I’m changing the way I record my daily blogging diary. Go check out the last entry or two to see the new format.
Tomorrow’s my birthday (I’m 25!) and I’ll be getting ready for a trip to Seattle, so I don’t really feel like writing an epic post about blogging :)
I’ve noticed that some bloggers like to write about themselves on their birthdays (Ingrid and Peter come to mind), and I’ve always enjoyed reading these (and they always seem to get lots of comments and retweets, hint hint!), so I figured I’d do the same.
Below are 15 things you might not know about me.
Me climbing in Yosemite, California.
1. I can crochet hats and scarves.
2. I ran a marathon over the summer without training for it.
3. I was born near Los Angeles. The longest I’ve lived anywhere is 10 years, and that was in Dallas. I spent my teenage years in Beijing, China. I’ve lived in Utah for 4 years now.
4. I have a personal blog that few people know about. I blog there about my rock climbing, mountaineering, and travel escapades.
5. I love buying and selling domain names.
6. My favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate cookie dough, though my favorite theoretical one is cookies ‘n cream with cookie dough chunks in it. With peanut butter sauce stuff on top. Mmmm…
7. I’ve been rock climbing since I was 11 or 12. I’m in the latest issue of Climbing magazine, and have done nearly 200 first ascents.
8. I ice climb in the mountains and mountain bike in the desert in the winter when it’s too cold and snowy to rock climb.
9. I LOVE reading and read an average of one book a week. Some of my favorite books are Crime And Punishment
10. I’m ¼ Armenian, though the place my relatives came from is now part of Turkey.
11. Indian food is my favorite.
12. Once Blogging Bookshelf gets to the point where it can support me financially, I’d love to go back overseas to work on my various projects and study languages (I’m a linguist by training).
13. I really want to start a lifestyle design blog, but will hold off for a while. While I have multiple blogs right now, they’re all small ones that I play with in my spare time. I’d want my lifestyle design one to be on par with Blogging Bookshelf in terms of quality of posts, and I don’t have that much time to work on it right now. Is that blog something you’d be interested in? Yes, I know there are lots of lifestyle design blogs out there already… But then again, there are lots of blogs about blogging, too :)
14. I’m currently working on my first product, which will be a course on how to create simple infographics like the ones I make here for Blogging Bookshelf. Hopefully it’ll be out in the next month. I have an idea in my head of what I think would be a fair price for it, but what would you be willing to pay for it? It will include many step-by-step video tutorials in addition to an overview of infographic creation and many examples.
15. I love listening to podcasts. I currently listen to ones about internet business (too many to mention here, but I could do a post about them in the future if you want), travel (Travel With Rick Steves), history (Stuff You Missed in History Class), randomness (Stuff You Should Know), climbing (The Dirtbag Diaries), Spanish (Coffee Break Spanish), and several more. Oh, and I’m considering starting a podcast here on Blogging Bookshelf. Is there anything in particular you’d like to hear?
And that’s all, folks! We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming on Friday.
- Tell me something about YOU that I don’t know!
- Would you read my lifestyle design blog if I ever start it?
- Do you listen to podcasts?
- If I were to start a Blogging Bookshelf podcast, what kind of information would you like in it?
{ 121 comments… read them below or add one }
I think we need to get a trend going here – everyone who reads my comment here had better do a post on their birthday (or the day before) on some interesting things about themselves :D
Waiting for your first product too :)
I was waiting for this one till it is your birthday – HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and best of luck to your future successes ;)
I agree! This was a lot of fun and it would be great to see people doing this kind of thing more often. It’s always great to get to know other bloggers better.
Thanks for the inspiration and the comment, Peter!
happy happy birthday Tristan!
we have some things in common:
1. our tastes in ice cream with peanut butter oh yeah! yummy woo hoo!
2. i’m a linguist too by training
3. i can read an average of 2-3 books per week now (my nook has made me read faster somehow lol!)
here’s wishing you more blessings – good health, peace, joy, prosperity and success! c”,)
Mmmm… Peanut butter in or on ice cream is a beautiful thing.
That’s cool that you’re a linguist, too. Linguistics was the thing that I hated least in school, so that’s why I studied it :) Thanks for the kind words, Ao!
Happy birthday tristan.
Interesting stuff man. Would love to see a lifestyle design blog of yours.
Actually i know most of your sites, you’re doing great work dude.
Before starting blogging, i was in hacking, hacking facebook and orkut accounts :D.
Now i don’t have enough time for that.
I have multiple blogs and even have to plan to start some more blogs.
Looking forward to that infographics course.
Into hacking, huh? Hahaha that’s terrible, but really funny :)
Thanks for the feedback on the lifestyle design blog. I’m not sure when I’ll start it, but it probably still won’t be for a while. And thanks for commenting, man.
Happy birthday Tristan. That’s awesome. I’m 32 so that means you should respect me cause I’m older, so nana. J/K. Here’s some answers:
1. I used to be fluent in Japanese.
2. Yes. And you should come visit me and my family in Thailand.
3. Some, mainly Defining New Media and Fareed Zakaria (CNN – awesome)
4. Some hardcore blog tactics, though nothing comes to mind – so many good ideas from this blog already…
Oh Robert, you’re so wise in your old age!
