2018s
This girl took over my job of bedtime reading as her little sister only wanted big sister to read books to her last night… ð
New coffee in the mail and can’t wait to try it ☕️… Not to mention check out this awesome packaging. Well done @yesplzdotcoffee
Early morning run on a snowy trail… #running . . . . . #sunrise #trailrunning #runnersofinstagram #run #instarunners #myviewrunning #s2t
Taken Sunday morning, befor early events of her siblings. This is the face of a tired 3rd born who spent the weekend getting taken from one event to another ðâ¹ï¸… #facesofboo
Someone is confused why there is a structure in their walking path… ð¦ð Yep, it is that time of year again to set the boards out. #outdoorrink #backyardrink
Very brisk quiet morning today as we are in single digits temperature today.. #running . . . . . #winterrunning #cold #morningrun #morning #sunrise #instarunners #runnersofinstagram #run #myviewrunning #s2t
Making tracks during my first run this winter while it was snowing.. #running . . . . . #instarunners #run #snowing #runnersofinstagram #myviewrunning #fromwhereirun
Break in the rain yesterday allowed me to get out on the trails for a little bit… #running . . . . . #runnersofinstagram #instarunners #run #myviewrunning #fall #leaves #trailrunning #trails #fromwhereirun #s2t
Media Consumption
In my overall quest to minimize distractions in my life either by limiting the time I spend on social media or watching TV. Lately, I have noticed that I probably have been overconsuming in other areas, specifically Podcasts, Books (both Audio and Paperbacks), and online news articles and blogs.
TV isn't my problem
During my recent travels, I thought back to when I used to travel and I would get back to the hotel and turn on the TV to find random shows to waste the rest of the night away. I have found when traveling now, once I get back to the hotel in the evening I don’t even think about turning the TV on. To be fair, that is something I don’t do at home either but for some reason, I notice it more in Hotels as they always have this big screen right in front of the bed that you can see from all places of the room.
*The TV in the room is just calling you, above the desk and right in front of the bed too.*
The hotel I was at last time was a Suite which had two big-screen TVs that were so close together that using the remote on the one in front of the bed would also turn on the one above the desk. Note there wasn’t even a wall between these two rooms. Not to mention, some hotels I have stayed at over the past year even have my name on it asking me to log into all my other accounts almost like it is calling me :)
*Who needs two TVs this close together? NO ONE!*
So what do I do instead of watching TV? Typically that is when I would read the latest Blog posts of people I regularly follow, listen to a Podcast or an Audiobook, or sometimes I will just lay in bed or sit on the couch and actually read a book. I typically don’t “read” books as often as I am listening to books but I still do find time to just sit and read books from time to time.
What types of Media do you Consume
All of this other media consumption that I would typically say is better than watching hours of TV or spending hours browsing social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) I am now wondering if it should be cut back on as well. I have realized that I sometimes get so consumed in them that before I know it I have accomplished nothing else on my long list of things I would like to accomplish like writing (on this blog is a good point), creating something new, running (yes I am weird like that), or even calling a friend.
Everyone is always saying we spend so much time on Social Media and watching TV shows or movies online. However, how much time do we spend consuming other media, and is that starting to move towards an area of concern? I could easily make the argument that it is better than other things but it also is taking away from me doing something else I enjoy. I don’t have a good answer on that one but since it has crossed my mind I am definitely going to look closer and possibly keep track of how much time in a given week I spend on these other forms of information consumption.
Now it is your turn, do you think you over consume other types of media?
In full disclosure, this post has been written since April and I keep coming back to it as I am not sure if I was ready to hit publish. I have added some parts here and there over the months leading up to when I actually hit publish but I finally decided to just hit publish and I am sure I will have more on this topic at a later point in time.
Seems like everyone got the memo to sleep in longer today but this girl.. #laineylouthedoodle . . . . . #doodlesofinstagram #dogs #dogsofinstagram #goldendoodle #minaturegoldendoodle
We really have been spoiled the last couple of evening with warmer weather. Perfect evenings for a run around the neighborhood while watching the sun set… #running . . . . . #runnersofinstagram #myviewrunning #run #instarunners #sunset #fall #s2t
Getting coffee from our favorite local roaster is always a good day because let’s face it who doesn’t love coffee â… Not to mention I always appreciate the personalized touch with the card.. Well done @bootstrapcoffee ð #coffee
“Borderless” by Eliot Peper
Borderless (which was released October 30th) by Eliot Peper (@EliotPeper) is a great sequel to Bandwidth that was released earlier this year.
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy to read but as I really do enjoy Eliot's writing I bought the Kindle version too in order to add to my growing collections of great books.
The story picks up where Bandwidth leaves off as groups are more aware of the true power that the feed can possess on the global civilization. The main character from the previous book, Dag, is living with Diana and he is no longer working as a lobbyist and spends his days coloring.
This story is from Diana's viewpoint, who is working as a freelance spy now that she has left the CIA. A subtle underlying story of the book is how Diana is trying to figure out how to avoid second-guessing herself, putting trust in others, all while battling mentors and others from her past. While she is dealing with her own internal struggles, she needs to stay sharp in order to put a stop to others taking over one of the world's most important resources.
Attention to detail
The one thing I have really enjoyed about this series is how it talks about the feed but never does Eliot really describe how the feed is connected to us or what it really is. I think it is great to leave that abstract out as we each have our own thoughts and images of what that might actually look like. Also based on how the characters in the book use/talk about the feed you continue to create in your mind what that looks like.
One of the things I appreciate about Eliot's books is the realistic characters, their struggles, and overall attention to detail. Even though the book is written in a near-future time, he used tools at his disposal to map/chart out what the world would have looked like and the paths the characters could have taken.
Also, as with all of Eliot's books there are hidden Easter Eggs for you to find where he may reference other books he has written. It always brings a smile to my face as I know it isn't always easy to tie books from different series together but a lot of authors do it.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a good book to read as the colder months are approaching I would definitely pick this book up as it really grabs your attention from the first page and keeps you wanting more.
Finally, Eliot has another book in this series that is schedule to be released in May 2019 titled "Breach" that I for one am excited to see what is next.
What better way to spend Saturday night.. #mnwild
This pup is making it hard to want to leave the quiet house this morning… . . . . . #laineylouthedoodle #goldendoodle #doodlesofinstagram #dogs #s2t
Soaking up the last of the warmer weather by finding some trails before the cold/snow… #running . . . . . #fall #trailrunning #instarunners #runnersofinstagram #run #myviewrunning #s2t
Nothing helps make you feel better than laying on the couch with your favorite Goldendoodle… #laineylouthedoodle #facesofboo . . . . #goldendoodle #doodlesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #minaturegoldendoodle
It was another dark morning today.. #running . . . . . #instarunners #runnersofinstagram #run #myviewrunning #s2t
New trail before the sunset tonight.. ðð#running #sunset . . . . . #myviewrunning #instarunners #runnersofinstagram #run #s2t
What better way to spend our anniversary than with the ones we love. Through it all, it has been a crazy ride that isn’t always easy but we are there for each other. Happy Anniversary @aprilgottwalker
