I'm often bummed that I was so nervous during my TED talk that I failed to remember many of the things I wanted to say.

But I'm consistently overwhelmed by how it continues to inspire others, so I should really try to stop being so hard on myself.

Particularly touched by whoever put this together.

The 2003 Northeast Blackout, 10 Years Later (PHOTOS) - Huff Post

10 years ago today, was one of the fondest days I've ever experienced in NYC.

The Northeast was struck with a 30 hour blackout. I know not everyone had a pleasant experience that day, but I cherished mine. In my Brooklyn neighborhood we BBQ'd... we helped one another... we met/shared beers with neighbors for the first time, we'd greet/cheer those who walked from manhattan... no one got home to watch tv or play video games, instead they'd drop off their stuff and joined us for conversation on the rooftops as we gazed upon the once in a lifetime sight of the dark silhouette of the NYC skyline.

Next Year I'll avoid using electricity on this entire day, maybe some of you would be interested in joining me.

Photo Credit: Lauren Manning on Flickr 

I attended SXSW for the first time this year.  Lots of friends said that buying a badge wasn't necessary, so I didn't.  I saved A LOT of money, and only really missed a couple of notable events that required one.

I was dissappointed that I couldn't attend the Keynote by ultra multi über talented Tina Roth Eisenberg AKA SWISS MISS, but I was counting on being able to watch it later online.  During her Keynote, my twitter feed exploded, and after her Keynote, everyone I spoke with couldn't stop raving about it.  

A few days later when I returned home to NYC, I finally saw it.  I was floored.

As an art school graduate, and someone whose educated artists at 4 different schools, this 1 hour keynote is exactly what any artist of any discipline needs to hear.  It's the perfect inspiration for a student on their first day of college.  And exactly what a graduate needs to hear as they take on the real world.

I couldn't agree more with Tina's 11 Rules to live by (listed above).  Which she explains in wonderful detail.  

I'm particularly fond of #3: "Don't Complain. Do something about it, or let it go."

Here's Tina introducing the video on her site... ENJOY!:

Here’s my SXSW talk in which I speak on my path of becoming a designer in Switzerland, making the transition moving to New York and establishing my various businesses. I speak on my 11 rules and values I live by, both in my professional and personal life. In fact, I speak on the fact that I barely distinguish between the two and that my kids have been my biggest career catalysts. Enjoy! (I come on at 4:35)

Video streaming by Ustream

over 2 years ago, weeks after quitting my advertising job in pursuit of a more meaningful life... TED posted on Facebook that they were going to hold their first ever auditions. I immediately thought "if only I had an idea worth spreading!"... it wasn't until a week later while I was recording my second of the day, that I thought... "hmm... what about this?"... followed by... "well if I don't try, I'll regret it for the rest of my life... so I must".

Friends... is there something on your mind that you wish you could communicate to the world? A 1 minute video could change your life... but more importantly it could change countless more.

Want to speak at TED2014? Apply to speak at TED@NYC this fall

Three months ago my 1 Second Everyday - Age 30 video found itself on the Front Page of the Internet, Reddit.

When my friend John Cook first alerted me that it was there, I started reading & answering some of the early comments.  But once it hit the front page and the comments started arriving in the hundreds, I ran for the hills.  

As a long time Redditor who checks in daily to see the newest best stuff on the internet, I know that Redditors are brutally honest.  And being the sensitive schmuck that I am, I decided to stop reading them before I read something negative.  My Reddit Inbox also filled up rather quickly, so I decided to ignore those too.

This week I finally took some time to stop ignoring that glowing red Reddit Inbox and prepared myself for the worst.  

I was honestly shocked by the messages I received!  

Thought I'd share 3 of them here :)

Thank you Brandon Forant for your truly diligent work!

there are literally thousands of incredible experiences happening at any given second at Burning Man… it's impossible to convey… everyone's experience ends up being totally different… I wanted to share one of my absolute personal favorites… biking way outside Black Rock City for several miles & stumbling on a movie theater at the farthest depth of the deep Playa… 

I assumed it just "looked" like a movie theater… but when I tried to open the door, it did open… and I was immediately greeted by a bellhop that asked "can I interest you in some concessions for the movie?"… I said "ummm… wow… sure… ah… Snickers?"… he handed me a KING SIZE snickers bar and said "Enjoy the show!"… I crawled under a tiny set of black theater drapes… and inside was a movie screen that rivaled those of indie movie screens in NYC… better in fact… I caught the 4am showing of The Wizard of OZ… when the movie ended, we walked out and the sun had just started rising in the distance… it felt like real life magic…

REBIRTH of GAEA - A Brief Overview from Jesse Michael Newman on Vimeo.