Blog

  • 100 days project(s)

    100 days project(s)

    I decided to start 100 days project. Actually two of them at the same time. Yeah I know – maybe I should consider numerous previous attempts to do even one 100-day-project and how hard it was to “fit into” daily life. Before committing to two at the same time.

    But I would rather fail while trying than not try at all (approach I’ve been taking for the past 5-8 years).

    So. On 3/1 I’ve started 2 things:

    1. 100 days of EDC mini drawing. Painting small things, items, objects that represent El Dorado County (CA) for me.
    2. 100 day of blogging. Writing and publishing here (or maybe social media).

    Why?

    • drawing idea has been bugging me for more than a year. I want to give this idea my attention, so I can complete it and a) move on – and clear space for some other new exciting idea after completion; b) to observe if I still enjoy drawing and painting, or my “I miss making art” was only theoretical and all in my head.
      + Community #100DaysProject started on February 22, I was too late to notice official start date, so I am setting my own timeframe.
    • blogging – it’s also been type of idea that was nugging me for years since I’ve stopped blogging in 2012-2013. But also I want to see how my words look like online and not just in my journal.
      + I am scared realizing that my “public” writing has been only official-corporate-soulless-professional work emails. Just dry facts and lists. No emotions. And I am not sure if I am even capable of writing with more expression, or I am just a “manuals” and SOP scribe.
      so I want to practice and find out.

    Today is day 3. Let’s see what will happen by June 9.

  • Library Books

    Library Books

    Here is a current stack of books that I ordered from the library. Majority was shipped from other counties (thanks to Link+)

    I am finally at the stage where after “day job” tasks I again have mental space to be interested in creativity, art and visuals.

    • The Wes Anderson collection / by Matt Zoller Seitz ; with an introducton by Michael Chabon ; illustrator, Max Dalton ; editor, Eric Klopfer.
    •  Sketchbooks : the hidden art of designers, illustrators & creatives / Richard Brereton
    • Derek Jarman’s sketchbooks / edited by Stephen Farthing and Ed Webb-Ingall.
    • Still : the art of noticing – by Mary Jo Hoffman
    • Photographers’ sketchbooks / Stephen McLaren ; Bryan Formhals.
    • The sequel/ Korelitz, Jean Hanff – the only fiction book in this pile – I read fiction on my Kindle most of the time
    • Wabi-sabi for artists, designers, poets & philosophers/ Leonard Koren
    • The inner life of the artist : conversations from the Atelier / Juliette Aristides. – Already finished this one. Creative, inspiring, poetic and beautiful artworks from so many artists inside.
    • Antifragile / Nassim Taleb (Russian edition)
    • This is marketing/ Seth Godin
    • Bruno Munari : square, circle, triangle.

  • 2025 – 1 SE

    2025 – 1 SE

    My “movie of the year”.
    Made with 1 Second Everyday app (and daVinci Resolve for final edits).

    Of course it is only for me and my family and I don’t expect strangers watching 12 minute compilation of snippets from my days in 2025. But here it is.

    So many big moments are not filmed – mostly hard, heavy ones. Tears, hard or heated conversations, unpleasant appointments, stress.

    But some things stayed:

    • a lot of walking
    • miles of driving
    • few concerts (Sting, Stevie Nicks, Folsom Lake Symphony)
    • book club gatherings
    • sunsets and nature

    What would I want to do differently?

    • I want to film more raw emotional moments – both cheer and anxiety, highs and lows. But from my experience – when those come – I usually stay in the moment and live through them. Taking out my camera or phone to record is the last thing I remember to do.
      So this is the question – how do I do it and show it? How can I to translate it into film form?
    • I also want to remember to film people. Family, friends, co-workers, people I meet on my walks, strangers. Our conversations, time spent together, interesting outfits or shoes.
    • To avoid project becoming a heavy burden – I need to fill the grid of snippets from days at least once a week. That way I will not procrastinate, and compile monthly/yearly “movie” much faster.
      • and on the same note – I want to prepare monthly movies from these (and not wait till the end of the year)
      • a *wild thought – maybe at some point I will add recordings of myself talking to the camera – talking about thoughts, books I’ve read and my reflection on these events from different days.
  • February 2026 – Plans

    February 2026 – Plans

    These are my plans for the month, but I am sure not even half will end up happening. I am trying to make a plan anyway.

    THis is my way to keep myself accountable and not go with the flow when living a life, but instead take charge and make things happen in whatever capacity

    Every month I also want to select a theme for the month (interest, study, focus)

    THEME – Video – filming and learning

    • Charles Shultz – Peanuts museum – day trip
    • UCON crab feed (work related event)
    • Feb 23-24 office – personal review
    • Long weekend – 2/15 – Empty bowls – visit event
    • host book club 2/17 – Reschedule for March b/c of weather
    • 4 sessions with the trainer 
    • 6 group classes at the gym
    • 2 newsletters prepared
    • Published min 1 video on youtube 🎥
    • 10 blog posts (published and/or drafted)
    • 8 blog posts – IG
    • min once a week – social gathering, group activity ( need to plan for when I don’t have something on the calendar)
    • one new area for hiking – new trail or scenery
    • Watch DJI class – WALL-e 🎥
    • Start reviewing shots Brian guide 🎥
    • Watch all movies – DVDs I got at the library
    • 🆕🏌️‍♀️golfing lesson or 🫖 pottery painting
    • start a Personal photo project
    • 1 photo session – documentary style
    • 🎨 Draw or paint 2 times a week – small finished pieces

    I am publishing this on 2/15 so there are 13 more days left to get closer to completing this plan. TIme to start moving and not just standing on the way of this plan