GregFalken.com

Thoughts on humanizing technology

Pledge to MayOne.us

Pledge to MayOne.us

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I don’t pledge to much but I pledged to this. MayOne.us is attempting to kickstart fundamental reform by reducing the influence of money in politics. They are creating a publicly funded SuperPAC to support candidates that will fight for campaign finance reform.

Government has failed us. More than 90% of Americans link that failure to the influence of money in politics.

Yet the politicians ignore this influence. While America founders, they spend endless time with their funders.

These funders hold our democracy hostage. We want to pay the ransom, and get it back.

We’re going to kickstart a SuperPAC big enough to make it possible to win a Congress committed to fundamental reform by 2016.

Or at least we’re going to try.

MayOne.us will meet their first goal of raising $1 million during the month of May. Next is a goal of $5 million by July 1st. If these goals are not met, no one will have to pay their pledge. However, it’s now 13 days into May and the total stands at $956,268, including my measly $25. So, the support is there. Watch this video by Lawrence Lessig to learn more. Then spread the word.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCcqkyRJl7M

Photo and video courtesy of mayone.us

Pens are Magical

Pens are Magical

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There is something about forming letters on paper that gives the ideas behind them more weight. I have taken a page (ha!) from Caroline Arnold’s book Small Move, Big Change and started keeping all my notes in a single notebook, that goes with me everywhere. Every workday morning before turning on the computer, I make a list of the three most important things to be done that day. Each item has a little square checkbox in front of it and checking those boxes off throughout the day is very satisfying. Whatever else I did that day, if the boxes are checked at the end of it, I know I did OK.

Writing by hand is also an excuse to indulge in a minor obsession I have with fountain pens, both vintage and modern. Something about writing with liquid ink on good quality paper makes me feel connected to writers of the past (and makes me want to write more). Pictured above is my c.1939 Sheaffer Balance. In its day, it was a workhorse pen. Not too showy but of good quality, with a celluloid body and 14 kt. gold nib. It is sitting on a Clairfontaine wirebound notebook (5 4/5″ x 8 1/4″) with ruled paper.

What are you writing with?

This post originally shared with the Owner Mastery Foundation Group on Google+.

Save Strawberry Music Festival

Save Strawberry Music Festival

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The devastating Rim Fire caused the cancellation of both the Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 Strawberry Music Festivals. Now, according to the Strawberry website, the issuance of a permit for the Fall 2014 festival is in doubt. Concerns have been raised over the supply of potable water and the forest closure conditions along Evergreen Road, leading to Camp Mather. Withholding this permit threatens the very existence of the festival:

As you know, the permit for the Fall 2014 Festival is required for us to receive previously approved disaster relief funding from the Small Business Administration. Our loan with the SBA was approved, in part, because Strawberry Music Festival is an essential part of the economic recovery of the Groveland area and Hwy 120 corridor businesses. The residents and business owners of this community have suffered enough as a result of the Rim Fire and again during the month long closure of Yosemite National Park. Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and the County Administrator’s office have lent us their full support, because of the positive impact Strawberry has had on the economy and the integrity with which we have conducted our business for over three decades.

At the suggestion of the festival organizers, I sent the following letter to Mayor Edwin Lee of San Francisco and I urge all friends of Strawberry to do the same.

Mayor Edwin Lee
City Hall, Room 200
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
[email protected]

Dear Mayor Lee,

I am writing to urge you to direct the Recreation and Parks Department to issue a permit for the Fall 2014 Strawberry Music Festival. The survival of the festival, now in its 33rd year, depends on it. I understand the department’s concerns about the fragile health of the forest following the Rim Fire, however I am certain that these concerns can be effectively addressed. The Strawberry community (for that’s what it is, after so many years) will be most willing to comply with all necessary restrictions, including supplying our own potable water and making a safe entry and exit to the festival on Evergreen Road.

Our family has been attending the Strawberry Music Festival since 2005. Last year, when we should have been enjoying the show or relaxing in camp, we were evacuating our home in Tuolumne, as the fire approached to within three miles. Thankfully, Tuolumne was successfully defended. We were thrilled to learn that Camp Mather was as well. Without a permit to produce a festival this fall, it is likely that Strawberry will be a permanent victim of this devastating fire.

Again, I ask for your support in preserving a cultural treasure of California.

Sincerely,

Greg Falken

Primal Ice Cream – Healthy frozen dessert goodness

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Primal Ice CreamAs I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been eating primal lately. While my intake of sugar is probably lower than it’s ever been in my life, I still sometimes enjoy something sweet. This recipe was adapted from one I found on Born Fitness but I have to say that I’ve improved on it. It’s now close enough to deserve the name Primal Ice Cream.

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. almond butter
1 Tbs. coconut butter
1 Tbs. cocoa powder
1 scoop protein powder
1 Tbs. maple syrup (if using unsweetened protein powder)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cap vanilla extract (optional)
6 Tbs. almond or coconut milk

Directions:

1. Add butters and dry ingredients to the small bowl of a food processor. Pulse 3 or 4 times until ingredients are combined.

2. Add vanilla and maple syrup (if used), then turn processor on and add almond milk through the feed tube one tablespoon at a time. Let blend for about 30 seconds.

3. Freeze for 30-45 minutes for ice cream like consistency.

Nutrition (per serving):

Calories – 204
Carbs – 11g
Fat – 13g
Protein – 17g
Sodium – 138g
Sugar 3g