family issues, I was often sleep-deprived due to a noisy downstairs neighbor, and my workplace was a tempest.
On the larger front, lots of people suffered financial hardships this year while others ran off with the money and got away with it. The war in Afghanistan got bigger. Services got cut everywhere while prices kept going up, and the "change we could believe in" from 2008 turned out to be barely noticeable nuances brought to us by the same people who gave us the last 10-15 years.
But now here's a few good things from 2009.
* Creative Commons music and netlabels are really flourishing. Take a look at Phlow Magazine's advent calendar (with guest music curators) for 2009 and sample the vast amount of good music that's coming out on the 'net. You really don't need radio anymore.
* My city (San Francisco) implemented a law that requires you to separate your trash from your compostable food waste with separate bins. I found this practice really easy to adjust to (though messy!) and along with recycling plastic, paper, and cans every week, I feel less wasteful. It was really easy to do.
* Several people that I know found their groove this year. They finally pursued their creative dreams and started doing what they felt passionate about, and it worked for them financially and psychologically. Kudos... I raise my glass to you.
* iPhone apps! Thank you for the second year in a row to the developers who made cool applications for iPhone...I can conjugate verbs in French, look up bus/train schedules, play word games, read Facebook and Twitter updates, tune my guitar, monitor my calorie intake, manage my project database, discover new music on Last.fm or Pandora, check news around the world, and of course send email, find maps, and all the usual wonderful stuff from the same little device.
* Farmer's markets -- they're nothing new, but in 2009, they started popping up in more neighborhoods and more towns than previously, and it's been a wonderful thing to go back to the basics and buy real food when it's in season from local growers.
These are just a few things I can remember that made 2009 look better than 1999 for me.
So here's to 2010, whatever may lie ahead. Onwards!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
My genetic destiny...
Recently I had my cholesterol tested for the first time in about four years. I actually figured that it was just fine, and that I should just test it to confirm that. But to my surprise, it was higher than expected and higher than it should be. So I went to my doctor.
I like my doctor. I don't see her that often, but what I like about her is that she's not like most doctors -- she doesn't hand you pharmaceutical samples or give you prescription drugs without a real medical necessity, and she has a pretty good sense (usually) about the underlying cause of any affliction. She generally prescribes holistic practices like yoga and self-help things that make sense. So I figured it was OK to see her about the cholesterol.
As I expected, she talked to me about what the numbers really mean and how I was in a "watch" zone but not a critical one. She prescribed to me two things: a MUFA diet and an interval exercise regime. This was fine by me: I already ate (though not consistently) most of the foods in the MUFA plan, and I already go to the gym, but due to my workload and other pursuits, I'd been slacking off and also replacing some of my gym visits with red wine.
The problem is: I already live a much healthier lifestyle than most Americans. I seldom go places in my car -- I usually walk or take the bus. I don't eat much meat and I already don't eat gluten or fast food. I've gone to a gym for years, but not as diligently as I used to go. And although I'm not as pencil thin as I was when I was younger, I'm not overweight, either. So why is my cholesterol coming out so high? I guess it's my genetic destiny....
My father has many of the major afflictions that plague the modern world-- heart disease, diabetes, and now Alzheimer's. And I gambled that I would not end up like him because I don't live on bacon and hamburgers (like he did). I've made regular exercise a part of my life for years, plus I take herbal supplements, use both eastern and western medicine, and lead a different life--but now I'm beginning to wonder if my genetic destiny isn't catching up with me. After all, I know people who weigh much more than I do, eat worse than I do, and exercise less -- and their cholesterol is just fine!
Of course, in the meanwhile, I'm reading what I can about the subject and about diet and disease -- not for the first time, but again -- and last month, I started cutting the amount of sugar, wine, and cheese in my diet and started the MUFA regime more stringently. I also started going to the gym again--religiously--every other day. So far I've lost six pounds and I have a lot more energy. But what about my cholesterol? Stay tuned -- I think I'll check it again in about 2-3 months.
