I like end-of-year summaries, it seems like a good way to plant a flag for yourself to see in the future. It might actually be one of the main reasons for creating this blog. Without further ado, here are my remarks from the year 2017.
The year in short
I fractured my leg in the beginning of the year which shifted my training to focus on rehabilitiation. It also opened up new opportunities since I was unable to partake in some physical activities that usually occupy my schedule. I joined a group called “Movement” and have since improved my strength and mobility in ways I did not anticipate.
Following the reading of Will MacAskill’s book (see below) I updated my investment strategy. I managed to donate about 4% of my net income to Give Well’s recommended top charities. Donating money is not something I’ve done regulary before, it was a psychological barrier for me to overcome. I managed to do so by automating the monthly transfer, that way my generosity is not bound to my momentary mood each time I receive a salary.
I made a few trips during the year, the most memorable to the US west coast and Hawaii. It was basically a three week brewery tour with some hiking in between. Hawaii has many great hiking trails, much recommended.
I also fell in love and got another nephew. So yeah, a pretty good year.
Some books I’ve read
Steven Pinker - The Sense of Style
This is a very entertaining book, subtitled “The thinking person’s guide to writing in the 21st century”. Pinker is funny and the language is beautiful. The book opened my eyes in many ways and made me question many of the unspoken rules for writing that I’ve picked up during my years in school and the university. I look forward to read his new book titled “Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress”.
Willian MacAskill - Doing Good Better
Will MacAskill, well known figure in the social movement called Effective Altruism, lays out the case for a rational approach to charity and for how to make a difference in the world. A perfect fit for an engineer like myself. The book changed my behaviour in tangible ways.
Timothy Snyder - On Tyranny
Twenty lessons from the twentieth century. It’s short. Just read it!
Music, movies and series
It seems like I’m always a few years behind when it comes to new music. Anyway, here are three records I’ve listened to a lot this year (and hence recommend)
- Frida Hyvönen - Kvinnor och barn
- Jason Isbell - The Nashville Sound
- Kamasi Washington - The Epic
The best film I watched was Manchester by the Sea. I also enjoyed the documentary series “The Vietnam War” by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, it made me realize how little I knew about this war.
Hopes for 2018
- Improve my handstand, tuck planche, hip mobility, pull-ups, …
- Write at least 6 blog posts
- Find and complete some fun programming projects
- Stick to my investment strategy
- Read more, especially fiction
—— Eric