I wanted to make a short note that we lost our Allie Girl on February 5th. She was an amazing companion to our family and to all of the pets raised by her side.
The photo above was the first image I ever entered into a competition, and somehow she won the Flickr 2022 World Photography (Animals) award. She was an expressive pup, so I can see what the judges must have felt when they saw this one.
Lately, especially with her leaving such a huge hole in my life, I’ve been thinking about getting back into photography and posting more here — especially when spring arrives. Everything will look and feel different without my trusted companion, but it’s time to get back on the horse and ride again.

Below are some pics of her (just a few random photos out of thousands I have taken of her..note: I notice a couple photos that are on the site after I posted this that are not in the actual slideshow....the web app must have had an issue, but I am not going to try to fix because I would basically have to delete and start over... the photos aren't showing on the web interface side....so please ignore those):

Ooni Karu 2 Pro Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven - This wasn’t really close this year.  Usually, I am doing pro and con lists to determine which product that year had served me best, but this year, my favorite tech was the Ooni Karu Pro 2 16 Pizza Oven.   I am a huge pizza fan, so I can eat just about any pizza and be happy.  That being said, my wife is more picky.   She doesn’t like Dominos, Pizza Hut, etc.   However, when I make it at home, she loves it.  With this oven, you can make up to 16 inch pizzas, use gas, charcoal or wood for fuel.   It’s just fantastic and so easy to get up and running (especially with gas).

This year, my pick wasn’t an audio streamer from Wiim for a change.  Instead, it’s the FIIO K11 R2R DAC preamp/headphone amp.   While the price went up (slightly) on this device this year, I decided to give it a shot.   The main reason is that it gives me a different sound from the Wiim Ultra and Little Dot MKIII Tube amp.   The sound actually wedges between these two and is now my “go to” DAC for when I am working.   It isn’t exactly “tubey”, but it has been described as more “musical” and less analytical than the Wiim Ultra DAC (and most other DACs).    The size makes it perfect for my home office and I like being able to change the RGB lights on the top.  It has two modes, one is “no over sampling” and the other upsamples everything.  I prefer the “no over sampling” mode for its laid back presentation that I don’t find fatiguing even when I have been playing music the better part of the day. I rarely listen to headphones, but the inclusion of a headphone amp is a nice addition and I prefer it to the WiiM headphone output when I don’t want to mess with my tube setup.

The Breville BOV900BSS Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and Convection Oven is simply awesome.  It can provide perfect toast in the morning and switch to fantastic Air Fried Wings at night without blinking an eye.  It’s also great for reheating left over pizza.  We still haven’t used every feature, but it is easy to use and has changed the way we cook.  We rarely use the microwave unless we are in a big hurry these days.   When we were looking at homes, we even considered not adding a microwave when we moved.

Motorized Projector Screen - We have had a pull down screen in our living room over the past couple of years and it was easy enough to get up and pull it down.  However, putting it back up often left me nervous because I could just see me yanking the screws out of the wall.   This solves that issue because you simply hit a button and the screen comes down.  When done, you hit a button and it goes back up.  My wife can even use it without my help and she could never get the screen back up manually without my help.   This is a lifestyle changer because nothing gets in the way of using it.  As a result, we have it down every night.    

I wanted a battery backup and the ​Jackery Explorer 2000 V2 wasn’t playing around.   The Jackery has the option to charge it off of solar panels, but I haven’t invested in those just yet, but for someone working from home, it has been a godsend.  Normally, when our power goes out, it is 30 minutes to an hour.  However, this is plugged into my home office necessities, so everything just goes on working.  I have access to internet, etc.   This has kept me from picking up during a busy workday and having to drive into the office.  It buys me plenty of time.  Also, the fact that it powers my internet modem, I can switch over to the iPad when it is after hours and watch movies, listen to music, etc while waiting for the power to come back on.   For a real emergency where the power is off for days, it probably won’t be enough power without the solar panels, so I will add those down the road (probably before it starts getting cold out). 

Omega SwatchWatch- As anyone that reads my website knows, I am an Apple Watch wearer.  However, on occasion, I like to wear a normal watch when we go out for purely aesthetic reasons.  I have an Automatic Omega Date watch, a vintage Omega (thanks to my grandpa), and now the Omega made by Swatch.   Why?  Because it’s fun.  Also, I like the Omega Moon face on this watch.  I would love to get a “real” Omega Moon watch, but I have yet to justify that price.  Here, I am getting the look on my wrist, without pulling  $7k or so out of my checking account.   Also, just being a product of the 1980s, I have an affinity for Swatch, as well.  They had style with a small price tag.  Unlike the snooty watch collectors that have complained, I love these two companies, so I was happy to see the product.   I bought it recently since they now have a few of them on their website.   If I wasn’t a daily Apple Watch wearer, I would probably buy more in different colors. 