I like my doctor. I don't see her that often, but what I like about her is that she's not like most doctors -- she doesn't hand you pharmaceutical samples or give you prescription drugs without a real medical necessity, and she has a pretty good sense (usually) about the underlying cause of any affliction. She generally prescribes holistic practices like yoga and self-help things that make sense. So I figured it was OK to see her about the cholesterol.
As I expected, she talked to me about what the numbers really mean and how I was in a "watch" zone but not a critical one. She prescribed to me two things: a MUFA diet and an interval exercise regime. This was fine by me: I already ate (though not consistently) most of the foods in the MUFA plan, and I already go to the gym, but due to my workload and other pursuits, I'd been slacking off and also replacing some of my gym visits with red wine.
The problem is: I already live a much healthier lifestyle than most Americans. I seldom go places in my car -- I usually walk or take the bus. I don't eat much meat and I already don't eat gluten or fast food. I've gone to a gym for years, but not as diligently as I used to go. And although I'm not as pencil thin as I was when I was younger, I'm not overweight, either. So why is my cholesterol coming out so high? I guess it's my genetic destiny....
My father has many of the major afflictions that plague the modern world-- heart disease, diabetes, and now Alzheimer's. And I gambled that I would not end up like him because I don't live on bacon and hamburgers (like he did). I've made regular exercise a part of my life for years, plus I take herbal supplements, use both eastern and western medicine, and lead a different life--but now I'm beginning to wonder if my genetic destiny isn't catching up with me. After all, I know people who weigh much more than I do, eat worse than I do, and exercise less -- and their cholesterol is just fine!
Of course, in the meanwhile, I'm reading what I can about the subject and about diet and disease -- not for the first time, but again -- and last month, I started cutting the amount of sugar, wine, and cheese in my diet and started the MUFA regime more stringently. I also started going to the gym again--religiously--every other day. So far I've lost six pounds and I have a lot more energy. But what about my cholesterol? Stay tuned -- I think I'll check it again in about 2-3 months.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Then and now
Recently, I came across some 40-year-old newspapers, and I've started scanning some things of interest in them. I thought I'd start with this ad for some popular record albums that were on sale for under $3 each, brand new. They include artists that were extremely popular at the time, like Jimi Hendrix, Simon & Garfunkel, the Supremes, Donovan, the Mamas and the Papas, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, the Monkees, and -- oddly enough -- Tiny Tim.
All of these albums were on sale for less than $3 per LP, and the normal price ranged from $3.70 to $4.59, brand new. The artists listed above were some of the heaviest hitters of that generation, and some of the music in this ad is still being played on radio stations today. The artists lived well (so well, in fact, that a few of them met an early demise), the record companies did well, and everything seemed to be be pretty copacetic in 1968. People could afford to buy albums, artists could afford to be artists.
Fast forward to the 21st century. Today, these same albums would be about $15 if you bought each one on a CD, and approximately $10 per album if you bought them as digital MP3 downloads. We read all the time about how the record companies are hurting, but artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison have been dead now for nearly 40 years and still selling music for them. Classic albums like these, whether the artists are dead or alive, are still selling, but they cost 2-3x what they cost then, even though the engineering costs and advances were paid long ago, and today's distribution costs (or even advertising, on this old music) are next to nothing. So what's the problem?
All of these albums were on sale for less than $3 per LP, and the normal price ranged from $3.70 to $4.59, brand new. The artists listed above were some of the heaviest hitters of that generation, and some of the music in this ad is still being played on radio stations today. The artists lived well (so well, in fact, that a few of them met an early demise), the record companies did well, and everything seemed to be be pretty copacetic in 1968. People could afford to buy albums, artists could afford to be artists.
