First, I grew up in Philadelphia, and in Philadelphia, we have something called “water ice.” It’s like cheese steaks in that it’s local. I didn’t know it wasn’t universal until I moved away. Elsewhere they call something like it Italian ice, but we don’t. Here’s an article on it from USA Today: What is Philly-style water ice? We explain how it’s made and where to get it. On to the[…] Keep reading →

If you want to reach your potential simplify your life live by your values create mental freedom create more free time save money build a community of people doing similarly You can achieve all of the above more effectively with a sidcha than any other way I know. I created the sidcha concept inadvertently by creating each part, step by step. The first major step came on this day in[…] Keep reading →

Last week I finished the first draft of my next book, though more accurate I finished the most challenging parts. I took a couple days off after a couple days of intense writing, then got back to work. Regarding the word “work,” here, I talked to a friend who said he wouldn’t want to write because of deadlines and pressure. He sounded like writing sounded like a burden or obligation.[…] Keep reading →

I searched “comprehensive list of environmental solutions.” The results search results showed nothing meaningful or helpful. Before continuing, I should point out what prompted that search was writing my next book, which does present a solution, not only to our environmental problems, but to things that result from it, such as corruption, tyranny, racism, addiction, despair, and more. So I don’t feel despair or anxiety from pointing out that not[…] Keep reading →

The title slightly overstates my accomplishment, since several sections remain unfinished, but I finished the very hard parts. The remaining parts need writing, but not figuring out composition and how they work. I finished enough to send what I finished to an editor at a publisher. I don’t remember when I started writing it, rather I didn’t start on a particular day, but I think I started getting more serious[…] Keep reading →

Each Sunday I post selected books, movies, courses, and other media I finished that week. Today, I’ll see if I can pick the ones I liked the most. I’ll write the categories first, then fill them in after searching this year’s posts. I’m not sure which I’ll remember or forget. I don’t think I read many fiction books. I don’t usually note podcasts or short videos, but I listen to[…] Keep reading →

Another cloudy day means I have to post fast. My main battery remains empty. My backup battery is running out. The forecast was for the clouds to break before the sun set, but they didn’t. I’m posting about innovation and creativity because I’ve found several places selling or developing human-powered generators. To cook, heat an apartment, operate an elevator, or other operations that require more power than humans can output[…] Keep reading →

I wrote a few months ago about my physics professor who met Albert Einstein. He also plays piano, at least once even at Carnegie Hall, though a private event hosted by Steinway not for an audience. You might notice a resemblance to Einstein: He played at a private recital this week. I don’t attend enough in-person music performances, all the more for living in New York City. He played last[…] Keep reading →

The first drafts of all my past books were long, followed by many rounds of editing, including a lot of cutting. My latest draft is around 80,000 words with maybe 20 percent more to write. At 275 words per page, that’s pushing 300 pages. Not bad for a first draft. Except for some good news. My best writing, or progress, tends to come not when I’m writing or at the[…] Keep reading →