Okay, I admit to barely using the Rollinjack in 2025, but it is still going on my favorite tech list.  The reason is that it fills an important role for us Jeep Wrangler JK users.  It gives us an easy way to pull the top of the Jeep without help.  I had a hoist I was using before, but for some reason the thing ripped out of the wall while I was lowering it and the top fell about a foot onto my jeep.  If I had my Jeep parked front ways, it would have done some real damage.  As it is, I escaped with a small scratch on the back of the Jeep.  Anyway, I wanted something more stable and something that could move with me if we changed homes.  This does both and it’s a revelation.   Unfortunately, during a recent shed clean out, we threw away my soft top since it smelled like rat urine and I am too anal to be happy with just bleaching it.  Instead, I plan to get a new soft top down the road and this gives me stable storage for the hard top.  

Grillblazer Su-VGun Propane Torch with Stand ​-  As someone with a Big Green Egg smoker and also a big fan of Sous Vide, this was a perfect addition.   I also grabbed the Grillblazer 8ft Propane Hose & Adapter for 20lb Tank ​so I wouldn't have to mess around with the small propane tanks.  It is basically a fire gun, with some safety features, but it great for lighting my grill or searing steaks.

​Cataract Surgery - Okay, this is a little unusual.  I was diagnosed with a "young person's" cataract.  I am not that young, but that is what they called it.  It majorly affected vision in my right eye.  It was so bad that even with glasses, nothing was clear.  I have already done the right eye and I now have 20/20 vision for distance.  I also have surgery scheduled before year end on the left eye to get the two eyes on the same page.  It's a game changer, especially for a photographer!  

Litheli Cordless Pole Saw, 20V 2.5Ah Battery Pole Saws for Tree Trimming, 8-Inch Pole Saw Battery Powered 27.5ft/s Cutting Speed - Okay, first I had a fire gun and now this?  Well, yes, who doesn't want to go from chainsawing a bunch of stuff right into shooting fire?    The chainsaw works great and with the long pole. it gives me plenty of reach and keeps me out of harm's way!  I also like the USBC battery connection rather than a third party dock. 

This may be the first year that I have not had one Apple product listed in a long time.  I am still happy with my iPhone 14 Pro Max and I really want to have the option of a foldable before I update.  
  
A few items that I didn't mention, but where just short of making the list:

TRMNL - Fun little battery operated screen.  I use it for B&W photos.
Electric Pressure Washer - Did a great job reviving my deck.
Chamberlain MyQ - I had to replace my garage door opener, so bought this to control it with my phone.
Percussion Massager - it seems like a cheap knock off, but it still works great and the battery seems to last for a long time.
Keyboard iPad Case - A really nice alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard.

Some items I have in my wishlist, but who knows....Massage Chair, Photo Printer, New Phone, Outdoor kitchen, etc.  We have some big ticket changes we may make to the house...already have a new roof replacement scheduled, so we will see how those things change my budget for tech items.

Over the past year, I have been utilizing the ESR Shift case, which lacks a keyboard. Consequently, I employ compact, foldable Bluetooth keyboards when on the go. At home, I utilize mechanical keyboards and a mouse.

Additionally, I possess a keyboard case akin to Apple’s, enabling the magnetic mounting of the iPad and its subsequent detachment for tablet mode usage. However, I find this setup to be unsatisfactory for several reasons. Firstly, the viewing angles are restricted. Conversely, the ESR case, similar to the one utilized by Microsoft on its Surface, employs a rigid flap to support the iPad. This flap can be adjusted to virtually any desired angle. Secondly, when transitioning to tablet mode with the Apple-like setup, the iPad lacks protection. Thirdly, I find the metallic sensation in my hand less preferable compared to a more non-slip case such as this one. Lastly, when using the iPad in tablet mode, since the iPad is no longer in a case, it lacks any ability to prop it up like you can do with the flap on the back of this case (even when removed from the keyboard).

While Apple’s keyboard derives power wirelessly from the iPad, eliminating battery concerns, Bluetooth keyboards offer detachable advantages. For instance, if I wish to elevate the iPad display on a few books, I can continue using the case’s keyboard during detachment. Similarly, if I intend to connect to an external monitor, such as a television, the same keyboard can be utilized. In my office, I employ an iPad stand with an HDMI output, which connects to a computer monitor. Detaching its keyboard allows me to exercise complete control without the iPad being physically present on my desk. In contrast, Apple’s keyboard lacks such flexibility.  


In comparison to my Shift case this keyboard case offers continuous keyboard usage while providing back protection for the iPad. However, it is less sturdy than the Shift case, which excels in this regard (including a mechanism to elevate the iPad using the case). While the Shift case is suitable for using on a table with a portable keyboard, it may not be as ideal for lap use on the couch. Having a separate keyboard and case in your lap adds an additional balancing point.


