20 Books for $100

My friend informed me about the insane deal from A Book Apart: buy 20 paperbacks for $100. Yesterday, I created a collection just for A Book Apart. My order is out for delivery. I will spend the next few months or the entire year reading books from A Book Apart.

An Opportunity

When someone from a high-profile organization reached out to me for a potential consulting project, of course I was skeptical. I assumed they tried to spam me—it was too good to be true. I ignored their message, but they followed up. Their email seemed legit; therefore, I did some research and they turned out to be who they claimed to be. I took on the project. Although I cannot share anything, I am excited about the opportunity to work for a company I have admired and respected.

NDA

I was about to make a special announcement on a consulting project I landed, but I had to suppress my excitement after reading the NDA. Oh well!

Holiday Break

Last Friday was my last of work for 2023. I will return on January 10, 2024. I need a long break.

People & Blogs

I’ve been reading Manuel Moreale’s People and Blogs. I am so glad to see people are still blogging. I’ve been doing this since 2003 and haven‘t stopped. It’s all good, baby baby!

Need a Holiday Gift?

Check out Dana Nguyễn’s handcrafted simplexpression, in which she captures the joy and spirit of the festive season in the heart of Fairfax City.

Giving Tuesday

If you feel compelled to give today, please consider supporting this blog.

Tập thơ mới của anh Cao Nguyên

Mới đặt hành tập thơ mới của anh Cao Nguyên với tựa đề “Ba dòng thơ”. Đã đọc và theo dõi vài bài thơ ba dòng anh chia sẻ trên Facebook, tôi tin chắc rằng đây là một tuyển tập đầy thú vị. Nhân dịp lễ Giáng Sinh sắp đến, đây là một món quà đầy ý nghĩa cho những tâm hồn mê thơ và yêu tiếng Việt. Hãy đặt hành ở Amazon ngay. Trong lúc chờ đợi, mời các bạn cùng đọc “Thơ mưa” của Anh Cao Nguyên ở thomua.com.

Lang Gothic

I purchased a license of Lang Gothic to accommodate AT Lang, designed by Stephen Nixon. I know Stephen will support Vietnamese and will turn it into a large family. I was hoping that Stephen would expand AT Lang to include reading text, but it looks like that will be on Lang Gothic. It is only $35. Definitely worth spending.

Is Jazz More Creativity and Classical Music More Craft?

Raymond Leone writes for Psychology Today:

Obviously, it’s not that simple. And just like the nature vs. nurture debate, it’s really some combination of both. I’m certain that Alexander has spent hours and years practicing and perfecting the “craft” of his instrument. And I don’t think Yo-Yo Ma became who he is just because he practiced more than everyone else. But creating in the moment is certainly different than, say, playing Bach note for note, as written. There is no room for error in playing the Bach cello suites. Is there more room for error in jazz? Miles Davis famously once said, “If I play a wrong note, I’ll just play it again and then it’s not wrong anymore.” Well, I don’t think you can do that when performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor.

What I think is that you need both. The creativity fuels the craft. And the craft is needed to express the creativity at a high level. A professional level. There is always some of both involved. And ultimately, it’s those who are most creative and most dedicated to the craft that are the most successful.

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