Jim's Journal

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07/20/2009 08:53 #49336

Finger Lakes Weekend Trip
Category: vacation

Went with James, Terry, Paul, Matthew, Chris & Chris, & Mike & Kara(Cara?).

A short video:

::Download Flash Video::

The drive up was rainy:

But the rest of the trip had nice weather:

180 degree Panorama ( full size ):

It was a lot of fun, except for James didn't feel so hot yesterday and somehow I had to make about 6 trips over 2 days to the local Shur-Fine grocery store.

Thanks guys!

paul - 07/20/09 23:33
It was such a fun weekend.

07/17/2009 19:53 #49321

Weekend Away

Hope weather is better tomorrow.

paul - 07/17/09 22:31
Looks like your prayers were answered, at least for tonight.

07/14/2009 11:56 #49288

Weird Cabbagey Stuff

Seoul Garden

tinypliny - 07/14/09 16:19
I happen to love cabbage. In fact, it time I made a cabbage meal.

says mean things about (e:Jim) at the end*

jason - 07/14/09 13:08
Is that cabbagey stuff kimchee? I have to be honest, I don't know if I could eat that.

jim - 07/14/09 13:06
That's not mine, I got chinese food not pictured :)

james - 07/14/09 12:52
Oh I see how it is. Enjoy your Korean food :p

07/14/2009 08:30 #49285

World's Fastest
Category: internets

From Kottke:

james - 07/14/09 11:32
World's fastest Pomodoro?

07/13/2009 18:30 #49279

Pomodoro Technique
Category: add

I love this, have been using it for a couple months to pace myself, even out the manic over-doing it bursts and the can't-seem-to-get-started lows.

Pomodoro Technique Site

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that can be used for any kind of task. For many people, time is an enemy. The anxiety triggered by "the ticking clock", especially when a deadline is involved, leads to ineffective work and study habits which in turn lead to procrastination.

What do you need to start?

- A kitchen timer
- A sheet of paper

The basic unit of work in the Pomodoro Technique can be split in five simple steps:

- Choose a task to be accomplished
- Set the Pomodoro to 25 minutes (the Pomodoro is the timer)
- Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings, then put a check on your sheet of paper
- Take a short break (5 minutes is OK)
- Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break

jim - 07/13/09 20:55
Janelle: exactly, the best part of this system is instead of wondering how you're going to get your list done, you just worry about what you're going to fill one time slot with at a time.

As a perennial procrastinator and worrier, this has been great. I set the timer and it's kinda freeing - I don't have to worry about anything else for 25 minutes, and if I picked the wrong 'most important thing' to work on, oh well, I get to reassess priorities frequently while still making measured progress.

It makes the clock feel like an ally instead of a limitation. :)

janelle - 07/13/09 20:25
I think you posted about this before. I might try to do this at work. For me, I need something to push me to get started and to stay focused on mundane tasks. I do a lot of to do lists and I'll look at them and get overwhelmed then never start. I think if I thought I was going to work for a 25 minute increment and then do it, I have a feeling I would be surprised at how much work I get gone.

libertad - 07/13/09 20:24
That actually seems like a great idea. I should give it a try when I need to get something done.

jim - 07/13/09 18:33
It sounds stupid-easy but it works because it's stupid-easy, I think.