It is worth noting that I am over 6 feet tall, so I am uncertain if this case would be as comfortable to use in the lap for someone with shorter legs. The flap requires sufficient space, so leg length may determine the angle at which you can use it.

The case closes and remains secure using a magnet. Similar to my previous cases that employ this mechanism, it is suitable for everyday use. However, individuals who frequently carry their devices in bags may consider purchasing a sleeve for added protection. My backpack features an iPad slot integrated into the laptop area, allowing me to conveniently store my iPad.

In addition to the main flap, there is a smaller flap at the top that can be adjusted to a lower, drawing position. A small pocket on the back of the case is provided for storing the Apple Pencil. When using the iPad, the Apple Pencil can be charged by resting it on the top of the iPad.

Regarding the keyboard, it meets my requirements and features a responsive and user-friendly trackpad. The keys are also backlit for enhanced visibility.

In summary, this case fulfills multiple purposes and is particularly suitable for users who frequently utilize the iPad in both handheld and keyboard modes. Additionally, if keyboard usage is predominantly lap-based, an attachable keyboard may be a more advantageous option compared to a permanently detached one. Personally, I intend to test this case for a period of several months to ascertain whether it aligns better with my preferences compared to the ESR Shift case. I found that typing on the couch with the keyboard attached today was exceptionally enjoyable, highlighting the significant advantage of having a detachable keyboard. Overall, I recommend this case highly, similar to the ESR Shift case, but the suitability of this case ultimately depends on the intended usage.

So, the tablet above is the TRMNL (OG).   So, why would I buy a 7.5 inch low resolution (800x480) display?   The answer is that I love tech, read through my blog for details, so when I saw the many things this device can do, I was in.   I should mentioned that it was $129 and I paid $25 for what they call the Clarity kit.   This was close enough to my "curious... so why not" range...more on that later.

I thought I would use it to cycle between Apple Photos, Stock tickers, and weather, if I did not see any other plug in (and there are numerous plug ins to chose from) that I might find entertaining (they have an "Office" quote plug in that is pretty fun.   

That being said, I tried a few of the above, but just found that I liked to display black and white photos from Apple Photos on it the most (they have a plug in for Dropbox photos, but I have not tested it).  

Yes it is, so you want to be careful where you display it.  On a mantle over the fireplace, a bookshelf, etc.  You don't want to have it less than a foot away where you can see the fuzziness of the display.  At a distance of a couple of feet, it gives off a film type of look.  The grainy E-ink display works in the favor of the B&W photo in many cases.  

I was also really sold on the fact that it is battery operated.  Now, I can just pick it up (it is very light) and set it anywhere.  I have it in my office, but not on my desk most of the time.  However, I have also had it on the fireplace mantel in the living room.   It only needs to be charged once every couple of weeks or so.  I have it changing the displayed photo  every 15 minutes, so my battery may burn faster than those that change it every 60 minutes.   

The web interface is quite helpful for tracking the battery power left (I can just pop it up on my iPhone).  The front page has a battery symbol up in the right corner (below):

To set it up, you set up a shared album and then use their instructions to connect them.  I should mention that this doesn't have all the features as a true photo slideshow frame (not cropping the photo to fit the frame, for example), but there is a charm to the low res photos that I like and not having to plug it in, is worth the price of admission.

Below is the shared photos on my iPhone.  Once you see them on the display, they might not look very good due to how the frame crops them, but it is easy to move photos in and out of the folder, so you can curate on the fly.   Also, I could just crop the photos so they can fit in the frame perfectly, but I haven't got around to that just yet.

As I mentioned, the price of around $150 was a big selling point (though, a bit higher than I would usually spend just to mess around with a gadget).  Not saying it is worth it for everyone, since I don't think it is a needed gadget.  It is fun to mess around with the plug ins and once you find one you like, you can just hang or sit it where you want it and not mess with it for a couple of weeks. 

That being said, they just came out with a new Trmnl (X) that is very attractive.   First off, it is bigger and higher resolution.  It's 10.3 inches with a 1872x1404 resolution.  It is $219 + $25 for the Clarity kit (that gives it a bigger battery, developer edition, charging cable, and cleaning cloth).   I was able to find a 10 percent off coupon  (I think Snazzy Labs Youtube page had a link) on my first TRML, so I would definitely hunt down another.   

For me, this is outside the "fun to play around with price", so I am not sure if I will get one.  That being said, 10.3 inches would look so much better on our fireplace mantel.  This would free up my old TRML for just messing around with plug ins.   That being said, I am in no hurry, so I will just see if I still want it around Christmas.... I can always get myself one as a gift if I still care enough about it (I will often do this wait and see with products just to see if it isn't just a Flavor of the Month thing. 

