January 2005

–A9.com is a new Amazon.com-affiliated search engine that displays images along with related search results. Pretty cool.

–Open Source Web Design: “a community of designers and site owners sharing free web design templates as well as web design information. Helping to make the internet a prettier place!”

–“So You Want to Be a Consultant…?”

–Writer Steven Johnson’s intriguing research system.

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For my DC pals: here’s the best listing of Washington-area ethnic restaurants I’ve ever laid eyes upon. Who knew there was an Ecuadorian joint in Merrifield? (Or actually, who knew there was a place near DC called Merrifield?)

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An alarm clock that really makes you get out of bed. Exceptional. (Almost as cool as the banana guard.)

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I give you this: Cell phones for dogs.

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Answer: They’re both governed by public health fascists.

SF (Reuters): “Legislators in San Francisco city voted to ban smoking in public parks on Tuesday, becoming the first major American city to embrace such an expansive ban on tobacco use.”

Bhutan (Slate): “The tiny, trendy Himalayan kingdom recently became the world’s first nonsmoking nation. Since Dec. 17, it has been illegal to smoke in public or sell tobacco. Violators are fined the equivalent of $232—more than two months’ salary in Bhutan. Authorities heralded the ban by igniting a bonfire of cigarette cartons in the capital, Thimphu, and stringing banners across the main thoroughfare, exhorting people to kick the habit. As if they have a choice.”

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An article I wrote about teaching English in Ecuador was published in the January/February issue of Transitions Abroad Magazine. And the piece has just been posted on their Web site, as well. Here’s how it begins:

“I spent a year teaching English in Ecuador. It was an incredibly rewarding experience. People often ask me how they, too, might land a gig teaching there. Here’s what you need to know.

First and foremost, Ecuador’s a great place to live. Ecuadorians are very welcoming and warm, and they’re particularly passionate about their futbol and salsa dancing. In addition, the natural beauty of the country is astounding: Ecuador, which is the size of Colorado and straddles the equator (hence its name), is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. I went on a whale-watching expedition off the largely unspoiled coast; I camped and hiked in the central, mountainous sierra, which is rife with active volcanoes and rugged peaks; and I hiked through a part of the country’s Amazon jungle.

Interesting geography and friendly people aside, costs in Ecuador are among the lowest in South America. If you arrive with some money saved up from home, it will go a long way. Then there are the benefits of learning Spanish–or perfecting your command of the language if you already speak it. Most Ecuadorians talk with a slow and clear accent, so the country’s a popular destination for Spanish learners.

Finally, teaching English is just plain fun—you’ll meet a lot of new people, learn about the local culture, and contribute something meaningful to the lives of your students.

Sound good? Okay, here’s how to do it…”

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…really need to be told when they graduate:

“In the graduation-speech approach, you decide where you want to be in twenty years, and then ask: what should I do now to get there? I propose instead that you don’t commit to anything in the future, but just look at the options available now, and choose those that will give you the most promising range of options afterward.

It’s not so important what you work on, so long as you’re not wasting your time. Work on things that interest you and increase your options, and worry later about which you’ll take.”

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Here’re some fabulous images of travelers in various Thai backpacker ghettos.

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I have no idea why, but the Web is teeming with personal productivity stuff these days. In addition to the ubiquitous 43 Folders, here’s a sampling of what I’ve come across just in the last 5 mintues:

–Ta-da Lists (Web-based to-do lists)

–“Getting Back To Work: A Personal Productivity Toolkit”

–“Get Back to Work” (an online success/failure monitor?)

–“How to Get More Done in Less Time”

Who’s got time to do any real work when reading this crap is so time-consuming?

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