Man, I would love to go to Thailand. And isn’t it pretty much a requirement for you to go live in Thailand if you write about lifestyle design? :)
Hong Kong is the closest I’ve been to Southeast Asia so far. Do you live in Bangkok or somewhere else? As I understand it, a single guy like me can live quite comfortably in Bangkok on a thousand dollars a month. Does that jive with your experience?
Hardcore blog tactics, huh? Hahaha, awesome. I’ll definitely keep that in mind :)
Wow feels unnatural not to read from you ’til Friday :p Happy Birthday anyway, hope you’ll have a chance to relax a bit
I know, it DID feel weird not writing about blogging, but it’s been nice to unwind a bit and focus on some other things. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
happy birthday Tristan. Glad to know more about you.
Thanks for the birthday wishes, for stopping by, and for taking the time to comment, Dana :) Have a great weekend!
Happy B’day Tristan!
One thing you don’t know about me is that I am complete Hitler with my decisions. One I have something in mind, I am hell bent to materialize it and don’t listen to anyone.
I’m not much interested in lifestyle, so can’t say much!
Regarding infographics, I’d say $19-29 might be good if it does not have any videos. If you are planning to include videos, I’d say $49.
Podcast? What’s that? (OK, I know but don’t listen to many. So, again, nothing to say here)
Hahaha. A complete Hitler with your decisions… That was really funny :)
Oh man, I *love* podcasts. Buying an iPod was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made just because it introduced me to the world of podcasts.
Thanks for the comment and thanks for your input regarding the pricing. That’s right around what I was thinking, too!
Ha ha! There, I caught your thoughts!
I am not your long lost Indian brother for no reason! ;)
Happy Birthday Tristan.
Something you don’t know about me. I am one of around 30,000 people in the whole world that can operate a Tunnel Boring Machine (Slurry Variety).
I am a mad downhill mountain biker. That’s why I love blogging and affiliate marketing, it pays for me to half kill myself.
Now Tristan, you are in Utah, Moab is in Utah. Now Moab has the best slick Rock in the world. Moab is on my top priority places to go list, along with Whistler, Canada.
Maybe me and your good self one day could partner and do some mountain biking.
Happy Birthday mate.
Pete
Pete, I had to go Google what exactly a tunnel boring machine (of the slurry variety) is! That’s pretty cool, man.
Yes, Moab is in Utah, and yes, I bike at Moab :) It’s only about a 3 hour drive from me and I’ve been there probably 20 or 30 times. I have to admit, though, that I have done a ton more climbing around Moab than biking. It’s one of my favorite places in the world; it’s absolutely stunning.
I’ve only been into mountain biking for the past year or so. My best climbing buddy decided to get a mountain bike, so I got one too. And I love it!
Whistler would definitely be awesome. If you ever find yourself in Utah, let me know and we’ll definitely go biking!
Happy Birthday! Wow, you’re quite an interesting guy. Lifestyle design – what is that exactly? If it’s what I imagine, then yes, I’d be interested in reading it, but I haven’t heard that particular phrase before, so I’m not sure. Could you clarify? Re: infographics book – oh yea! I’ve tried to create infographics, and it’s harder than it looks, so I’d be willing to pay for some good instruction. Not sure how much though.
Lifestyle design is pretty much the lame, catch-all phrase for “how to make your life better by being a better person and doing the things you love.”
Yeah, infographic creation definitely is harder than it looks! I’m thinking that the course will be around $30. It’ll be a bunch of video tutorials, too, not just an ebook.
Thanks for the comment and the input (and birthday wishes), Donna!
Happy Birthday Tristan! Have a wonderful time in Seattle!
In answer to your questions:
1. I was born in San Francisco and I’ve lived in 6 different states.
2. I would definitely read your Lifestyle Design blog… but only when you’re ready to do it. ;)
3. I don’t listen to many podcasts, but it’s a habit I want to get into.
4. Not much help here with the podcast subject matter – maybe some interviews?
I’m with ya on the ice cream flavor! My daughter works at Coldstone when she’s home from college and she’ll make me any concoction I want!
Peggy
Very cool, Peggy. I love San Francisco. It’s one of my favorite cities!
The lifestyle design blog definitely isn’t going to be any time soon. I’m not sure if I want it to be an online magazine type blog that a lot of people can contribute to, or if I want it to just be a one-man show. In other words, do I want it to be a Famous Bloggers or a Blogging Bookshelf?
Happy Birthday Tristan!
I’d love to hear your list of IM podcasts. I’m a big fan of podcasts but I haven’t had much luck finding good biz-centered shows. I enjoyed the interview you did with Dino, so if you decide to do a podcast yourself, I’ll definitely add it to my ever-growing list.
Cindy, I’m glad you liked the podcast with Dino. That was a ton of fun to do :)
I’ll probably do a podcast-centered post in the near future and list the biz-centered ones I listen to. If I don’t, I’ll just email you my list.
Happy Birthday Tristan!
25 is a great age, and it looks like you’ve already done a lot of fun and interesting things in your life. (I spent my 25th birthday in Paris.)
I really like this list. It’s interesting to see common interests and connections. I’ve written mainstream hiking guides on northern California (calhike.com) and spent 10 days hiking in the Sierra with my sweetheart in September, including Yosemite.
And my niece just got her PhD in linguistics from UC Davis..
Have a great day!
Along with Moab, Yosemite is one of my favorite places in the world. I was born and grew up in Ventura, and my parents often took us to Yosemite.
