A Few Of My Favorite Things…

From the desk of…
Erin Pittman | Optomi Consultant-Care Manager

Even if we’ve only just met, it’s no secret that my default mode is pretty hyperbolic. When I like something, I LOVE it. The likelihood that I’ve told you, your recruiter, my husband or a passing stranger that you’re my FAVORITE consultant is high. And it’s true. I just happen to have a higher capacity for favorites per capita than the general public. It’s a gift.

So, I thought I’d share with you fine people, a few of my very favorite things at this particular moment in time that you should most definitely check out- because they’re awesome.

TV Show: Mr. Robot -Airing Wednesdays 10EST on USA

“ARE YOU WATCHING MR. ROBOT YET?,” is how I’ve started about 90% of my conversations this week. In the 8 episodes that have aired so far, this show about a mentally unstable (?), hacker on a mission has crammed my brain equally full of tech-isms and conspiracy theories. (If I start bringing up root kits, honeypots and raspberry pi out of nowhere, now you know why.)

In all seriousness though, its one of the most compelling and beautifully crafted stories I’ve seen in a long time, right up there with the hallowed Breaking Bad. The season finale airs Wednesday (tomorrow) so you’ve got more than enough time to catch up (read: binge watch) On Demand or here: on the USA website. And then call me after. I’m gonna need to talk about it.

UPDATED 8/27/2015: The Mr. Robot Finale episode has been rescheduled for September 2nd.

Podcast: Reply All- Released Wednesdays on wherever you get your podcasts

Reply All’s tagline: “A show about the internet,” barely skims the surface of everything the podcast manages to accomplish in its weekly 30ish minute episodes. The hosts, PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman weave these incredible stories that start out on the internet and end up anywhere from the inner-workers of a One-Direction fan clubs to Girl Scouts in concentration camps.

If you’re looking for a place to start, my personal favorite episodes center around how inserting an America Online disc in 1996 set off a chain of events that completely upended one young Hasidic Jewish man’s life; and how almost 20 years later, the internet might be his saving grace. You can check out the 2-part series here:

Reply All Episode 23- Exit & Return, Part 1

Audiobook- Armada – Available on Audible.com

Just like any good podcast listener who doesn’t bother to skip the ads, I eventually broke down and signed up for audible and of course its awesome. I picked up “Armada”, written by Ernest Cline, not only because I loved his earlier “Ready Play One,” but mostly because it too was narrated by Wil Wheaton. The book starts out with our hero, Zack Lightman (how great is that name?), seriously worried about his mental health when he thinks he spots a UFO out his window. A UFO….from his favorite video game. Adventure/Hilarity/Drama ensues.

Armada is honestly just a fun listen that pulls on the familiar nostalgia strings wrapped around old video games, music and movies. It’d make for a great late-summer road trip soundtrack or bring some grins to your otherwise boring commute. You can check it out here: Armada: A Novel.

Any favorite things you want to share? Send me a note!