Category Archives: review

Choose Yourself, the latest book by James Altucher is a straight forward kick in the pants to anyone who needs it. It makes a very strong case for what many of us already know (and many others suspect) — that everything we used to rely on for safety (College, Employment, Retirement, etc) no longer can be relied on. No longer can we wait for someone to hire us, invest in us, or pick us. Now is the time we must choose ourselves and, thus, control our own destiny.

He makes his case using straight talk and a no-nonsense style. To do so, he uses facts, reason, numerous case studies, and his own personal failures and successes. But, I think even more important is that this is the first book of this type I have read that stresses personal health and well being as essential tools for choosing oneself. Things like proper sleep, a healthy diet, and daily exercise are requirements for doing your best work. Choosing yourself begins with making these sorts of investments in ones overall well being.

As someone who has “chosen himself” already, I’m often asked by those interested in doing so for books, resources, and my own writings on the subject that I recommend. I can confidently say that this book will now be at the top of that list. Mainly because the author pulls no punches about the whats, hows, and whys of what he believes we all should do. He gets to the point fast and never couches or waivers from it. In fact, he believes so strongly in the ideas he is expressing that he will gladly give you your money back. He just wants to get this message out to as many people as possible.

Do yourself a favor and choose to get it for yourself. What do you have to lose? Especially those who have lost so much already.

P.S. I just noticed that, as I write this, the Kindle version is only $.99 cents but is available on loan for free to Amazon Prime members via the Kindle Lending Library program.

I was not expecting to like this bag as much as I do. When Levenger reached out to me to ask if I wanted to review their Bomber Jacket Messenger, I wasn’t so sure. I have a lot of bags — more than enough. It’s one of the places where my natural minimalistic tendencies fly out the window. To that end, I have worked very hard to settle on just few bags that are built to last a lifetime. Included in that group is a Levenger Stanley Briefbag (now-discontinued). So, I certainly don’t need another bag.

But I sure do love this bag. It’s a great size. It’s not meant to hold everything. It is more square than rectangular so even a lot of laptops are out of the question. That said, it has two large compartments so more than enough room for a full size iPad. It has a some organizational pockets for a phone, pens, business cards, etc. It also has two zippered pockets — one inside and one outside that are roomy and deep. In other words, it can actually hold a fair amount of stuff and keep it organized without losing it’s trim shape. There is also a nice little hook inside for your keys that attaches with a snap. I used the heck out of that.

The Bomber Jacket leather and plaid interior just plain look good as well. Rugged yet elegant. Equally at home with a t-shirt and jeans or a suit. I’ve been using it almost daily since I got it a few weeks back and it still looks brand new.

I’ve been a Levenger customer for over twenty years. I have never been disappointed by anything I have purchased there. The commitment to quality, service, and usefulness of their offerings is beyond compare.

So, if you are looking for a versatile bag for your daily commute, yet don’t need a full laptop bag, this is well worth a look. That said, if you do like the looks of this bag but wished it were a little bit larger to accommodate a laptop, they make a version for that too which I can only assume is just as great.

I could not be more pleased with the items I received from Nock Co. after having backed their successful Kickstarter campaign. But, of the bunch, so far I’m most pleased with the design and utility of The Chimneytop Pop-Up Zip Cases. They are made primarily with writing instruments in mind but can be used for a iety of other items as well. These have really filled me with delight each time I take them out to use them.

I received both the small and the medium. I’m using the small for pens. I generally have a number of pens in my bag and have been known to use several at once (different colors, point sizes, etc.) when taking notes. Therefore, it is nice to have a case that, when open, allows me to easily see and retrieve the contents inside. It looks handsome on the desk. And, thanks to the way they are designed, once zipped it becomes a nice trim package.

The medium I’m using for other items I like to carry in my ruck — headphones, a small flashlight, a Swiss Army knife, and other sundry items that otherwise knock around the top pocket. Once again, it creates a nice trim package of this stuff when zipped.

Between the two, things are neat and contained. Both are very sturdy too thanks to using 1000D Nylon.

Now, Nock Co. is still trying to catch up with the Kickstarter orders. They have not officially opened shop to the wide world yet. I feel sort of bad reviewing and recommending something that can’t be ordered yet. That said, I know the guys there are working as hard as they can to do so soon. Great products, from great folks, made in the USA, at reasonable prices. Keep them on your radar screen.