Remembering Where I Came From
Over the weekend, we moved to Mountain View, a quaint little apartment, in the heart of the Silicon Valley. While packing all of our things for the move, I came across some of the "thank you" cards I received from my departure from Michigan. Many of them had very sincere and touching notes. Most of them were from leaders that I oversaw, and others were former high school students. It brought a flood of memories, all of them good, about the work I have done while there. It's hardly a secret that I left under very tumultuous circumstances. But I've made my peace and I've even managed to visit Ann Arbor back in May of last year. But I've struggled for a very long time, trying to make sense of my journey up to that point.
Sometimes I still wonder why I went through what I did, and seeing how I am no longer in ministry, what the purpose of all those years were. By reading those cards, and all the things that people mentioned, I realize why. Just simply to be there among the people, at that very time, and to do what I was supposed to do... minister.
Since leaving, I've alienated some people, intentionally and unintentionally. I've de-friended a few people on Facebook (mostly because I found the too-frequent updates quite annoying), stopped emailing people, and made google chat conversations more infrequent. Perhaps some people felt offended and others hurt that I didin't value their friendship.
And I apologize for that.
I'm no longer frequently on Facebook, for reasons that are better articulated here (hat tip to Steph for the find). You can find me on this blog, or via email, david*at*iamdz.com. I'd much rather talk through email or by phone, so please feel free to reach me and I'd love to re-connect.
Google's Advantage
By now everyone knows that Google jumped into the mobile phone market. It started with the very underwhelming and yawn inducing G1 and a plethora of Android based phones. But now, Google has its own phone, the Nexus One, and is selling it on its own website. I've read a few articles pointing out Google's marketing strategy with the Nexus One. Being the new kid on the block in the mobile phone industry, you would think that Google would inundate the TV airwaves with hip, cool commercials. But, they say Google is focusing primarily on the web for its marketing blitz, and after seeing the Google homepage, it makes sense.
Google is selling the phone on the web, which means its target audience is already web-savvy. They're not looking for the soccer mom or the grandma who stumbles upon a Verizon or AT&T kiosk at the mall. They're looking for someone who wants something more out of their phone. And not only that, they have the advantage of posting a link, a very prominent one at that, on their main homepage. That's millions and millions of eyeballs. Bigger than Superbowl ads. Bigger than Time Square billboards.
Google has built the cache of users in a short span of 10 plus years (how long did it take NBC to build an audience?). Now, whatever Google wants to do, it can do it because people will be watching, whether they like it or not. There's no shortage of an audience. The only thing is, can Google deliver with its products and customer service? Time will tell.
A Winter Wonderland In Korea
I'm spending Christmas in Korea. It has been a tradition since college. Everywhere is covered white with snow, which is bad for traffic but good for romantic dates walking through downtown.
Every year I come back, Korea seems to be changing. Nothing is ever the same. When I was in grade school, we were told to walk on the left side, a relic from the Japanese occupation. Now, we're told to walk on the right side, a sign of things to come. People don't just make phone calls with their cell phones anymore. They make video calls. All the cement and all the high rise cranes are created to find their home here. There's skyscraper building projects in every corner of the city. Pretty soon, the 10 million residents of Seoul will all be living in the clouds.
Usually, my time here during the holidays is a time of reflection, of contemplation, and of pondering of the past. This time, I've decided not to do too much of that. Instead, I'm thinking forward, thinking ahead. There will be less internet surfing, less facebook'ing, and alas, less twittering. No more dwelling on the past. Vicarious living is out.
More living and risk taking.
The World Of Books
via bibliodyssey.
I love reading. It's always something I did since a little child. I didn't have a Nintendo game system nor did I spend hours upon hours watching tv. Instead, I read books. It sounds really nerdy but it's true. I practically read every "Choose Your Own Adventure" book published. There's something about reading that captures my imagination and leads me to a world that cannot be captured by film or television. It is a world in which the pages literally come alive.In this digital age, my appetite for reading has crossed over to the internet. I'll read everything and anything. I subscribe to blogs upon blogs. I just wish that I had more time to read. I wish that I could speed read. Then, I wouldn't have so many unread books collecting dust on our shelf, waiting to be read. Or maybe not.
Next on my list to read in no particular order.
Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway
Traveling Mercies - Anne Lamott
The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand
Purple Cow - Seth Godin
Herr Hans Solo
By the way, check out our collaboration blog on all things cool at whysohypebeast.com. A friend just bought a jesus piece and is loving it. All wood too.
Asking For Advice
Friends,
I've had my domain for over two years now, and I have yet to find a niche for myself. I blame it on my scatterbrain interests. The term, "jack of all trades but master of none" comes to mind regarding my blog presence.
So I'm opening it up to the crowds and asking for advice on what you'd like to see on this blog. In the past, I've dabbled with the "cool", posting anything cool I find on the web, usually graphical or art&design related. Other times, I've written about soccer. And still others, I've written a fair share about Christian faith and church related posts (mostly opinions and critiques rather than feel-good advice). Lately, I've been writing more about social media marketing. I blame it on all the Seth Godin and Ben Casnocha posts I've been reading.
The reason why I am asking for some input is because quite frankly I feel I need a more focused approach to my blogging, and am not sure what direction to head into. On top of that, I have two domains, iamdz.com and iamdz.net. I was planning on making one (iamdz.net) a portal for music using opentape... so if you want to create your own mix, let me know. And with the addition of our wedding-turned-to-marriage-blog, I've been finding myself duplicating my thoughts on both blogs.
What do you want to see? What do you benefit most from of all the topics I've written in the past? I'll seriously consider your input. Either leave a comment or drop me a line at pdidds at gmail dot com.
Some Of My Favorite Things
The first is my new pair of dress shoes. They are a pair of Bruno Magli. It is a classic slip-on loafer with a calf leather upper and shaped slightly narrow to give it a subtle modern look. The sole is rubber so it doesn't make too much noise on hard floors. It's not because of the brand or because of the looks that I love this shoe, although both have been pluses. It is the fit of the shoe. It literally fits like a well worn glove the first day I wore them. I walked all over Michigan Avenue in Chicago for a whole week while on business not too long ago and never felt uncomfortable. The only drawback is the price, but in my opinion, it's well worth every penny of it.
The second is The North Face Redpoint Optimus jacket. It is an insulated shell with a hood that when worn feels like walking around with a sleeping bag over my body. This is my first ever North Face article of clothing I have ever owned having been a life long Patagonia fan since the yesteryears of college. And what can I say? This jacket is comfortable, warm, and versatile. I can stuff it into its own sack when I travel, and can escape the cold and the rain if need be. If all North Face gear is as nice and useful as this, then I'm completely sold.
The third and last of my "favorite things" is the PS3. I've been lucky to receive it as a gift from my groomsmen and after using it for a month or so, I feel it is an amazing entertainment system. Obviously it plays video games. And the games are spectacular, especially on an 1080p HD TV. As a plus, the Playstation network is completely free so I can play my Gunners in FIFA10 against another person across the world, say in Kenya. I guess the world is truly flat. Aside from games, the PS3 also plays amazing blu-ray movies. And best of all, I can play all my media from an external drive by simply plugging it into one of the USB ports. It is, in essence, an all-in-one entertainment system that provides hours and hours of fun.
I feel a slight irony for sharing these things in light of my ongoing pursuit of living simply and minimally but that just goes to show life is full of irony and hypocrisy. It is such a paradox.
The Green Mill
Not too long ago, I made a trip out to the windy city for work. The wife came too and worked remotely. In the evenings we caught up with some old friends who make the midwest their residence. One of the nights, we visited the famous jazz club, The Green Mill. Once an Al Capone speakeasy, now it is a premier jazz spot for all emerging jazz artists.
Needless to say, the music was fantastic and the drinks were nice. It was a local big band orchestra that paid homage to the roaring 20s with its swing dancing music and radio-worthy silky smooth voice.
I found it refreshing that the Green Mill still has the same html-based 90s website from back in the day. They don't have a swanky decor inside. The telephone is still a rotary telephone, and it actually works! They don't focus on the trimmings and the extras, they focus on the main thing: jazz music. So what if there's not enough seats in the room and don't serve the latest in trendy mixed cocktails. People don't seem to mind because what they came for is the music. And everyone had a great time.
The Sun Food Agenda, According to Michael Pollan
I try to be minimal and simple in my living. I recycle when I can, and I commit to reducing the waste I produce. I use my own bowl, fork and cup at work so I don't need to use disposables. And most recently, I've dramatically cut down my food portions and meat consumption. I don't mean to get on my ecological high horse, or pat myself on the back for saving the earth, but I do what I can. Mostly because I've learned over time, that the way we are using the earth at the present moment cannot be sustained very much longer. I think everyone can do something small, like not eating meat once a week, to make a large (positive) impact to the environment.
A lot of the change in my eating habits is thanks to Michael Pollan. There's quite a few good articles written by him, of which is one called "Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch" and "An Open Letter To The President". I recommend reading both. And of course, you can pick up The Omnivore's Dilemma if you want the full manifesto. He also recently spoke at the Poptech 2009 conference. It's definitely worth watch. And for all my design geek friends, the presentation was made by the same company that did Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, Duarte.
Man, I Love Patagonia
This weekend was filled with chores. We moved some of our summer stuff into the closet, and brought out the winter stuff. Winter stuff in California means long sleeve shirts instead of short sleeve shirts. Yes, I know, we're spoiled. Today was a "brisk" 70 degrees during the afternoon. We also ran some errands as a family, and went up to the city for some Sunday afternoon fun. Part of that fun entailed going to the Patagonia store to see if I can get a warranty service on one of my jackets. I have plenty of Patagonia products in my closet, and I'd probably buy a new jacket even if I couldn't get this one fixed, but there's no harm in asking so I gave it a shot. My wife was integral in making such decision. So I walked in with my 2004 model Mixmaster jacket that had some of its outer shell deteriorating. The Patagonia employee surveyed my jacket, noticed that it was a 2004 model and that the velcro on the collar was probably the culprit for the wear and tear. And still, she proceeded to say "we can help you out". When all was said and done, I got a full credit for the jacket, which was $320. Keep in mind I wore the jacket everyday in the winters of Michigan for three straight years, and some on and off time here in California the past two years. What can I say, Patagonia is a great company that not only makes quality products, but backs it up with great customer service. In this day and age, it's not enough to just have a great product, whether you're a small business, a church, or a club. You also need great customer service to truly stand out. Barring things don't change at the company, I'll probably be a loyal Patagonia customer for the rest of my life. I love it so much that I've devoted time to write about it here. I don't think I can say that about other products that I use and enjoy.
