John Chandler

I fancy myself a bit of a planner, but I find myself heading into Election Day without any salsa in the house to calm my concerns.

Finished reading: How to Know a Person by David Brooks 📚

I’ve found value in each of Brooks' books, but this one is a stand out. No question it will be one of my top books read this year, and will often be recommended to others.

I would dress up as the Grinch for Halloween, but I’m kind of a grinch about Halloween.

First play of Twilight Struggle with my son.

Relaunched my personal site this week to serve as a simple marketing page for my freelance WordPress work: byjohnchandler.com. The previous one was woefully neglected and didn’t help me look very competent.

Be glad to hear from you if you need some WordPress work, or might know someone looking.

Finished reading: Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson 📚

Really enjoyed the audiobook – a good survey of how we got the current political landscape in the US.

I’m enjoying re-reading Sacred Fire, by Ronald Rolheiser, to prepare for an online book club I’m hosting next month. If the subtitle catches your interest, I’d be glad to have you join the discussion. Details are available here.

I know little about the movie, but the new soundtrack for We Live in Time caught my eye since it’s from Bryce Dessner. After two listens, I determined it will be my writing music for the near future.

Finished reading: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver 📚

One of those books that meets the high expectations I had for it. But of course…it’s Barbara Kingsolver. I’ve only read a handful of her books, but each time I do, I resolve to read all the rest.

I’ve been a WordPress developer for over 15 years now. There have often been general critiques of WordPress as a platform that I’ve had to talk through with potential clients. But the damage currently being done to the brand by its own founder is beyond anything I’ve had to clarify before.

Finished reading: The Year of Living Constitutionally by A.J. Jacobs 📚

I think I’ve read most, if not all, of Jacobs' books. Appreciate the humor, but also that I learn some new things along the way.

Wasn’t aware of Ta-Nahisi Coates' new book, The Message, but queued it up from the library waitlist after seeing him on The Daily Show last night

And thus ends another rough season to be an Angels fun…rougher than ever before. Surely they can only go up next season, right?

For the past 20 years, I’ve spent most of my alone time in the car listening to podcasts, audiobooks and sermons. I’m suddenly getting tired of that, and wanting to just listen to music while I’m driving like my young adult years.

Finished reading: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt 📚

I was generally familiar with most of what he wrote in here, as this has been an area of interest. Still, I’m glad to have read it to reinforce the ideas, and think it’s an important book that should be read widely.

I’ve slowly been building out some resources and guides for spiritual practices on the website for my spiritual direction practice.

I hope they can be helpful for you, or someone you might share them with.

Two road trips this week for for first time college drop-offs. I’m not ready for this.

Finished reading: Backpacking with the Saints by Belden C. Lane 📚

I had been eager to get to this one for a while, and finally tackled it via audiobook. Most audiobook listening seems more like a book summary for me for my splattered attention, so I’d like to revisit this on in print.

A quick update on how my home barista training is going with my 16 year-old son…

A little urban retreat day – something I wish I would do more. Moving between a few coffee shops that aren’t in my usual rotation for a change of scenery to do some thinking/writing/planning.

Going to look at scheduling something like this once a month.