My Word with Douglas E. Welch

In good hands, originally uploaded by dewelch.

Taken at tonight’s LA Friday Coffee at the Original Farmer’s Market

Start Walking!, originally uploaded by dewelch.

Took a walkabout tonight with my new camera, an Olympus PEN E-PL1. Took some very nice pictures like this one, but also a lot fo flowers for A Gardener’s Notebook.

Click this picture to see the entire set of photos from the walk.

Today’s #Trust30 asked for the biggest challenge in my life right now. This one jumped to mind immediately. I think it is a challenge I have always had in my career. I will have to ruminate on it for a while and see what I come up with. I’ll get back to you on my thoughts in a few days. I’ll pin this to my computer screen and the front door so I am reminded of it every day. Surely there are some big answers to be found there.

#Trust30 Day 4: Biggest Challenge

“How to turn my knowledge into $$$?”

#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing.

The archers have arrived!, originally uploaded by dewelch.

Douglas and Joe in their SCA garb in preparation for the Robin Hood tournament last Saturday

I shot a 72 in the novelty tournament and Joseph won the youth division in Thrown weapons (knives, axes and spears).

Blue cup, originally uploaded by dewelch.

This scene caught my eye as I was having brunch with some friends this morning.

Lunch table still life, originally uploaded by dewelch.

Using Instagram iPhone App and service

What is the best way to learn to cook? 3 answers on Quora

My best recommendation is to find a friend, relative, whoever who likes to cook and stand at their side while they do it. Ask them to explain why they do something, or how. Watch what they do. Then do one yourself. They don't have to be a professional and perhaps even should not be a pro. When you watch someone cook you learn by doing, which I think is one of the most important ways to learn anything.

What you will find is that most cooking is an art form, not a science. Sure there is a lot of science involved in cooking, but anyone who watches me soon learns I gauge ingredients by eye a lot of time, especially if it is something I cook very often. I start off with recipes, following them pretty religiously, but then often branch off into my own adaptations.

Be aware, too, that certain cooking shows are not good for learning how to cook The time constraints involved in recording a show often cause them to give you bad time references for how long something needs to cook or mixed. Emeril Live used to drive me nuts because he would often leave out entire ingredients or steps, which you only discovered when you looked at the recipe.

On the other hand, I really liked Mario Batali's show, Molto Mario, as it was shot in near-realtime, or a as least as close as possible. You got a feeling for how long things took to mix and cook, even if he later had to jump ahead to a pre-prepared item.

My strongest memories of my parents are the time we spent together in the kitchen. My father can cook up a mighty fine skillet or turkey hash after Thanksgiving. I trace a lot of my love of cooking back to my childhood.
Read all this answers to this question:
What is the best way to learn to cook?

What are some tips for getting the most relevant insights of a good book?

Click the link above to read all answers. Here is mine…

As I am reading a book I might come up with an idea that would make a good topic for my Career Opportunities blod and podcast. That idea would go on the topic page for the blog. If an idea doesn't seem to apply to a particular topic, I note it in the chronological journal along with any other ideas or thoughts that might occur to me. In this way I can capture general information and also specific ideas I can immediately put to use."

Christmas Tree in cul de sac, originally uploaded by dewelch.

One last Christmas Tree photo for the season using Instagram. I really like the way that this one came out. It has “Christmas Card” written all over it. (SMILE)

Question from Quora.com: What are some easy tricks to fall asleep fast?

(Click to read all answers)

When I am having particular trouble falling asleep I start to do something repetitive to keep my mind from running away.

This can include repeating one word over and over, focusing on my breathing or, in particularly bad cases, opening my eyes and focusing on some point of light in the room.

When in college, there used to be a radio tower visible from my window while I was lying in bed. I would watch the slowly pulsing red aircraft warning light throw half-open eyes and would often find myself drifting of to sleep without really noticing it.

I think the most important thing is to distract your running mind, if this the main cause of sleeplessness, as it can take you down dark and anxiety filled roads if allowed.