I definitely won’t be getting a PhD in linguistics! I enjoyed my linguistics classes, but it’s not something I want to dedicate my life to. I didn’t enjoy my college experience, but my linguistics classes were the ones I hated least.
Hey Tristan, Happy Birthday :)
It is always nice to find out something new about people we communicate with online. I am also a linguist, lol, self thought in two languages…Love reading, I would tell people to add The Pillars Of The Earth to the list as well :)
Hope you have the bestest Birthday ever :)
Thanks, Brankica! What’s your native language?
I’ve never heard of Pillars of the Earth, but I just added it to my Amazon wishlist :)
Happy Birthday, Tristan,
Looks like you’ve already achieved a great many things in your life! I like listening to good podcasts myself, and would certainly look forward to listening to yours. I don’t find too many good blogging tips type podcasts, so I bet you’d do great with the same theme as blogging bookshelf.
Yeah, there aren’t a ton of blogging tips type podcasts out there. The main problem I’d have is that I don’t think I’d want to spend the time each week coming up with new material other than what I blog about. On the podcast I COULD probably expound on the things I write about here on my blog, so that it would be more of a companion to the blog. Or it could just be my musings/ramblings on things I see going on in the blogosphere… Hmmm… Yeah I dunno. It’s something I really want to do, but I’m still trying to figure out exactly what angle I’d take.
Thanks Richard!
Tristan, Happy birthday to you.
This was really fun to get to know you better. I have always wondered what brought you to Utah. Could it be the rock climbing? Have you been ice climbing at Bridal Veil?
I am intrigued by the diversity of your talents.
Podcasts are such a great idea. I like being able to site down and work and listen to a podcast. Thom Allen runs Utah Pod Camp, they meet in March. It is fabulous.
Looking forward to your new product.
BYU brought me to Utah :)
Yep, I’ve ice climbed many times at Bridal Veil!
I really, really want to do a podcast, but I’m not entirely sure what angle I want to take with it. I could just read my posts, or I could do interviews, or I could just go off and rant/muse on the state of the blogosphere… I dunno. I’ll figure something out…
This is becoming a trend! I have another fellow blogger who listed out 10 random things about herself and now you…Maybe if I get stuck with the idea, will definitely mention your name on the post (with a link to your blog of course!)
Happy 25!!!
You should definitely do it! It’s a lot of fun (and this post got a LOT of comments, too!). I always love reading these kinds of posts, and I always secretly wanted to do one… My birthday seemed like the perfect time for it!
Happy Birthday, Tristan!
Rock climbing, mountain biking… great stuff! I’m impressed!
Now to respond to your questions…
1) Something about me that you don’t know
I’m into martial arts. I also love mountain climbing. Haven’t attempted any risky climbs, but getting to the top of the highest peak in Japan was an interesting accomplishment.
2) Would I read your lifestyle design blog?
Sure! Why not?
3) Do I listen to podcasts?
No, not quite on my priority list as of now. Maybe I should give it a try… but when? LOL!
4) If you were to start a Blogging Bookshelf podcast, what kind of information would I like in it?
Hmm… not quite sure. But if they are short and crisp, I’d like to start tuning in.
Enjoy your special day, and I’ll see you around…
Cheers,
Mark
You’ve climbed Mt. Fuji, huh? Very cool! That’s a beautiful mountain.
When should you give podcasts a try? Any time! That’s why I love them so much. You can listen to them in the car, at the gym, before bed… Wherever and whenever you want.
Happy Birthday Tristan!
It is nice to learn some more things about you. I knew you had a few other blogs, but maybe not HOW many you had. I rocks that you can do so much to make them all successful. Of course I would love to see a Lifestyle design blog come from you. That would rock. I do think you would have a lot of cool stuff to say.
As for your information product, I am actually looking forward to it. I know something about making infographics but I am far from being an expert. I think price wold depend on the amount of content. Maybe keep it on low side to encourage people to take a shot at it. So much depends on level and value of content. (though I am sure it will be very solid stuff)
Once again I hope you have a happy Birthday and you take a little time off from busting your butt to really enjoy yourself.
I agree that the price of the infographic course should be on the low side. I think it’s something a lot of people are interested in, but not necessarily super serious about. And with that in mind, I think that if the price were low enough, it would entice those people. So yeah, I’m thinking it’ll be in the $30 range ($27 or $29 or something like that).
Thanks for the +1 vote for the lifestyle design blog. No idea when I’d start it or what it would be like. I’m debating between a community-driven site a la Famous Bloggers, or a more personal one-man show a la Blogging Bookshelf…
Happy Birthday, Tristan!
So you’re an Aquarius as well (so am I). :-)
Congrats on your bolted route!!! And that cam is huuuge.
Bring on the podcasts!
Dude, that route took FOR-EV-ER to establish! And yeah, that’s a big cam in that pic… Not my biggest one, though :)
Thanks!
No one sang the Happy Birthday song to you in the comments? What gives? Is it because they dont want to pay royalties? Well…I dont give a damn, I’ll sing it for you anyways…
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday Dear Tristan
Happy Birthday to You
…and many moooooore :-)
Hahaha. Thanks, Dino. That was touching, man.
Happy early birthday Tristan. I hope you are going to do something special. Sounds like you won’t be online sharing your fascinating blog posts with us. That’s definitely a good thing since this will be your special day. Whatever you do, have a fabulous day!
