We’re a little less stiff and awkward and a lot more funny in person… (well, my wife is, anyway) :)
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.
Elizabeth Gilbert in Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage (via keeptheballrolling) (via wearethedigitalkids) (via fred-wilson)
Yup, exactly.
This is, as Harper would say, pretty awesome.
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!
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.
![charliepark:
hiten:
Steve Blank’s Customer Development, Eric Ries’ Lean Startup and Dave McClure’s AARRR[G] in one slide. Created by Brant Cooper
Dean: Well, there you go, that’s all I need to do then!](http://market-by-numbers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/customer-development-sm1.png)
Steve Blank’s Customer Development, Eric Ries’ Lean Startup and Dave McClure’s AARRR[G] in one slide. Created by Brant Cooper
Dean: Well, there you go, that’s all I need to do then!
My wife and I have recently become quite interested in putting together our family tree. It’s such a diverse family with various backgrounds and cultures. And a large family at that.
We signed up with Geni and with a bit of nudging and effort from various family members we now have a tree that spans over 380 people and growing.
We are getting a ton of details that we wouldn’t have known otherwise. It’s really quite excellent.
As we reviewed all the information and watch the tree develop, we started thinking about health matters and family medical history.
For example, my wife’s dad died at 50 years old. Her father’s father also died at a very young age as well. Her’s father’s grandfather also died at a young age. All of them died because of heart failure. It’s clear how important it is to understand your family medical history.
But aside from that striking data, we really don’t know much about other medical history we inherit from our family tree. Who in our family has diabetes? Or cancer? Or Alzheimer’s?
I realize that I’m walking into a hornets nest and patient records are highly confidential. But if I had a medical issue that might pass down to my kids and so on, I would very much want them to know about it. I assume my grandparents, parents, uncles & aunts feel the same way.
At some point, we are going to have better tools that give us data and access. Of course, we will need assurances & security to make sure that the right people have access to the right information.
Electronic medical records are a start. Stitching our medical records with our family tree is the next step after that. And we will all be better for it.
Can Genlighten tackle these issues? Not yet, but it’s something to keep returning to.
