I am re-watching old movies the ones I watched while I was growing up. Especially, trying to understand the values they imposed the late 80s and 90s in the movies. How were the culture and people?, Did society change or still some of the problems are valid?

Looks like a great exercise. I’ll do the same thing for re-reading the books.

You need to sleep or work time to time different places. It helps a lot to refresh yourself. Also, helping your perspective. This is different than break. Like more resting with active mind. You can do something as easy as working at coffee shops nearby for a couple hours or adding a cool picture on your empty white wall

My life has changed the last 2 days. I was dying to go back to my old city life routine. Going out, having a dinner in cool restaurants, chatting with friends in person, grabbing a coffee on my way to work, etc. So, some of them do-able but not really the same. Also, checking my Instagram every day, my friends outside of the USA (Mostly Turkey, Greece, Tokyo, Tel Aviv, etc) literally living their life. I need to do something that makes me feel again in a vibrant city life.

What did I do?

Started to biking for grabbing my daily coffee. Since pandemic, I was making my own coffee a) super easy to do b) I was so busy during my early morning meetings.

Then, I said ok at least I should bike to San Mateo Downtown a couple of times a week ( which is about 4miles roundtrip bike ride). a) It will keep happy & healthy b) I can mimic the city life:)

So far so good. It already increased my mood. Let see what I need to do more keep myself & people around me sane:)

Writing every day the last 200 days gave me understanding: writing is a souvenir. I remember every post. What I was thinking, feeling, and doing those days.

It does like taking a picture of your days. But pictures are something so instant and not too much saying it because they are kind of limited when I compare with writing.

I have 200 souvenirs. Picked up by Me every day.

If you are comfortable what you are doing you are most likely to enjoy doing it. How you are going to be comfortable :

• Do every day

• Enjoy the process, Be patient with results

• Feel the journey. It is going to be your nature in a time of period.

And, If you are still not comfortable with it, try to replace or iterate it.

I was planning to start making a trip plans now things are getting worse… I am hoping this is just temporary. I have never been stayed same place that long last 8 years. Don’t get me wrong, I love here. But, still I feel I need to get up different beds :)) for a couple weeks. Let’s see.

Something you know is not necessarily known by people around you. You think that it is very obvious but not really though. You can not estimate they should figure out themselves. Everyone’s calendar & timeline is totally different than each other.

It is hard to think simply. Probably depends on what you think. More you know you get a more deep understanding of the issue. However, knowing too much about that field can technically creating “tunnel vision” for your perspective.

So, think always how can I simplify this someone who doesn’t know anything about what I do. Pretty much explaining your 5 years old.

I like walking around the neighborhood, but after a couple of months doing this in suburbia that is definitely not an interesting walk anymore. Nothing new for you. Houses are mostly the same (the neighborhood I live mostly over 50-70 years old houses). Some of the new tenants who made money either their contribution to their company’s IPO or exit, are re-building it. Still, very quiet and peaceful. I think my problem is too peaceful.

My house distance to closest downtown San Mateo (Source WalkScore.com)

I miss city life. Mostly walkable cities. San Francisco is #2 most walkable U.S Cities. Still, it was so dirty and the homeless issue was not welcoming you to walk the entire city without any hesitation when I was living in the city till last summer. Now, I heard it got worse (didn’t go SF since March)

Probably, everyone is missing these days: a vibrant, energetic city life. Mine is more than that. I like to commute with trains, bikes, or walking going A to B. I know that sounds like a dream probably next 6-12 months during the COVID. I think I miss Europe and Japan. That something kicking my urge of traveling every day last couple weeks. Let’s see how long we can not travel overseas….

Opportunities are not easily achievable by doing one or two outreach or trying a couple of attempts. If it is, those are won’t be opportunities. Maybe we call them short gains. If it is a real opportunity, it needs to change your perspective plus your way of approach too. Technically you can’t swallow that opportunity with one bite.