Annyeong !

That's "hi" in Korean. If you've watched Arrested Development in the past, I'm sure you'll recognise that. Firstly, apologies for last week. I forgot to update the quick links for the email. Call it Ramadan brain! On that front, it's the last 10 days already! But more on that later...

As always, a small ask, if I may? If you have a friend who you think would enjoy the this email, maybe forward it on? 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
• Ramadan21 update - 46% there!
• Gadgets & things - Tieless Shoelaces
• Read - Deep Work
• Watch - 3D Printed house gets first tenants
• Very random - To bite the bullet

Week in the life

This week has been pretty darn repetitive I have to say! As compared to last year, where I felt like I could never get into the routine of Ramadan, this year, the days are really blurring into one. I'm not sure if it's because there's so much extra/catch up surgeries that most days are finishing a bit late or if I'm just an old man these days!

Photography wise, I've had very in terms of free days to go through my back log and edit photos and videos. Heck, I've been a bit behind editing the Ramadan videos! Though that has more to do with being embarrassed in front of a camera...

I did, however manage to get some cool timelapses over the last few days. Here's one from the other night (in really bad quality GIF). Not bad for something taken on a phone!

Better resolution images and more over at the blog...

Ramadan21 update

Ramadan21 Donation page

https://chuffed.org/project/ramadan21-help-the-homeless

Well with 10 days to go, we're nearly at the half way mark with $700 raised! If you're considering donating, there's still time and I'm matching all donations to $1500 (so will match $800 more)!

On the video/vlog front, I'm actually a bit embarrassed to be in front of the camera doing monologue style videos rather than the quick clips that I did in prior years. Hence, it's been a bit slow, but will get the next one out later today.

In the meantime, some public acknowledgement is in order. Thank you to the following people for donating thus far:

• Eleanor T
• Vanita B
• Mi S
• Amy F
• Josh S
• Omeed A
• Redwan H

Gadgets & tech

Tieless Shoelaces

https://amzn.to/339i6Xf

While not technically a 'gadget' I have been using shoelace replacements for a little while now. In the past, I used Hickies lace replacements in the past, but they are expensive and can need replacing. I haven't used these ones for as long, but considering they're only $5 for a set, they've been great! They have essentially let me turn all my shoes into slip ons. Seems to even work for my runners too.

• DJI Mini 2 - It's easy to fly and takes excellent pics. Best of all, it charges over USB-C so no need for a ton of chargers!
• Aeropress Go - Make an awesome cup of coffee with an Aeropress that fits into a coffee cup!

Read

Deep Work

https://amzn.to/2PFltCb

I read this book a little while ago, but in taking my own advice, I'm rereading this before I go head first into learning more programming.

The essence of the book is strategies to get into a "flow state" and focus on really challenging tasks. It seems especially prudent since the author is a computer science professor!

Also, when I re-read books, I tend to skim them to remind myself of the core principles. I'm wondering whether it'd be useful to do mini book summaries in the future. Is that some thing that you think would be useful for you? Let me know!

Current book that I'm reading:

• Guns, germs and steel - So close to the end of this book but not quite there yet! This book has so many interesting points that it's making me want to go back and start the book summary project.

Watch

3D Printed house gets first tenants (~2min)

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/retired-dutch-couple-become-europe-s-first-tenants-of-fully-3d-printed-house-1.4553490

A few years ago, I heard that 3d printing at the scale of buildings was possible. Just a few days ago, not only is this now a thing, but in the Netherlands, the first tenant have occupied a 3D printed house!

While that in itself is a milestone, a more interesting number is how long it took to make this house.

Any guesses?

It was only 120hrs! Just imagine how much the time reduction alone would reduce costs but also enable fast deployment of structures in crises or to house those less fortunate...

Very Random

"To bite the bullet"

https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bite-the-bullet.html

Ever wonder where the expression "bite the bullet" came from? I always assumed it was taken from magicians performing that trick where they seem to catch a bullet in their teeth but it seems it may be from an incorrect spelling instead of "to bite a billet" from the olden days where surgery didn't involve anaesthesia and people were given leather or wooden sticks (billet) to bite.

Though another theory is that during the American Civil War, soldiers in the battlefield were given a bullet to bite on instead, though as the link above states, that's unlikely.

That's all for another week so stay safe and stay random!

- Raffy

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