Trade Show

A trade show is a spectacle of sights and sounds, endless booths of exciting new products from established manufacturers and eager startups, all vying for attention. Product specialists give presentations, well-known endorsers give demos, models and celebrities generate enthusiasm. There are raffles and classes and performances and dinners and cocktail hours.

And of course there are people, lots and lots of people. Many will be strangers, but you’ll recognize colleagues, contacts, and people you’ve met at other industry events.

Spend a day in an environment like this, and the sights and sounds will replay in your mind for weeks. Spend multiple days and the effect is intensified.

If you attend trade shows frequently, you may reach a saturation level where it’s a challenge to stop thinking about what happens at the shows. You might find yourself craving quiet time where you can be alone with your own thoughts.

Places where people gather online remind me of a nonstop trade show. We see exciting things and participate in interesting conversations to the people where we think about the experience even when we are disconnected. That’s not necessarily bad, but if it becomes overwhelming and dominates our thoughts, it’s worth stepping away until those the thoughts we have come from within rather than from external sources of stimulation.

Asymmetry

State officials in Maine and Colorado removed DJT from the primary ballot per the Fourteenth Amendment. Response from MAGA: death threats, doxxing, and swatting.

State officials in Michigan, Minnesota, and California refused to remove Trump from the ballot. Response from Biden supporters: we’ll have to organize and work hard to get out the vote.

One candidate leads a violent cult determined to intimidate opponents and gain power by any means necessary. The other candidate’s supporters believe in democracy and the rule of law.

FYI - The Colorado lawsuit to exclude Trump from the ballot was brought by Republicans. Don’t blame the Democrats.

New York Minute 189 - Happy New Year

New York Minute 189 - Happy New Year

I was standing on the sidewalk holding a shopping bag in each hand while my wife returned an item in Target. A middle-aged man walked out to the store, smiled, and said, “I wish you a Happy New Year!” as he walked past.

“Happy New Year!” I wished him in return.

By appearances, I would have guessed that the man was Jamaican, but he had a US accent. He wore a large knit cap that covered a lot of hair and a black cloth face mask with a small marijuana leaf knitted into the fabric. He looked a bit disheveled, but his demeanor was pleasant.

“I hope it’s a good year,” the man said as he continued on his way.

“I hope so, too!”

The man stopped after eight or ten paces and turned back to face me.

“And by a good year, I mean no Trump.”

Solve One Problem At A Time

Solve one problem at a time and keep solving them.

Song Of The Year

My favorite song of the year was first released thirty-five years ago. I had recently moved to a new state to begin my professional career, and every detail of life was magnified, including the songs played by the radio stations that I was discovering.

Luke Combs’ cover is faithful to Tracy Chapman‘s poignant original, but it takes on a sublime quality of its own. It’s one of those songs that, no matter how many times I listen to it, it’s not enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr7oYjnt3bM

Year End Reflections 2023

I’m reflecting on changes that I made through the year.

1. Manage stress and get more rest.

This has always been a challenge for me, because I have a long to do list, but mindful of the stress that builds through the day, I have been taking more frequent breaks, and I avoid working late unless it’s absolutely necessary.

2. Get more exercise.

I did better this year than last. The Apple Watch has been a helpful resource.

3. Do things in the simplest way possible.

Increase productivity with a streamlined approach.

4. Accept when results are good enough.

When I finish a project, I often feel that I could have done it better. Occasionally, that’s true, but more often I waste time trying to redo it, and the results aren’t any better than the first version (and sometimes they’re worse). I could have invested that time into other projects. I’m going to try to avoid this mental trap in the future.

5.  Travel more efficiently.

I was able to visit more places for less money by focusing on weekends and by flying when driving would have required more time off.

6. Mind your posture.

It’s particularly bad when I look at my phone. I’m trying to maintain better posture and spend less time on the phone.

Letter To Santa

Dear Santa

I have been good this year

I didn’t spend too much

On camera gear

I bought two lenses

And that was it

It’s all that I needed

To add to my kit

For Fuji

I’ve a wide-angle zoom on hand

For when strong winds blow

The seawater and sand

I don’t want my sensor

To be scratched or hurt

When changing a lens

Might let in some dirt

For Sony

I bought myself a fast prime

For use in the dark

Where I spend lots of time

My love for this lens

Has only grown

It’s the sharpest glass

That I’ve ever owned

So Santa, you see

I need nothing this year

I simply ask

That you spread some good cheer

Give gifts to the children

Help those in need

And we’ll all have

A Merry Christmas indeed

Something To Think About

Something to Think About

A majority of Republican voters support a candidate who wants to dismantle democracy so he can be President for life.

Why do they support him?

Because he wants to close the Southern border.

Why does he want to close the border?

Because record numbers of migrants are streaming in from Venezuela.

Why are migrants coming from Venezuela?

Because the President of Venezuela dismantled democracy so he could remain in power for life.

-

It might seem tempting to support an authoritarian leader if that candidate promises to make life miserable for people that you don’t like. But be very clear. Under an authoritarian regime, no one will be happy for very long, and no one will be safe. Ask the people of Venezuela how well it worked out for them.

When the authoritarian leader starts to make your own life miserable, it will be difficult to get rid of him, because you will have given up the right to free and fair elections. Think about it.

Happy Holidays 2023/24

When someone says HAPPY HOLIDAYS, remember this list:

St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6)

4 Sundays of Advent

8 Nights of Hanukkah

12 Days of Christmas

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec 12)

Christmas Eve (Dec 24)

Christmas Day (Dec 25)

St. Stephen’s Day (Dec 26)

Feast of the Holy Innocents (Dec 28)

Feast of the Holy Family (Dec 30)

Watch Night (Dec 31)

New Year’s Day (Jan 1)

Twelfth Night (Jan 5)

Epiphany (Jan 6)

Mister Dictatorhead

Hannity: Do you pledge to the American people that you won’t abuse your power?

DJT: I’ll be a dictator on Day One.

(MAGA crowd cheers)

Democracy Is On The Ballot

The only action that will preserve American democracy is a vote for Joe Biden. Not voting is not an option. It doesn’t matter how exhausted or depressed you feel about politics. It doesn’t matter that you haven’t found a candidate who inspires you. If you don’t vote, you are subjecting yourself and your family to the loss of every right and freedom you have ever held dear.

Voting for a third party candidate won’t help either. Every vote that doesn’t go to the one person who can defeat Trump is a step closer to Trump returning to the White House where he will dismantle democracy and extinguish the rule of law. Voting for Trump is like putting a rat with rabies in your underwear. It’s a self-inflicted wound from which the country will never recover.