21
Jan 12

heading to tokyo

In a few weeks, my wife and I are heading to Tokyo for a week. (It’s one of the three trips my she won while competing on Top Chef All Stars.) I had so much luck getting suggestions and recommendations from readers as we prepared for our trip to Amsterdam, that I thought that I’d try this again.

I have just started to do my travel research, but I would really appreciate you leaving a comment with your recommendations and/or suggestions for things to do, must see attractions, interesting places to go in the city, shopping, good day trips out of the city, and — of course — good eats. Also, if you’ve visited Tokyo and blogged about it, please share the link in the comments.

Oh…I am also curious about the language issue/barrier. Can I get by with English, or should I cram to learn some Japanese in the next three weeks?

Thanks!


27
Jan 12

write matthew, write


 
I was looking through some archived email last night, and stumbled upon an image that I sent myself last summer.

It really made me think about one of the elements of my Operation Twenty12 project — write more. Of late, I have been posting (or curating content, if the action needs to be dressed up a bit), but I have not been writing. While I am more than happy to share my bookmarks posts and interesting infographics that I find online, I still feel the pang to write.

The challenge, which I suspect is not all that uncommon, is figuring out just what to write about. I don’t know if I would call what I’m feeling writer’s block. It feels more like writer’s noise. I usually have a million things running through my head. I am having a hard time silencing the multitude of thoughts, and focusing on one thing. Perhaps, that’s it. Maybe it’s simply that I am holding myself to the pressure of creating long-form pieces. That may have something to do with my background thoughts of becoming a novelist.

Additionally, I must admit that I have found myself worrying about something that probably causes angst for many writers. Peter…?

I know that I need to let go of this feeling. If people are interested, they will read what I write. I don’t want to fall into the trap of obsessing over page views and comments. Most of the time, my posts don’t get comments. Fortunately, my pride is not that fragile. I make peace with the lack of comments by rationalizing that I am writing about stuff that interests me, and merely I hope that it may resonate with others. I do notice, though. To be completely candid, I have come —>this<--- close to asking people what they like me to write about.

I think that I simply need to sit in a quiet space, and see what comes. Maybe I need to carry an idea book with me, or send notes to myself on Evernote.

How about this? Instead of asking for your thoughts on what to write, I would appreciate some feedback from those of you that write. What do you write about? How do you organize your writing? Where do you write? Do you struggle with filtering a million thoughts and ruminations? How do you filter? I am open to your thoughts, because I really want to explore how to better, and more regularly, express myself in writing.


27
Jan 12

now THIS is friday music

adriana evans


 
Suddenly


 
Love is All Around


 
Calling Me


 
Seeing Is Believing (Roots Remix)


 
Hey Now (Electric Remix)


 
Check the Vibe (Dred Scott with vocals by Adriana Evans)


27
Jan 12

infographics: google’s ad revenues

Source: WordStream


26
Jan 12

infographics: food shows on tv

Source: Menuism


25
Jan 12

infographics: cutting the cable

Source: Deals.com