Adrienne
I’m in Seattle for the week, playing with my nieces and nephews. So yes, I’m doing something special :) Thanks for the kind words!
Hi Tristan,
Happy Birthday!
You’ve lived a colorful life, really cool stuff here….especially rock-climbing.
Posts like these are excellent for making connections. I appreciate people willing to share little known facts about themselves. Shows the person behind the blog.
Thanks for sharing Tristan and enjoy your day!
RB
Rock climbing is my #1 passion… But it’s not a very profitable industry :) One of my plans for spring (once all the stupid snow melts in the mountains…) is to create a climbing membership site with video tutorials, etc. Should be fun!
Thanks for the kind words and comment, Ryan. Have a great weekend!
Tristan!
Happy birthday!!!!
I especially enjoy #5!!! Do you have any great stories about domain names that you made good money from? I also enjoy buying and selling domains. I think it would be great to talk domains once in a while!
anyways have a great Bday and have a great and successful 2011
Thanks Chris! I don’t have any stories of making big bucks with any one domain. I usually buy them and flip them pretty soon after. There are several that I’ve bought for the reg fee and then sold them on eBay a week later for $80. Those are always fun.
My favorite recent acquisition is makemoneyblogging.net. I got a great price on it and it’s one that I’ll hang on to for a while.
Domaining is fun and a great way to make some extra money, but I’m starting to get rid of my portfolio so I can focus more on other stuff.
(Btw, I got your directory submission and will add it the next time I update the directory.)
Happy Birthday Tristan!
Wow, it’s great to get you know more through your awesome blog post! Let me know once your new product is ready, maybe we can do some bloody marketing work here and there :)
Wish long happy life buddy
Thanks for the kind words and birthday wishes, Hesham! And I’ll definitely let you know when I’m ready to launch the product. Have a great weekend, man!
Wow, Ishan’s comment is hilarious. “One thing you don’t know about me is that I am complete Hitler with my decisions.” Bahhhahaha.
Anyway, happy birthday Tristan!
I noticed on your Twittery thing that you are a ’86er. So am I. :) Go 86er’s! Except I wait until September to turn 25 and I’m scared out of my mind about it, haha.
I really like these birthday post things that people do. I think your most interesting one is that you can crochet. I saw a news story about knitting yesterday (I guess it was a slow news day) and all of a sudden I thought to myself, “Do any guys actually know how to knit in this world? Or is it all women?” Haha, you just answered that question for me. Awesome.
It’s really cool that you are a linguist. My mom has a degree in linguistics and I never knew what that meant exactly. I’m not a linguist, but I’m from Montreal and I speak total slanged up full-fledged Quebecois French… poutine and all.
And I’m with you on the IM podcasting thing. Totally addicted. I spend like 3.5 hours a day on stupid public transit and listening to podcasts are the only things that keep me from stabbing somebody.
Nice to see that you’re set on the infographic course. I remember that product blog post you wrote about way back when and I totally voted for the infographic thing.
Hope you really partay hartay it up awesome-style like you’re a whole quarter century old! Have a great birthday!
Thanks, Elise! Yeah, I chuckled at Ishan’s comment, too :)
Wooo! Go 86! 25 feels pretty great… Nothing to be afraid of!
You know what, even with a degree in linguistics, I’m not entirely sure what it means! Yay for higher education.
It’s Tristan’s B’day and everyone’s laughing at my comment! ;) I stole the limelight.
* Weird 86ers *, thank God I am 91er! * Double ;) *
Happy birthday, may all your wishses come true!
Tell me something about YOU that I don’t know!
- I’m a online entrepreneur.
Would you read my lifestyle design blog if I ever start it?
- Defintely, you should give this idea a chance.
Do you listen to podcasts?
- Not really.
If I were to start a Blogging Bookshelf podcast, what kind of information would you like in it?
- I don’t know exactly, I trust your publisher sense.
Great article though, a few things I wouldn’t have guessed about you. Keep up the good work, you write very nice.
Have a great (birth)day, Maria.
Thanks for the birthday wishes and kind words, Maria!
And thanks for letting me know that you’d be interested in a lifestyle design blog. It would be a lot of fun to start one, I just need to find the time for it!
Tristaaaaaan, awesome stuff to know about you man – you’re rockin’ it, as always.
I found out a couple of these things by digging around your blog but didn’t know you had these other projects in mind or how much you’re into learning languages – I really need to get on the ball about that myself because if you think about it: knowing only one language only allows you to talk to people within your area; learning a BUNCH opens new parts of the world to you.
About me? Ummmm. I absolutely love going to electronic music festivals and clubbing haha. Wouldn’t seem it but I’m a big time partier although I’ve been a bit too busy lately to hit up a lot of them.
Happy birthday yo!
Dude, I LOVE learning languages. I speak Russian and Ukrainian well, and have also studied Polish, Spanish, and Chinese. I’d speak a fair amount about language learning on the lifestyle design blog, and I’d monetize it partly by selling beginner vocab and grammar packs/lessons for certain languages.
That’s cool that you’re into electronic music festivals and clubbing! I definitely know what you mean about being too busy to do it much recently, though. That’s the case for pretty much all of the stuff I used to do for fun!
Very impressive list of accomplishments, Tristan! And clearly your love of Indian food and Oscar Wilde is a reflection of great taste.
Love the podcasting idea! Not sure if there is a lot of stuff out there for bloggers…
Hope you have a fantastic birthday!
