Heil og sæl, !

That's "happy and healthy" which happens to be an old Viking greeting. Hope you're the the mood for some random things as I write this email in between some pretty complicated cases at work. What are you up to? I need to live vicariously so let me know what you're up to!

Before I go on, a shameless request! Could you forward this newsletter to just 3 people that you think would like one of the articles? It helps A LOT! If you're the friend reading this, click the link below to join! Glad to have you here!

In this week's email...

• Week in the Life - read on the blog
• Creative - Gift ideas for your favourite geek & 2022 PxR Calendar
• Gadgets & Tech - Oura Ring Gen 3
• Read - Why are so many doctors advising start-ups (~5min)
• Watch - When an engineer has too much time (~2min)
• Quote - "Everything that needs to be said, has been said, but since no one was listening, it needs to be said again"

Week in the life

I'm writing this while still at work (it's 8:49pm) in between some pretty complicated cases today. While it's been a loooong day, I'm very glad it's now after a few days off last week. Here's my current view in between the work gloves and other equipment just outside theatre

Last week, I finally breached my self imposed 5km radius like during the lockdowns and went to Torquay and to visit friends in Geelong. It was so nice being away from the city with no possibility of being at work. I realised 1 pretty significant thing about why I don't really relax when I jut have time off at home: I'm too easy to guilt trip and know subconsciously that I may end up at work. Being away means that I actually cant do that so I can finally relax.

Even though it was only 2.5 days, you can see on my Oura ring data how the HRV is starting to increase (a marker of rested state and I came back Thursday).

I think it just shows I need more breaks! Anyway, I took a bunch of photos and hung out with old friends over in Geelong too. More on that over on the blog...

Creative update

Medium: Gift ideas for your favourite geek

https://raffyhalim.medium.com/gift-ideas-for-your-favourite-geek-2021-edition-3d7fc32cb358

Given I recommend random tech/gadgets/books all the time, I'd compile my absolute favourites this year into a single post for gift ideas.

This article was the result. If you missed any of the newsletters or want to see what I most enjoyed this year, this article should clear it up!

Melbourne 2022 Wall Calendar (pre-order) (~$22)

https://photosbyraffy.com/product/melbourne-2022-wall-calendar

These are due to arrive next week and the pre-order price will stop then! If you'd like to pick one up, now is the time!

Hope you like the pics over the course of the next year.

If you'd like one at a discounted price, you can use the code "sunday10" to get another 10% during the pre-order time! I haven't shared the discount elsewhere but here! Goes great as a Xmas or Secret Santa gift!

Gadgets & Tech

Oura Ring Gen 3

https://ouraring.com/taf/b35ca2a188

So I recently upgraded to the newest Oura ring after what was a random decision on the version 2. It's been a pretty useful biometric tracker. While steps and all that are generally covered by my smart watch, I have found the Oura to be the least intrusive sleep and rest tracker.

The link should give you a $50 discount and a free 6 month subscription.I only get 3 of these codes to share.

• Fountain Pens- It's gift season and I know these would be one of my most bought ones if I was an Xmas celebrating person!
• Oculus Quest 2 - If you're going to head into the Metaverse and explore VR, this is a decent entry point. It's relatively cheap by comparison and has excellent library of content.

Read

Why are so many doctors advising start-ups (~5min)

https://www.fastcompany.com/3059231/why-so-many-doctors-are-advising-startups

I don't know a lot about advising start-ups but it's something I've half dabbled with after friends have gone and started their own. I was surprised to see that this is part of a growing trend.

I'd agree with the findings of the article: for me it's more about the fun and finding different problems to solve than anything else. Have you considered an advisory role?

What I'm reading

• Dune - Getting to the climax of the story now. After reading this far, I'm very curious to see if what I have in mind matches the film!

Watch

When an engineer has too much time (~2min)

https://youtu.be/ICK04WQlnsY

This is a fun little video of an engineer that clearly had too much time.

Essentially it's a pretty clever series of mechanisms that the camera follows. I really like these little videos just because o how much meticulous planning it would all take!

Quote I'm pondering

"Everything that needs to be said, has been said, but since no one was listening, it needs to be said again..."

– Andre Gide

This was a quote that actually influenced me to start this newsletter! I've often felt as though I don't really have anything new to say, so I don't bother to write or create things.

While it's true that most timeless principles are just that: timeless, it's in the way they're communicated that gives them a fresh sparkle and also makes it relevant of the times.

That quote gave me the impetus to start this as a newsletter. Not so much to show my own writing but offer a way of curating all the great things out there. Is there something that you want to create but think it's too unoriginal? Maybe make it anyway...

That's all I have for yet another week ! Hope you enjoyed the newsletter. As always, I simply LOVE hearing from you and your opinions. Feedback is always welcome!

Stay safe!

- Raffy

PS - What was your favourite part of the email this week? Let me know with 1 click! I read the survey every week (& keep tweaking things with your feedback!)

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