Fast forward to the 21st century. Today, these same albums would be about $15 if you bought each one on a CD, and approximately $10 per album if you bought them as digital MP3 downloads. We read all the time about how the record companies are hurting, but artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison have been dead now for nearly 40 years and still selling music for them. Classic albums like these, whether the artists are dead or alive, are still selling, but they cost 2-3x what they cost then, even though the engineering costs and advances were paid long ago, and today's distribution costs (or even advertising, on this old music) are next to nothing. So what's the problem?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
(972) 428-5200 -- persistent Texas telemarketer
Every single day I've been getting at least one phone call from the same number: (972) 428-5200. Sometimes it's as early as 8 a.m., other times not till 9 or 10. They never leave a message, but it's obvious from the timing, the constancy, and the number itself that it's an aggressive telemarketer.
I looked up the number, and it seems a lot of people are getting persistent calls from this location. According to the 800notes website, these calls are coming from a company called TransTech Merchant Group (or, alternately Summit Merchant Solutions) in Texas.
Some recipients of the call say that the caller is allegedly selling check imaging services, while other people report that the caller claims to be from their credit card company, and that they're calling to discuss some charges on the bill. Both of these calls are emanating from the same number. I have not picked up the phone to see which one I'm getting-- maybe I'm getting both. The caller does not leave an automated, prerecorded message. From what other people are posting, perhaps the telemarketers have a live human fishing for information at the other end. Some people continue to receive the calls, even if they answer the phone and say "no."
No legitimate business calls people like this every day.
On a happier note, I seem to have stopped getting the expired car warranty calls. Is this new outburst of calls from the same group?
I looked up the number, and it seems a lot of people are getting persistent calls from this location. According to the 800notes website, these calls are coming from a company called TransTech Merchant Group (or, alternately Summit Merchant Solutions) in Texas.
Some recipients of the call say that the caller is allegedly selling check imaging services, while other people report that the caller claims to be from their credit card company, and that they're calling to discuss some charges on the bill. Both of these calls are emanating from the same number. I have not picked up the phone to see which one I'm getting-- maybe I'm getting both. The caller does not leave an automated, prerecorded message. From what other people are posting, perhaps the telemarketers have a live human fishing for information at the other end. Some people continue to receive the calls, even if they answer the phone and say "no."
No legitimate business calls people like this every day.
On a happier note, I seem to have stopped getting the expired car warranty calls. Is this new outburst of calls from the same group?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Persepolis Now
If you aren't familiar with Marjane Satrapi's graphic novels or her movie, "Persepolis," now's the time to read them. In these stories, she reveals what it was like to grow up as a young girl during the Iranian revolution, and all the changes it brought to her life and to her family.
With all the events going on in Iran right now, I highly recommend that you read the book(s) and rent the movie. It's an amazing, moving story, and somehow again, very timely.
With all the events going on in Iran right now, I highly recommend that you read the book(s) and rent the movie. It's an amazing, moving story, and somehow again, very timely.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Adriana Kaegi ... "ooh la la" live
In my chillout podcast episode #45, you heard Adriana Kaegi's sultry "Ooh La La" from her new album, "TAG." Here you can see her perform it live in Manhattan. Listen to that sweet saxophone from Charlie Lagond, too!
ADRIANA live @ Joe's Pub singing "Ooh La La"
ADRIANA live @ Joe's Pub singing "Ooh La La"
Things I Love About Living in SF
Tonight I was riding on the Muni metro and I was playing a game on my iPhone called "WordWhirl." It's one of the many free apps and you don't have to be connected to the Internet to play it...you just need to make as many words as possible out of a letter scramble in a prescribed amount of time.
Anyway...
The train was very crowded. Suddenly I heard a guy say ...."chosen."
And I realized that he'd guessed the 6-letter word that I was missing in my game. I had less than 30 seconds left. I looked at him. "Thank you," I said. "I couldn't help it," he said. We then discussed our favorite online word games until my stop came up.
This is one of the reasons why I like living where I do...
Anyway...
The train was very crowded. Suddenly I heard a guy say ...."chosen."
And I realized that he'd guessed the 6-letter word that I was missing in my game. I had less than 30 seconds left. I looked at him. "Thank you," I said. "I couldn't help it," he said. We then discussed our favorite online word games until my stop came up.
This is one of the reasons why I like living where I do...
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