I debated whether to write a “year end review.” Typically, the tone of something like this is more self-congratulatory than I’m comfortable with.
But there are benefits.
This article is Part 1 in a three-part series on building a sustainable life.
In 2002, late on Christmas night, the numbers to the Powerball lottery were announced — a jackpot of $314 million up for grabs. Jewell Whitaker shook awake her husband, John Whittaker. You got 4 out of the 5 numbers! she told him.
I used to work at a horror production company called After Dark Films. We churned out memorable films like Asylum (“A mess, from the moment the film starts, you can see it and feel it” – HorrorNews) and Getaway (2% on Rotten Tomatoes, and “…a reminder of the dangers in attempting to speed past coherent editing, character development, sensible dialogue, and an interesting plot.”)
A friend of mine is a personal trainer and former bodybuilding competitor. We used to work together.
We were working on a fitness product, and on this particular day, we were on site at a gym, shooting fitness videos. Every 30 minutes or so, she’d stop and turn to her phone to take a selfie or shoot some video explaining an exercise. Then she’d spend a few seconds publishing the content to Instagram and Snap.
Kate McKean, VP and literary agent at Morhaim Literary Agency wrote:
If you’re reading this, you can very likely write. You’re probably fluent in English, or very close to, and you are able to convey ideas using words. But that doesn’t mean you can write a book.
For 3 out of my 4 years in college, I worked as a resident assistant, which means you’re looking out for the well-being of 40-60 college students. As compensation, your room and board is covered every year.
A reader emailed to ask me for advice on what they can do in college to give themselves the best shot at breaking into the entertainment business after graduating. Here’s the email:
I have this rule when traveling: If I’m not leading (e.g. planning the itinerary, figuring out how to get to the next destination, etc.) then I’m not allowed to complain.
Every year I write a letter to my dog Deefer on his birthday. This year he turns four years old.
I recently learned of a condition called “Paris Syndrome.”
The shock of coming to grips with a city, [Paris] that is indifferent to their presence and looks nothing like their imagination [that] launches tourists into a psychological tailspin.[note]Paris Syndrome: A First-Class Problem for a First-Class Vacation by Chelsea Fagan | https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2011/10/paris-syndrome-a-first-class-problem-for-a-first-class-vacation/246743/[/note]