Yeah, there really aren’t too many good podcasts out there for bloggers. I’m having some trouble, though, deciding what exactly I’d want to do. I could more or less just read my posts, or create new content or do interviews or case studies or success stories… I know I’d really like to do a podcast, just finding a good focus is something I need to work on.
Tristan, Hauoli La Hanau. Best wishes for a magnificent day. Congrats on the nice article in Climbing Magazine. While such climbing is definitely not my idea of a good time, I appreciated the difference in perspectives with your comment: “It’s interesting . . . I wanted to make it last as long as I could.”
May your birthday be the start of your best year ever. Aloha nui loa, Janet
That climb is literally a 3 minute drive from my house, so it’s been in my backyard for a while now, just taunting me. But now that it’s done, it’s like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders! Finishing it really was a highlight of my life, but it’s great to be able to turn my attention to other things.
Thanks for the kind words and birthday wishes, Janet!
Tristan,
Ever do Angel’s Landing at Zion Nat’l Park? I’m a novice, but it was incredible!
-I think $29-$39 on the design kit thingy..I’d buy it
-prob wouldn’t follow the lifestyle design blog…already got that one nailed LOL
-would listen to a blogging podcast. maybe your blogging diary verbalized….thoughts, ideas, stuff that is and isn’t working. It’d just be great to get inside your head really, and I could listen to it in the car.
Anyway, happy birthday buddy! Hope it’s a great one.
Yep, I’ve rock climbed up the north face of Angel’s Landing. I love Zion! Here are two pics from that climb:
http://goo.gl/dnJ5g – Looking down from near the top
http://goo.gl/Pg1QM – I’m the one on the top
I like the idea of my blogging diary verbalized. I could turn it into a once-a-week deal… Hmmm… I’ll have to mull that one over and see if I could actually make it interesting!
Thanks Jason!
Happy Birthday! It was great learning more about you Tristan. The picture of you in Yosemite is TIGHT (literally too)!
-Something about me is that is that I grew up around illegal hustlers (pimps and drug dealers)…I took the same work ethic and transitioned it in the most ethical and positive way possible.
-I’d be one of your first 100 subscribers in line to support you if you were to drop a lifestyle blog.
-I don’t listen to many podcast…but I’d willing to check your’s out if you should ever start one. I think it would be great to learn about blogging trends and tips – just as you provide here. Maybe your podcast can summarize and diver deeper into your blog posts???
Happy Birthday again! Peace.
Dang man. My life seems pretty tame compared to yours! Mountains aren’t nearly as scary or dangerous as pimps and drug dealers :D
I like what you said about blogging trends for the podcast. It could be a kind of “state of the blogosphere” type deal and talk about trends, mistakes, and patterns that I see.
I also wouldn’t mind going into more depth for each blog post, but I don’t know if the podcast is something I’d want to do that often. Once a week is as often as I’d want to do it.
Thanks for the awesome ideas, Jk!
Happy Birthday!
• I’m a Texan leprechaun and am a radio program producer/announcer
• Yes, I would at least give it a try. Lifestyles are fairly subjective.
• No, I don’t listen to podcasts – guess I’ve never run across any that interested me. Although now I think about it I can’t say I’ve run across any podcasts – other than a series on becoming an A list blogger in a short time with almost no effort. (SCAM) Probably why I lost interest.
• Being unfamiliar with podcasts, I couldn’t say. Something that compliments the material you supply here.
A Texan leprechaun, eh? Hahaha. Allan, I think you win the prize for best thing that I didn’t know about my readers :)
I’m still trying to decide how I’d go about the lifestyle design blog. I’m debating between a community-driven, magazine-style blog (like FamousBloggers.net but for lifestyle design) or something like Blogging Bookshelf that’s more of a one-man show. There are pros and cons to each. I like the control and flexibility I’d have from doing it all myself, but I’ve never done a community-driven blog before, and that’s something I’d like to try out (and I think it would grow faster).
I dunno. Like I said, it won’t be anytime soon, so I’ve still got time to figure out exactly what I want to do.
Not wanting to be all stuffy (or miss out on something good) I went back up the page and checked out some of those podcasts you listed. Dirtbag Diaries looks interesting. History comes up as not found. You are always broadening my horizons… thanks Tristan!
Dirtbag Diaries is pretty cool, but I don’t know how interesting it would be to someone who isn’t, well, a dirtbag climber (or sometimes they have stuff about skiing or mountain biking).
The history one wasn’t working for you? Hmmm… Try it again, I guess. All of the links work just fine for me now.
My favorite of those I listed is probably Stuff You Should Know. The hosts of that show are just awesome.
Happy Birthday to you!!
I remember my 25th (no, not telling when that was!). I was travelling around England and Europe and celebrated it in London with my travelling buddies. It was great!
Hope yours is a memorable and enjoyable one, too, Tristan.
Well, you’ve posed a few questions here, but yes I would listen to a podcast. I do on a few writing sites that I visit and they are great for sharing interviews etc…if that is something that you might be interested in using them for.
Thanks too for sharing The Art of Non-Conformity. I sounds like something I would love reading.
Something you don’t know about me?
I have written two books. One is a romance novel (unpublished as yet, ‘cos it still sits in my filing cabinet!) and the other is a motivational weight loss guide, called Reframe Weightloss, published at Smashwords.com.
