The Case for Working With Your Hands  →

A couple years ago Matthew B. Crawford wrote this great essay for The New York Times as an adaptation of his book: Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work. I haven’t yet read the book, but the NYT essay is just fantastic. In the process of sharing his story of how, after finishing his Ph.D. in political philosophy, he decided to start a motorcycle repair shop, Crawford talks about the good, the bad, and the stereotypes of a trade job versus “knowledge work”.

And, though this block quote certainly doesn’t “encapsulate” Crawford’s essay, it is too clever not to highlight:

It is a rare person, male or female, who is naturally inclined to sit still for 17 years in school, and then indefinitely at work.

(Thanks to reader, Justin.)

The Case for Working With Your Hands

Coffee Brew Methods  →

Did you recently come into possession of an AeroPress, a siphon pot, a Clever dripper, a V60, or the like? Well, then you’d probably enjoy spending some time here next time you’re relaxing and drinking your coffee.

For the AeroPress especially because there are so many ways to brew a great cup of coffee with it. Unlike a French Press which has pretty much one best way to brew (coarse grind, 4-minute brew time, stir half way), the AeroPress can make a great cup of coffee with so many different variants.

Curiously, the Brew Methods site doesn’t list the the 2012 world championship recipe. I came across this method last spring and have been brewing that way almost every day since.

Coffee Brew Methods

Here, at the End of 2012, Let’s Look Back

Membership

I’ll never be able to say enough how just thankful I am to the members of this site. Thanks to those of you who are willing to pitch in $3 every month, I’m entering into my second year of writing this site full time.

This year I recorded 156 episodes of Shawn Today. Among my favorites were the week-long coffee-gear video series, the new “Ask Shawn Today” series, and the oodles of shows talking and musing about diligence and focus. Believe it or not, I’ve heard from many who claim they’ve listened to every single episode. Amazing. I haven’t even listened to every episode, and I was there when they were recorded.

The Boy and The Schedule

This year, Anna and I had our first kid. Noah. Having a kid is so wonderful. It’s been amazing and beautiful and oh so inconvenient.

Being a dad is the best thing in the world and I would never trade it for a second. It has also been the most disruptive thing to happen to my working life.

Anna and I share responsibilities with Noah. I watch him about 20 hours a week, mostly in the mornings. For a guy who likes to have a semi-regular work pattern and who does his best work in the pre-lunch hours, this new routine has been murder to my work life.

The changes to my working (and sleeping) routine have forced me to write when it’s time to write, not when I feel inspired. And though that’s not quite as fun, it’s shown me that when you write day-in and day-out, words start to get in you. You begin to trust your subconscious a bit more and you’re okay with not waiting for that magical moment of inspiration. You sit down, you write, and later (after a few tears and edits) you realize, hey, that’s not so bad.

A Few Faves

Some of the most fun I’ve had on this site has been with the members-only podcast. The near-daily show hit a stride this year and the feedback with listening members has been great.

And, of course, I’ve had a lot of fun writing.

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All this to say, thanks for reading. I am seriously looking forward to doing awesome work in 2013 and I bet you are too.

Here, at the End of 2012, Let’s Look Back

“By Hand”  →

Patrick Rhone:

But, to me, what makes Peter most interesting is his hobbies. He always has one. They always involve making something by hand.

People who work with their mind, rest with their hands. For me, that usually means woodworking.

Also, I bet you that a lot of readers here can identify with what writer-turned-knifemaker, Joel Bukiewicz, said in his profile interview found in yesterday’s aforelinked Made by Hand video:

I had this period of fear that I was going to lose writing. I had this thing that I just really loved and I was afraid I was going to lose it forever. I decided to take a 3-month hiatus from it — just stop altogether. And when I stopped, I found that I’d developed this need to make these sort of creative offerings on a daily basis. To basically make things.

When I recognized this need, I started making stuff. A set of bookshelves. A set of canoe paddles for my dad. Jewelry, tables, various things. Whenever there was an occasion I would just go: Oh, I’ll make something for that. Or: Oh, I’ll fix this at the house. And that was kind of filling that need for me.

“By Hand”

Neu Year 2013 Calendar Giveaway  →

Over at Tools & Toys we’re giving away 3 Neu Year Calendars (I’ve got one on my office wall right now and I think it looks even better in person than it does in the pictures).

Now, obviously I can’t enter the giveaway, but if I were, one of my goals for 2013 is a refined daily schedule and stronger resolve to do some of my best creative work yet. Of course, truth be told, this is an ongoing goal for me. But Noah will be 1 in just 8 weeks, and his napping and feeding schedule is now changing quite a bit. Which means that as his routine shifts, so does mine.

Neu Year 2013 Calendar Giveaway

Sponsor: Shiny Things and TLAF Xmas Sale  →

Shiny Things and Little App Factory are holding a sale on our iOS education and Mac media apps with deals of up to 50%. Titles include the fun new Jungle Picnic, Quick Math, the award winning RipIt and Tagalicious.

Available for a limited time only, don’t miss out!

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My thanks to Shiny Things and Little App Factory for sponsoring the RSS feed this week. Sponsorship by The Syndicate.

Sponsor: Shiny Things and TLAF Xmas Sale