Thoughts

I tried using Arc as my default browser for the day yesterday. I don’t think I’m quite ready for it, so I’m returning to Safari. I’ll keep playing with Arc here and there so maybe one day it feels more natural and I’ll make the move permanently.

Well, my monthly call with my mentor got canceled last minute, so I think that’s my cue to go outside and get some fresh air with a walk.

And just like that, I’m back on Micro.blog… 👋

I think the people who produce TV shows have come to realize that, while sex still sells, conflict sells even better. Every cable TV show I flip past seems to have nothing but conflict as a plot line. It’s both distressing and sad at the same time.

Hate to say it, but the pre-recorded Apple events just don’t have the magic of the Jobs era. Whereas we once hung on every word that came from Steve’s mouth, the super-polished sizzle reels Apple tries to pass off as an “event” have become boring and predictable. I stopped watching after 15 minutes.

I feel so empowered when I decline a bunch of meetings because I’ll be on PTO later in the week. It’s my favorite way to start a Monday. 💪🏻

Trying something new for dinner… Broke out the smoker for the first time this year to infuse a little smoke to some chicken breasts before I finish them up on the grill. Pairing it up with grilled corn on the cob.

I picked up an Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID today (not the extended model). I’ve been using an Apple extended Bluetooth keyboard forever, so the hand placement feels a little different. I do like the new smaller size under my hands, and thoroughly like the touch sensor being “right here.”

I’ve been weighing the options of sticking with Micro.blog, running my own WordPress server, or going the 100% free route of a Hugo site published on GitHub pages. Cost and effort wise, Micro.blog is the front runner, plus (I’ve said it before) there’s the community. Con is I’m not 100% in control.

Something I do like about the new version of Reeder… When opening a toot from the feed, it gives the full Mastodon thread in context.

Auto-generated description: A social media conversation discusses the features and pricing of Raycast Pro, including adaptive clipboard management and AI usage.

I’m going to throw some knee-jerk observations about Reeder out as I evaluate it… A big thing I’m seeing: If you follow someone/something in multiple places (Micro.blog, Mastodon, RSS), you’re going to see the same post multiple times. That makes for a lot of duplicated noise in your home feed.

I’m giving Raycast Pro a spin to see if it’s worth what they’re charging. ~$100/year seems a tad steep for the pro features, so we’ll see in a couple of weeks if my mind has been changed. I do like the custom window management feature however…

Okay… So I may roll back what I said about Reeder the other day. The new release looks intriguing. I’m going to subscribe for a month or two just to see what it can do. I’m still not 100% sure I want to consume all my content in one place though. 🤔

I got lost in thought and managed to put too much water in my oatmeal this morning, ending up with the consistency of clam chowder wallpaper paste. I’m a chunky oatmeal guy…

I’m considering changing my Apple Music subscription from single-user annual to family monthly to allow my wife and son to play their music on various devices (HomePod) and not interrupt what I’m already playing elsewhere. Anyone else using the Apple Music family plan? Is it worth it to you?

I managed to wander my way back to Reeder for RSS a little while back, but noticed this morning the app has been renamed to “Reeder Classic” on the Mac App Store. This means a new release is imminent with a new purchase likely needed. I think I’m going to move back to NetNewsWire (again), probably for good this time.

I added a books page to my Micro.blog site today. It’s still a little bare, but I hope to up my reading game going forward. I used to be a voracious reader, but lost the mojo for it over the last decade.

A Tuesday (Monday) morning work rant: If I’ve ignored your unsolicited business email the first three times you’ve sent it, don’t send it a fourth and then fifth time demanding a response from me to take a meeting. You won’t get it, and now you’ve been relegated to the domain block list. Bye.

I’ve started using Omnivore as my read it later app. I’m not sure how I’ve missed this one, but it’s pretty impressive, and open source no less.

I took time this weekend to refresh my Micro.blog theme for about the hundredth time after discovering a nice webfont. As usual, one tweak led to the next and suddenly hours have passed by. I’m happy where it’s at for now, so it’s time to step away.

Scrolling through the macOS desktops from years gone by over at 512 Pixels, I still think 10.4 Tiger is the best looking of all of them…and is the one I’m using today.

Why do I save every work email except the one-line “thank you” emails? So when someone says X and then comes back with Y later, I can joyously screenshot their original thread and attach that sucker to my reply. 💣💥

For me, one of the hardest parts of being a people manager is having the honest conversations about results and performance. I want to be 100% fair, but at the same time, my expectations are not unreasonable. This was not the way I wanted to start my Monday…

I hate to have to say this, but I think I’m starting to like Raycast better than I do LaunchBar…

To this day, I still do not understand why headphone jacks on Macs (PC too?) are located on the right side, but every wired headset I’ve ever owned has the input wired on the left, forcing the cable to cross over (or under) my hands as I type.

I moved all the content I wanted to keep from my WordPress site over here to Micro.blog this morning. Next, I’ll decommission the VPS and then point the .org domain at this one (.dev). This is all part of the (mostly) all in on Micro.blog decision from a while back.

I set aside some time this morning to record audio to my ant mound post from a couple of days ago. It required a few takes to get mostly right, but I think what I ended up with came out okay. I’ll have to do some other posts this weekend.

My boss just turned me on to Lake Street Dive. Just what I needed today.

For any who have followed along, after months of poking, prodding and scans, I’m pleased to report I’ve been given a 100% clean bill of heart health – so long as I maintain the new healthy choices and swallow a dozen pills each day. It’s time to stop fretting and move on. Last post on this topic.

I officially hit my goal weight today, having dropped 25 lbs in three and a half months. It’s time to set a new goal. Let’s start with another five…