Linner Beats Brunch

Earlier today, I posted on YouTube a video extolling the pleasures of linner (and the subsequent drunk shopping that often occurs, afterwards).

Today was a fairly typical Sunday for us. Rather than rushing to meet anyone for brunch, we slept in and had a leisurely morning. We walked the dogs. We finished laundry. We took care of groceries. We made plans for linner.

Getting to brunch takes way too much energy. You must either get up early or rush through the morning. I used to delude myself in thinking I could complete my chores after brunch, but who was I kidding? Once I got a few Bloody Marys in me, all productivity was gone.

Linner is so much more civilized. Everything has already been accomplished. You meet friends in the mid-afternoon for a lovely meal with cocktails or beer. If you meet around 2pm, you might still be able to take advantage of the brunch menus. If the mood strikes, you can also partake in drunk shopping as you stagger on home.

We met a friend for linner at Hopleaf. We love Hopleaf. It features an overwhelming selection of beers on tap, mostly Belgians. The menu, while not extensive, is quite good. I focused on the Belgian IPAs (Houblon Chouffe is my favorite) as I enjoyed a Duck Reuben. We had great seats at the bar and attentive service from the bartenders. It made for a perfect Sunday afternoon.

...And We're Live!

I finally made and edited my first video for YouTube. It was a steep learning curve. I had to learn to get my new camera (Samsung HMX-F90) set up properly. I had to figure out how to get the video transferred to the computer. I learned the basics of my new editing program (Pinnacle Studio) and edited the video. I now transferring it to YouTube for the final tweaks and then posting it live!

During the last two weeks, I have been feeling the excitement that would go along with a new design project. I'm trying to approach this venture as a redesign of my life. In addition to defining the specifications of what I want to accomplish, I've been laying out the plan. I've even started becoming active again on Twitter, Google+, and this blog, as well as signing up for Instagram. I've spent time getting familiar with YouTube and setting up my channel. However, the launch of the channel with my first video feels like the official start to my venture.

I plan to spend this next month building the habits of regular posting on the different social media platforms, and engaging people on them as well. Once these habits form, the platforms can stop being an end unto themselves, and start being an opportunity to explore what I want out of my life and career(s).

It is time to figure what I want to do and be when/if I grow up!

Social Media Relaunch

I am in the process of relaunching myself. I am taking a hard look at what I am doing in various aspects of my life, so I can find ways to move myself out of a status-quo. Over the last few years, I have envisioned myself "living full-time in many worlds," and I started this blog as a forum while I was in grad school. It felt like I was stretched thin, juggling 80% time at work, 75% time at school, and full time at home. I felt tired. I felt stressed. But I felt alive. When school ended a year ago, I enjoyed the feeling of only living in two worlds, work and school. I enjoyed the work/life balance. I had less stress, but I was complacent.

It is time to move forward! As I look at my life, I am relaunching myself in social media to express myself creatively, to process my progress in evaluating my life, and to share my journey. The initial phase will focus on four platforms (links in the sidebar):

1. YouTube - vlog covering my journey and sharing my geeky interests in life, design, and health.
2. In Many Worlds - blog to discuss topics related to what I am covering on my YouTube channel.
3. Google+ - sharing content relevant to topics from YouTube and my blog.
4. Twitter - sharing what I'm doing and links I'm enjoying.
5. Instagram - sharing what I'm digging visually.

I may progress to other venues, but these will allow me a good start. To pull things together, I am trying to consolidate everything with one brand. The In Many Worlds (#IMW) title will be seen across the different platforms, as will variations of the logo and banner, shown below.

I am excited to start this new journey and can't wait to share it with you.

Please look for my first YouTube video on Friday. I look forward to your feedback!

Join my journey - subscribe to this blog by clicking the button in the sidebar.

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7 Lessons From the Death of a Friend

My friend Omar Ahmad passed away Tuesday. We were roommates at the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists program at the University of Florida back when we were in high school. We became fast friends and he kept me motivated as we competed in various science fairs the following year. We won spots as the delegates from Florida to the National Youth Science Fair. After college, our contact was regrettably spotty, but we started getting back in touch in the last few years via Facebook. We had a chance to sit down last year when he was in Chicago. I so looked forward to the continuing renewal of our friendship. Who could have imagined that we wouldn't have time?


