Today, we’re road tripping. Inevitably, Aaron and I find random tangents for conversation – typically spurred by something weird I said and then promptly started Googling for more information. In the present moment, it’s caddywompus. Use it in a sentence? I-35 runs caddywompus from Kansas City to Wichita. For real. It’s a thing. Of course, my search also revealed that it can be …
Laundry, and then what?
The weird nature of the career I’ve found myself in constantly challenges the “and then what?” As a society, we push each day to automate and optimize. We make the mundane, repetitive and tedious move faster. We are the creators of the metaphorical machine that churns data, algorithms and commands into actions. We fill in the blanks “if this happens, …
Hiring and negotiation from a user experience perspective
A theory. Consider employment from the perspective of investment instead of the necessity of a job. The mental shift is severe. The change in point of view shines a user experience light on the heavy flaws of traditional hiring and negotiation among new generations of employees. The resources for investing in a business are finite. Many are not financially prepared …
An Aunt Day at the symphony
I solemnly swear that we’re up to no good. Over the past few years, Aunt Day has become a spontaneous day of magic in which the nieces and I discover something incredible. I do believe it began on a family trip when their parents had no choice but to trust me to chase the wildest one down a mountain. She …
Boarding the most dangerous flight in the world
The conscious decision to avoid nearly all Everest Base Camp-related research was strategic. I didn’t want to be talked out of it. Brief searches around the idea in years prior made the challenge sound epic and the experience sound amazingly rewarding. Beyond a gear list and the trek itinerary, the promise of a challenge and experience was all I knew …
Exploring Kathmandu, Nepal
Waking up in Kathmandu was surreal. The trip planning had taken months. The flights had been long and tedious. Our arrival felt more like a hazy dream than a monument marking the start of the journey. Surreal, indeed. Taking my first glimpses out of the hotel window in the daylight, I snapped a photo. I had no idea what I …
MCI > ORD > AUH > KTM
In my Moments from the sky entry in the journal, the idea of leaving home for this adventure was still very new. Adrenaline was pumping. Boyce and I landed in an easy routine of dashing through airport security to find a good lounge, have a sandwich and a drink, then dash to the gate to hop onto our next flight. …
“To both recognize and invent beauty”
A few years ago, when I took my first big leap into working for myself, my family rallied around to make sure I knew how capable I was for this journey. I doubt they realize that I still look at their words each and every time I need a reminder of that. Obviously your genius comes from your kind heart, …
Revisiting the Everest Base Camp stories
Each time I travel, I stash a new journal and fresh pen in the depths of my pack. Within a couple of days of finding some peace – I usually have plenty to jot down. The intention has always been to transcribe my entries into the blog. But, let’s be honest, the whirlwind return to reality never quite allows that to …
New brand designs for Emily Ackart Fitness
It’s true that the worst cases of designer’s block result in the most beautiful new designs! Emily, a great friend and the owner of Emily Ackart Fitness, caught up with me last Fall to discuss logo ideas, marketing concepts and more. We quickly landed on a concept for her logo – incorporating weights that emphasize the strength training aspect of her …