The Before Breakfast podcast
Laura Vanderkam just launched Before Breakfast and I love it so far!
Every weekday morning, she publishes a short 6-8 minute episode sharing a tip about managing your time better.
Sometimes I don’t bother listening to podcasts because they’re looooong, and that makes me hesitate to push “play”. But a 6-8 minute episode every day is totally manageable.
(especially if you listen to it at 1.5x speed, which I do for pretty much every podcast. I like to be talked to fast, I guess!)
A good stack of books
On one of Laura’s podcast episodes, she mentioned that when she has a good book to read, she’s magically able to find time to read.
But if there are no good books around, she’s likely to fill the time with something like mindless internet scrolling.
I realized that’s very true for me too, so I made a Goodreads account (finally! I’m late to the game.)
That way, I can get some recommendations based on what I like and don’t like in a book.
So, now I have a stack of library books that I really do want to read, and that’s making it a lot easier to find time to read.
(I made a blog page where I am sharing the books I read each month this year. You can find it right here, and there’s a link to it in the header as well.)
My daily photography challenge
I’m doing a photo-a-day project as my happiness challenge for March, and I am having so much fun with it!
What’s interesting is that having the project is making me think of picking up my camera or my phone camera more overall, not just to get the photo challenge for the day done.
My iPhone camera
I upgraded to the iPhone 7 Plus this past fall when Ting had a $300 off offer for Black Friday, and hands down, the best feature is the camera.
This phone has a portrait mode, which changes the focal length of the camera to something more like a 50mm lens, which is what I almost always use on my SLR.
It turns out photos that are much, much, much less distorted, and as a result, I am much, much, much more inclined to use it.
The portrait mode produces an image that is more like what your eye sees, and I love it.
Here’s kind of a silly example of my dishwasher, taken with portrait mode and regular mode from the exact same spot.
This is portrait mode.
This is regular mode. See how the dishwasher door itself looks not-square?
Also, this camera can do a pretty good job of producing bokeh (the background blur).
Anyway, this upgrade was completely worth it to me if for nothing other than the camera! I really, really love it.
Hydra
Wednesday 10th of April 2019
Just wanted to pop in to say thanks for the Before Breakfast podcast recommendation. I've been listening to it regularly, and really enjoy it for its length and wisdom.
Jennifer Y.
Thursday 28th of March 2019
Thanks for the podcast recommendation! Before Breakfast is great!
Linda
Tuesday 26th of March 2019
1. I love seeing my plants and flowers coming to life around me. My orchids are in full bloom with more blooms than ever before. The Dogwood tree in the back yard and the Weeping Cherry in the front yard are budded out and I am anxiously awaiting the beautiful pink flowers. 2. I have recently taken on a new hobby (like I needed another one), painting. I am pleasantly surprised at how well I have been doing. I am planning my next project now. 3. I am in the process of writing my resignation due to my impending retirement. I have spent over 25 years in the classroom and I am ready to explore new things. 4. I am enjoying watching and taking interest in my youngest daughter's wedding plans. I am not sure who is more excited, her or me.
Suzan
Tuesday 26th of March 2019
Autumn is here and I am waiting for the world around me to cool down. It seems it will tomorrow and there will be rain. Since we are in drought I have two things to celebrate.
On the I love you...my three tell me that all the time. They are 27. 25 and 22 respectively.
I love the age of technology because my phone receives many photos of my 18 month old granddaughter almost every single day.
Today I dragged mum out. I am her carer and life can be dull. Today we went to a foodie part of town that is expensive. We found a cheap and tasty lunch followed by Italian coffee.
I am thankful for the things others have mentioned. I have some new places to explore.
Kristyna
Tuesday 26th of March 2019
I love listening to podcasts when I'm cleaning or cooking, so new suggestions are always appreciated!
What I'm loving this week:
1. SUNSHINE!!! (I don't think I can emphasize that enough!) We have been at the playground for multiple hours on multiple days.
2. A whole playdate day with one of my best friends and her kids. We made a giant amount of soup too, so it was productive AND lovely.
3. Playing music. I've had a few extra opportunities to play music with others in a community band and trombone quartet and at home with my daughter. It's been lovely. Sometimes I let other things in life take priority and I forget what a joy playing music can be.