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The fear of people calling me out
I wanted to launch all in the family before New Years’ Eve, but I was being crazy insane. You know, like someone, who never followed through with a diet who says they are going to lose 50 pounds in 30 days. I am on track to launch on ProductHunt next week. Three weeks to launch a product is Bizzaro for me, considering I’ve not launched a product after 15 months.
I can speak in front of thousands of people with no problem, but struggle to put my work out there.
It wasn’t me who launched HeyRide, it was my partner Dennis. He got so fed up with me that he said, “Anthony on Product Hunt.” I gave him my usual bullshit excuses of why we shouldn’t do it. It’s not ready. Someone will steal our idea. We’re only in Berlin, let’s not launch worldwide. Pathetic.
This year I’m trying to redeeming myself from past failed launches. I’m learning how to quiet the lizard brain. Learning how to embrace vulnerability. Learning to live with the fear of people calling me out.
Learning how to quiet the lizard brain. -
Finding Inspiration from revisiting 3,972 old posts
I unpublished almost all my blog posts years ago. Some posts were only links. Many were broken because they were generated by other apps and services like EyeEm and Pressgram. I didn’t see the value in maintaining a blog so I stopped. Why would anyone want to read my blog? I didn’t realize the value is in thinking things out while writing.
Today I spent two hours creating a process to review, update, and republish the good ones.
9 down, 199 more to go. I got a little emotional looking at all the photos of my first few months in Berlin. I can remember every one of those moments. I was filled with such hope and optimism to start a new life in a new city with a new wife. I’d argue that I would be in a darker place if I stayed in New York.
I found the exercise to be motivating. I’m going to enjoy republishing them. My goal is 208 old posts this year. 9 down, 199 more to go.
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A cold and empty place to layout 2020 broken pieces
I was reluctant to give up my office in September. The co-working space I was a member of was selling more desks. I was happy to see them make back some of the money they lost from 科维德 pandemic, but the crowds of new people were making it unsafe.
At first, I was able to work from home, albeit it was for only 4 1/2 hours during weekdays. My day would be over when Ms. Barba would come home from school. It took some time to adjust, but I was starting to get used to it. Then Mrs. Barba’s office told her to work from home 3 days a week. Ouch. This was rough.
I found myself working from 9:30 pm to 1:30 am. Most nights I was hungry and would eat cereal. I’d wake up exhausted leading to less productivity and more anxiety. I discovered that I’m less confident and optimistic when tired. I was eating more and moving less. I stop meditating and was descending into that cold grey winter Berlin depression. And nobody wants to be around an unproductive, stressed, and depressed Tony. I needed to stop this spiral.
Today is December 1st. I went back to the co-working space to see if, like my wife, more people were working from home. I’m happy to report that I am now working from a safe and empty unheated co-working space.
Today I’m laying out all the broken pieces of 2020 on the table to rebuild building 2021 and beyond. And there are a lot of pieces.
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COVID-19 outbreak at daughter’s school.
Last night we learned of case(s), but the school wants all students in class today. The emails said it’s safe because the floor with case(s) is quarantining.
This is not my Daughter’s school. All parents picking up their kids must wear masks. It may make people feel safe, but if the parent has the Corona so does their kid. Kids don’t have to wear masks in class, but they do when they walk the halls.
Communities handle the pandemic as they perceive the health threat and its impact on the economy. This is how one school in Berlin is handling it.
Would you send your kid to school?
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My Temporary Office
Amazing how much work I get done. Here my setup: iPhone, paper, pen, OneNote, Trello, Slack, Safari, VoiceDream, Instapaper, Grammarly, Coke Flavored Tic Tacs & Starbucks Coffee.
Managing people in Brasil, Berlin & Boulder on an iPhone from a bench. Writing all the website copy with Boulder, while brazil Develops user account to connect to charity selection
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Alone time
I took full advantage of being alone while the family stayed in the Black Forrest. Using the regional train system I started exploring the region around Berlin. Who knew you could take a Regio train to Poland from Alexanderplatz?! One of my 26 resolutions this year is to take 6-weekend family vacations. Wait till Mrs. Barba finds out I’m renting a cozy tiny house with a fireplace deep in the forest for us in February.
Photo: Found a quiet spot under a North American tree to be present. I’ve got so much to share in 2020.
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First This Week in Mobility Meet-up
Last night we had our very first This Week in Mobility Meet-up in Berlin. I was very pleased with the turnout and the sunset.
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First likemind event of 2017
Likemind is a group of Berliner that meet the 3rd Friday of every month for good conversation & coffee. It started in New York City and now has almost 50 local chapters on every Continent minus Antarctica. You can read more about it in this NY Times article.
If you’re in Berlin why don’t you join us and meet some interesting people. Here is our Facebook Event Page with all the details.
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Chromeography exhibition
I shot this (and many others) today at Classic Remise in Berlin. The renovated tram depot is a massive showcase for antique automobiles, complete with restoration parts dealers and specialist body shops.
Maybe it’s the delirious result of looking at nothing but supermodel cars all day, but I see in this photo a man’s chest overlaid with the shape of a woman’s hips.
Are you delirious about this stuff too? Be among friends! Join us at 2:00 pm this Saturday for glühwein and cookies. Fans of cars and/or letters will gather at Mota Italic in Prenzlauer Berg where the Chromeography exhibition is still on display. With prints from the show for sale and new typography books in the shop it’s the perfect time to get a gift for your car or font loving friend. Or just gift yourself! We won’t judge.
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Jürgen Trittin Interviewed on Election Night
Last week I put a tweet out looking to get invited to a Political Party’s Head Quarter to watch the election results come in and take photos for the Berlin Image. I was excited to be invited to the official Green Party event by a member and volunteer here in Berlin. I took tons of photos, but this is the exact “behind the scenes” photo I wanted when I sent the tweet out.Here Jürgen Trittin is being interview by a reporter Das Erste.
I was told that he lives in my neighborhood and we frequent the same cafe.
So, Jürgen if you read this blog post or if someone forwards it to you, let me buy you dinner in Prenzlauer Berg. I’d love to talk about the election and German Politics with you.
