All Consuming : Andy Ciordia

A review of "Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Wed, 02 May 2007 13:30:52 GMT

Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life

by David Allen

Found it a great resource for provocation as I continue to run down the productivity lifestyle.

Encapsulated some of my thoughts: http://andy.ciordia.info/articles/2007/05/02/are-you-ready-for-anything/

I can understand why some people might not enjoy this, or might end up putting it down. If you are already a GTD’r then it’s just a great reinforcement with a ton of anecdotal references. Don’t expect it to rock your world, but help in solidifying your resolve along the path.

Why I recommend "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:22:12 GMT

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

by Chip Heath

Once you learn what to look for, you realize you’ve been doing it (probably) a while. You’ll start to see the things that make a good idea, or story, marketing piece, what have you and understand why it’s working. Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Story. 6 words with some profound context.

I’ll have everyone around me trying to communicate to read it.

Why I recommend "V for Vendetta (Widescreen Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 02:41:30 GMT

V for Vendetta (Widescreen Edition)

by James McTeigue

If you haven’t seen this movie, may I take a moment to recommend it. It is by all means Orwellian in its nature. It pulls no punches delivering a series of mini-stories wrapped into a greater story of character. When push comes to shove. When you trade freedom for security. Just how far would you let it go? Would you stand up to the adversity? Do you have an incline of the character it would take to do such a thing? I’m not sure I did, maybe I still don’t, but I have a lot better clue and it is astounding. This movie gripped me. It held me with a fantastic dialogue, superb acting, and themes so close you don’t have too much trouble seeing them–relating to them. Be warned that beyond its deep thoughts it is a graphic movie and not suitable for small children.

When you’re done watching this, did you find your character stronger?

Why I recommend "What the Bleep Do We Know!?"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:26:21 GMT

What the Bleep Do We Know!?

by William Arntz

This is a nice movie. It’s more dramatic Discovery program aimed at thinking a little more. I resonate with a lot of their concepts and thoughts that have been coalescing around myself for over a decade. If you follow any of the current thought of knowing your strengths, moving forward with intention, and understanding your choice then this will too. If you can’t approach it head on, go with kid gloves and take what pieces resonate with you. It doesn’t really matter as long as you can hold on to a few good concepts and let yourself be.

I thought it was pretty good and enjoy knowing other people are pondering and pushing forward as well.

-a

Why I recommend "The Manchurian Candidate (Widescreen Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 03:13:39 GMT

The Manchurian Candidate (Widescreen Edition)

by Jonathan Demme

If you haven’t seen the original then you don’t have a reference to what might have been. I never did. I thought this kept you fairly ungrounded through the film. Good musical/environmental score that really allowed my stress levels to stay elevated. Your milage as usual will vary, but if you have no prior expectations, like a good mental-ache-oedpius-politiko-aiee-film then it might be worth it. ;)

I’ve had my stress for the evening!

-a

Why I like people who have consumed "What Einstein Didn't Know : Scientific Answers to Everyday Questions"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 18:39:05 GMT

What Einstein Didn't Know : Scientific Answers to Everyday Questions

by Robert Wolke

You show that you want to know more. This book is great in little bites and adds a wealth of sometimes everyday, sometimes rare knowledge to your personal compendium.

Keep learning, keep growing.

Why I recommend "The Brothers Grimm"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 13:28:38 GMT

The Brothers Grimm

There are many things that bothered me about this movie, but at the same time there was an amazing weave of old lore storys that made their way in—in imaginative ways.

The issues that come to this film are mostly character development and non-understanding of motivations. Damon is obviously developmentally delayed but they don’t say as much, strange characters like the italian with no reconcilliation. Some very odd, sometimes painful moments. However, as a rental, it’s fine.

Watch it be, irked, and be amazed at some pieces. ;-)

A story about "Learn to Program"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 21:08:23 GMT

Learn to Program

by Chris Pine

Oi.. Halfway point.. The book started out strong. Well worded text, kept me interested. Then it comes time to do some homework, some tasks. The problem being the tasks are sometimes not explained well, or might even reach over the head of the newbie and there is no follow up on how it was done.

After reading the Head First series I have been spoiled I think. I’ll keep trucking along, but each time I come to an applicable point I need to reach out to a veteran ruby person to help debug where I might have gone off track and that shouldn’t happen.

Books shouldn’t drop you.

-a

Why I recommend "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 16:16:11 GMT

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

by Adam McKay

This is a bit delicate as many people would not like this film, though many might. We enjoyed it, but wouldn’t go crazy mind you. It’s not for those who don’t like the actor line up. There is really a lot of faces and stylings which we thought made it very coheasive and quite a bit of laughter. However some part of my mind was going, “I do understand why this was rated and given poor ratings”, but that audience wasn’t really me.

Anyhow, watch this with care. You may really find it funny like Mystery Men, or you may not. Your milage will vary. ;-)

-a

A story about "The Beekeeper"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 14:26:11 GMT

The Beekeeper

by Tori Amos

I don’t know if I just have Tori overload or if most of her work now slides into this melodius “I want it to rain” mood. I didn’t find much new with her in this piece. She does it well, but it all seems to blend into the tapestry of Amos. Your milage will vary.

A story about "Now, Discover Your Strengths"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 13:11:02 GMT

Now, Discover Your Strengths

by Marcus Buckingham

For those who want to as the old Delphi Oracle would say, “Know thyself”, then this book should help you. My wife, my business partner, and myself have all be awestruck by this books and it’s accompanying test. The group that wrote this has compiled and continues to compile amazing details of character and tries to bring new vocabulary to our strengths.

If you want change, and want to know how best to be applying yourself, this book can quite possibly help get you on track.

A story about "Chance: A Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market and Just About Everything Else"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 13:08:01 GMT

Chance: A Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market and Just About Everything Else

by Amir D. Aczel

The book has a lot of neat factoids, but it was very loosly strung together and not laymen enough for many people I know. This book might just belong on the coffee table for people to thumb through as it has little games and such you can ramble with friends about.

A story about "Chance: A Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market and Just About Everything Else"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:31:55 GMT

Chance: A Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market and Just About Everything Else

by Amir D. Aczel

This book has been a fun read thus far but it makes my head hurt on the math equations. I want to love math; I understand where its place is and think we should all speak its language but since I am an acolyte some of the early probability math is meeting with a teflon brain.

..tbc..

A story about "Waking Life"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 22:40:31 GMT

Waking Life

by Richard Linklater

Simply fantastic fun film. I’m not sure you can be a conservative and enjoy it as it brings in a lot of modern philosophy and more than self awareness ideas. If you are in to those vibes and want to hear a lot of neat stories told in an artistic and enabling fashion, give this a whirl.

A story about "I'm Just Here for the Food: Cook's Notes (I'm Just Here for the Food)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 22:38:04 GMT

I'm Just Here for the Food: Cook's Notes (I'm Just Here for the Food)

by Alton Brown

Don’t let you fool you. This is no book. This is the only kitchen binder you should ever have to buy. It has all sorts of quick factoids and conversion charts but essentially is an overglorified kitchen catchall. I enjoy having it, but your milage may vary.

A story about "The Practice of System and Network Administration"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Andy Ciordia) — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 22:36:27 GMT

The Practice of System and Network Administration

by Thomas A. Limoncelli

Aspiring sysadmins and those who just want a book to throw at neophytes, need this book. Well written, good sysadmin like bible. This is on SAGE’s recommended reading lists as well.