What I'm Into - March 2016

​Lissie – Hailing from my neck of the woods in Rock Island, Illinois, Lissie, is a folk rock singer/song writer. A friend recommended her music to me several years ago and I’ve been a fan ever since. I finally got a chance to see her perform live as she kicked off a new tour here in Los Angeles. She did not disappoint. To put it simply, this woman can rock. She’s a great songwriter with a powerful and passionate voice. She may be coming to a city near you, so check her out.
 
Detectorists – I caught an episode of this British comedy on my flight back from Dubai last month. Starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones it follows the personal lives of two oddball metal detectorists as they search the English countryside for buried treasure. I love the pacing of the storytelling. The comedy is rooted in the characters not the punch lines. The aspirational nature of the story, everyday people believing their treasure will be found if they just keep searching, makes for a relatable exploration of what it means to believe in your quest, whatever it may be. Season One is available on Netflix.
 
Jiu-Jitsu – I realized recently that there was nothing I was doing consistently in my life in which I couldn’t say, “I’ve been doing it years.” So I decided to try something new. I’ve made a six-month commitment to the sport of Jiu-Jitsu and so far I really like it. The sport’s focus on details and strategy makes for a physically demanding activity that also engages the mind.
 
De-cluttering – Five trash bags of shredded documents later, my file cabinet is considerably lighter. I don’t need that credit card statement from 2007, do I?
 
The Walking Dead – Six seasons in and the writers continue to keep the story fresh and the audience on the edge of their seat. My ritual of watching The Walking Dead followed by The Talking Dead is something I look forward to each week.
 
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – I know, I’m 16 years behind the rest of the world on this one. I’m slowly catching up and enjoying every page.
 
Casey Gerald: The Gospel of Doubt – A call to embrace the uncertainty of our faith. I know many, including myself, who will relate to this TED Talk.