Talent is Overrated - Book Review

I finished Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everyone Else by Geoff Colvin.  The book spends what seems like the first half of the book telling you what doesn't separate world-class performers.  This was frustrating.   The main message of the book is that natural talent doesn't exist and only through hard and deliberate practice to people improve and surpass the average.  It does detail what is considered deliberate practice.

• Designed to stretch your limits 
• repeatable
• no fun
• mentally demanding
• tight feedback loop

All in all I cannot recommend this book.  Work at self improvement and you will get better, but it is hard and required discipline so most people will not do it.

Book Challenge (read 26 books in 26 weeks)
Weeks left 18
Books Read 8 remaining 18

Lollapalooza - The Arctic Monkeys

The Arctic Monkeys came on Sunday early evening to a massive crowd.  With my camelbak filled with vodka and iced tea I ventured to within about 50 feet of the stage.  The ground was wet and it rained some during the set, not like during the Foos where the sky opened up and gave us a great drenching, but that is a story for another post.  The Arctic Monkeys but on a great show playing many of their most popular hits and some less know songs, all of which were fantastic.  The sound was awesome the crowd went nuts when I bet you look good on the dance floor came on.  check it out.

Slow Carb Diet Update

Well last month was a little up and down with vacations, pig roast and ribfests. However as of this morning I am down 120 pounds!
Still lots more to lose but that is 120 pounds since Christmas 2010 (8 months).
If you are serious about losing weight pick up a copy of Tim Ferriss' - the 4 Hour Body. That book will get you on the way to getting your shape and perhaps your life back.

Alarmed - Great iPhone app

I use a lot of apps for many different things on my iPhone. One that I use every day is the free app Alarmed is a great app to use not only as an alarm clock, but as a reminder, timer application. I use it for many of my activities laundry, cooking, timing study times for my children, as an alarm clock, birthday reminders etc.. I use this FREE app every day. Check it out.
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/alarmed-reminders-timers-alarm/id371886784?mt=8

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War - Review

Last week I finished World War Z : An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks and it was a very fun read.  It is told from the point of view of multiple interviews that re tell of significant events that occurred all over the world from the start of the outbreak to the spread all over the world and how different governments reacted to a new reality and a new enemy.  How certain world powers did against this enemy and which ones were better prepared and why.  I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the Zombie genre.  

I found out after I finished it that they are filming the movie based on this book now with Brad Pitt as the star.

Book Challenge (read 26 books in 26 weeks)
Weeks left 19
Books Read 7 remaining 19

Lollapalooza - The Joy Formidable

On the third day of Lollapalooza I had the great fortune of seeing The Joy Formidable! They were great! I had not intention of seeing this band but in the true spirit of Lollapalooza, a friend said you have to see them and we did. They put on a great show and the talent in the band was clear. It was funny to note that after I got back from Lollapalooza Mikel Joliet, of The Airborne Toxic event, mentioned on Twitter that The Joy Formidable's Cradle was a like a punch in the face! How appropriate.
check out The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar or better yet catch them live!

Thanks John!

Lollapalooza - Coldplay tribute

I posted this video I took after Lollapalooza was over, on Google+ check it out Spontaneous Coldplay tribute