#244 Guisados
01 September 2018 // Los Angeles, California
I’ve gone through LA’s Diamond District so many times, but I was surprised to find a sweet food alley almost hiding in plain sight.
We walked past the crowded streets and busy storefronts hawking discounted jewelry and stepped into the Spring Arcade Building. Suddenly we were in a large open food hall with overhanging light strings and marble floors that kept cool.
That was the first pleasant discovery of the day. The second was Guisados. I know San Diego’s tacos much better than LA’s so I was happy to get them on my radar.
Their specialty is their braised meats on top of super soft corn tortillas. It was still hard to narrow down which ones to order, but thankfully they had a 6 for $7 sampler. Steak picado went down as my favorite, closely followed by mole poblano.
Lots of their tacos had a Oaxacan take. Also, their agua frescas looked great but I couldn’t say no to a Mexican lager. Thanks for the intro Nat & Mus.
#245 Luke Turns 5
02 September 2018 // Bakersfield, California
On Luke’s first birthday, we went to the dollar store and bought him things that were squishy and fun for a one year old to wrap his hands around.
Now that he’s five, the gifts have gotten a little more sophisticated. Magic and Pokémon cards, and a fish that gave birth on the ride over from the pet store, apparently.
Thanks, Luke, for making being your uncle so much fun.
#246 Norwalk Crossing
03 September 2018 // Norwalk, California
A quick stop in Norwalk on the way back from from Bakersfield. This spot has one of the most unusual In N Out settings.
#247 Henri
04 September 2018 // La Mesa, California
Finally got to meet Henri, and he’s a social little dude.
#248 Raw Spoon
05 September 2018 // San Diego, California
This week we’ve started a collaboration with Ross Boone- an artist I had the chance to meet at Plywood. It was a pretty spontaneous team-up but a really fun one. Can’t wait to see what we make together.
#249 Combo Slice
06 September 2018 // San Diego, California
I was finally recognized as a regular and asked if I wanted “the usual” at an eating establishment. I always hoped that would happen, though perhaps not at the Costco food court.
#250 Cali Flops
07 September 2018 // San Diego, California
A super cheap pair of flip flops are surprisingly hard to come by when you need them on an emergency run.
#251 Reading Swing Chair
08 September 2018 // San Diego, California
I listen to all my podcasts at 2x speed. Sometimes I’ll give someone a ride, one will start automatically playing, and my passengers think I’m listening to a Hungarian audiobook. I do this with every show. The only exceptions are shows about music where they’ll play a lot of clips, and the occasional show that has really, really, good mixing.
This is pretty consistent with my (often bad) habit of trying to “squeeze it all in.” I’m working on that, but I don’t think podcasts are the area of life where I’ll see much change.
I’ll drop it down to regular speed when Deanna is in the car, because the speed talking drives her nuts. Or we’ll do the ULTIMATE MARRIAGE COMPROMISE of... 1.5x speed, but you know what happens when I do that?
Sarah Koenig, Krista Tippett, Francis Lam, and all my favorite hosts suddenly sound foreign to me and stuck in molasses. Regular speed is unfamiliar territory. Compare the way you talk to the way a podcast host speaks sometime. It’s proper form to slow down and enunciate on audio, but It feels like they might be assuming I’m not a native English speaker.
Disclaimer: this is not a photo of me with a podcast. That is a book in my hands. One I am perhaps reading at 2x speed.
#252 Start With Why
09 September 2018 // San Diego, California
“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe.”
–Simon Sinek
Book No. 20 of 2018
I probably should’ve read this book long ago. I’ve been familiar with it’s concept for so long, and I knew it was one I would heartily agree with. But it took a while to actually just read the book, you know?
Anyways, I’m very glad I got to it. There are still so many organizations that try to promote what they do and all their features and benefits instead of answering the most important question: why does this matter?
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#253 Monday at Phil’s
10 September 2018 // San Diego, California
Just a little Monday night BBQ action with my parents.
#254 Board & Brew Meeting
11 September 2018 // San Diego, California
I’ve got it pretty good when this is where I take business meetings.
#255 Vet Visit
12 September 2018 // San Diego, California
Took our bargain dog to the not-so-bargain vet. Here comes the fleapocalypse.
#256 Keep Oklahoma Friendly
13 September 2018 // Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, you're great! Don’t let us snobby west coasters tell you otherwise!
I have a thing for places that go overlooked. I’ve known too many people who think that if it isn’t California, New York, or Hawaii, it must be boring. Those are good places, but they miss out on a lot of others.
