• Since the Last Time the Yankees Made it to the World Series…(2024)

    A lot of my friends would describe me as a die hard Yankee fan. I try to watch every single pitch of the 162 game season, and I live for the playoffs.

    Growing up in the 1990s, I got spoiled. They won the World Series 4 times during my most formative years.

    It’s been 15 years since the Yankees made it the World Series — and a lot has happened. I:

    • Started a left the 2 jobs I had where I wasn’t self-employed
    • Met, started dating, and married Erin (Erin was floored that the Yankees have never made it to the WS since we met each other)
    • Moved 5 times
    • Bought our first house
    • Had 3 kids
    • Started all of my podcasts
    • Stopped doing web development and coach people now
    • Watched the Giants win their most recent Super Bowl
    • Ran* 2 half marathons and a 10K
    • Wrote 5 books
    • Started smoking cigars

    …and my parents sold our childhood home. Before the World Series start, my brothers and I are helping them move out, and into their new house in upstate NY.

    I try to be honest with myself in these posts — and if I’m being honest, it’s been a tough couple of months.

    One of the reasons I love baseball is that it’s an escape. And while I don’t think anyone who’s seen my watch baseball would say it relaxes me, it’s something I can really get into for 3-4 hours.

    I’m so excited to see this team in the World Series. Whether it’s against the Mets, in Subway Series 2.0**, or the Dodgers, whom they’ve seen 11 times in the World Series but not since 1981*** — I can’t wait for some incredible, late October baseball.

    *Ran is generous. I participated in and completed 2 half marathons and a 10K
    **The Yankees won the last time, in 2000.
    ***They lost that one, and it started the last 15 year WS drought

  • | |

    Adjusting to Working from Home During the Pandemic

    With everyone still (mostly) staying at home, I’m sure we’ve all had to make adjustments to work. In my case, on the surface, it doesn’t look like a lot changed. Since I work from home, not a big change for me. Since my wife is a nurse, she still goes to work on her normal schedule. But my daughter’s daycare is closed, so there’s no one to watch T on days my wife works. Here’s how I’ve been managding.

    Read More “Adjusting to Working from Home During the Pandemic”

  • How to get More Comfortable Recording a Podcast

    Over the weekend, I gave a talk at WordCamp NYC about podcasting (you can see the slides here). While I generally get a bunch of fantastic questions, one really stood out this weekend. Travis Lima asked me (paraphrasing here), “How do you get more comfortable speaking into the microphone.” I loved it because while I often focus on the technical aspect, there can be a real issue with getting comfortable recording, especially if you’re doing a solo show. So my answer: get your reps in.

    Read More “How to get More Comfortable Recording a Podcast”

  • Have an Inquisitive Mind

    If I had to pick one thing I knew for certain my wife likes about me, it would be my inquisitive nature. She says it regularly. It’s because we’ll be talking about something and I’ll blurt out, “I wonder how that started,” or “Who do you think the first person to try that was,” or “I wonder if that’s because of <X>.” One of the reasons I love going to Disney World is because I like figuring out the Disney Magic. They push the limits of technology and engineering and I want to know how they got to those limits. But being inquisitive isn’t just about picking up fun facts or things to file away for pub quiz (or quizzo, or whatever it’s call near you). There are lots of ways being inquisitive has helped me, both personally and professionally.

    Read More “Have an Inquisitive Mind”

  • |

    I’m Returning to the World of Full Time Self-Employment

    Six years ago when I got a job at The University of Scranton, it was a little bittersweet. For 2 years following my Masters Degree, I was self-employed. The thing that lead me to look for a new job was that I was working out of my parents’ house, and honestly, time was running out on staying on their insurance plan. Leaving that world was sad, but I was excited at the notion of working with a team. After 3 years at the university, I felt I was ready to do something different and more challenging.

    Read More “I’m Returning to the World of Full Time Self-Employment”

  • |

    Happy Birthday, WordPress

     wplogo

    I know this is about a day late, but I want to wish WordPress a happy birthday. You see, I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. In college I spoke with my friend @smekosh about creating my own CMS as I was writing a few for clients, and he pointed me towards WordPress. That was in 2004; since then so much has happened (listed after the jump), and for that I need to say Thank You, from the bottom of my heart.

    Read More “Happy Birthday, WordPress”

  • Links Round Up for 02/13/11