Kevin Abosch, a photographer and a creative artist friend of mine happened to be in New York, just like me. In between our heavily packed schedules, we met for a quick coffee and caught up with each other’s lives. And then we ended up talking about photography and what it means and what it should mean.

It has been quite a whirlwind of a week. Last weekend I was in Big Sur, celebrating (and officiating) the wedding of my dear friend Steve Jang and his lovely bride, Margaret DesGaines. It also meant an opportunity to enjoy the rugged beauty of Big Sur and the California coastline. A week later, I was up in Napa, to spend what was a relaxing weekend with a handful of friends to celebrate my 50th birthday. Instead, Matt (Mullenweg) surprised me by a (almost a) surprise party (first in 50 years) with collection of some of my closest friends. That was the best gift ever – plus to have it in my favorite spot in the wine country – Bottega of Yountville was even more amazing.

I got to podcasting early – did one for over a year and stopped – not quite sure why. I suspect it was because I hate being tied into a routine. Fast forward ten years and I am ready to take on podcasting again. My new podcast effort is called “Picocast” to accompany my interview series, published on Pi.co.

Picocast will be a series of conversations with folks I think are interesting, have amazing insights and have pulse on the present. These conversations can be with anyone – from founders of companies, academics to other observers of culture. While I will try and do two conversations a month, there will be months with more and some weeks where there aren’t any. I don’t promise that the quality will always be good; but I do promise you that you will enjoy the conversations. 

You can find it on SoundCloud and iTunes

A wise man once told me that I shouldn’t worry about banking the money. Instead, he said, bank people for in the end they will truly enrich your life. It was great advice and I have followed it to the tee. It was brought home to me yesterday with all the birthday messages and all the fantastic emails, phone calls and letters.

My mom and dad’s birthday card, my baby brother’s short and sweet text, my nephews and nieces text messages, plus amazing words of love from Matt and all of you my friends. I am truly grateful to have all of you in my life. I am richer because of your presence. Looking forward to spending more time with you – whether in person or virtually in the years to come.

Thank you for all your love,

September 30, 2016. San Francisco

Hello there! I have been missing in action for the past week or so, for mostly personal reasons. I have been thinking about today – the day when I turn 50 and enter the sixth decade of my life. I am supposed to say something profound, but I don’t really have much to say. I don’t feel the tick-tock of the clock. I don’t feel the middle age creeping on me. I feel like rest of my life’s learnings are ahead of me. 

I do sometimes feel that I should sleep more. And that I should spend even more time on things I love. Apart from that, I feel no different today than I did yesterday, or that day when I first fell in love with the Internet. Or that day when I came home to find not fame, fortune but a lifetime of adventure.

I have a handful of ideas and I want to pursue them. Perhaps this is a good year to chase those frontiers. Regardless, I am glad you all have been part of my life. 

September 29, 2016, San Francisco!