2018, It’s a Wrap

Another year closing, time really does fly when you are having a great time. 

This will be my last post in 2018 and I want to sincerely thank everyone who takes the time to read my self medicating, rambling thoughts on the crazy that is the built environment design and development industry. 

Also thank you to everyone who subscribes to the Edifice Complex podcast (https://edificecomplexpodcast.com). Robert and I are working hard to bring more hidden and not so hidden stars of our industry to your attention in 2019. 

I am working on new video and audio blog posts plus training formats for 2019, and hope to get some of them out in Q2. Yes, my attention seeking knows no bounds!

2018 has been a great year with lots of travel and interesting projects. Maintaining productivity and professionalism while traveling has become an art form for me. Here are some reflections on my 2018 experiences.

Over Rated / Under Rated 

Airports

Worst: This is a running battle between New York La Guardia & Jeddah Airport KSA. Both are truly awful travel experiences but both have new buildings opening soon.

Best: most underrated: A clear winner for me is Dubai (DXB). It has e-gates, always available reasonably priced taxis plus hawkers and hustlers are kept out. A great travel experience and easy to move through airport. 

Laptops 

I travel with two laptops, an Apple MacBook plus a Microsoft Surface Pro. Both of these are awesome productivity tools. However;

Overrated: Microsoft OS, Windows 10. It is not as user friendly as it claims and the never ending software updates and virus threats are exhausting. Apple win the software battle.

Underrated: Microsoft Surface Pro hardware. The device itself is robust and innovative. The mouse and pen work really well and the keyboard is responsive. Microsoft win the hardware battle.

Note Taking

Overrated: Digital note taking. Yes, I do use “Notability” which is good but does not beat paper and pen for me. Maybe it is my age.

Underrated: Cannot beat the Moleskin paper note book (must be graph paper version) plus the MUJI 0.5 Gel Ink Pen with blue black ink.

Leader / Manager

Overrated: Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. I am just not a fan, bring back Stephen Harper. 

Underrated: The hilarious Len Grossman from Tropic Thunder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odd8Zdhuj9o). Sometimes you just need a “war time general”, someone who gets the job done. 

Gadgets

Overrated: Any iPhone cover. Take a risk and “ride sans cover”. When I meet someone with a cover free iPhone I know they are comfortable taking risks or maybe even, a little dangerous to know!  

Underrated: The awesome iPhone stand (https://pocket-tripod.com).

2018 Most Treasured Man Toy?

Still my Lambretta GP 200…. : ) 

I wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2019. 

Twitter: @BLDWhisperer

Edifice Complex Podcast

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