I’m at the Cascadia Grill in downtown Olympia and while glancing around I noticed that they serve the famous impossible burger. I’ve been wanting to try it ever since I heard about it.

It’s an all plant burger patty that tastes like meat because it’s infused with heme, a chemical that is responsible for meatiness that we enjoy in our meat products. I enjoyed the food engineering marvel with a side of Mexican soup. It was a really decent cheeseburger, definitely not the best burger ever but solidly decent. If you were to have it next to a vegetarian burger and a regular burger I think it will still be mistaken for a real burger. As much as I’d like it to be the best burger ever, it just simply isn’t as good as a greasy, cheesy, bacony 5 guys dipped in gillum sauce.

In my opinion, I love that this kind of food exists. We need to eat less beef, it’s bad for our suffocating Earth. Plus it’s far healthier than a big blob of red meat in your stomach. What a great option for people who love meat but don’t want to sacrifice their love for burgers.

Between anarchists attacking, important meetings regarding international trade and outlining the new book I’m writing; it has been a busy week. Each aforementioned item is worth it’s own individual post but I don’t think I have time for that.

The weather is phenomenal today, which makes it hard to focus. With that in mind I’ll have to use the staggered approach, which when used properly, can allow one to be productive while also enjoying the day.

I’ll focus on research for one hour then walk to another coffee shop. Talk a bit, relax then focus for forty-five minutes. I repeat this process reducing the focus time by fifteen minutes every time until I run out of focus time. At this point I simply do something social or take a walk until I’m inspired again.

This method seems to work for me but everyone is different. I’d love to read some of your study/focus techniques. Leave them in the comments.

I love quotes from writers, philosophers and generally inspiring people throughout history. So from time to time I might indulge in a quote. It may seem random from but it’s hardly ever going to be random from my point of view.

“The degree of one’s emotions varies inversely with one’s knowledge of the facts.”

-Bertrand Russell

The other day I had the pleasure of correcting a guest of mine when she mistakingly called the Union Jack: the astetically pleasing collection of flags representing the various kingdoms which form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the English flag. St. George’s Cross can certainly be found in the flag but when it’s accompanied by the two other representative crosses, it is no longer just the English flag.

I just realized how much I am starting to sound like Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. Signing off now, until tomorrow!

First of all, I think the concept of the daily grind is beginning to go extinct. The up and coming generations are openly opposed to tedious, repetitive work that yields only a paycheck to represent the progress made in the monotony. For previous generations, the paycheck was, for the most part, always worth the effort but they seem to have spawned generations of pickier workers. Suddenly, everyone must have a job that means something, that has some pride that one can tack onto the title that will be eagerly professed amongst all the social mediums.

It’s too easy a trend to mock, plus I don’t think it should be mocked. Clearly it’s better to have a meaningful job that pays well and clearly every parent wants that for their children so if previous generations had to work miserable jobs just to provide a better future for their children, why should those children be mocked for having been provided a better future? It looks like a pretty clear sequence of events to me.

I was raised to value hard work and follow my passions. I was born into privilege which was provided by hard work done by previous generations. I was taught that I still had to earn it though, I wouldn’t just be given things without hard work and a persuit of education and self improvement.

As I am new in the Olympia scene from the resident perspective there are many little cultural aspects that are both fun to observe and inwhich are amusing to partake. Brunch is one such aspect, yet I am not unfamiliar with it due to my college years in Bellingham, WA.

It’s loud, over-priced, and easy food to prepare at home yet we love it here, especially on Sundays. Today I tried a Mexican place only one block away from my apartment. It was delicious but cost me nearly 20 times what it would have cost to make such a meal in my own kitchen. But it’s about the experience, I guess. The social aspect of being in public where I’m vulnerable to acquaintances recognizing me and insincerely asking me how I’m doing.

Because of my brain injuries it’s very difficult for me to comprehend words spoken in a noisy environment so I normally appreciate the opportunity to read or study in such situations. When I have to engage in conversation it’s hard to focus on what the other person is saying so I normally end up talking too much. It’s something I’m working on.

Suffice it to say, the Hart’s Mesa in downtown Olympia is a fine brunch place if you are so inclined to participate in such cultural activities. Personally, I’d prefer the farmer’s market.

3rd ave, not at Starbucks though I actually admire the chain in many ways. I’ve been to many cities around the world but there is just something special about Seattle. It fills me with hope and inspiration and there’s just so much pride in this city. If it were our state’s capital I would certainly locate ALL Services here. Whatever excuse I have to make my I5 journey up to the emerald city I’ll take it because I can then make a day of it.

A new client consultation brings me to Seattle today. This client found my services on thumbtack.com, a very useful app that gets professionals in contact with local clientele. In the fast paced business world it is prudent to sharpen your language skills in order to stay a step ahead, especially when English isn’t your native language. Consultations are enjoyable, I get to meet my new customer and really understand their abilities and goals. The most exciting thing is when I learn what kind of an impact their work has in the world and the thrill that comes along with knowing that I’m improving their ability to make that impact.

So here I sit, in this small cafe in the big city eagerly awaiting another fun adventure in the world of linguistics. Not bad fodder for the first entry in this new blog we have here. If you enjoy reading about my global and local adventures then be sure to subscribe. I also post occasional video blogs on YouTube which is feature on this site and on ALL’s Facebook page.

ALL the best,

Raymond Bentson

Here is my new blog!  Get ready for some informative posts.