JONNY AARONSON MOTION & DESIGN
What I've been doing lately
Brushing up on Some Skills and Learning New Ones
Lately I've been going back through and practicing some less utilized UX design and motion skills as well as adding new ones including AI integration to be able to offer more value to my clients. It can be both humbling and encouraging to see how much I already know and how much I still have to learn.
Music Lessons with my Son and Skiing with the Fam
I been continuing to bring my son to his weekly drum lessons and sit in while he learns more beats and fills. I've been impressed with the quickness in which he has learned to play new songs. He has his first performance showcase coming up and I will be accompanying him on the bass.
Also, after a few years of trips to ski mountains with the family and giving them lessons using my previous experience as an instructor, I am now seeing some really encouraging progress. They are becoming well-rounded skiers, enjoying groomers, glades, and are now learning to carve.
Learning a New Language
My daily routine has been altered to include time for learning Italian. I do feel somewhat encouraged with my slow and steady progress. However, I would issue a disclaimer to those who also know some or a lot of Spanish that while it adds a level of familiarity when learning Italian, it also adds complications. There are simultaneously a lot of similar words and words that look or sound the same, but mean something completely different. This can also sometimes be the case with English and Italian. The combination can lead to interesting results.
Additionally, I find as a somewhat late learner of foreign languages, it can be tricky with thinking when learning the 3rd language as my brain instinctively thinks in the 2nd language (Spanish) when asked to respond to a question in the 3rd language (Italian). So, in effect, I am translating twice before formulating my response.
Updated January 5, 2026 from the Boston, MA area.
This page is inspired by the Now Project by Derek Sivers.