Missing China It is approaching a year since the family and I moved out of Shenzhen, China. There are of course the good, the bad, and the ugly in any city / country / state in the world – that is what makes life beautiful right? Today, as I am on my second trip to China in less than a …
Another China Trip (June 2019)
Taking a Rather Quick Return Trip to China So the frequency of trips to Hong Kong and China has always been something of an experiment since I moved to Thailand. I took a week there at the end of May 9999 and there was still so much to do. On top of that – honestly it is hard to do …
Book Review – Atomic Habits
Book Review: Atomic Habits Been meaning to read this productivity books called “Atomic Habits” by James Clear – and it was definitely worth the time and investment (I consider the 10usd or so I paid for the Kindle book nothing compared to the time someone invests in reading an actual book). Here are my key takeaways of the book Time …
Build A Foundation Like Bamboo
Feeling Like Bamboo, and The Shoots Are Coming A pretty cool clip I read while reading Atomic Habits book is about building habits / systems – not just goals. What is this story of bamboo? It spends 5 years underground building its roots. Making a strong and solid foundation. Then, after those five years, it suddenly shoots up into the …
Plans for Rest of 2019
Plans For Next Six Months We are almost halfway through the year. It has been an intense one for sure, settling in to Thailand life, luckily got the visa sorted for the whole family. While my “wild travel adventures” have slowed down, they haven’t dropped to a halt. Using today’s blog to share the plans for the rest of 2019. …
Took Kids To The Beach (Amazing Vibes)
Wow, the feeling you get when your kids put their water in the ocean. I have taken them to the beach before (I remember when I visited my family in Florida we all got in the water) – but maybe they are old enough to appreciate it now. The ocean, something about the sheer size of the ocean and the …
The Food You Eat (You Are What You Eat?)
Been getting mostly positive feedback on the I don’t drink blog post here. Some say I am hiding behind my blog to avoid confrontation – sure, that makes some sense – but at the same time it has already helped prepare people in advance so no misunderstandings. If you just want to hear what I can and cannot eat – …
Reminder Of Family Bonding, In Southeast Asia
The Family Bonding In Southeast Asia Definitely more “cowboys and indians” style here in Southeast Asia compared to the last few years in Shenzhen. Actually it is mind-blowing to think how fast Shenzhen, China developed from seeing things like this photo featured today into a police state where nothing like this seems even possible anymore. I took the photo in …
For Future Business Meetings: I Don’t Drink
This is more of a notice I will send to potential people I may meet – I do not drink alcohol. No hard feelings, I am not judging you if you do – you can drink as much as you want – I just don’t drink.
Launching Something Special on My Birthday
A Birthday – so launching a Bootcamp in Thailand Ya, here is a vlog. Well – we are doing a video update, can we call it that. Don’t plan to get back to the grind of regular video blogs – this is a special one for a couple special reasons. vlog 211 It is my birthday! Not sure about you, …
Mike’s Blog turns 12 years old
This blog turns 12 On March 26, 2007 I started this blog. I had quit my job on Wall Street – at Deutsche Bank – and was going full time entrepreneur – selling bar products online (which we had been doing since 2004) and sourcing from China (a new domain was registered then – Shadstone.com) I enjoy just blogging. I …
Turn My Kids into Youtubers?
Make My Kids a Youtube Channel? As a dad, and content creator, and former vlogger (I may return, but in a new shape and form), I do like the concept of documenting my kids growing up. Today’s day and age you can do so much more than simply marking their height on a door frame You can record the kids …
American Breakfast on Saturdays
Saturday American Breakfast My wife is amazing. Life is amazing. Saturday morning is again my favorite time of the week – pancakes, and today even bacon. It is these small things that really make life worth living. Since about 2014 she has made us pancakes for breakfast on Saturday morning (my cheat day).
Finding Happiness (A Tweet From Justin Kan)
Finding happiness, it is already there – my main takeaway from Justin’s amazing summary of happiness is – realizing that life is a game. There are rules, and we all want to win – but we need to take it easy sometimes as well.
Quick Roland Encounter In Taipei
Random Encounters in Taiwan Even though I am on the download lately in social media (no vlogs, no social media updates) – tags and others sharing on social gets on people’s radars. While I’m down here (or up here technically) in Taipei, Taiwan – Roland randomly saw I was coming and reached out. We were lucky enough to grab dinner …