rspazzoli, Author at Rowan Spazzoli

The Friday Shoutout: Big Route

A bit of a different Friday shoutout today goes to Big Route Pizza in Greenpoint. They make the best pizza and Cape Town, and I’ve been eating there frequently (probably a little too much) over the last few weeks.

They even give us shots of limoncello sometimes when we go to pick up our take always.

If you’re in town you should definitely give it a try 😄

Image is of a classic Margherita from Big Route. Not the best picture but I can promise the pizza is amazing

Song of the day: Particula- Major Lazer et al.

Thesis update: been a tough day

Blog 98/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 16, 2018 | Permalink

Study snacks

Stuhddddy sneeeeeeks!!!

When I lived in res, there was a magical thing called “study snacks”. Every night during exams, at 9pm, bags of snacks would be distributed throughout the res. It was awesome.

Tonight, at around 9pm, I got two different study snack drop offs. It reminded me of res so much, and massively improved my spirits after a frustrating day. It also reminded me of the incredible support structure I have around me.

Thank you to Mike and Kay for being so great, and to everyone else who has been supporting me over the last few weeks ❤️

Image is of my study sneeeeks

Song of the day: Hello Good Morning- Diddy Dirty Money ft TI

Thesis update: not as productive as I would have liked

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Published by rspazzoli on February 15, 2018 | Permalink

Give it horns

Today was another day of giving it my absolute best. And despite not getting anything done this evening (despite trying), it was still my most productive day of thesis ever.

There was also lots of political stuff going on.

Just so I don’t miss out on the action, here is a picture of Ramaphosa’s cow. It’s an Ankole cow and he recently sold one for over R600 000. He also is the only owner of a herd of them in South Africa, having imported their from Uganda

Isn’t it magnificent?

Image is of an Ankole bull. I know a weird amount of stuff about cows since doing work on my beef consulting project

Song of the day: Kill the Noise X Illenium – Don’t give up on me

Thesis update: just crossed over 40 pages

Blog 97/365.

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Published by rspazzoli on February 14, 2018 | Permalink

Full tilt

I’m operating at full tilt with my thesis work at the moment.

I met with my supervisor today and he said I’ve got really great results that could even (potentially) be turned into a publishable working/academic paper.

I’m in a state of anxiety fuelled by panic and excitement. And I hope it’s enough to see me over the finish line.

I’ll leave you with the quote from my Momentum page today:

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible. Then they seem improbable. And then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” Christopher Reeve

Image was taken a few weeks ago at the offices were my consultancy firm is based.

Song of the day: Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves

Thesis update: met supervisor. Churned out more results. Lots to go

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Published by rspazzoli on February 13, 2018 | Permalink

7 days to go

My thesis is due on Monday 19 February at midday. This gives me exactly 7 days from today

I’m feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment. I started working at 6.30am and have just decided to stop now, at 11pm. My pomodoro timer says I’ve racked up 13 hours of work, excluding all short and long breaks.

The exciting thing is that I’ve found some really exciting results. They act as a unifying framework between trust, depression, risk and the intervention.

The problem is that finding this means a hell of a lot more work, including a deeper literature search and more data work.

Tomorrow I’m seeing my supervisor and hopefully he’ll be able to bring my thinking together on the topic

I’m going to give it my best shot, and try finish by the deadline.

Heregoes!

Image was taken two years ago, just before I started masters. I was one of the last people to leave campus, as I will be today 🙂

P.s. if my writing ain’t so good please excuse it. My brain is mush.

Song of the day: Hot air balloon - Owl City

Thesis update: lots more data work and writing done

Blog 96/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 12, 2018 | Permalink

Whisky and Yachts

During one of my thesis breaks on Friday I let my mind wonder. I thought to myself: “if there was one thing I could do right now, in this area, what would it be?”

The immediate thought that popped up was that I wanted to go watch the yachts at the Waterfront and sip on a single malt whisky.

So that’s exactly what I did.

It was a little bit of self care coupled with a small adventure. I had allowed myself to do exactly what I wanted to be doing in that moment.

And I came away from it feeling a little more centred and a little bit happier.

Image is my single malt whisky with the yachts in the background 🙂

Song of the day: Said The Sky - Show & Tell (feat. Claire Ridgely)

Thesis update: Another productive day. Need to write faster though :)

Blog 95/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 11, 2018 | Permalink

Backing the good wolf

I remember a friend once telling me about the story of the two wolves. It went as follows:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Source: Virtues for life

I was reminded of that today when I felt the battle taking place inside me. The good wolf and bad wolf were equally matched. And it’s often so easy to back the bad one. To give in to the anger and frustration.

But I took a firm decision to feed the good one. To support the positive thoughts. To let them surface and to strengthen them.

And today the good wolf won.

Image is of the sunset this afternoon over the Cape Town Stadium

Song of the day: Cascada - Everytime we touch

Thesis update: slow day :)

Blog 94/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 10, 2018 | Permalink

The Friday Shoutout: The Solution Space

Today’s Friday shoutout goes to the MTN Solution Space at the UCT Graduate School of Business. Over the past few weeks I’ve been writing my thesis here. It’s a really great environment, and plays host to a bunch of academics, startups and professionals. They also host some really great events, such as info sessions on Impact Investing or Social Impact Bonds. As per the website:

“The Solution Space is our distinct approach and model. We create a third space between academia and industry where business can escape the pressures of today to advance new ideas through piloting cutting-edge concepts with Africa’s brightest and most creative minds, and universities can shape research and learning opportunities that are connected to relevant and real world challenges.”

There is a second solution space out in Philippi Village, which aims to connect the business school to parts of the informal and township business scene. Once I’ve finished my thesis work I’m planning on heading out there and exploring it 🙂

So thanks to the people at the Solution Space for providing such a great place to work and learn. It’s become one of my favourite places in the city 🙂

Image was taken today at the Solution Space 🙂

Song of the day: Armin van Buuren & Vini Vici feat. Hilight Tribe – Great Spirit

Thesis update: Tough day. Got a small amount of work done and arranged meeting with supervisor

Blog 93/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 9, 2018 | Permalink