rspazzoli, Author at Rowan Spazzoli

Sustaining the momentum

My current momentum around my thesis work has been phenomenal. It’s become easier to get into the rhythm of work and be consistently productive.

Because of this, there is a temptation to work at every possible moment. To work at full speed all the time.

But I’ve realized though that this could push me into burnout. Like running your fastest miles in the middle of a marathon and then not making it to the end.

Part of keeping the momentum is putting my foot on the peddle. But equally, I need to know when to take it off.

In doing so, I hope I’ll sustain the momentum all the way to the finish line.

Image was taken on upper campus this afternoon. At one point in my varsity career I worked at that tent there 🙂

Song of the day: SoundLiner  - Talisman (Cairn Remix)

Thesis update: really productive day despite a few disruptions

Blog 92/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 8, 2018 | Permalink

Drawing the strings together

At this point in my thesis I’ve collected and crafted a bunch of strings. Tiny components that will make up the finished document.

They’re in the form of literature, data, results and analysis.

And now I’m bringing those strings together. Weaving them, tying them, threading them.

It’s an exhausting process. But it’s starting to take shape.

And I can’t wait to have the final product.

Image was taken during my bike ride on the prom today 🙂

Song of the day: Kirin J Callinan - Big Enough ft. Alex Cameron et.al
Note: watch until 2:30 for a treat ;)

Thesis update: had a rocking day :) lots of ground covered

Blog 91/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 7, 2018 | Permalink

Falcon Heavy is launching today!

In just over an hour, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket will be launching! I’m so freaking excited! I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy watching the stars and part of this includes a fascination with rockets/satellites etc.

Tonight’s launch is special for a number of reasons:

This is the most powerful rocket ever launched by a factor of 2 (i.e. it is twice as powerful as the next rocket, the Delta IV Heavy)
It is the first time this rocket is being launched
SpaceX will attempt to land all 3 of the first stage rockets (two on land and one at sea)
The cargo for this flight Elon Musk’s cherry red Tesla Roadster which contains a human space suit in it (giving it the appearance of someone driving it)
The car will be playing “A Space Oddity”
If the launch is successful, the car will exist in space for over a billion years

So yeah. It’s pretty exciting! If you are interested in these things and want to read more, I’d recommend Wait But Why’s post on the BFR (the Big F*cking Rocket, which will make the Falcon Heavy look like a cheap chinese firework in comparison)

Lastly, the live link to the launch is available here.

Regardless of whether it works or not, it’s going to be one hell of a show!

P.S. check out Musk’s instagram for a preview of the action

Image is of the Falcon Heavy, taken from the SpaceX Website

Song of the day: More than you know - Axwell^Ingrosso

Thesis update: Made some awesome data discoveries and got more literature done

Blog 91/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 6, 2018 | Permalink

Minded Music Sessions

In the winter of 2013, I was on a farm with a few friends when my friend Callum introduced me to progressive house music. He played a variety of mixes over the time we were there, which were around 1-2 hours, and I found them incredibly calming.

Since then I play progressive house in the background when I have some time to myself. But more often than not I’ll listen to mixes when I work.

My favourite of these is Minded Music Sessions (mixed by Roald Velden). They come out every second Tuesday of the month and are usually around an house long. I’ve listened to every one of the 69 mixes that he has out so far multiple times.

Minded Work

Today I got the perfect headspace for work. Lots of things contributed to it, including Jared helping me get an early start and Charly working alongside me. And on top of that, I had the Minded Music Sessions that got me in the zone and on track.

Progressive house takes some time to getting used to, and it’s not for everyone. But I find the consistent rhythm, pretty melodies and light vocals are the perfect combination to help me relax and keep me focused 🙂

Image was taken in 2013 on the trip where I first listened to progressive house

Song of the day: Roald Velden & South Pole - Billion Stars

Thesis update: most productive day to date. Lots of data and literature work

Blog 90/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 5, 2018 | Permalink

Fighting the Sunday Blues

A new tradition has sprung up with some of my close friends. On Sunday evenings we all get together and one of us cooks. And we’ll spend the rest of the time catching up, playing computer games or watching series.

It rounds off the weekend nicely and gets me in the right space for the week ahead. It has become such a special and enjoyable time. And, conveniently, it helps fight off the Sunday Blues.

Picture was taken at last weeks Sunday dinner

Song of the day: Sharpest Lives - My Chemical Romance

Thesis update: Little to no work done

Blog 90/365. Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 4, 2018 | Permalink

Problems

I saw something on Twitter the other day (I wish I could find the original post) that said something along the lines of:

“Being an adult doesn’t mean being able to sort out all your problems until you have none. It’s about having many problems and being able to function in your day to day life”

I sometimes get into a space where I’m trying to sort out all of my problems at once. It’s like playing whack-a-mole, no matter how hard you try new ones will pop up. And you won’t always be able to hit all of them anyway.

It’s difficult, but I’m slowly learning how to deal with problems while still letting them be around.

I’ll never be able to get rid of all the problems. All I can learn to do is be at peace with them

Image is from my hotel room in Pretoria. I could see my brothers apartment from there 🙂

Song of the day: My Chemical Romance- Black Parade

Thesis update: took the day off 🙂

Blog 89/365.

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Published by rspazzoli on February 3, 2018 | Permalink

The Friday Shoutout: Water Saving Tips

We’re all quite aware of the drought that is going on in Cape Town, and that we are very close to day zero. On the 1st of Feb (yesterday) we moved to level 6B restrictions meaning a maximum of 50l per person per day.

A friend of mine, Kirsten, has used her website to compile a comprehensive list of water saving tips. If you’re a Capetonian, or are planning to visit Cape Town, check out her site here for some great ideas and tips on how to save 🙂

If we keep our usage per person under 50l we may have a chance of avoiding day zero. So please, save every drop you can!

Picture is the dam by UCT, which is looking quite low due to the drought.

Song of the day: Foo Fighters- Walk

Thesis update: ran and wrote up my new regressions

Blog 88/365.Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 2, 2018 | Permalink

Lecturing Lesson #5: The Path

At the start of every lecture, I tell my students the path we’re going to take over the next hour or two. This will usually be accompanied with a slide that has a few bullet points on the major sections of the lecture.

Every time we move to a new section, I’ll bring up the slide again to show them where we are.

And at the end of the lecture, I’ll bring it up one more time to recap where we started and where we have ended up.

Doing this helps provide context to the content and draws a narrative between the major points. It also helps keep students focused (probably cause they know they’re getting closer to being able to leave).

It’s a simple tool, but highly effective in guiding students and making sure they don’t get lost.

Picture is of my friend Charly running in Newlands Forest, taken sometime last year 🙂

P.S. this is the last of the lecturing lessons series (for now) 🙂

Song of the day: Portugal.The Man - Feel it still

Thesis update: had an very helpful meeting with my supervisor :)

Blog 87/365.Read more about my #365of25 journey here

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Published by rspazzoli on February 1, 2018 | Permalink