Apple Music Classical Is so Good That It Needs a MacOS Version of the App
To get in the flow, I alternate between EDM, DarkWave, and instrumental music.
Anjunadeep on Souncloud and Studio Brussel’s Untz are my bookmarked electronic music streams.
I enjoy listening to goth music on Twitch, especially Sean Templar’s Gothic Brunch on Sunday afternoon, Viktor Novatron and Sea Wraith on Monday evenings, and Vox Sinistra.
I ask Siri for instrumental focus streams on Apple Music or tap into my Explosions In the Sky Radio on Pandora when I want to hear great instrumental music.
I’ve been missing a great place for classical music. Not that they didn’t exist. However, Apple Music Classical app makes it very easy, and it is included in my Apple Music subscription.
After a few days listening to it while working, I am hooked. Apple Music Classical is a great way to listen to classical music. It offers a wide variety of pieces, from well-known classics to lesser-known gems. I enjoy listening to a variety of classical music, and Apple Music Classical has made it easy to find new pieces to enjoy. I grew up listening to a a wide range of classical music, from Mozart and Beethoven to Shoshtakovich or Brossart. I studied music theory for years and spent a year long deep dive into the history of classical music, spanning from basso continuo to Aaron Copeland. Apple Music Classical is so good that it needs a MacOS version of the application.
March 28, 2023
This Week in the World of Artificial Intelligence
November 30, 2022 may be a lot like June 29, 2007. On that day in June, Steve Jobs and Apple launched the iPhone. The faithful, myself included, were beyond excited. I still remember that launch and frequently pull it up on Youtube.
Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything.
On November 30th, OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT to the world. It quickly became the fastest growing app in history, faster than Instagram or TikTok. The launch of ChatGPT may very well be a watershed moment, similar to the iPhone.
So I am setting out to follow along and read a lot about what’s going on in the world of AI. Here are a few things I learned this week.
March 26, 2023
How to Get Rid of the TicketMonster
I love all kinds of music. Yet, I am not a big concert person. Except when the Cure comes to town. Their concerts are amazing and abundant. The Cure plays all their hits and so much more: a three hour goth extravagance. I wish they would play more from their darker Pornography or Faith albums.
The Cure just announced their US spring tour. So I tried to get tickets for their show at the Mountain View Amphiteater, their “San Francisco show”. Sadly, I was unsuccessful. That’s why I don’t like concerts or festivals. Getting tickets is such a hassle, not to mention the Ticketmaster fees.
Cure’s head goth Robert Smith is not having it with Ticketmaster: Ticketmaster pissed off the wrong goth.
There has to be a better solution. Why not get back to getting tickets in person? Register with a real ID and stand inline. Six or eight tickets max per person. Scalpers and Taskrabbiters are welcome to join the queue. Tickets are digital and can only be transferred at face value. Problem solved, no?
March 19, 2023
Life360 Is a Missed Opportunity for Google Maps
Every Saturday, a few of us gather in a parking lot in Sunnyvale, to set of on a 40-50 miles bicycle ride. As soon as the road goes uphill in the hills around Los Altos and Woodside, the group splinters. Soon, the question arises, “Where is everybody?”.
Our group is training for the AIDS/Lifecyce ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. On those longer distances, the problem is only amplified. “How far are they behind or ahead of us?”
I’ve been looking for simple solutions to this problem. The iOS “Find my Friends” feature fits the bill. Yet, it requires that all riders have an iPhone. My kids voluntarily share their location using Google Maps. Unfortunately, using Google Maps, it is a big hassle to share your location with many people: you have to share it with each person individually. If you group counts 30 people, that means 30 invitations. A few years ago, we used Glympse to share our location as headed to the Livermore wineries. Glympse fits the bill.
At the moment, we are experimenting with Life360. I heard about Life360 from concerned parents who want to track their kids. We never went that route, and our kids voluntarily share (and control) their location sharing.
Using Life360 for the cycling group is simple: we share a code among those want to join our circle. You can then control when you want to share your location. That’s it. So far, battery consumption is limited.