In his 46 years, Omar lived more than most people do in twice that time. His accomplishments and impact are beautifully summarized in this piece in the Huffington Post.


I am still trying to process this loss. I cried myself dry by the end of Wednesday. I have been numb most of the week, but I can now smile when I remember him. Even in death he brings people together. I have been in contact this week with people I haven't seen for decades. His memory truly is a blessing.


Omar's passing has been very challenging to me. Aside from the incomprehensible loss, it also forces me to look inward. I strongly believe that every sad thing, every loss, every tragedy comes with a lesson. Sometimes you have to look hard to find the lessons. However, as always, Omar is a great teacher....sadly, what I need to learn is right there in front of me.

1. When was the last time you saw a health provider for routine health maintenance? Omar passed away at 46 from a heart attack. I have no idea how well he looked after his health. For a physician, I take reasonable care of myself. I actually have a primary care physician, and I allow him to direct my care. I routinely see my dentist. However, given my family history of colon cancer, I am overdue for my repeat colonoscopy. I also need a routine skin survey from my dermatologist. I probably should stop ignoring the pain in my neck and back.
2. What do you do on a routine basis to care for yourself? I probably do best in the physical realm. I eat a well-balanced diet. I exercise 4-6 times per week, though I really need to do more cardio. My brain is well stimulated by school. I do miss reading for pleasure, but I hope that will return when I am done with school. I need to nurture myself more spiritually. I grew apart from organized religion years ago. I still consider myself Jewish and spiritual, but I don't really dedicate any effort to developing that dimension of my life.
3. How often do you say "I love you" to the people you love? I am very diligent about this. If any interaction with someone I love could potentially be my last (which clearly is true), I'd like to know that the last thing they heard from me is "I love you."
4. How much do you live for today as opposed to tomorrow? Years of striving to get into medicine taught me all about delayed gratification. Years of practicing Rehabilitation Medicine has taught me that life can change in an instant. I struggle with this. When I try to live well now, I feel guilty about not saving for the future. When I deny myself to prepare for retirement, I worry about not living in the present. I constantly work on this balance.
5. How are you impacting the world and the life of others? As a physician, I have always had the satisfaction of impacting the lives of others. However, at the end of the day, I feel that all I have to give has been drained from me. I marvel about how some of my colleagues are able to go one step further with volunteer work. I am conscious about how that is going to change as I transition into my next career. I actually look forward to the opportunity to explore the different ways I can contribute to this world.
6. What will be your legacy? I don't have kids, and I don't see kids in my future. So what will be my gift to the future? I see some of that in all of the students I have taught as a physician. I love teaching and I hope that I will be able to return to teaching once I have established myself in design. What else can I leave? I think about this. I worry about this. One possibility Rob and I have discussed is helping out gay youth. There are agencies which place gay teens that have been thrown out by their families with stable gay couples. Is that right for us?
7. Are you sure that your regrets cannot be done/redone/undone? This is probably the question that stings most sharply. I will never have the opportunity to rebuild my friendship with Omar. Another friend, Bridget Phillips, was murdered when she was in grad school. Clearly, tragedies such as these can make a regret permanent. How many more, ones that seem so fixed, really could be addressed. There are a few friendships that I have thought permanently damaged that I am considering revisiting. I have also always wanted to live abroad, but figured that the opportunity may have passed, being locked into my current career. While it might create a massive disruption to our lives, might it actually be a real possibility. I know that so many obstacles in our lives are placed there by our own minds. I need to start challenging those barriers.

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Starting Again (perhaps a little wiser)

Last night, Rob noted that we have been doing great lately. Things weren't bad, but I agree that the last few weeks have been wonderful. My initial reaction was that it corresponded to my break from school. This may or may not be the reason (or at least the entire reason), but it must be considered. I know that school had taken a toll on us individually and as a couple. The new semester starts this evening. While I don't think it will ber a bad one, I don't want things to regress at home. I like how much fun we've been having and plan to make a conscious effort to keep things going.

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