Pixelbook as primary: browsing, programming, media consumption

The Pixelbook is Google's flagship ChromeBook.

There reasons I use one is it meets my use cases: Android Tablet, Web browser notebook, software development laptop.

Software Development

I do very specific kinds of development, usually in a Cloud provider, or using scripting languages (Python, Ruby, R, etc).  I wouldn't want to do serious compilation, or other CPU intensive development on the Pixelbook.

For scripting, traditional 3 tier web app development, or cloud development I think the Pixelbook is a fine platform.  I'm what you call "old school".  I use Emacs and sometimes Vim.  I like the a shell aka CLI and usually use a multiplexer (tmux).  I maintain they are good tools if you know how to use them and have put the time in to master them.  That is definitely the case with Emacs.

I can run a Debian container that integrates well with the GUI system of the Pixelbook.  This allows me to use Emacs no just in a terminal, but in it's GUI incarnation.  I can do the same for other Unix tools like terminals.

Media Consumer

Like most "techy" people I am a media consumer, and I probably consume more than I should.  I am an avid reader of books (and ebooks).  I tend towards technical books that I can refer to or learn from.  I have a broad range, but mostly within software development, leadership, nutrition, health, exercise, philosophy and meditation.  My guilty pleasure reading are fantasy, wushia, xianxia, and science fiction.

I am an avid listener of podcasts and music.

I watch YouTube, MMA,  educational course videos and occasionally some Netflix.

Most of the media I consume on a computational platform is best done through a web browser or an Android app.  Since the Pixelbook can run Android apps ad has a touchscreen and can fold into a table I can consume in either a laptop mode or tablet mode which I do switch into sometimes.

Work, Web Browsing and Email

What most people on an computational platform do.  The read and write email, browse the web, watch YouTube.  That is a Chromebooks wheelhouse.  It's what they were designed to do, and they do it fairly well with the Chrome web browser.

What I Don't Do

I don't process audio or video.  I don't make audio or video or manipulate/make images.  I'm not sure the applications available or the processing power available can do a good job of those tasks.

Knee Update: PRP Shots

I had my second shot last week Friday (2019-05-24).  My first shot was a month prior (2019-04-26).

The first shot was interesting that there was very little pain during the injection, and post injection.  I had a slight amount of soreness, but really negligible.

After the first injection, about second week in I noticed a greater range of motion without pain.  While significant it still wasn't 100%.

A few days before my second shot I actually went and did Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class(basic) and was able to move my leg in the ways I needed.  I didn't do any live rolling so there was no stress test, but I was able to maintain closed guard (which I couldn't after the meniscus tore).  The day after I also did a small amount of running which probably wasn't the wisest thing to do.

The reason I don't think the running was great is because the day of the shot I had some slight swelling and inflammation in my knee.  I'm not sure if it was the swelling, or the second injection just took a different path, but the second inject hurt significantly more during the inject and post injection.  During the injection the main pain cam from piercing what I assume was the joint capsule.

Post injection I have knee flexion limitations.  I can't flex my knee back more than 90° and I can't rotate in to sit cross legged.  In both cases I feel knee pain and tugging on some internal structure.  Almost certainly from inflammation.

I'm 4 days past the injection with some improvement.  

Again the goal I hoping to meet is to be able to continue doing BJJ without having meniscus surgery.  I don't want to have meniscus surgery because it's generally a subtractive procedure that puts you that much closer to osteo-arthritis.

Latest Supplementation

Latest regular supplementation

2019-05-10

Host Defense Lion's Mane

I'm trying this to see if I notice a change in ease of learning.  I'm currently working on trying to learn new skills.  With small kids it's definitely a challenge to both find and get enough time to make concrete advances in learning.

Thorne Multi-vitamin Elite

I'm taking a multivitamin for the normal reasons that people take multi's.  To make sure I have all the vitamins that I should have.  Also, in the pacific northwest actually needing to supplement vitamin D due to lack of sun is a real thing.

As far as why this multi, that's easy.  This is NSF certified and Thorne tracks and tests the ingredients that go in their products.

Kirkland Krill Oil

To get all the benefits associated with omega 3 fatty acids. I've already seeing the benefits in some of my lipid panels.  I think I've felt the difference for the inflammation, but that's trickier as it's more subjective instead of objective.  In any case, there are enough tests validating the benefits of omega 3s that this is an easy add.

Origin Labs Jocko Joint Warfare

The krill oil is supposed to help with joint health as well, but I decided to double down on joint health as I am a big guy (so more weight on the joints) and I already have a torn meniscus.  This will hopefully extend the life of my joints in my decrepitude.

trunature Vision Complex

Due to some scarring in my eye and upon recommendation from my optometrist to take in more lutein and zeaxanthin.  He recommended eating more goji berries.  I don't eat dried berries, and I can't easily get fresh goji berries, so I went for a supplement.  I also wasn't about to regularly consume goji berries on a daily/weekly basis.

I saw the trunature Vision Complex supplement at Costco and saw it was a pretty well rated supplement.

Host Defense Mushroom MyCommunity

I'm a fan of Paul Stamets and his mycology work.  There are also plenty of studies demonstrating the health benefits of various fungii.  I decided to focus on immune system as I have 4 young children who are going through their "sticky" phases.

Xlear Nasal Spray

I tend toward sinusitis, and when I get it, if it's not already bacterial it will turn into a bacterial infection.  Xylitol proven only in rabbit models to reduce sinusitis.  However, I have good anecdotal evidence of it working for me.  

Leadership: Communicating Abrupt Separations

Abrupt separations can be voluntary, mutually agreed upon, or involuntary. Sometimes there are business, ethical or legal limitations to what can communicated to the rest of the team. It is the job of the team's manager or leader to understand what those limitations are, but still communicate what they can.

In short, are you part of the team?

As a leader or manager you need to maintain the team's confidence in you. Their confidence that you will tell them what you can, proactively and prepare them as best as possible. The confidence that you will treat them as people, instead of things to be swapped out at the first sign of difficulty. Confidence that you will be with them to help the team meet and overcome any problems that may arise. In short, are you part of the team?

Communication needs to be timely, proactive and help the team refocus on being successful.

As a leader you need to balance lack of information against too much information. Their is no question about timing of the communication. It should be done as soon after the separation as possible, and it should be proactive and sent to anyone who interacted with the person. Communication needs to be timely, proactive and help the team refocus on being successful. This doesn't mean you can simply mandate they move on. You have to address their concerns and questions, even if it means telling them that you can't tell them. That show that you are at least thinking about them and communicating what you can.  It may not be a one time communication as well. You may need to follow up with either the team or individuals.

How they will respond to what is AND what isn't said?

Finding the path between too much and too little information can be challenging. You will probably fail if you only consider what you would want to know. You need to understand the people that make up your team, their personalities and concerns. How they will respond to what is AND what isn't said?

Keep their confidence by keeping their confidence.

Some of the considerations are easy to understand and navigate. The legal considerations are usually easier to navigate. Work with HR and Legal to understand the boundaries. Some of the ethical considerations are easy to navigate because the consequences will affect the team. For example, revealing information that people think should be kept in private may cause them to not confide in you as their leader. Keep their confidence by keeping their confidence.

Once it's said, it can't be unsaid.

The more difficult ethical considerations don't have external consequences and often have no clear answer. Thinking through what may cause you to regret and of feel guilty may be useful guideline.  It's hard to say.  I think it is important to take the time to think through the ramifications of what is said, even if I think it is the right decision.  Once it's said, it can't be unsaid.