Group sharing is a missed opportunity for Google Maps. The commercial value is not to be underestimated. I see folks checking into and endorse locations. Imagine pairing it with reviews.
March 8, 2023
A More Than Solid February!
After a stormy January, February started out more promising. With the weather initially cooperating, we were able to put in a bit more miles. That all changed in the last week: the Bay Area mountains got dusted with snow and it got cold quickly. Ice on the mountain roads made us adjust the Saturday route. And yet, we still went out riding.
I logged 258 miles this month! I am very pleased averaging 64 miles weekly or over 107 km.
I learned how to make fun Instagram reels to aid with my fundraising. I crossed the $3,500 threshold and earned my ticket to ride. We are only 100 days away from day 0.
Pedal On!
February 26, 2023
ALC2023
A Gift That Keeps on Giving
Hollywood loves a great script and a marvelous cast. Bring in the stars: De Niro, Pacino, Keaton, Sarandon, DiCaprio, Phoenix, McDormand, Streep, or Roberts.
What Hollywood likes more is a sequel. A dynasty. The Godfather is a dynasty. A threepeat.
We all thought the Godfather was over in the nineties. The orange dropping and Pacino doubling over on his chair in Sicily put a period at the end of the last sentence of a wonderful series. There could have been a glimmer of hope with Andy Garcia. However, Francis Ford Coppola earned his halo and lost interest. He must have been tired - trying to get out. After all, this is not Star Wars - a gift that keeps on giving with a story that keeps repeating. The Godfather series is neither a Marvel comic sprouting new characters and story lines every week.
So we all thought that was it for the Corleone family.
Not so fast, said Paramount. There is more water to be squeezed from this stone. How about a prequel? Is there a side story? And thus, The Offer was born.
The Offer tells the story of the making of the Godfather. It is the story of Al Ruddy, Bob Evans, Mario Puzzo, and Francis Ford Coppola, with - of course - a mafia subplot. It is addictive, especially if you are Godfather fascionado. Even more, don’t watch it if you have not watched the Godfather. There are plenty of references to scenes in the movie - all which will be lost on you. I am eight episodes into the series and have to restrain myself to finish the rest in one sitting. My only hope is that it culminates with the release of the first Godfather movie, and not some drawn out series.
The cast is stellar. Miles Teller is amazing and much more convincing than Goose-Minor in Top Gun Maverick. Juno Temple continues her streak and brand as a female badass. Matthew Goode is quite convincing and got me interested to learn more about Bob Evans.
The Offer is simply … an offer you can not refuse.
February 25, 2023
I started reading the Tools by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels. It’s a book about transforming your problems into courage, confidence and creativity. I was intrigued by reading this book after watching the Netflix documentary, Stutz (summary).
Coincidentally, I have been enamored with Shrinking, a series on Apple TV+. A lot of what the main character does in shrinking seems to be how Phil Stutz works with his patients.
In Tools, both authors cover the tools they used in their rather unconventional practice.
A tool is much more than an “attitude adjustment”. If changing your life we’re only a matter of adjusting your attitude, you would need this book. Real change requires you change your behavior - not just your attitude. A new attitude means nothing unless followed by a change in behavior. The surest way to change behavior is with a tool.
I normally take copious notes on the books I read, and then summarize the book, either in a short presentation, or in a summary post. This is where ChatGPT comes to my aid these days. Here’s how artificial intelligence summarizes the book and its tools:
“The Tools” by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels is a self-help book that presents a set of practical and accessible tools to help readers overcome their personal and professional obstacles and achieve their goals. The book is based on the authors’ experience as therapists, and the tools presented are designed to be used in everyday life to cultivate a stronger sense of empowerment and fulfillment.
The book is divided into five sections, with each section presenting a set of tools:
Section 1: The Reversal of Desire
- The Grateful Flow - This tool involves focusing on the things you’re grateful for in your life, which can help you shift your perspective and increase
- Active Love - This tool involves actively choosing to love someone or something, even if you don’t feel like it in the moment. This can help you open yourself up to positive experiences and relationships. -Inner Authority - This tool involves recognizing and embracing your own inner authority, or sense of power and control. By tapping into this authority, you can overcome self-doubt and fear.
