2013 in books

In 2013, I read fewer books than I did in 2012, and I didn't break my habit of reading non-fiction like I'd wanted. I blame it on the switch to Microsoft and on taking on a machine learning course. Still, I'm disappointed that I didn't devote more time to reading, and I'm hoping 2014 will be better. Here are the books I did read this year:

• Inside-Out Simplicity
• You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap)
• A Day in the Life of a Minimalist
• One-Minute Mindfulness
• The Power of Purpose
• Einstein's God: Conversations about Science and the Human Spirit
• The Price of Everything: Finding Method in the Madness of What Things Cost

I also started Your Money or Your Life but didn't get around to finishing it, so let's call that a half book. Seven and a half books this year isn't too hot.

There's certainly a theme to my reading. Can you spot it?

This week, I started reading Kerouac's On the Road, so at least I'm starting off 2014 avoiding my typical nonfiction fare.

Real men mend their hoodies

A few years ago, I bought for around $15 a hoodie that has turned out to be the most comfortable long-sleeved shirt I own. But with all the abuse it gets, it's taken on some wear. The left elbow wore thin and through. It probably should have been thrown out long ago, but as a stop-gap, I took an old climbing shirt I was throwing out, made a patch and did a terrible job of mending the shirt, as you can see:

The sartorial equivalent of a twelve-car pileup.

Very shortly thereafter, a hoodie I had received for Christmas a while back had the same problem. This time, I tried patching on the outside. I'm not sure which is worse.

Monday, when I wore the only other hoodie that I own, I found the sleeves were comically stretched out, so I took in about an inch of slack on each sleeve, making it significantly more comfortable and better-looking, to boot.

My experience with a sewing machine now includes mending hoodies, making tree-huggers (hammock suspension system) and making ninja masks. Quite the repertoire.

November 10-16 in pictures

Taking the boys to Golden Gardens while Andrea met with a client.

On our Monday walk to the Ballard Locks, one of the locks was drained completely.

I met up with an old friend at the Kickin' Boot Whiskey Kitchen in Ballard Tuesday and had my first ever old fashioned.

On simplicity/minimalism, I don't know why I still had my TI-86 from high school, but on Wednesday, I sold it for $5.

Jacob and/or Reed decided Buddha must have needed a nap.

Microsoft's soccer field in Redmond. I don't know if it was the rain or time of day (~1:30) causing it to be empty.

Sailing on Puget Sound with the Wyatt Family.