This was my second time in OKC, and my first visit in years. Both times I’ve come here to discover new people, places to eat, and sweet hangouts that make this place an underrated, friendly gem.
#257 John Mark McMillan
14 September 2018 // Waco, Texas
“There’s a physicality to faith.
You love God by the way you love people. My friend says that you love God as much as the person you love the least.
When I think about who my neighbor is, my definition is— anyone affected by the way I live. The poorest of the poor are affected by the way we live. What does that mean for us?”
–John Mark McMillan
Thank you @johnmarkmcmillan for helping us remember that our attitudes and behaviors regarding the environment and poverty are a reflection of our faith.
Way to lend your voice. Keep up the wonderful tour!
#258 Waco
15 September 2018 // Waco, Texas
Had a bit- not a lot- of time to explore Waco today. In the weirdest way, it’s like Bakersfield and Eugene had a baby.
“Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.
#259 Rich’s 60th
16 September 2018 // Bakersfield, California
Happy 60th to my father in law!
#260 New Intern Class
17 September 2018 // San Diego, California
And just like that, we’ve got a whole new class of interns.
#261 Nashville Arrival
18 September 2018 // Nashville, Tennessee
I’m on board a Southwest flight right now. The past few days have been a fully loaded. My father in law turned 60. I got a new squad of interns. I made it from Waco to Bakersfield to San Diego all to head back out again.
My favorite part of all the mini-missions that I’ve been able to go this year has definitely been all the people I’ve met along the way. Activists at conferences, small business owners in hip neighborhoods, artists on tour. Even the friendly plane seat neighbors and Airbnb hosts. I love people who find their way to make things the world needs. My kinda community is one where creativity and compassion are in full force.
#262 The Wonder Workshop
19 September 2018 // Nashville, Tennessee
My heart is FULL.
Years ago, a guy named Brad and I started following each other on Tumblr of all places. I was just trying to figure out the internet in a post-MySpace world, but we had the same sense of humor and taste in memes, and Brad would share some of the things he kept making. He kept getting better and bolder and people started to notice.
Then his @iamkidpresident videos started to get some deserved attention, along with his drawings, his poems, his Joyful Rebellion and a whole bunch of other creative work. He really made the internet a better place, and with so much heart that it was a joy to cheer him on.
The whole time @bradmontague has been inspiring others with his voice, he’s stayed true to himself. He’s a big encourager for people he may have met on Tumblr long, long ago.
And after all that time, it was great to finally meet in person at the Wonder Workshop. The whole day felt like playtime. Keep making magic, Brad!
#263 STORY 2018, Day 1
20 September 2018 // Nashville, Tennessee
“Be comfortable with the uncomfortable and see the beauty of it all!”
I came to @storygathering to make new connections and walk away with some new insights. I did that! But I also... got to bust out in karaoke, shake hands that have made things that moved me, go to a tea party, get my life story written in a minute, and think about the last sound I want to hear. Ultimately, I got to get reenergized because of the why that guides what I do. And I underestimated how much I needed that.
#264 STORY 2018, Day 2
21 September 2018 // Nashville, Tennessee
Ultimately, I got to reconnect with the reasons I love what I do. I love moving people. I love helping people see the world as a big, incredible, sometimes scary-but-valuable, beautiful place. I love making people want to come alive by helping others.
I’m pumped. Not for any one thing in particular. I’m excited to put my whole heart in everything I do. Let’s do this.
#265 Exploring Nashville
22 September 2018 // Nashville, Tennessee
I love you, Nashville! The last time I was in town was such a tease. I know it’s a great city thanks to all of you on Instagram. But I only got like six hours to explore. @pinewoodnashville and @parnassusbooks were great but then we were out the door!
Booked myself a whole week here this time. Fun place and fantastic people... why rush that? So much to do, so much to eat. Sometimes you want to run around the Parthenon in the park like Indiana Jones. Other times you want to nap after too much hot chicken. I booked myself a week, so I can do both.
#266 I Believe In Nashville
23 September 2018 // Nashville, TN
Nashville! What a blast you are.
To tell you the truth, the past few months of a really heavy travel schedule have been a lot of fun for me, but they’ve also come at a cost. It’s been physically tiring, and it’s also taken me away from home more frequently than I would like.
Deanna and I decided that if I couldn’t stay home this month, then she’d come join me on the road. When the road leads to Nashville, that’s an easy sell!
We spent our weekend making friends over brunch, catching a few random live shows, crossing things off our food bucket lists, getting sick off of sweet tea, and enjoying simple good times together.
When you empty yourself out for the right things, you’ll actually always be full.