Personally, I don't think this device is for everyone.  It requires some setup that would be outside the scope of a lot of people.  It's a bit geeky!  That being said, I have enjoyed messing around with it and I like moving around the house to new locations before we have guests over.   For me, it was worth the money, but I would recommend going through some of their plug ins to decide if it's worth the money for your use case.   For photographers, I would probably recommend the new more expensive model (site unseen) due to the bigger size and better resolution, but if you just want something small and portable, this may be for you.

When buying one of these pizza ovens, you have to think about how you will use it.  I wanted this particular model so that I could use gas, wood and/or coal.   This gives me a lot of options, but I did want to use gas, so I had to add  Ooni Karu 2 Pro Gas Burner (propane).  I already had a pizza peal that I purchased in 2013 (CounterArt Bamboo Pizza Peel) and it still works fine.  I did add a pizza turner, but I would not recommend the one I bought because it is not dishwasher friendly.  I also bought an infrared thermometer to measure stone heat.  Note:  the Kuru has an app that works with bluetooth so you can see the oven temperature on your phone.  Very nice for when I am prepping pizza inside.  However, this is not the best indication of stone temps, so an infrared thermometer is almost a necessity.  The bluetooth device under the door also has a separate input for a food thermometer, but I have not tested that out yet.  However, that will come in handy for chicken.

Unfortunately, we didn't have a great spot to put the oven, so for now, I added a Feasto Pizza Oven Cart.   The Kuru is long, so it faces the end rather than the front of the cart, but I like the way the two work together and the cart gives me a place to hang my Propane tank and a couple shelves for storage.   While I would love to add an outdoor kitchen (some prefab units can accommodate this oven in a corner), I am trying to decide if the upscale in looks and some functionality can make up for the large price tag of such a unit when my current outdoor setup is functional? 

Note:  I may get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

As I mentioned in my "Desire for Better Pizza" article, I do not like making dough.   I think I will make dough in the future to try different mixtures,  but to get started, I paid $99 for Ooni's dough.  It is 24 balls that are premade and frozen.  I was actually surprised by how well they worked.  If you put them in the fridge to thaw for 24 hours or so, you can then pull it out of the fridge and let it get to room temperature in about 2 hours (you can also sit the dough out after removing from ice box for 5 hours, but I think the dough is easier to manage using the overnight method).  

To house the dough in the refrigerator, you can put it in a covered bowl, but I bought "Stackable Silicone Artisan Pizza Dough Proofing containers with lids".  I just tried this on my last pizza and they work great!  I like the silicon material since you can just turn the bowl inside out to get to your dough.  I would probably look for some heat resistant gloves, as well.  I have a pair, but will grab some of these when they wear out.

You will probably want to get a bristled brush for cleaning up, too.  I got the Aolso Pizza Oven Brush, 21" Brush and Stainless Steel Scraper for Pizza Stone.

I had some lump coal from Amazon, but I know people can be particular about coal, so I hesitate to recommend anything because I have tried several with my Big Green Egg and they all work fine.  Some have more dust and random junk in them, but I still just get the cheapest and haven't been disappointed yet.    I also got some wood (my preference, other than gas, is a coal/wood combo).  For the wood, I got the Old Potters kiln dried wood logs and they worked without an issue.   I also grabbed some fire starters.  Finally, I got an off brand cover for the oven to keep it looking good. 

So far, my only big issue is having a pizza stick to the peel and end up looking more like a calzone.  So, if we are going to load up our pizza with olives, mushrooms, tomatoes, pepperoni, etc., I will use parchment paper to make the transfer from peel to stone.  This fixes the sticking issue (a trick I learned when I made them on the Big Green Egg).  I usually let it heat up and on the first turn of the pizza, I will lift up the corner of the pizza and pull out the paper with a gloved hand.  It works every time.   For just your regular one topping or cheese pizza, I will just put extra flour on the peel and shake it a few times to be sure it's not sticking.  That works, as well.  My prep area is in the house and my oven is currently a bit of a walk outside, so things could get sticky, so would rather play it safe than sorry.

When cooking the pizza, with gas or the wood combo, you have to get used to it and see what you like.  My first few pizzas come off a little scorched because I would just leave the heat up to 100 percent.  This is fine if you don't mind scorching.  I like a little scorching to know that my pizza is done, but I have started turning down the oven when I put the pizza in and turn it up at the end if I still need to finish melting cheese.    

Below is a pizza that is a little more scorched than I would like on the left side.  I ate those burned pieces and they aren't as bad as they look.  As Cook's magazine said in a recent article "those tiny little colors of black really define for me what a Neapolitan Pizza is".  Describing it as "bitter char".
​

The pizza below was made with a wood/coal fire.  It was done about right for my tastes with just enough char to taste, but not so much that it overwhelms.  It is a delicate balance because the worst thing is undercooked pizza.  

I just wanted to mention the difference between these two for people on the fence about going with a grill that does one or the other.   My preferred method, after a few cooks, is gas.  Why?  It is easier to control the heat.  You have some control of wood/coal, but once you get that fire blazing, making it drop down quickly isn't something you can do.  If you have rain on the schedule for the evening, I would go with gas if you want to cover up the grill after it cool down.  In my experience, it takes longer for the grill to dissipate heat with coal.  In fact, next time I cook with coal, I am going to try to have a few other things ready to go on the grill to take advantage of the heat rather than just letting it burn off.  I am looking for other recipes, but I have seen bread, steaks, chicken, apples, veggies, etc used in the oven, so will definitely have something  prepared.  

I should. also mention that when you cook with coal, it will make it harder to see the pizza cooking due to suet building up on the glass door (referring to the Kuru specifically).  This also means longer clean up times, to get the grill cleaned out and the glass cleaned off.  Not a huge deal, but it's just more time and effort.   I was a little surprised how easy it was to get a fire going, though.  I started mine off with coal on the bottom and a couple wood sticks on top.  Then waited 15 minutes and dropped in a bit more coal and a couple more sticks.  That is all it took.  I was hovering over 800 in less than an hour...not really a lot more time than gas.  When you put sticks in, you want to give them a little time to burn before putting your pizza in.  After I refilled, I went back in and made the pizza and was ready to go by the time I got back out there.  

That being said, I didn't notice much difference in taste between the pizzas.  I left a bit more crust on my first (and only) wood/coal run to make sure I could have enough bread to judge.   So with that being said, I will mainly be using the gas unless I want to also make chicken or something that might be able to pull in a little more wood fire flavor, thanks to being in the oven a little longer than pizza.  

While I do prefer gas, I do like the different options with wood/coal, so I am happy I got the unit that does both.  

The first house was everything I didn’t know I was looking for. More than double the size of our current 3-bedroom, 2-bath home. Master suite downstairs (with a jaw-dropping bathroom), four big bedrooms upstairs, and one massive bonus room that I immediately imagined as my dream home theater. There was even a huge screened-in room for the cats and a pool table.

And the backyard? Stunning. A big pool, grassy space for the pups, tons of deck area, and a generous stretch of lakefront property. I made an offer the very next day. It was accepted. We were in motion.

Below is a pic of the "pool side" of the yard, to the left is a deck and screen porch and on the other side is a grassy area ( The only pic that I took of the place). 

I listed our home and had an over-asking offer within 48 hours. It all felt like fate—until the inspection report arrived.

Let’s just say… it read more like a horror novel.

The house needed at least $50,000 in repairs—roof problems, mold, retaining wall issues, plumbing, electrical, pool repairs—you name it. We debated trying to renegotiate, but the house was already stretching our budget. We walked away.
​
To this day, I still wonder if we made the right call. The house sold a week later. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t meant to be.

About a month later, we toured another home just a few doors down from the first. Also lakefront, fully renovated, and equally spacious with five bedrooms—two of them with en-suite setups. No pool, no deck, no screened porch, but it was $40,000 cheaper and the interior was gorgeous.

We didn’t feel the same spark, so we let it simmer for a few weeks. Eventually, we revisited, decided it was the smarter buy, and made an offer. It was accepted. Again.

I relisted our home and got a full-price offer after just two showings.  The inspection on the new house went smoothly. Just a few minor fixes, which the seller agreed to. It all looked like a win.
​
But then… my house decided to betray me.

The day before the inspection on our current home, the AC leaked under the floor. I had a repairman blow out the plumbing lines, but it didn’t solve the issue. During inspection, the buyers flagged the dripping AC unit, then added a few more concerns—roof, some minor wear and tear. Nothing huge, but enough to create tension.

We brought in AC experts. Still leaking. Finally. a plumber came out the day before the appraisal—still couldn’t fix it. We were upfront with the buyers, expecting to negotiate. Instead, they walked.

And just like that, we backed out of the second home, too.

Ironically, a week later, the plumber figured out a solution. It involved installing a pump—not ideal, but functional. The issue was solved. But the momentum was gone.

Let me be blunt: buying a home is exhausting.
​
Between mortgage rates, inspections, counteroffers, paperwork, and insurance shopping, it feels like a second job. The expenses add up quickly, too. My city requires sidewalk repairs before closing—that alone cost nearly $2,000. I also paid to remove an old hot tub and had the garage, shed, and attic professionally cleaned out.

…Only to move everything from the attic into the garage. (So now it’s a mess again.)

But the biggest surprise? The closer we got to moving, the more we started to miss our current home. The smaller mortgage. The pool. The sunroom. The sense of comfort we didn’t even realize we valued so much.

When the second deal fell through, I wasn’t crushed—I was relieved.

We’ve decided to hit pause. We’re fixing the roof and staying put for a while. Maybe rates will improve. Maybe the perfect house will come along. Or maybe—we already have it.

For now, we’re breathing again. No showings. No paperwork. No stress. Just a house we’ve loved for over two decades—and actually I came to find out that we still love it.

Below are a couple pics of the backyard (from March) - pretty happy to still be here this summer. 

Best Mac app

Another one that we agreed on.. Pixelmator Pro.  I wanted to give them a going away present since they got purchased by Apple in 2024.  Just a great intuitive app to live alongside apps like Lightroom and Photoshop.  My runner up would be Alfred 5.  Still use this all the time to launch apps on my Mac using an iPad.=


Favorite Tech Podcast

Macbreak Weekly.  I have watched this on my AppleTV for as long as I have had an AppleTV.  It is both funny and entertaining with their take on the latest Apple News.  Special mention to Upgrade ( which also has Jason Snell as a host).

Favorite Podcast ( non-Tech)


Their choice for favorite podcast was The Rest is History, which I am unfamiliar with.  The Joe Rogan Experience was my choice.  Was any podcast discussed as much as Rogan the last few years?  It’s for good reason, whether he was interviewing Trump/Vance, discussing UFOs, or interviewing comics and academics, the show is almost always entertaining.   I don’t listen to all his shows, but outside of tech, he is my first “ go to” podcast.

Most disappointing TV show

Unlike Upgrade, which named a favorite show (Shogun), I have to say that I loved “Shrinking”, but this year, somehow the show just started to lose my interest as they dug into side characters and left the main characters in the background for too many episodes.  I remember having a similar situation with Walking Dead a while back, and on both accounts, I decided to stop watching.  Of course, it was many seasons into Walking Dead before that happened and some of it could be blamed on killing off several  pivotal characters.   Here, it just feels like they just ran out of ideas for the main characters.  

Favorite Apple Product 

They chose the Mac Mini M4 and I can see why.  It shrunk while increasing performance.  The dollar to perform ratio is off the charts.  Personally, I just mounted my M1 Mac Mini under my desk, so a smaller size wouldn’t be a gain of any kind for my needs.  On the other hand, the slimmer, lighter design of the iPad 12.9 M4 has been a welcome design change.  I find it easier to hold than the heavy M1.  The OLED screen is also amazing.  It feels like a fully realized machine without a ny hardware trade offs.  We just need more powerful apps to get the most out of it now.


Favorite Accessory for an Apple Product

This would be the awesome ESR Case for the iPad.  I reviewed it here.   

Most Disappointing Tech

They said Image Playgrounds.  I have to give that honor to the Vision Pro.  It is too expensive, too heavy and cumbersome, too isolating, and does not have enough apps or features to justify that price for most people.  All of those things were disappointing, so I hope Apple comes out with something lighter and with a video input so it can be used with other stuff (PC), etc.   Not to mention that the price is ridiculous unless you fit a very specific market.

Most Life-changing Hardware 

They said AirPod Pro 2s and I tend to agree with them.  It’s not every day that you get an update to an older product that can make a huge change to some users lives.   The new hearing aid function will be a real game changer for some people.   For me, it was the “Clearly Filtered” pitcher.  It gave me reason to drink clean water rather than guzzling Diet Mtn  Dew all day.  It also improved our coffee and tea.

Favorite Tech Story

This has to be the story of Starlink providing internet to Hurricane Helene victims.  It is crazy to think that you can get fast internet with a small dish.  We were looking into Starlink already since it would be nice to have on Jeep adventures, so this story caught my eye.

Favorite non-tech product

Shoes are a kind of tech, but I am mentioning Birkenstock clogs in this category.  These are the best “house” shoes I have ever owned.  They slip on and off, get more comfortable with each wear, and give plenty of support.  

Favorite Magazine

I read a lot of magazines, but my favorite is probably Garden & Gun.   It may be because I am a dog lover and their Good Dog article is fantastic ( this month, the author of the article is John Grisham).  However, it is just a great guide to some of the better things in the South.  Whether it is whiskey, the arts, amazing restaurants, great music or a host of other things, it gives you a window into amazing things going on.

Favorite Album

MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks - I have always had a soft spot for alt-country.  I guess that started with The Flying Burrito Brothers and this one follows that great tradition.   


Favorite Song

Million Dollar Baby - probably not meant for my demographic, but we listened to this more than any other song this year.  I also want to give a special mention to Chris Stapleton’s Higher which has one of his best vocals.

Favorite Concert  

We just went to an amazing Gregory Porter concert, but I haven’t to give this to JJ Grey & Mofro.  I had never listened to his music, but was invited to go, so I figured “why not?”   Before the concert was over, I was a true believer and look forward to seeing him again.


Most listened to artist

For the second year in a row, The Rolling Stones were my most listened to group.  I am kind of surprise, to be honest.  I can think of several artists that I thought I preferred, but I guess the proof is in the pudding on this one.  Their ranking probably has something to do with the album Exile on Main Street being one of my summer background music these days.  

Favorite Photo that I took this year

The picture below was from my wife's gallery opening.  

First, let's start with the video of my cluttered office. As I mentioned in my "show notes", this video is me just talking about the space off the cuff. 

Tivoom Max - this may be the one thing in the area that gives “anal-rentitive” people fits.  If you are the type that easily gets put off by distractions, the Tivoom can be setup as a clock (see above), which I mentioned in the video.  I personally can easily focus with it in front of me and maybe that’s because when I first started my career, I worked for a company that put us into half cubicles.  No walls and plenty of distractions.  Hearing every cough, nails being clipped…yes, one person cut their fingernails every week at their desk…and phone calls from multiple people going on simultaneously were the norm.  Having something on my desk with a screen is hardly any kind of distraction.  It’s more of a pleasure since even when I don’t have it on the clock, I get to enjoy some of the fun pixel art which I change or add to on occasion.

The Echo Show is one of the newer items on the desk (July 2023) with another screen.  I had an Echo Spot before that (2017) and I just found the screen to be too small.  What does that have to do with work?  Nothing.  However, it allows me to see video cameras on my property, so I can see who is at the door when someone knocks.  It is a way to know if I really need to get up or just get something off the porch when I can break free.  How this would distract me when it is just running a slideshow or clock, I really don’t know.  The big upside for me is being able to control music (it can control music on the Wiim Ultra by voice).   I also like to run 4K YouTube screensavers when I am working on hobbies and it is great for knowing when a product is delivered or for checking weather.

The three monitor setup - I love having 3 monitors.  I wrote about how that started a while back, but I just want to mention why I prefer it.  Each monitor has its own use case.  The ultra wide is used for work and I can hit a button and it works with my home computer or my Denon receiver.  It’s the beauty of having multiple video inputs and why I no longer have an iMac on my desk.  The side display is for podcasts, music, messenger, email and other things that might have me picking up my phone instead (which can lead to more distractions).  This makes checking a text or email a lot faster than using my phone since I can just glance over when I get an alert.  I also like having it for hobbies....like using Final Cut on both screens or Lightroom.

The one display that you could say is overkill is the Vizio above my main display.  I don’t usually have it on during work hours, but when I go into music listening mode, I like to have it on for album artwork ( both iPad running Apple Music or Wiim running Amazon Music).  It can also run Alfred (hit a button to launch apps quickly on my Mac) or I like to have AppleTV running on it.   It’s great for playing back sports and concerts while I am working on photos, as one common example.  Yes, I could lose it and not miss it most of the time.  However, I would just have some artwork up there, so why not have something that is often quite useful?

This one I don’t even understand.  The desk is 60x30 and the side monitor can be pushed away from the desk because it’s on an arm.  The keyboard on the desk is wireless and can be moved.  I wrap presents on the desk, so I think it can handle anything I would need to do on it.   Also, I want to be able to reach anything I put on my desk, so a bigger desk would mean having things outside my reach.  I wouldn't want that.

As a side note, the room itself is definitely small.  I picked the smallest room in the house for my office when I was using a roll top desk and maybe came in the room once a month.   There are  benefits to its small size, though. It allows me to reach most of my audio & video stuff from the cockpit without getting up.   I love the fact that I can flip a record by just spinning around in my chair. I am 6’5 and I don’t feel constrained, so I doubt it would be a problem for most humans...maybe Shaq would find it limiting.  

I do wonder what people that make comments about the limited space do for a living?  Arts and crafts?   I work on a computer and could do my job in a chair at the airport using a laptop (though, I would definitely miss the large screens).  How would a room with a 60x30 desk be space constrained in comparison?    

​I need monitors, keyboard, and a mouse to do my job and there is more than enough space for that.  For some reason, I am picturing one computer, one mouse, and one keyboard in a huge space as the only thing that would work for this commenter.  

I got the Tivoom Max five years ago.  The amount of time I have spent ”untangling and maintaining” is maybe one minute to plug it in.  The Echo Show is also one power cord.  If someone knows what they meant by that statement, please let me know.   By the way, I don’t care about cable management.  Yes, if I was anal, I might spend time untangling when I change something out, but not for the gadgets on the desk.  The main source of the cable mess is heavy HDMI cables and Ethernet cables, but perfect cable management is a waste of my time and more difficult with a standing desk, so I don’t obsess over it.  It’s a very low priority in my setup.   I believe I discuss that in the video. 

This is just a dumb statement.  No offense to the person that wrote it, but I have worked in the space for almost five years.  If I was unable to work here, I would have been let go.  The utility is the screens.  If you are using one screen, good for you.  But hundreds of jobs use multiple screens.  Where I work, it's the norm.  

To quote my prior article on the subject:
"There is more empty space on this desk than the one I have at work.  At the office, I have a ten key, phone, stapler, two large monitors, a radio, a fan, papers, and a notepad on the desk, and it leaves me with a lot less space than I have here.  If you think this area is cluttered, you should visit an office where people work."

I realize some have an issue using more than one screen, though.

Compared to what?  Yes, it is more to dust than an iMac and some earbuds.  Who cares?  I do agree it has clutter, but that gives it personality and a sense of who I am.  I like those type of “so-called” distractions.   Please see my past article that discusses this in more detail. I do have an air filter than runs in the room (2nd video when I record it).  It keeps dust at a minimum, but "dust free" has never been a goal of mine.  After reading the comments, I think this person was related to Felix in the Odd Couple or is an angry Alice from the Brady Bunch.  

All in all, this space is not for everyone.  Especially, if they have ADD or some similar ailment.  It was designed with only my needs in mind and it is custom made to have both personality, allow me to do my job, and to have fun with my hobbies.  As I mentioned in my prior post, I have no desire to surrender my room to just work.  Others may need a sterile room with no personality because they have no ability to focus, so I would definitely not recommend this type of setup to them.   Actually, now that I think about it, I wasn’t recommending it to anyone, I was just describing how my desk is setup.  Stay away from my upcoming video with the rest of the room.  The amount of stuff that has to be dusted may send this type of person to an institution just from seeing the number of gadgets in the space!   


Anyway, I appreciate the comments, even critical comments if they are well thought out.  Occasionally, it makes me reconsider something or brings a different idea to mind that I may find useful.  Not really in this case, since I love the current configuration of my setup, but well thought out critiques in general, even alongside some weird comments, can often be useful.   Anyway, I thought I would have some fun with one comment that I knew would launch a fun article (at least fun for me to write it). 
​

16000mAh Emergency Weather Radio - This is a radio that plays AM, FM, Weather, can be hand cranked, can used Solar Power, but has handy features like Bluetooth and the ability to be used as a backup charger when electricity is out.  It also has a flashlight and reading light in the design.  It is also small and cute!

LAVA® Lamp - 14.5'' Vinyl Record Grooved Base - I just don't think you can have a cooler light than this yellow and blue lamp that has a base that looks like a record that was melted and shaped.  Nostalgia coolness.

Rechargeable Orange Mushroom Lamp - Speaking of cool lamps, I would also recommend this rechargeable mushroom lamp.  Cool when just plugged in, but great for taking outside for a late nightcap on the deck or just as a handy light source when the electricity is out.

Stanley Legendary Classic Pre-Party Liquor and Spirit Flask - Cool 8 oz flask from Stanley.  Of course, it is great for carrying whisky on a cold day, but I mainly got it for carrying water in the camera bag above when I am out and about and don't want to carry my whole thermos around all day.    

GIGALUMI Solar Garden Outdoor Statue- This elephant statue is very adorable and the light it gives off is great for dark areas in the garden, as well.  

Essential Oil Diffuser Waterless Aromatherapy Diffusers - I have had some aromatherapy devices in the past, but they required water, which to me was a pain.  With this diffuser, you just put in a few drops of essential oil and you are up and running.  

ProtoArc Foldable Keyboard with Touchpad, XK01 TP Folding Portable Keyboard, Full Size Keys - I wanted a foldable keyboard to take around to use with my iPad, since I do not want to use a case with a keyboard.  I much prefer the ESR case I have reviewed before that makes the iPad more tablet oriented.  This is full size keyboard with a trackpad that folds up to take anywhere. 

Super Universal Socket Tools - Okay, this is a very inexpensive item, but is a great addition to any toolbox.  I had a screw stuck in a wall and I could not get it out with a screwdriver, drill or even pliers.   Yet, I got this, popped it onto my drill and the screw was out of the wall in seconds.  

Shampoo Brush Hair Scalp Scrubber Head Massager- My wife came home from her hairdresser and was raving about this scalp scrubber.  I bought a couple (they are around $5 each - like the tool above) and they are life changing.  They can be used to massage the scalp, which is great stress relief, but can be used on the back, as well.  They are also for use in the shower.

VIKTOR JURGEN Back Massager, Neck Massager with Heat, Massage Pillow - I have tight legs and this provides great relief.  Other massagers seem to break our wear out sooner than this one.