I love writing and also read a lot. My favourite book (ever!!) is Eat, Pray, Love. I love the way Elizabeth Gilbert writes!
Have a wonderful birthday Tristan.
Enjoy yourself and congrats on your climbing successes also!!
I really, really enjoyed the Art of Non-Conformity. You should definitely check it out!
You’ve written 2 books? That’s so cool! And that’s on my list of things to do before I die. I’d like to write a non-fiction book, a book of poetry, and a novel. The novel will definitely be the hardest one for me. I’m not very creative when it comes to creating stories and things like that!
I’ve heard lots of great things about Eat, Pray, Love, but haven’t read it yet. I was talking to my sister last night about her recent trip to Bali, and she said that all of the locals there eagerly pointed out the “Eat, Pray, Love beach” and the hotel where Julia Roberts stayed. I’ll have to add that one to my Amazon wishlist.
Thanks for the awesome comment, Mon!
Well a big, fat Happy BDay to your Tristan. Wow, to think, you’re actually going to take a day off…talk about having a few emails to respond to ;-)
I’m a big fan of these types of post, as this whole blogging thing for me is about the community it creates and the relationships that are spawned.
I think you ought to put a couple of your climbing vids on here. In fact, I think it would be really cool if you did a video post the moment you reach the top of your next climb, and entitle it:
“How to Reach Your Blogging Summit, by Mr. Higbee” (don’t worry, my commission is only 13% ;-) )
Have a great one my friend, looking forward to what the future holds for you bud.
You know, I actually HAVE considered taking a camera up a climb with me and making a video post about it! I guess I’ll bump it up the list of posts to do :)
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Marcus! I had a great birthday, but coming back now to reply to all the comments and emails IS a bit daunting! I still have probably 50 or 60 to reply to today :)
Hi Tristan!
“Happy Birthday” & wish you a successful year.
Nice to known you here mate. You are rockin’ and I really love to read your posts. Frankly, the most frequent visited blog by me is bloggingbookshelf.com. Thank you for sharing good stuffs here.
well about me, I am from Malaysia and self employed. Interested in photography but now days just spending more time in front of pc :). I am not good at writing and my english is really bad but its doesn’t stop me from writing, I am learning and improving….Thank you for tolerating my writing guys :) I am not a blogger, I am just an internet marketer and still learning about blogging from you guys here. Thank you Tristan and everyone who may have commented on my site to help improving me.
Rammesh, I LOVE hearing that Blogging Bookshelf is your most frequented blog! That’s so cool!
I think it’s amazing that you’re writing in a language other than your native one. That’s just incredible, and I can’t imagine doing that.
And I’m a blogger that’s learning about internet marketing :)
Thanks for taking the time to leave such a great comment!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRISTAN! You’ve got some diverse interest there but I’ve gotta say your taste in ice cream is my favorite. Personally, I like Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked. Yum!
Thanks, Stella! I’m a huge ice cream junkie, and yeah, Half Baked IS great stuff :)
Happy Birthday tristan. I hope you have a better and more successful year ahead of you.
Though I visit your blog frequently, I rarely leave comments. But this post was kind of unusual and caught my attention.
I really wish I had a bit more free time between my 2 daytime jobs , my blog and part time freelancing and internet marketing to do some of the activities you do (rock climbing and etc). I am sure they are very helpful in getting your mind and body ready for working more efficiently.
One thing I have in common with you is favoring dostoevsky’s Crime And Punishment. I red it when I was 14 when I was back home (Iran) and I become dostoevsky addict.
Anyway, hope you enjoy your birthday.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment on this one, Satrap!
Rock climbing really is a great activity. Like you said, it really does do great things for body and mind. Few things are more relaxing and enjoyable than being in the mountains and just looking down at everything below you.
I took a Russian literature class in school and we read Crime and Punishment. Loved it!!
Thanks again for the kind words, comment, and birthday wishes :)
tristan!
happy birthday and welcome to seattle!!!!!
whatcha doing up here?
if you are super bored or in a super emergency you may call me! BYE
Thanks Angela! I’m up here visiting family. One of my sisters lives here and my other sister is here visiting, so it’s a mini family reunion.
Man… I forgot what humidity feels like :)
Z dnem narodzhennya mi druh! Bazhayu tobi schastya i bahato divchat! Udachi tobi v Washingtoni!
Dyakuyu, Mitchellchik. Ya lyublyu tebe.
And… it’s really hard typing out Ukrainian like that.
Happy birthday and have a great trip to Seattle.
What’s most interesting to me is how you get so many things done. I also read a lot, but one book a week, no way, it’s more like one book every three weeks (it’s probably because I spend a lot of time with my wife and kids, and I’m working three days a week).
When it comes to your product, I believe that a lot of people buy products that costs $29 or less. This way it’s fairly easy to sell close to anything online. But it all depends on the quality of the product and what you believe is a fair price for it (I would have to see it to give you a more accurate estimate).
A podcast would be awesome. I would listen to for sure. It could be about blogging, that’s what most of your readers care about. It could be about a specific part of marketing/blogging, or even better, it could be about you (and a combination of all of your blogs, your business and everything you’re doing online – and lifestyle design).
Jens, the way I can get so much done is the fact that I have no wife, kids, or normal job! And it’s winter so I don’t climb as much as I do in summer, so I’ve got even more time!
I think you’re right about pricing the product in the $29 range. That’s exactly what I was planning on doing.
