January 2019

Getting back to work with jet-lag after two months of walking in Australia and New Zealand was tough! January has flown by though!

I wanted to start tackling some goals and resolutions for the year immediately. First order was getting up a frosty Arthurs Seat after welcoming in the New Year:

This month I’ve focused on getting back into a work and exercise routine, reading more consistently, and taking better notes. I also started Beginners Chinese at the Edinburgh Confucius Institute.

I’m trying to green my life a bit more. I signed up to Bulb Energy (referral link, for £50) to get renewable energy at my house. Over the next few months I’ll try and switch out products I use for ones that are better for the environment (e.g. sustainably-sourced ingredients, biodiversity protection, reduced chemical contamination).

Trips

I spent a few days near Alnwick, including “getting in the sea” as part of the plan for wild swimming at some point this year. If you can get into the January North-East sea, then I figure summer lakes might be easier!

I saw Jimmy Eat World and Frank Turner in Glasgow, which was pretty excellent:

We followed up the gig with a day wandering around the West End, brunch in Tribeca, a walk up the Kelvin, sticking our heads into the QM Union, and seeing “Dippy” at the Kelvingrove Gallery.

Books

I started the year with The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll, picking up some tips on productivity journaling. I use my own method day-to-day, but this book was well presented, and gave me some ideas to adapt my system.

I read two books on Asia, Belt and Road: The Sinews of Chinese Power by Bruno Maçães and Singapore, Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency by Nicholas Walton. The introduction to the Belt and Road was fairly straightforward - and essential knowledge for anyone thinking about world politics Singapura was a fun read - an introduction to the development of Singapore narrated through a walk across the city. I like the format, which is similar to Bruno Maçães’s previous book, Dawn of Eurasia.

I’m trying to read more fiction this year, so read Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. A different style to what I’m used to, but a good read.

Last, but not least, I also got through Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat, also watching the first two episodes of her Netflix series. A great twist on a cookbook, explaining fundamentals of flavour before the recipies. I can’t wait to put the ideas into practice. I have already bought some high quality salt for the kitchen!

Work

I’m currently providing freelance consulting and development for a few clients. The main job in January has been making changes to a product that I developed last year. It was tested in November and December whilst I was away, and we’re now preparing to bring it to market. The next couple of months will be spent fleshing out the various systems needed for sales, delivery and support. Watch this space!

As always, I’m keen to hear from you if you need help with developing a technical product, and building a business around it. Get in touch with me via telaco.com to start a conversation.