Occasional ramblings of a genealogy-focused web entrepreneur
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
I’m in the midst of writing an essay on how Genlighten can search for a bigger market. I’d like to claim I don’t need to, but have we really shown yet that we already have strong customer-perceived value?
We’re a little less stiff and awkward and a lot more funny in person… (well, my wife is, anyway) :)
Being an entrepreneur
For the first time since November 2008, I’m getting a paycheck today. It’s not much ($930.46) and 1/5th of what I used to be paid, but I’ll take it. Needless to say, I have no money left and credit card bills to pay, so it’s coming at a good time.
Being an entrepreneur means sacrifice. I gave up my $3000/month beautiful Brooklyn loft for splitting a 2 bedroom with 3 people in Bayonne, NJ for $300/month. I was without health insurance for 15 months. And I can’t tell you just how much I appreciate J for putting up with living in Bayonne when I know she misses NYC and hates the commute.
Being an entrepreneur means being comfortable living on the edge. Last March, when I was still in Brooklyn, I had a $3000 rent check due in 2 weeks, and I didn’t have the money to pay it. And yet, you find a way. I was able to secure an investor and pay my rent on time.
Being an entrepreneur means riding a rollercoaster. One day in December, we’re celebrating because an angel investor told us he wanted to put in $200,000. Over the following weeks, we agree to a price and terms, and then he pulls out. From what Chris Dixon writes, this is more common than it should be. In the end, though, I think it was the best thing that could have happened to us.
Being an entrepreneur means compromise. Having no money means you can’t buy what you want, go out to eat whenever you want, travel wherever you want. But in return, you get to create something meaningful, be your own boss, and love what you do.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Right behind you, David. Thanks.
Marriage is those those two thousand indistinguishable conversations, chatted over two thousanads indistinguishable breakfasts, where intimacy turns like a slow wheel. How do you measure the worth of becoming that familiar to somebody —so utterly well known and so thoroughly ever-present that you become an almost invisible necessity, like air?
Elizabeth Gilbert in Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage (via keeptheballrolling) (via wearethedigitalkids) (via fred-wilson)
Yup, exactly.
Tuning
Kathleen Mallery on finding the best piano:
“What’s the best piano out there?” I asked.
The piano tuner’s eyes sparkled. ”I always get asked this question. Everyone always wants to know — what’s the best piano. And I always say, the piano that’s in your living room.”
”It’s all about getting it tuned right, bringing out its own sound and then when you play, you play the piano that’s in front you, and you see what it can really do. That’s all there is really. Tuning it and then playing what you’ve got.”I was fascinated to find, when I learned how to tune an old, not-so-special cello, that I could feel when it was in tune. Not just hear it, but feel it. A complete surprise to me, a former non-string player. When you slow down to tune, it resonates in a way that’s unmistakable.
Resonance…. hmmm…
Dean:
This appeals to me, but it still seems to be missing a crucial reference point. I need help knowing what’s right.
Philip Glass - String Quartet No. 3 (Mishima) - 5. Blood Oath (Sine uoce (angelus non sum))
Speaking of Mishima, Spring Snow (春の雪) is on my list to read…
Love, love, love Spring Snow… and the entire Sea of Fertility tetraology!
Tombstone Tuesday: Benjamin L. TRAFFORD and Cecelia Merritt INGERSOLL
Benjamin L. TRAFFORD was born on 05 August 1835 in New York City, NY. He was the son of Abraham Trafford and Basilea Harmer.
On 15 April 1857 he married Cecelia Merritt INGERSOLL in New York City, New York.
Cecelia was born 05 August 1837 in New York City, New York to Roswell R. Ingersoll and Caroline Merritt.
Benjamin died on 23 December 1883 and Cecelia died on 12 February 1915. They are both buried in the First Presbyterian Churchyard in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County New Jersey.