I like the idea of podcasting about me, blogging, business, and lifestyle design… Because that’s essentially the same stuff I’d be writing about on my lifestyle design blog if I started it. Hmmm… You’ve definitely given me some food for thought.
Thanks as always for the awesome, valuable comment Jens!
Wish you a very very SPECIAL Birthday with Full of FUN and JOY. I like every thing about yourself you are doing all productive and take actively part in all extra activities.
Thanks for the kind words, comment, and birthday wishes! I did indeed have a great birthday :)
Something about me . . . I did 100 pushups today. For me, that’s a huge accomplishment, so I’m quite proud, though I will confess that they were spread out over several hours. Somehow I’m sure you can out-push-up me. ; – )
K, I still can’t believe that you did 100 pushups in a day! That’s awesome! I’m not so sure I could out-push-up you. I’ve been getting fat from sitting on my butt and doing nothing but blogging…
Happy birthday
nice post and nice pic
Thanks :)
Happy Birthday!
You’ve accomplished quite a bit for a puppy. :)
I share your love of ice cream. Cookie dough used to be my favorite but I an currently addicted to chocolate and peanut butter.
What a great thing to have done some growing up in China. China is the future. If I were forty years younger I would be studying Mandarin.
What is a lifestyle design blog?
I would definitely never turn away a bowl of chocolate and peanut butter ice cream :)
I absolutely loved living in China, and I’d love to go back. My Chinese is pretty bad now and I’d love to polish it up a bit.
A lifestyle design blog is a stupid phrase for a blog that’s about how to get more done and how to enjoy your life more. I’d probably emphasize internet business and foreign language study. And I always feel dumb talking about it to people older than me because, well, like you said, I’m a puppy :)
Thanks Kinsey!
Hiya Tristan,
A Huge Happy Bday to ya. Wishing you all the best and more. Hope you have an amazing day, week and year.
25 eh? Well I’d give my right arm to be that again :).
Thanks a lot for mentioning and linking to my “17 Things About Me…” Bday post :). Very cool.
And it’s great that you gave this post a go. I loved reading it and getting to know a little more about you.
I would tell you about me – but I already did :).
Your number 14 sounds very interesting. Do keep us posted please. Not sure what a fair price for that would be – sorry – but I’m sure whatever you decide or whatever people suggest will sound about right. Good luck.
Have a great day Tristan
and a big clunckin’ Cheers to ya
Yep, I really enjoyed your 17 Things About Me post! And you know… When I think about how many posts I’ve read that I can actually specifically remember… there are relatively few. But posts like that I DO remember because they’re unique and a lot of fun.
And right now I’m thinking that the price for the infographic course will probably be around $30 (you know, like $27 or $29 or something dumb like that). It’ll be pretty dang cool :)
Thanks as always for the awesome comment, Ingrid!
Happy Birthday, it was nice knowing all these things about you!
One of my favorite books is also the Picture of Dorian Gray!
Thanks, Chantal! Yeah, it’s a great book, isn’t it? I love the feeling that comes after reading a really great book. I just kind of sit there in awe with a stupid smile on my face :)
Tristan,
Happy Birthday man. 25 is a glorious year full of aches and pains I never knew could exist (I’ll be 26 in May). I’ve never ventured over here before (follow Ms. Abboud’s tweet over), but judging from the familiarity I have with a good number of folks leaving comments, perhaps I ought to make it more common going forward.
I just ordered Art of Non-Conformity and am in the middle of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Bizarre. Anyhow, best of luck getting your venture up and running. My goal is to have my websites & businesses self-sustaining (or to the point I can handle everything while overseas) by this coming August. Again, good luck.
Take care and Happy Birthday
Jamey, that’s awesome that you have a goal for your sites and businesses to be self-sustaining by August! How many sites/businesses do you have and/or will you have by then? I have a similar goal, though I don’t really have a specific time frame for it. Hopefully it’ll happen when I launch my product.
That independence day is going to be a glorious day, isn’t it? :)
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a great comment!
Tristan, first of all very happy birthday to you brother!
So, you are 25 huh! And you have already achieved so much in your life. This is amazing!
I love this kind of post. I did one myself recently and one thing for sure; it helps your readers relate to you in a deeper level than ever before.
So, you lived in Dallas for 10 years. I am currently living in Dallas and really enjoy it here. I would really love to hear your podcasts.
Have a wonderful time and keep on rocking it (O:
I agree, posts like this are awesome! I know that I love to read them, and readers seem to respond really well to them, too.
Yep, lived in Dallas for 10 years. Plano, to be exact. It’s nice, but hot and flat :)
And thanks for the +1 vote for the podcast. It’s something I really want to do, but I’m not quite sure yet how exactly I want to go about doing it.
Thanks Adam!
“2. I ran a marathon over the summer without training for it.”
Jerk. (with love)
I loved learning more about you, Tristan! But I guess trying to eat more fruits and veggies everyday didn’t make your list?
Susan, what I didn’t say about my marathon experience is that it came after months of rock climbing and hiking on almost a daily basis. The hiking often consisted of carrying a 60-70 pound pack up a few thousand vertical feet of elevation gain, and doing that at least a few times a week. I was in really, really good shape :)
Nope, more fruits and veggies definitely did not make the list. I’ve been getting better, though. I finished off all of the fruits and veggies I bought that one time and usually eat an apple and banana every day. I need to get more veggies, though…
Thanks for the comment and not-so-kind-yet-said-with-love words :)
Wow, I didn’t know you were such an avid mountain climber. It seems like me and you have some thing in common because I love chocolate cookie dough and cookies and creams, minus the peanut butter sauce. I like listening to podcasts too, anything on internet business. Happy birthday to you and I wish you many more.
