The cubicle punk: A blog by & about Jeremiah Andrick

Five Books: Read them because they are good not because I say so.

by Jeremiah Andrick on December 27, 2009

The following books will not make you a better social media guru. They will not make you a rock star on the internet or insure the success of your startup. They won’t make you look better or help you to lose weight. I was reviewing my year and I thought I would share with you a few books that I have consumed in 2009 that I would recommend that anyone looking to upgrade their brain in 2010. Really, you should read these books.

	Confessions of a Public Speaker Scott Berkun I waited all year for this book to come out, not long after Scott mentioned he was working on it at Presentation Camp. The book covers some of the techniques behind what great communicators do that make them great communicators. I still don’t believe everyone can be made to communicate well, but the book is full of information anyone who talks and expects someone to listen can use. The book was worth the wait and I finished it over a weekend of off and on reading.
	How We Decide Jonah Lehrer This book is about exactly what the title says. If you want the same marketing drivel then you should not buy this book. if you are interested in the scientific research for why people make the decisions they do including why we buy stuff, then this is the book for you. I love Jonah’s writing style and how the book isn’t just raw science but also tells interesting stories.
	In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing Matthew E. May If you are looking for "go and do" kind of books this book will not help you. But that doesn’t mean that this book won’t provide you with lots of food for thought on products and product design. It could be said that this is the definitive guide to the ‘less is more’ mind-set and those who would apply that mind-set to work. I have spent more time thinking about this book and how I could apply it than any other book I read this year.
	American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House Jon Meacham I have a thing for history. I really enjoy military history and books about men and women who lived in extraordinary times. My hope is to learn what made them great. This was probably my favorite history book that I read this last year. I don’t buy books about leadership from people who’s exploits include writing books about leadership. I would rather learn from those that were faced with greater challenges than my own.
	Brain Rules John Medina This is one of the most fun books on science I have ever read. Having met Professor Medina and watched his Ignite talk at Thingamajigger a couple of years ago this book has been on my “must read” list for a while. After learning about Adult ADHD this year I began reading anything I could on how the brain has evolved and its effect on our lives. This book was the only one that left me thinking of ways to get more out of the most important organ. Reading this is a must.

I was looking at my Amazon order history and my iTunes Audiobooks list and I bought and consumed a lot of books this last year. My approach in reading is to try and avoid the hyped books (i.e. anything by anyone in the social media space.) and stick to books that will push me in ways those books couldn’t. Personally, it seems more appropriate to seek books that have an original thesis, tapped into trends in a unique way, or simply provoke me with some fresh ideas. Now that I am rocking a Kindle I am looking for some ideas on books. I want to build out my 2010 reading list, let me know what you read that in the comments or your recommendations.

Jeremiah Andrick

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I want your email. (or why I miss being delighted by technology.)

by Jeremiah Andrick on December 15, 2009

A recent episode of CBC spark started with a discussion between Nora Young and Gus Savoie about the first email he ever sent. (Which of course, he sent to wired magazine.) I was really intrigued to listen to this experience because as I listened to the the discussion I realized there is very little in the last 5 years or so that has truly surprised and delighted me.

My own experience with email was in 1992, my high school had a NeXT Workstation that was connected to a state network. I found a article in one of the local papers about a recent hockey game that I was in, I didn’t like what the columnist had said and he had an email address at the bottom of the page.

I received permission to use the NeXT from a teacher and began a several weeklong exchange with the writer of the column. I can still remember the first time I got a message back, it was like a hand reached out of the ether to shake mine. I can remember it as clear as day. I also remember the first time I opened a browser. In many ways the fact that dial up was slow made the impact that much greater. It was like it was saying “Be patient, I am about to blow your mind!”

Since those early days there hasn’t been much that surprised me that way. I get excited by a lot of technology, and I find myself thinking a lot about the execution of the industrial design or how the software might be used by a normal person. Maybe having shipped a few products and understanding how the “network” works has made me less excited by much of what is called “world changing technology”. My reaction to twitter, for example, was the exact opposite of email. I literally said out loud… “this is stupid, why would I use this.” Now after using it a couple of years I find it is useful, but world changing; Hardly.

Perhaps that’s why all the social media “experts” get under my skin. There will be new revolutions in technology, but this isn’t it. I want to share what I think the next revolutionary thing will be but I don’t know the answer. I think you know the answer when you have that moment when you use a product or technology and something visceral inside you says “This is it, the thing I could not live without.”

I saw a replica of the first mouse last week and I remembered that there was a time when I first used a computer that it had no mouse. I know I am getting old! At 30 years old, my first PC was a 8086 with DOS 1.0 on it. The mouse changed my computing life, because up to that point the only input into the machine was the keyboard. The ability to navigate within the computer as an environment has been a work changing event for me.

So what is next? There is so much about recent technology that is evolutionary, not revolutionary and I need a dose of “this is awesome!” Help me get unjaded! Are you still delighted by technology? When was the last time you were surprised?

I will give away a pair of UE superfi 5vi for the iPhone to the best story of recent technology delight. You get bonus points for telling it in limerick form!

I will pick a winner by Friday so I can ship them out before I go on holiday.

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My Christmas List

by Jeremiah Andrick on November 29, 2009

Every year I get asked what I want for Christmas and I am not very good at giving an answer. Mostly, because if it is under a hundred dollars I probably have already bought it for myself. What I really want from people is the thing I value most which is time and shared experiences. (Not a big ask, right?) That being said I received a challenge from a friend to pick 10 things I would want if money were no object.

So here is my short list. Let me know in the comments what you would add or take away.

Workman Screen print

I saw this hand screened “keep it simple stupid” print on Mr. French Blu Raspberry with white ink on Notcot.org. Sometimes it is the really simple things that catch my attention and the line through the lettering really stood out to me. I love screen prints and I have a number in my office. This would be a nice addition. The print measures 12.5" x 19" which may require getting a custom frame job.

Tom Ford Custom Blend Tobacco Vanille

This isn’t just cologne, there are a whole bunch of memories wrapped up in this scent. Every time I smell it I remember summers in Kentucky a few years back. Tom Ford creates many products I love but I would easily put this cologne at the top of my list. I found it one day at when I was purchasing some shaving cream at Nordstroms. At a $180 for a 1.7 ounce bottle, I have never made the leap.

Leica M9 – The perfect camera

I am pretty sure that no one buys a Leica to become a better photographer. They buy a Leica to be one of the special breed of people who own a Leica. I never owned a M8 or M8.2 and glad I didn’t the M9 is what M7 owners have wanted out of a digital camera. As a Leica owner myself, I have waited a long time for this beauty. I just need to give up three mortgage payments to get it.

Alden + Context Tanker Boot

Alden Shoe Company began manufacturing great footwear in 1884 and these are some of the most authentic American hand-crafted shoes you can find. The Tanker Boot is made on the same form that was used to supply the US military from WWI through WWII. A value in my mind at $450.

Manual Razor

Having taught myself to shave, a nice manual razor seems like a fitting addition to the kit I use to care for my skin and face. I have used Art of Shaving products on my face for a while and I think it is time to upgrade my Gillette Fusion razor to the chrome perfectly balanced Fusion Razor. This Razor is weighted to feel like a natural extension of your hand so you get less cuts.

Zero halliburton Alluminum Zeroller

I never check my bags any more, but I still like the idea of a solid piece of luggage. This is a stylish bag that is made from deep-drawn, heat treated and anodized aluminum. This Luggage is a head turner that says “I travel way too much.”

Postalco Notebooks

I can never get enough of these. I have said it before and will probably write more in the future these are the finest notebooks on the planet. But at $28 a piece you don’t want to waste a single page. You can grab them (finally) here in the states at a number of paper stores or jcrew.com.

Barnes and Noble Nook

This is the year of the eBook for me. I have wanted one for a while, but I have put it off thinking something better would come along. But in a year when I went through 3 backpacks, I think it is time to lighten the load. Despite being a V1 I think I would like to give the Nook a whirl.

Phillip’s Wake-up Light

Eric Lin turned me on to this, the idea of waking up more naturally to light seems so much better than the abrupt sound from my Squeezebox Radio. Don’t get me wrong my Radio is one of my favorite gadgets, I just think there are better ways to wake up.

Jack Spade Wallet

My Burberry wallet is falling a part after a year. I am not thrilled about it. If I was to replace it. This simple Jack Spade wallet is where I would look. Simple. Leather. Black.

So there it is the “stuff” I want. Even in writing this, I am reminded that this season there are a lot of people who have need and don’t have time to think much about their wants. There is more value in the relationships I have than any of the stuff I want. So if you want to buy me that Leica, awesome, but perhaps we could schedule a regular coffee time instead. Here is hoping you get everything you want out of Christmas.

Jeremiah Andrick

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Hotel Max in Seattle

by Jeremiah Andrick on November 23, 2009

Friday night, my good friends threw me a party. Never mind my birthday was in July. The sentiment was awesome. Along with an excellent party at the Del Ray bar and grill, I was given a room at the social media friendly Hotel Max. So I thought I would share some pictures from that Hotel. The Hotel Max loves local art and claims to have more than 350 unique pieces. It is located in downtown Seattle and was once the historical Vance Hotel which opened in the beginning of the 20th century.

The hotel was nice overall and the staff has been a participant in the local tech and marketing scenes so I would recommend it to anyone. The downside is that it wasn’t super memorable. It was like a W that had a personality. Do my friends a favor go ahead and check in there sometime and see it for yourself. Check out the pics below:

So that is it for Travel posts for a while. Thanks for letting me share a little bit of my adventures with you.