#267 Hanging With Crystal
24 September 2018 // Nashville, TN
Nashville! What a blast you are.
To tell you the truth, the past few months of a really heavy travel schedule have been a lot of fun for me, but they’ve also come at a cost. It’s been physically tiring, and it’s also taken me away from home more frequently than I would like.
Deanna and I decided that if I couldn’t stay home this month, then she’d come join me on the road. When the road leads to Nashville, that’s an easy sell!
We spent our weekend making friends over brunch, catching a few random live shows, crossing things off our food bucket lists, getting sick off of sweet tea, and enjoying simple good times together.
When you empty yourself out for the right things, you’ll actually always be full.
#268 Barista Parlor
25 September 2018 // Nashville, TN
Nashville! What a blast you are.
To tell you the truth, the past few months of a really heavy travel schedule have been a lot of fun for me, but they’ve also come at a cost. It’s been physically tiring, and it’s also taken me away from home more frequently than I would like.
Deanna and I decided that if I couldn’t stay home this month, then she’d come join me on the road. When the road leads to Nashville, that’s an easy sell!
We spent our weekend making friends over brunch, catching a few random live shows, crossing things off our food bucket lists, getting sick off of sweet tea, and enjoying simple good times together.
When you empty yourself out for the right things, you’ll actually always be full.
#269 Ben Howard in San Diego
26 September 2018 // San Diego, CA
Speak it simple, make me smile
Tell me a thought, tell me beautiful things
Like how the river bends in a wild wood creek
Am I making history, am I working out?
– Ben Howard, What The Moon Does
Last week I had the chance to catch @bhwrd play in San Diego. It was a somber show played outdoors on a Wednesday night. It was brilliant. The last time I saw him play live, he completely owned the room. That was six years ago and I don’t think he played a single song from that set list this time around.
He played more stuff from his new album, which is more sophisticated and has taken me more time to get into. I usually have no idea what the lyrics are about but I know exactly the feelings they’re bringing up. Mr. Howard is quite good at that.
Sadly, however, he also left his remarkable Call Me Maybe cover off the setlist. Maybe next time.
#270 Hustle & Heart
27 September 2018 // San Diego, CA
When you empty yourself for something bigger than yourself, you end up living fully.
I love @toddhenry’s mantra ‘Die Empty.’ I love all the different variations of it. The coaches who remind you to leave it all on the field. The Facebook chain your auntie shares about arriving in the casket worn out saying, my what a ride.
I don’t actually like the word hustle. I prefer words like ‘ukulele’ and ‘oolong.’ But the word hustle describes this season a bit more accurately. So many new opportunities. So many chances to meet and collaborate with people I never dreamt possible. So many open doors.
A season of hustle can be good for some people. It eats other people alive. Making sure you go into every day with a big, open heart makes the difference.
Life comes at you fast. Let heart and hustle go hand in hand.
#271 Point Loma Rotary
28 September 2018 // San Diego, CA
I suppose the world can seem like an intimidating place these days to tell your own story in your own voice. I don’t blame anyone for feeling that way. But- your story and your voice still hold sway. They can still move people, no matter who they are.
On Friday, I had the chance to speak in front of a local rotary group. I actually really enjoy speaking and haven’t gotten to do much of it in months so I was excited to get up and to start sharing my story.
The group was way different than my usual audience, demographically speaking. I speak most often with younger crowds interested in solving problems and changing the world, if you will. I’ve also been known to make occasional references to Fresh Prince episodes and to use Pokémon as metaphors. I was real curious how this would play in a crowd of mostly senior age men.
It went real well! No Fresh Prince references, but I otherwise just told my story of wanting to do something bigger with my life and how that led to connecting with @plantwpurpose. It reminded me of how much I love to speak. And they gave me a ballcap and had me sign a children’s book I didn’t write as a thank you.
#272 Coffee Outside
29 September 2018 // San Diego, CA
This week: So much to process. So much disappointment. So much frustration. So many surprises. So many discoveries. So much going on. So much learning on the fly. So much heart. So many problems solved. So many reasons to celebrate. So many reasons to keep going.
When it seems like life is bloated with joy, struggle, and chaos, there’s one thing that there’s always more room for. Love. Turn it up loud.
#273 More Love
30 September 2018 // San Diego, California
This week: So much to process. So much disappointment. So much frustration. So many surprises. So many discoveries. So much going on. So much learning on the fly. So much heart. So many problems solved. So many reasons to celebrate. So many reasons to keep going.
When it seems like life is bloated with joy, struggle, and chaos, there’s one thing that there’s always more room for. Love. Turn it up loud.