Yep, climbing is my #1 passion, but unfortunately, it’s not a very lucrative one :)
Thanks a ton for the kind words, comment, and birthday wishes, John!
Happy Birthday Tristan Higbee!
It was also my birtday this week (26). Dude I cant believe you started this blog in October, thats incredible! I would love to see you have a lifestyle desin blog. sure there are loads out there, but slap your own take across it. I think I will read The Art Of Non Conformity as my 5th book in my read a book a week for 2011 challenge. Sorry I cant use your affiliate link, Its better if I use amazon uk. Means ill get the book in two days not two weeks.
bLAZE yOUR tRAIL
Yep, October 18 is when Blogging Bookshelf was unleashed on the world! Frankly, it’s taken off better than I thought it would!
You should definitely add The Art of Non-Conformity to your reading list, even if you don’t buy it through my Amazon affiliate link (don’t blame you!) :) I really, really enjoyed it.
Thanks, Ryan!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRISTAN! I hope you had a good one.
You love buying and selling domain names…Cool, that sounds interesting!
I love lifestyle design blogs and you certainly would make it fun to read, I would read it!
Not really into podcast to be honest. But then again, i would be curious enough to check it out and listen to what you have to say about blogging.
As for me, I don’t like chocolate ice-cream, lol!. I’ve lived in 4 different countries and speak 3 languages.
Cheers to you!
Yeah, domain names are a lot of fun (like little pieces of online real estate, you know?) and a great way to earn some extra money. They’re probably one of the easiest way to earn money online IF you know what you’re doing. But they’re also one of the biggest money pits if you don’t know what you’re doing!
Thanks for the +1 vote for the lifestyle design blog. It will be at least several more months before it comes to fruition, but I really would like to do it. One problem, though, is that I can’t decide how exactly I want to go about doing it. Do I want to do a community-powered, magazine-style blog or a more personal one-man-show blog more along the lines of Blogging Bookshelf? Hmmm… Lots to think about!
What languages do you speak?
Great info here Tristan. Good to get to know you better. Love your content quality, so I’d definitely frequent your lifestyle design blog. You seem to live an adventurous life, so I’m sure you’ve got a lot to share, my friend!
Not sure if you checked out my about page, but I’m one of those new age “follically challenged” guys. Actually, I like the simplicity …. but would you believe I had hair halfway down my back and sang for a metal band in the 80′s? Truth! …
Best,
Scott
Cool stuff, I hope you had a nice birthday and wish you all the best for your future blogging!!..
Happy birthday! Although I don’t rock climb, I like going outdoors and rough it for awhile! Enjoy your birthday!
Hi Tristan,
Belated happy birthday! I never had any idea you were so physically active – rock climbing is difficult, especially if one has excess pounds, right? :)
I know how to crochet, but I can’t crochet hats like you do. I think I can do the scarves or anything that’s basic. :D
It’s great to know more about you! I’m thinking now that maybe on my birthday this year I could do this kind of post too :)
Thanks!
Low and behold I am sitting here on MY birthday today 2/7 reading random blogs and only I would find one written by a fellow Armenian who’s family originally was from Turkish regions… mine too… it is what it is… but … it’s all about what you make it… have a great day!
Really good writeup, thanks for sharing, left me asking for more!!..
nice blog.Thanks for sharing this blog.
Great article you have such an interesting life! all those places you have been and lived! Happy Birthday!
Hey Tristan,
It’s really awesome getting to know you on a more personal level. And happy (late) birthday by the way! I’m sorry that I’m a bit late – things have been hectic over the last few months, and I haven’t been able to read many blogs until recently.
But I hope you enjoyed your birthday (mine will be coming up this month!). :)
Christina
That’s indeed plenty of information about you in one article and more than enough for anyone who wants to get to know you!
What your title says: You’ll blog when you want.
That is indeed the very spirit of blogging, and that is the way it should be done. Posts should be written only when you wish to write and not just unnecessary mincing of words.
That’s probably the best “things you don’t know about me” blog I’ve ever seen. I like how you’re so cultured and you have such a varied lifestyle! That would be ideal for me to move around a lot and go out and mountaineer. It sounds like fun and I think I’m inspired to go out and do stuff like that.
If you made a lifestyle blog I would read it, definitely. Your life seems so interesting compared to my mundane life in Michigan. I swear I need to start going out there and doing things besides going to college everyday then going home. I’m starting to get bored, naturally, and you’re inspiring me to actually go out there and do something. You make it feel like it is possible, and I want to give it a shot.
The only podcast I listen to is The Psych Files by Michael Britt. If you started a Blogging Bookshelf podcast I think I’d like to listen to ways to improve upon a blog or just some of the bogs you’ve already wrote about, just you talking about them, so I could download them and listen in the car or on the go because sometimes it’s hard to find time to go on and look up advice on blogging and having to read through so much information…if it was an audio I could listen to it on my way to campus or when I’m studying or doing other things. It would be so convenient!!
Oh yeah, I remember when you knit me and Kate a hat…Too bad it won’t fit ma anymore. :(
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