So much for leaving today. Dave and I didn't go because of today's rain and the five-day rain forecast in the Adirondacks. We waited it out, called and learned that the High Peak Region didn't even get any rain today. We are heading out tomorrow at 6am. What is the benefit of losing one day of hiking? Our backpacks are a few pounds lighter.
7:20 PMMy friend, Dave Grossman, and I are leaving to the Adirondacks today. We'll be hiking and camping in the High Peaks Region for about five days. I should be back by Tuesday of next week. I will not be near a phone or technology, so please leave a message and I'll get back to you when I reach civilization (unfortunately) again. :)
12:00 AMWednesday, August 25, 1999
According to a recently conducted study, 6% of Internet users fit the profile of an addict. Some survey respondents blamed the Internet for mood swings, lost jobs and wrecked marriages. Some go online to relieve feelings of helplessness, anxiety and depression and are preoccupied with thoughts about the Internet when they are offline. People seem to interpret the study as a sign that technology is ruining lives again. What they do not realize is that the Internet is not the problem, it just allows underlying problems to surface in addicted individuals.
I suspect the individuals that are addicted to the Internet, are not addicted to the technology, but to the people with whom they connect. E-mail, chatting, web discussion boards and online diaries can fill some deep human needs. We all need to feel important and understood. By definition that happens when someone listens to us and gives us their time. No, it's not as great as communicating in person, but the Internet is the only place where some people can feel important.
I can see how someone who doesn't feel accepted in their job or marriage escapes online to someone who is accepting. Once they connect deeply with someone, of course they think about the Internet when they are offline. The point here is that users aren't obsessed with the Internet, but rather with the person and connection felt when using the Internet. When I view it that way, I am surprised that only 6% of all users fit the profile of an addict. I'm glad that its only 6%, but I could imagine it to be a lot higher. I suspect that at least half of all chatting on the Internet is flirting. It is rather easy to find an interested stranger to flirt with or complain to. For some, that's all they need.
Janelle Brown of Salon Magazine takes a closer look at the survey's methodology and other addicts such as gamblers, shoppers and sex fiends.
12:00 AMWednesday, August 18, 1999
What do Medieval Times, a karaoke bar and Central Park have in common? Well, nothing that I know of, except that I went to all three this weekend.
A little less than 20 of us went to Medieval Times on Friday to celebrate Maragaret's birthday. The last time I went there was about ten years ago. I enjoyed it more when I was younger, but I remember being just as skeptical of the staged fighting and drama.
Although, I did enjoy the challenge of eating with my hands. Yet, eating Indian food with your hands is even more challenging. I was strict with my technique. I made sure to eat with just my right hand. Because, you know, your left hand is used for something else.
After Medieval Times we went to a karaoke bar. I didn't sing this time, but one-day I will sing something from The Cure or Depeche Mode. The problem is that I never see a karaoke song list that contains their songs.
On Sunday, Central Park was the coolest. Well, Central Park was not that cool, but the Dalai Lama was. He reminds me of Yoda from Star Wars. They talk and laugh the same. I wonder who inspired whom? They even teach the same principles. Seriously, though, there are not enough inspiring mentors around me. I turn to books to find them. I would learn more if somebody were living the principles in front of me.
The Dalai Lama is a great example of a sincere and compassionate person. You know how you get that feeling when you hear a speaker talking from the depths of his soul. He was not faking it; he was definitely speaking from deeply embedded experience. I will probably read something he wrote as well as watch Seven Years in Tibet and Kundun.
12:00 AMWednesday, August 11, 1999
Today is Max Shenker's birthday. Yesterday was Margaret Gurevich's birthday. Two weeks ago today, I attended the wedding of a family friend. Celebrations = fun.
Michelle has kindly yelled at me, over the phone and through e-mail, to update my web site. So, she is to blame for dragging me out of my introverted state. :)
On Monday, I won two free Snapple's according to the bottle cap of a Snapple I drank. I suspect it costs Snapple more money to process the cap and label I send them than the cost of making two drinks.
On Saturday, I went camping with six friends. We went to Cheesequake State Park in New Jersey. Conveniently, the Garden State Parkway drives right through the middle of it. After glancing at the state map, I noticed the highway does the same through a few other state parks. I wonder if that's why it's called the Garden State Parkway.
Other than that, I keep busy by working part-time at the local Franklin Covey retail store (more on this later) and redesigning this site (changes will be up in a few weeks).
12:00 AMThursday, July 22, 1999
My parents are in Spain this week. Solitude is comforting. But, let me be for a while and my mind starts going back to its old comfortable ways. Until recently, I have been overly judgmental, critical and negative. I want to replace those tendencies with acceptance and positivity. It is hard to change and I find myself going back to old ways often. That accomplishes nothing. It just freezes me in fear and inaction.