Section 2: The Expansion
- Jeopardy - This tool involves placing yourself in situations where you are forced to take risks and face your fears. This can help you expand your comfort zone and build confidence.
- The Inner Conductor - This tool involves visualizing a conductor inside you that directs your actions and emotions. By imagining this inner conductor, you can learn to control your thoughts and feelings.
- Micro-Shifts - This tool involves making small, incremental changes in your behavior and mindset. These micro-shifts can add up to significant progress over time.
Section 3: The Relinquishing
- The Death Ground - This tool involves facing your fear of failure or loss by imagining the worst-case scenario. By embracing the possibility of failure or loss, you can reduce your fear and take action.
- The Diving Board - This tool involves taking a leap of faith and committing to a goal or decision. By jumping off the metaphorical “diving board,” you can overcome indecision and move forward.
- Emotional Objectivity - This tool involves recognizing and controlling your emotional reactions. By remaining objective in the face of emotional challenges, you can make more rational decisions.
Section 4: The Receptivity
- Reversal of the Ego - This tool involves embracing your vulnerability and accepting help from others. By letting go of your ego, you can build stronger relationships and achieve more.
- The Stonecutter - This tool involves imagining yourself as a stonecutter, chiseling away at your obstacles and achieving your goals. By visualizing this process, you can stay motivated and focused.
- The Lightening Bolt - This tool involves tapping into your intuition and taking immediate action based on a sudden insight or inspiration. By trusting your intuition, you can make bold and decisive moves.
Section 5: The Inheritance
- The Grid - This tool involves creating a visualization of your ideal life, with specific goals and milestones. By imagining this “grid,” you can stay focused and motivated.
- The Life Force - This tool involves recognizing and connecting with the energy that animates all living things. By tapping into this energy, you can feel more alive and inspired.
- The Ultimate Toolkit - This tool involves integrating all the tools from the book into your daily life. By using these tools regularly, you can build resilience, overcome obstacles, and achieve your goals.
Overall, the book offers a variety of tools and exercises that can be used to break through personal and professional limitations, gain greater self-awareness and insight, and achieve a more fulfilling life.
February 20, 2023
Thank You for Helping Me Earn My Ticket to Ride
In October, I committed to riding the 2023 AIDS LifeCycle ride. In addition to getting ready physically and mentally to endure the 545 miles from SF to LA, I also had to fundraise a minimum of $3500. At the time, it looked like an immense amount of money.
Fast forward to February. I just earned my ticket to ride. As I write this, my fundraising total stands at $3898.40.
I am humbled, amazed, and especially thankful for all the contributions, small and big, from the many donors. These funds are going to a great cause.
Now that I earned my ticket to ride, I will also hold up my side of the bargain, and make it from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I am training hard. Today took us into the Stevens Creek Canyon and over Mount Eden: 36 miles and about 1900 ft of climbing. Each weekend, our team lead is increasing the mileage by 5-10 miles. We’ll end up just under 100 miles, before we head out to ride around the beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Thank you and pedal on!
February 18, 2023
ALC2023
Shrinking
The actor Jason Segel seems like a great and nice guy. Too nice. Too likable. Ted Lasso likable. In more serious roles, I rarely find him believable. I have a hard time disconnecting him from the goofy role in How I met your mother.
In Apple TV+’s Shrinking he has find the perfect combination of seriousness and comedy. He is both the show co-creator and plays the lead role of Jimmy, a cognitive behavioral therapist crushed by personal grief. He decides to try a new approach with everyone in his path: unfiltered, brutal honesty.
The show is similar to Ted Lasso, that it is like a warm blanket, except for the silly Ted-isms. It comes across as authentic, funny, and moving. I give it 5 stars, 5 Persian carpets, and plenty of rotten tomatoes.
February 12, 2023