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The Quest for the Perfect Headphones

by Jeremiah Andrick on November 19, 2009

I don’t know about you but I love music. I have loved music for a long time and the act of listening to and engaging with music is important to me. With all the travel and busy commutes, I also listen to a lot of audio books and podcasts. But ever since my first iPod to my current iPhone, I have been through a lot of headphones. My confession: I have lots of headphones.

I’ve spent way too much money trying different ones, but I still can’t find the perfect pair. I have owned Bose Noise Canceling and in-ears, a variety of Skullcandy, Sony, and Shure (Sc110 and eC2). I have had various levels of success, to-date the Shure’s have made me most happy, but the cable noise and fit problems have meant that for both exercise and some other activities they are not the right headphones.

I truly hate how hard it is too find good one and in truth with every new Apple product I have purchased, my first action is to stuff the headphones into a drawer. I have been shocked one too many times and the fit leaves more than something to be desired. It is no offense to Apple, it is just not their strength. I want a better experience Apple is ruining the sound of music. Want proof check out this page on get satisfaction.

What makes a good earphone?

It comes down to those drivers. Gizmodo did a really nice article that if you are looking for some advice in what to look for. Here is how they describe drivers:

Whether you’re talking about headphones or earbuds, they work a lot like loudspeakers, just miniaturized. The key element in both are drivers, though earphone drivers are a lot smaller, and do a lot less work to make the same music.

There are two main types of drivers: The a dynamic driver works just like a traditional one in big ol’ speaker. The benefit of the dynamic driver is that it produces a nice bass response, though it can be hard to miniaturize.

A balanced armature driver is pretty common in serious in-ear monitors, since it’s easy to shrink down. Originally found in hearing aids, it houses a magnetic armature that moves when an electric current runs through the coil, putting pressure on the diaphragm, creating sound. It can be, and often is, paired with a dynamic driver.

(Source: Gizmodo Giz Explains: Why You Can’t Get Decent Earphones for Less Than $100)

There are lots of sites out there that advise you on how to select a headphone that works for you. For example check out this nice Amazon help guide designed to make sense of the choices. I consider myself very lucky, because I get to work with a headphone manufacturer now in the form of Ultimate Ears. I love it when I get to work with products that I am so passionate about, I also know that it makes me biased, but I thought I would share my experience learning about these headphones and my next step toward the perfect headphones. I am trying to experience them with fresh eyes and provide feedback to the team.

So my first set of Ultimate Ears are one of the most popular items that Ultimate Ears makes; the model 700s. They are so small and light they are perfect for travel and for use with my iPhone (no mic on this model) and the sound is really well balanced.

I have noticed that the cable makes a bit of noise when I run, but not like any of the sub-100 models and they are not stiff like the SC110s. I am really happy about the performance of these. I wish they had a deeper bass, but for deeper bass there are models like the SuperFi 5vi that has iPhone controls.

When I’m walking around in the airport with my iPhone, these have replaced a pair of Sony’s as my everyday set. Voice quality is significantly better in the mix than previous headset and I find I like the fit of the tips. They don’t solve all my problems yet though, because I do need more sound in some situations. While I am not a musician, I do like to play with the occasional mixing board for musicians. The Yamaha OVi that I play with has a Aviom set up for personal mixes and leveraging the monitor out I like to hear the different mixes in hope of creating a better sound. For this I want something a little more professional.

An evolution

So I am moving to Custom in-ear monitors; which is fancy talk for awesomesauce custom earphones. Check out what wikipedia says:

In-ear monitors (IEMs) are devices used by musicians, sound engineers and audiophiles to listen to music or to hear a custom crafted mix of vocals and stage instrumentation for live performance or studio mixing. They are often custom fitted for an individual’s ears and provide a high level of noise reduction from ambient surroundings.

The reality is that getting custom headphones is an investment, but these headphones are the closest thing to having sound injected directly into your brain. On a recent trip down to the office in Irvine I was fitted by Noy the on staff audiologist at UE. Since I don’t have the headphones yet I thought I would share some pics and a video showing how a fitting works. The picture below shows the studio where I was fitted at.

In the video you will see them check to see how clear my ears are, make a silicon putty, and inject it deep in my ears. The whole process took about 7 minutes, but in about three weeks I will have a custom set of UE11s. I don’t know what the experience of them will be like, because it is hard to share something that is meant fit only in your ear. That is part of the point though the custom fit and 4 drivers should help create incredible sound.

So are these the perfect headphones?

Well that is a tough question, really perfect for headphones comes down to where you use them and how well they fit. But it is really cool to get to have an impact on the products. As soon as I get my in-ears, I will update you dear reader on the experience. Also if you have an iPhone you should check out the new iPhone App that will help you get the most out of your earphones.