In the last two days, I heard and read kind words from friends. Three of them have been particularly supportive. They help me to get back on track. Life is better when my mind is in an upward spiral of growth.
Think positively. Your mind controls your world. Nothing you think is objective. You have a choice as to how you interpret everything. Choose wisely because your thoughts lead to your feelings. Your feelings lead to your peace of mind. Your peace of mind is your happiness.
Good luck.
12:00 AMMonday, July 19, 1999
When I was younger, I would look in awe at runners on the street. I was jealous of the shape they were in and impressed with their endurance. I would think about all the coughing and heavy breathing that would occur if I ran once around the block.
Well, in the last week I ran 12 miles. I try to run about three miles, four times a week. Who would have thought that I would be a runner? It feels great to look back and see how far I have come. All it took was some patience, perseverance and positive thinking. I did not have much of that back when I was watching runners. Now others watch me. Maybe one of them will follow a similar path.
"And now for something completely different..."
Inna, New York Times intern and Princeton University student, wrote an kind mini-biography of me.
12:00 AMWednesday, July 14, 1999
Lake Sunapee was great. Barbara is a wonderful host. She listens well and always makes sure her guests are attended to. On Sunday, July 4, I mentioned in passing that I liked pudding. The next day at lunch, pudding was on the table. Monday I mentioned I like hazelnuts; the next day we had ice cream with hazelnuts for dessert. Thursday morning, I mentioned how hard it is to get real maple syrup in New Jersey and by my departure in the afternoon, I had a jar of Pure New Hampshire Maple Syrup. Thanks Barbara.
For those who are curious, I have finished working for EarthCam. The online store I helped design and do information architecture for is not launched yet. I will let you know when it goes live.
Professionally, where is my next step? I am not sure. But, if you know anybody looking for a bright, energetic and trusting person to do usability or information architecture send him or her my way.
12:00 AMMonday, July 5, 1999
I went to a bris last Wednesday. A bris is a Jewish ceremony to celebrate the birth of a newborn male. At eight days old, the child is given his Jewish name and a circumcision is "performed." The boy is given wine so he is relatively numb to the pain. I watched the circumcision for the first time in my life. It did not look like a "performance." It looked rather painful. In fact, it looked like more could easily be cut off. Someone fainted. He had the right idea. However, I plan to stay conscious when my child is maimed.
I use my own bris as a humorous excuse for why I do not drink alcohol. Look what happened to me the first time that I got drunk.
Saturday, my cousin had a bat mitzvah. Another cousin celebrated her birthday. My friend Amir celebrated his. My friends planned a night full of surprises. We started at Hooters for dinner. Then we went to watch fireworks. We were about a hundred feet from where they were lit. Afterwards, we went to a friend's house for a midnight pool party. We ended the night with some tea, coffee and ice cream cake. I had a great time that night and felt close to my friends.
Now, I am in New Hampshire. I am here with Amy and her family. Her cousin has a house next to Lake Sunapee. I can not complain. I sleep a few feet from the lake in the midst of mountains. No telephones ring and I have gladly forgotten to put my watch on. And no, I am not spending most of my time on the computer. I will be home later in the week after I have finished a few books. One down, a few more to go.
12:00 AMWednesday, June 30, 1999
I want to be a Jedi Knight. I saw Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace on Saturday. I liked it a lot. However, I recommend seeing it in a theater with great sound and picture quality, unlike my experience.
I am not a big Star Wars fan, but I have a new appreciation for the training and values of a Jedi. Jedi Knights value mindfulness, fearlessness, intuition, faith and physical prowess. The movie is motivating me to someday take up martial arts.
I have found pictures of myself on a friend's web site. If you are curious, check out Inna's pictorials. She has two pictures that include me taken on her birthday back in January. Here is picture one (ignore the caption) and picture two (definitely ignore this caption, too). :)
Tuesday, June 29, 1999
I have been back from California for a week now. The trip was great. I am working on putting trip pictures and a write up on this site. It should take a while, but no more than two weeks.
Meanwhile, I have written a journal entry about my volleyball team that includes a picture of the team. Check out "Challenging Volleyball Every Monday Night."
12:00 AMTuesday, June 15, 1999
The human factors conference last week was awesome. There were some famous usability folks there. I learned a bunch about internationalizing web sites and making them more accessible.
But, right now I'm in California. I'm here until next week. If you need to reach me, then e-mail me. I'll be checking e-mail every few days, but not much more than that. Oh, I planned on getting a nice mid-size car when I got here, but Hertz had a sale on convertibles. So, yes, I continue my tradition of driving convertibles during vacations in California.
12:00 AM