Dan Ozzi’s book, SELLOUT: The Major Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994-2007), is so much more than a trip down memory lane for an 80’s/90’s alternative music fan. There’s generational theory here, and I’m not sure which book I want to relate it too, but there is a parallel version of … Continue reading Sunday Music: Jawbreaker’s Limited Abilities On Unlimited Enthusiasm
Tag: writing
The Time I Got A High School Paper Extension In A Bar: The Fourth Turning (But Not In The Way You Think)
2-minute version first, 13-minute version below for those interested (and I’m disclaiming this for you sticklers!) I once got a high school term paper extension in a bar. It’s a great story. Partly because it’s just funny, and partly because it highlights what I view as one of the most valuable skills a person can … Continue reading The Time I Got A High School Paper Extension In A Bar: The Fourth Turning (But Not In The Way You Think)
What Does My Work Need Here (Asimov Edition)
You know all the ideas people have for you? And the sneaking suspicions you have about your own work? Sometimes you need to listen. Other times you need to put it all aside, And just do the work. Think, make, ship. Nothing happens without that last step. On to the next one. Isaac Asimov almost … Continue reading What Does My Work Need Here (Asimov Edition)
Podcast Of The Week: Robbie Robertson On CBS
It’s a 7 minute TV spot. But it says a lot. About friends, creators, communities, risks, and life. https://youtu.be/HZfDKZuCWX0?si=lwhNCtzqcIHy6Xbf
Persistence Alone Won’t Work (YouTube’s Savage Stats)
Seth Godin’s post, “The (Very) Long Tail,” makes this point (my emphasis added): The average YouTube video gets five new views every day. Let’s parse that for a second. 5 billion YouTube plays a day, spread over about a billion videos means that while some videos live in the short head and get millions of … Continue reading Persistence Alone Won’t Work (YouTube’s Savage Stats)
How To Write A First Sentence
Holy crap, can you believe THIS?! Like that. That’s how you write a first sentence. You make sure the first one makes the reader wonder what’s in the second one. Give them at least enough to read on. It works for the 2nd, 3rd, and 500th sentences too. What an obvious yet totally essential reminder. … Continue reading How To Write A First Sentence
Who Not How
Michael Jordan was a god amongst men in 1984. Freshly drafted to the Chicago Bulls, he was really, really good. But how does a great player prove it? Hardware. Championships. Rings. And for six years, Jordan, and the Bulls, had no real proof. That story is in the opening of Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin … Continue reading Who Not How
Collecting Surprises (Paul Graham Quote)
Note-taking for the sake of collecting ideas is fine. But collecting surprises - the twists and “holy s*** that’s awesome” ones - that’s when note-taking is valuable. In Paul Graham’s essay on essays (“The Age of the Essay”), he says, Collecting surprises is a similar process. The more anomalies you’ve seen, the more easily you’ll … Continue reading Collecting Surprises (Paul Graham Quote)
Unconvincing Or Boring (Paul Graham’s Draft Q’s)
Whenever I write something longer, I share a draft (or six) with a few trusted people. Good feedback is hard to find. And even your best people, who truly want to help you out, could use a focus point or two. Enter master essayist Paul Graham. When Graham shares drafts with friends, he asks them … Continue reading Unconvincing Or Boring (Paul Graham’s Draft Q’s)
Tough Titties (Belgray’s Book)
I made a ton of big life changes before I turned 40. Some came slow, some came fast, but they all came with a theme - how are other people figuring this stuff out, and why am I so… slow? At everything? I don’t remember exactly how or when I found Laura Belgray, but even … Continue reading Tough Titties (Belgray’s Book)