Short review of the Kindle Voyage!

August27

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One of my first posts on this blog back in November 2008 was my review of the first Amazon Kindle I had been using! I LOVED it and that has only continued as I have bought newer versions of the Kindle. I read fast and I always run out of books when I am traveling, the Kindle changes that! Plus the price of those books is usually cheaper. I love having the entire world’s library at my finger tips.

The new Kindle Voyage is awesome and I love the backlight. I thought I wouldn’t use it much but I love being able to read at night without bothering my wife, and on airplanes with a little less eye strain. The browser for buying new books and navigating my library is a huge improvement. And, battery life is good. I highly recommended the Kindle Voyage if you read a lot!

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How do you win a war?

August20

“Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”
― Abraham Lincoln

I was listening to a really interesting podcast today and they referenced the above quote (beautiful quote)… which seems like it can apply to just about any battle you fight.

The podcast was talking about Isis and the rise of violent groups who attract young demographic and convince them to do insane things through a story. If you really want to win long term, how do you convert those groups and those demographics to instead be your friends? Killing people doesn’t defeat the story, you have understand the story that drives them to join, and offer them a better story to prevent it. Really good podcast.

The speaker seemed to suggest the big thing these kids are responding too is injustice. Something I think anyone can relate too. If someone don’t feel like they have a voice, and are constantly facing injustice every day, violence will happen. Seems to be the same story you see in the USA right now with violence and protest arising due to police abuse and killings. Not to mention the persistent abuse of those in poverty, and due to race.

What story does the USA offer youth growing up in shitty neighborhoods with shitty opportunities to move forward in life? How does that story correspond to the stats you see from studies on how many people achieve that story? Do any of the youth stuck in that situation still believe that story we feed them, and what story are they listening to instead?

It seems like the USA is in the middle of a huge culture war over what our story is as a country. Are we a place where you make it on your own, with less and less help from your community and government? Are we a place where the government and community strive to give everyone a fair starting point when it comes to educational opportunity?

If someone can’t pay for health care do we leave them dieing on the street? If someone is crazy is it the government’s responsibility to house them if they are abandoned or unable to pay for it privately? If someone is homeless is that the government responsibility to help them restart their life and get off the street? Should serious health problems bankrupt anyone who doesn’t have health care? Should the government decide who has access to what health care services? Do we dictate decisions based on the best science we have, or based on what makes the most money?

The last couple elections have slowly gotten more and more extreme, and this one has finally cracked open the right and you are hearing a lot of ideas coming out. I can’t wait to see what happens. What story will the majority of Americans tell themselves for the next 10 to 20 years? Who are we going to be?

/mindramble

Hilarious Bot!

August16

If you need a laugh check out InspiroBot, it comes up with the most hilariously weird inspirational quotes.

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Bike Ride To Sherwood Forest! 56 Miles!

August12

I had a fun day, I road my bike all the way from Nottingham to what is left of Sherwood Forest! The ride was a total of 56 Miles which I think is the longest ride I’ve ever done. And, I def hurt a little :).


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I tried to stay on the A6 national cycle path, but I still had to do a lot of time on the road which I hate (I can’t wait for cars that drive themselves and get people away from the steering wheel). The cycle route was amazing, through forest and all kinds of stuff I hope to go back and see. And Sherwood Forest was great, a little gimmicky but very fun. I ended up doing about 10 miles just in Sherwood on the trails which were a blast.

I made it about 13 of the 22 miles home before my legs gave out, and they cramped so hard I could barely walk. I only had some anchovies in my bag because I am trying to stay true to my paleo aip diet. I opened one, and somehow got the hot salty disgusting stuff down… About 20 minutes later I was good to go. Apart from almost throwing up.

Anchovies are disgusting when warm. I had quite a few moments of walking until my legs warmed back up.

I was also proud as I’ve never used lock in pedal things and I went the entire day without falling over. Which is good when a bus is 15 inches away from you on the right. I fell the first time when a herd of geese attacked me. I feel the second time when a cute adorable puppy almost went in front of the bike and I had to stop suddenly. True stories.

Scotland Highlands

August1

Lindsey and I took a week off to explore the Scottish Highlands :). It was beautiful and a much needed break from life for a bit. A few days we just stayed in, enjoyed the view, and watched movies.

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This is bwb’s personal blog, so he can share his thoughts with the world, however scary or silly they might be. Plus family and friends can track what I am up to, and where I am in the world.

I am pretty simple. I love Mangos. I love the ocean (although mostly at sunset, as I’m a ginger). I love to travel, eat exotic food, do long bike rides, read, and use my imagination. At some point, I decided it was better to be a pirate captain than an admiral. I am a globalist and see the entire world as my responsibility and playground. And I am married to an amazing woman who makes life even more fun :)! And we are now the proud parents of Calico Jack :).


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