Liss is More
By Casey Liss
Appearance: IRL Talk 40

This past week, my buddy Jason Seifer had me stand in for my other buddy Faith Eleanor Korpi on my their awesome podcast, IRL Talk.

On last week’s episode, I call Jason and Faith out on their amateur-level use of Emoji, Kickstarter, Analog(ue), and more.

Blaming Teachers

The Atlantic attempts to explain why teachers are blamed for all of the ills of the education system here in the United States:

The focus on testing to evaluate teachers, then, is not based on a rational look at the research. Instead, one could argue, it’s based on the logic of the moral panic, and the created identity of teachers.

More:

If we want to improve schools, one of the quickest ways is to reduce turnover; skilled veteran teachers may be schools’ most valuable resources.

My favorite part:

It means treating teachers as professionals to rely on, rather than as suspects to be policed.

A man can dream.

Mobile Data Plan Changes

I just noticed that there have been some changes to T-Mobile’s data plans for iPads. I’ve updated the chart in my post that lays out the options.

T-Mobile’s changes:

  • New 5GB & 7GB month passes (these don’t auto-renew)
  • Added 500MB of data to all monthly plans (these auto-renew). No change in cost.
  • For the 1GB, 3GB, and 5GB plans, they are $10 off each month until the end of the year.

This is yet another example of why I feel like T-Mobile is the most consumer- friendly mobile carrier. They’re offering great deals and raising some of the data allotments without increasing cost.

I would absolutely switch to T-Mobile, but I’ve found coverage is pretty terrible as soon as you get even slightly outside Richmond. In fact, it feels very much like AT&T did circa 2008.

Appearance: Defocused 11

In my continuing quest to make you all sick of me by being on all the podcasts, I joined Joe Rosensteel (seen previously) and Dan Sturm on their really fun podcast, Defocused.

In the episode, we discussed my appearance on TRL circa 2001, Woodstock 1999, and one of my favorite movies, Collateral.

A Brave Decision

Today is a peculiar day in the Liss household.

On this day, Erin should be going back to work, for her first day of teacher in-service days for the 2014-2015 school year.

But, she’s not at work. Erin is staying home.

Upon leaving for my job today, I could see that sad twinkle in her eye. While I know, and Erin knows, that staying home with is the right decision, it doesn’t make today any less sad.

Identity

Erin has said to me a few times over the summer, in so many words, that she’s losing a part of herself by ceasing to work outside the home. I don’t blame her — I’d probably be saying the same thing, were the roles reversed. Which got me thinking: how do you really define yourself? Is it the work you do? The company you keep? What you provide to the world? Or, perhaps, what you take from it?

It’s so easy, particularly in a work-obsessed place like America, to derive so much of your identity from the work which you do. When you meet someone, it’s typically the second thing you’re asked; “what’s your name?” and then “what do you do?”.

To me, I think identity is all of those things, while also none of them.

Perhaps most importantly, identity can be summed up as the choices you make.

Leap of Faith

In Erin’s case, her choice is to trade one of the hardest jobs in the world (teaching) for an even harder one (being a stay-at-home mom). It is a total leap of faith on her part.

I have absolutely zero doubt that she’ll be a phenomenal mother, and embrace staying at home with . Deep down, I think Erin believes it as well. Nevertheless, it’s not a sure thing. I deeply respect her commitment to doing what she thinks is right, despite the indefinite outcome she’s just signed herself up for.

One day, I am confident that will reflect upon their upbringing and be thankful for having Mom at home.

Impact

Maybe I was wrong above — about identity being the choices you make.

Perhaps, instead, identity is the impact you have on others.

If that’s the case, Erin’s identity has never been more sure.

This past weekend, I participated in “Boot Camp for New Dads”. During the session, all the soon-to-be fathers in the room were asked to describe their fathers, and then describe how they’d like their children to describe them. It was abundantly obvious, after just a couple answers, the impact parents have on their children. Such an innocuous question — How would you describe your father? — led to a stunning variety of answers, and traversed the entire range of human emotion. It was clear that parents have an indescribable impact on their children’s lives.

While it’s yet to be seen whether or not we’ll be good parents, I hope that Erin’s brave decision — her leap of faith — is the first step in the right direction.

Featured: iPad Home Screen

My internet pal David Sparks, most recently mentioned just a few days ago, was nice enough to double up on the Casey love and have me discuss my iPad home screen on his site.

I had previously had my iPhone home screen featured there, back in February.

Appearance: Tangential 3

As if you haven’t enough of me already, I joined Joe Rosensteel on episode 3 of John Chidgey’s podcast Tangential.

Tangential is, by design, a show without an agenda. For the three of us, we talked about everything from Joe’s last name, euphemisms for the ways jet engines work, to a verbal tour of America that’s sure to make someone upset. Oops.

Analog(ue) Episode One

I’m extremely excited and proud to announce that Analog(ue)'s first episode is out and available for download!

I’ve spoken about the motiviations behind Analog(ue) before, and won’t bother to repeat myself here.

In this first episode, Myke and I discuss what it’s like to put something into the universe. Naturally, that’s particularly topical, given the official launch of Relay FM. We discussed the launch of Relay FM, the creation of Neutral and ATP, my woes with creating the ATP Showbot, and more.

It would mean a lot to me if you checked it out, and let me know what you think.

Appearance: Mac Power Users 209

Everyone’s favorite lawyer-nerds, Katie Floyd and David Sparks were kind enough to ask me to join them on episode 209 of Mac Power Users.

In the episode, ostensibly about workflows, we discussed becoming a dad, media management, Alfred, and more. David and Katie are a pleasure to talk with; it was awesome to not only join them, but also get some tips from the masters.

Party Like it's 1999

Last night I accidentally stumbled upon a treasure trove of 90’s nostalgia. Seemingly nearly all of Woodstock 1999 is available for streaming on YouTube.

I landed there thanks to Vertical Horizon. (I don’t care if you think they’re awful. I like them and that’s all that matters to me.) I looked at the description for the video and found a huge list of links to other performances.

Immediately I felt like I was back in high school, listening to all my favorite bands with my high school friends. Ah, the memories.

For your convenience, and my own, I’ve catalogued them here. I’ve done my best to honor the original event schedule.

Please note that this seems to be from a non-broadcast source and it’s Woodstock. There are shots of the audience that may not be appropriate for all viewers or contexts.

So many gems above. The only downside to this walk down Nostalgia Lane is that now I feel really old.

May as well start embracing it, I suppose.

« Newer 
» Older
Copyright © 2014-2025 Limitliss LLC