Category: Aspiration

Aspiration by Joe WilcoxNov 11, 20141:21 pm

A Storyteller Returns (Or So I Hope)

One of my favorite bloggers is photographer Carl Rytterfalk, whose voice silenced several years ago. But in a post overnight (in my time zone) he asks: “Am I back?” That’s a good question, which answer is complicated.

“In February 2013 my life changed dramatically with the early birth of my son who was born with the rare and somewhat difficult chromosome disorder named Trisomy 9 mosaic”, he writes about his absence. “Since William was born I’ve been using Facebook instead of rytterfalk.com and I think it should be the other way around. So I’m trying to convince myself that it’s ok for a while to post more from life and when ready—about photography, too”.

Photo by Joe WilcoxNov 9, 201412:30 pm

Tween and Her Mac

I shot this 10 year-old photo (July 2004) with Nikon D70, which is a classic. Among all the digicams ever held in my hands, the the 5MP shooter produced some of the sharpest, and most-satisfying […]

Living by Joe WilcoxNov 9, 201412:04 pm

Sunday Morning Playlist

In another life I was a music deejay. Many years later, my tastes are eclectic and rock/pop punk current. Working on any weekend requires just the right mixtape to flush creativity from aging synapses. Classic […]

Aspiration by Joe WilcoxNov 2, 20148:50 am

Google Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead Doodle is so awesome.

Living by Joe WilcoxOct 10, 20149:22 pm

This Is Me Then and Now

The photo left greatly embarrasses me, but I feel compelled to contrast it with the other. The heavyset me weighed 95 kilos (210 pounds), in September 2004. The other is from August 2014, when I weighed 70 kilos (152 pounds). I’ve lost another 2.5 kilos since my wife snapped the pic of me holding our cat, Neko. The change is dramatic.

Moving to California seven years ago on October 15 precipitated initial weight loss, which with increased activity occurred gradually to 82.6 kilos (182 pounds) early last year. The other 15 kilos (33 pounds) is result of massive dietary change, which is topic of my forthcoming book How I Beat Diabetes. Simply stated: I cut carbs and portions, switching to a diet high in protein, berries, nuts, and leafy veggies.

Living by Joe WilcoxJun 7, 20148:24 pm

Caught Between a Rock and a Cat Tree

Today, I bought Neko a cat tree—found on Craigslist—from a woman who makes them in her home. “I’m trying to get off welfare”, she told me. I paid $60, and I felt guilty for her giving such a good deal. I didn’t negotiate for better price.

I love enterprising people. Don’t you?

Living by Joe WilcoxMar 31, 201411:26 am

Maidentrip is Marvelous

Yesterday I rented, and, with my wife and father-in-law, watched “Maidentrip“, an amazing and immersive documentary. I look in dismay at the film’s domestic showing, just $63,151 proceeds in theaters according to BoxOffice. The film […]

Living by Joe WilcoxMar 9, 20143:11 pm

Future Seen

The difference taking care of an elderly relative versus a child? In one you see your mortality, and in the other your vitality. Joe Wilcox

Aspiration by Joe WilcoxFeb 17, 20147:33 pm

Be a Better Crowdfunder

To date, my Indiegogo campaign for book Be a Better Blogger is a money loser. Costs exceed the pittance of contributions, and I appreciate every one made. Make no mistake, if you contributed—thank you! But with 11 days to go, and the campaign about 1.8 percent funded, absolute failure looms large.

So with little to lose, but more money, I hired one of several crowdfunders that emailed or commented soon after the campaign’s launch. I don’t expect much from the $149 fee, which gets me one hour consultation, press release, PR distribution, journalist outreach, and feed submission (whatever that means). But I did receive important insight, which is more a lesson about interacting with others rather than working alone.

Aspiration by Joe WilcoxFeb 8, 20142:21 pm

Real People, Real Cosplay

Here is another vid from Comic-Con 2009 and, again, 360p even though I shot in 1080p. Perhaps YouTube allows re-uploads with higher quality? This one is a bit long for the actual content, but I […]

Aspiration by Joe WilcoxFeb 8, 201411:13 am

'Comic-Con Heroes' Weekend Sale

To celebrate the opening of San Diego Comic-Con 2014 pre-registration, I discount my book Comic-Con Heroes: The Fans Who Make the Greatest Show on Earth. Go to Smashwords and use coupon code “SZ79R” to get the book for $1.49 instead of $3.99. The coupon expires tomorrow, so grab the ebook today.

Comic-Con Heroes also is available from other major ebookstores, like Amazon Kindle and Google Play. I offer the deal through Smashwords because the store lets me generate coupon codes and offers readers a wider selection of format options, with ePub and Mobi being the most important.

Aspiration by Joe WilcoxJan 10, 201410:49 am

Timing is Everything

Strange the difference three minutes makes. Coachella general admission tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. PST. I made an early attempt at 9:57, expecting to be denied access but got through to the standby page […]