Journal : OpenRoadWorks

Image from brilliant-essay.com Writing is difficult on some days.  This is one of them.  At least, the day has started in a slump, and perhaps it will improve.  Stumbling blocks often revolve around lack of (sometimes cloudy) thoughts or lack of motivation.  This morning it is more of the former, which I am trying to combat with the latter.  Since I have decided to reach my goal of 100 entries this year without cheating - and I still have a good bit to draft through December - I have tried to jumpstart this blog as a space to reintroduce the discipline.  The trouble is finding a voice that delves into areas worth writing about.  Strangely enough, it is my day job at this point that allows me to publish work, albeit product requirements for a mobile app and system, but it is something.  And that's a start. This all builds into something, which I am trying to corral in the new year.  Stay tuned as I sort it out - motivation might get...

Courtesy of user Samnavy at miaturbo.net What could you get done in a 60-second entry?  I tried it and put a timer on the desk.  Organizing thoughts can take up to 15 seconds, as the timer gets going.  Stucturing an idea can take another 10 seconds.  Good thing that I can type faster, although errors creep in in such a short amount of time.  Ultimately, I spent 60 seconds thinking about this post, which is the idea.  If only I could come up with something better - and time is up!

James Bond in Skyfall - official movie site here It's amazing to think that James Bond is 50 years old.  Oct 5, 1962, to be exact, was when Dr. No debuted in the UK with Sean Connery as the first Bond.  Bond returns in his 23rd film, Skyfall, with Daniel Craig as the sixth and current Bond.  It's a must-see. I'll avoid the spoilers but echo a similar sentiment that many critics have shared - this is a modern Bond that pays proper homage to his legacy.  The film is also a joy to watch.  The opening action scene is arguably the best action scenes of any Bond film I've ever seen.  The Bond song, "Skyfall" by Adele ,  is reminiscent of the classic Bond songs (I was thinking  Goldfinger ), and it plays over an opening credit sequence that feels connected to the golden age of  Bond opening credit sequences (from Thunderball to The Spy Who Loved Me ).  The Bond action is, well, Bond action, but the film is also character-driven like...

Saturday brunch begs for pancakes.  We were invited to a friend's house for such a morning feast and get-together, where the guests volunteered to bring a specialty to share.  When it comes to breakfast food, my most accomplished specialty is pancakes, so it was out with the griddle this morning. I learned this skill from my father, who liked to fill Saturday mornings with batter and flapjacks.  He also referred to his western Pennsylvania roots and brought in regional flavors, such as buckwheat pancakes.  Since those days, I have carried forward the pancake skills, which my wife appreciates.  And for a Saturday brunch, it was the perfect dish.  So if you are enthusiastic for flapjacks, let me know, and we'll cook 'em up next time we are together!

I love my wife's touch.  So does Ruby, our little Pomeranian.  When we all convene in the home office, Ruby vies for attention, lodging herself between the two of us.  Ruby knows how to position for maximum benefit, and she is always well-placed to capture massage time from my wife.  So, it was no surprise that Ruby found the small of my wife's back while chilling out on the floor of the home office yesterday; Ruby's clever maneuver made my wife feel special  enough to break her concentration and reward Ruby with a special doggie rubdown.   Naturally, I was jealous (stupid Ruby!), but sometimes one needs to recognize the efforts and payoff of a dogged pursuit.

Nothing like a few rolls at Yuraku Sushi is always a good call, never better than when finishing off a long week at work.  This time, my wife and I introduced my sister to one of our favorite local sushi joints since she made a surprise visit in advance of her upcoming move to the DC area. Carrots, celery & dip, edamame, miso soup, fish cheek, egg custard - we were loaded up on the free throw-ins before the rolls arrived. Somehow, we worked through several of our favorite sushi creations before throwing in the towel.  And since it was a long week at work, we had hardly the energy to turn back for home and have a chat with the parents.  I suppose there is so much more that could await us on a Friday evening, but a sushi coma makes the bed too inviting.  

I've decided to grow a moustache.  It's for a good cause - promoting men's health and supporting a dear friend who is battling cancer.  It's part of a movement called Movember , which has been around the last decade and raised over $125 million USD in 2011 for promoting awareness for men's health issues and funding research initiatives around prostrate and testicular cancer. No obligation, but you can support this great cause at my mospace here. Here's mine after a week - stay tuned as my mo sprouts this month: