Started reading: Apple in China by Patrick McGee 📚

Finally available from my library (via Libby). Let’s see if all the positive reviews hold up. (Based on the prologue, they will.)

Finished reading: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall 📚

Holy smokes, what a book! Both the story and science were each captivating. Definitely got me fired up for running, and getting back into barefoot shoes. 👍👍

Got in a few laps at Pitchoff Right and Pitchoff Quarry this afternoon with Brian. As Ian Osteyee put it, conditions aren’t great but they are passable—and certainly passable enough for a good time! Got a Jackson and Luke sighting, styling as usual. 🤙

Looking like the season’s about to take off in earnest this week with low temps! 🌡️

Climber wearing helmet and crampons stands holding ice axe against frozen waterfall with secured rope dangling nearby surrounded by icy terrain and sparse trees. Climber ascends icy cliff using a rope surrounded by bare winter trees under a cloudy sky. A person ascends a steep icy cliff using climbing gear in a barren, snowy landscape with bare trees overhead. Rope descends steep snowy slope bordered by trees where a person in climbing gear navigates downward surrounded by winter forest and rocky terrain. Blue rope ascends a frozen waterfall while a climber scales the icy surface amid a barren winter forest silhouetted against the sky. Climber ascends large frozen waterfall covered with thick ice in a wintry forest environment surrounded by leafless trees and overcast sky.

COVID & Flu shots = acquired! 🙅‍♂️🦠

Watched: ONE SHOT with Ed Sheeran 🍿

This was so cool! Ed roams around New York City with his guitar, playing songs for unsuspecting strangers and surprise parties—all in one take. He seems so genuinely nice and grateful to play for fans. I’d love to see some behind the scenes of how this was shot. 👍👍

It’s too late to get any of the deals, but Cards Against Humanity’s 99% off sale still made me chuckle.

Watched: The Marvels 🍿

I know I’m behind on this, but they really did this movie dirty. Great characters and actors, just a shamefully poor storyline. 👎

Watched: Stranger Things S5E4, Chapter Four: Sorcerer 📺

Definitively yell-at-the-TV-the-whole-time-because-of-plot-holes kind of show. But that didn’t stop us from binging all four episodes released today. Some genuinely good moments too. Won’t be too sad when things wrap up next month. 👍

Finished reading: Dirtbag Billionaire by David Gelles 📚

Though it lionizes Chouinard and glosses over some of his distasteful qualities more than necessary, this book made me appreciate Patagonia as a company and it sure wouldn’t be the same without him. It’s been through the wringer over its 50+ years, and still sticks to its values and purpose. 👍

Apple’s recent Newsroom post on how it’s now 3D-printing its titanium Apple Watch cases is fascinating. When it was announced during the September event, I wondered if I’d be able to discern any difference in quality. I absolutely cannot. It’s as precise and premium as any Apple Watch I’ve ever had.

Nicolas Magand noticed an odd phenomenon when reading his old blog posts:

First, that I seemingly forget about 85% of what I write. Reading these articles didn’t feel like reading something completely new — I remember the topic and the gist of what I said — but I was surprised at how much I forgot about these topics, rants, and comments. Writing makes me refine my thoughts, but I think publishing makes my brain click the “Move to bin” command for these now-safely-backed-up thoughts.

You and me both, brother.

Watched: Masters of the Air 📺

Much like Chernobyl, I think this is a series that everyone should see. 👍👍

Watched: La La Land 🍿

It may not be the world’s best musical movie, but gosh do I enjoy it. Both Stone and Gosling do so well. The ending is clever, if not totally satisfying. And the tunes are sure to be in my head for weeks. 👍👍

Watched: Masters of the Air S1E6, Part Six 📺

After some time away from this show, I binged a few episodes today. Truly gripping stuff that showcases the horrors of being on a fighter plane in WW2. Gonna need some time to process it for sure.

This comparison of iPhone models to car models by @joesteel@duck.haus is quite apt:

The image is a section of text comparing iPhones to cars in terms of features and marketing strategies. It describes the iPhone 16e as a basic model likened to an older, less equipped mid-size SUV with a poor backup camera. The iPhone 17 is likened to a mid-size SUV suitable for work and personal use, seen as a reliable choice. The iPhone Air is compared to a luxury compact electric car, which is stylish but less practical. Finally, the iPhone 17 Pro is described as a luxury full-size SUV, expensive and feature-rich, providing comfort in having extra capabilities available.

You’ve heard a lot about Tom from us over the last year. Let us just say that it was an honor to be trusted by him along his 46er journey, and we can’t wait for the next one. Thanks, Tom! 🙌

A person in outdoor gear smiles while standing in a snowy mountainous area. Beside them is text: “Jarrod guided me to 42 of the 46 ADK peaks. I felt so comfortable with Jarrod’s approach to hiking. He reviewed the trails with me before each hike, he provided a list of gear/attire for each weather condition, and always contacted me the morning of each hike. In addition to being an impeccable guide, he is a wonderful person. Along the trail, he pointed out the features of the hike and the history behind each peak. He spotted my hiking progress in precarious situations, especially on steep rock slabs and slides. If my gear failed during a hike, he would give me his gear. I plan to continue hiking in the Adirondacks with Jarrod. Many thanks” — Tom Sagers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Started reading: Dirtbag Billionaire by David Gelles 📚

I’ve long been fascinated by Yvon Chouinard’s story from, well, dirtbag climber to luminary billionaire who started Patagonia and what would become Black Diamond.

No Bingo for me, but a fun trip down memory lane from BasicAppleGuy. Totally forgot about the iPod nano Tubes!

A bingo card titled “Obscure Apple Accessories Bingo” featuring various Apple accessories. Some items are crossed out with red X marks. Accessories include: iPod Socks, iPhone Pocket, iPod Radio Remote, Smart Battery Case, iPod Remote, iPhone Bluetooth Headset, Battery Charger, iPod Lanyard Headphones, AW Magnetic Charging Dock, iPhone Crossbody Strap, USB SuperDrive, Nike+iPod Sport Kit, iPod Armband, iSight, iPod Leather Case, iPod nano Tubes, iPod Belt Clip, iPod shuffle Sport Case, Apple Pencil Cap, iPhone TTY Adapter, Apple Pencil Kit, iPod mini Lanyard, iPod touch Loop, and Mac Pro Wheels. Some items have been marked with red Xs, indicating they have been “found” in the bingo game.

🆕📝 Grandma Beck

My maternal grandmother, Laureen Ann Beck, passed away recently. We had a memorial service for her yesterday, filled with family and friends. Here are the reflections of her that I shared at the service.

Well done to all the competitors at Mt. Van Hoevenberg’s boulder comp today! It was great to see all the stoke in the room! Big thanks to the staff who put it all together. 🙌

A person climbs an indoor bouldering wall using colorful holds wearing sporty attire in a climbing gym environment. Other people and climbing equipment are visible in the background. Two people climb an indoor bouldering wall with colorful handholds in a climbing gym outfitted with padded mats on the floor and a coiled rope hanging above. Three people holding mugs stand on podiums in front of a climbing wall during an indoor competition while being photographed Fall Bouldering Competition HiNotch Indoor Climbing Three people are standing on a podium holding prizes in a climbing gym with colorful climbing holds on the wall. Two individuals in front are organizing a framed sign. Text on sign: Fall Bouldering Competition Notch Indoor Climbing November 15 2:00pm - 5:00pm Person standing behind a table displaying Adirondack Climbers' Coalition materials in a hallway with pipes overhead Text includes adirondackclimberscoalition org Onward Mountain Guides Donations drop your info here

Robert Birming: ‘Your blog, your home’

Maybe you’ve thought about launching a blog. Maybe you’ve felt a bit overwhelmed when looking at other blogs.

Don’t be. We all start with an empty home. Then we add a little paint here, hang a picture there, and decorate it with things we like.

A blog becomes a home, that’s the beauty of it, and I’m looking forward to visiting yours.

I recently received compliments on my blog’s design. It gave me a sense of pride that eclipses compliments of my home — perhaps because my blog is all me. I’ve customized nearly every nook, and then filled it with my words.

What a gift, ice season has come early! We worked hard for those first swings, skinning 5 miles up the toll road and leading in gusty winds with sub-zero wind chill. But so worth it to get that good ice! Thanks to Corey for the company on this fun adventure. 🎿 🧊

A climber is ascending an icy cliff using ropes and ice-climbing gear in a snowy mountainous environment. The climber is wearing a red jacket and is secured with a red rope. A climber ascends a steep icy wall using ice axes and crampons. They wear a vibrant red jacket, surrounded by rugged ice formations. Climber ascends an ice-covered cliff using a red rope for support thick snow blankets the surrounding rocky landscape and evergreen trees creating a wintry alpine environment. Two people wearing winter gear smile at the camera amidst a snowy landscape. One person wears a blue jacket with OR logo and ski goggles. The other wears a black helmet and sunglasses. A skier gliding across a snow-covered landscape with a backpack traverses a path beside a frost-covered rocky embankment under an overcast sky.

McDonald’s isn’t wasting any time in phasing out the penny here in the U.S. I actually snapped this photo at the drive-through a couple days ago, before we stopped minting pennies:

The U.S. ended production of the penny Wednesday, abandoning the 1-cent coins that were embedded in American culture for more than 230 years but became nearly worthless.

A printed McDonald’s sign explains a nationwide penny shortage leading to cash change rounding to the nearest 5 cents. Menu prices stay unchanged; only change will be rounded. The sign concludes with, “We appreciate your understanding!” There is a decorative element with an orange and yellow design on the right.

The iPhone Pocket has already made it into the general zeitgeist. During today’s stop at a gas station, I heard a local radio host talking about it — well, chuckling at it for its outlandish price tag. I actually think it looks quite nice and could have had wide appeal, but not at $150/$230.

It’s when you’re least expecting it, that’s when they getcha! 😆 Glad to see it’s got some traction — hopefully leads to more folks taking control of their spot on the web.

Oh cool, Jarrod Blundy’s blog post about Micro.blog Studio made it on Hacker News.

A list of Hacker News articles features various tech-related headlines and community discussions, with a specific news item about Micro.blog’s new video hosting tier circled in orange.