Had to kick things into gear this month (114 miles in December), but through sickness and health, before and after work, on treadmills and through bitter cold, I got it done! 😁
It’s happened again. I went searching for an obscure web editor for Blot that I used to use, but couldn’t remember the name. Guess what. My own blog post about it was the top link. 😅
Watched: Pluribus 📺
As Robb Knight put it, it’s “the most boring show I can’t stop watching.” I love the mystery and “what ifs” but wish there was more happening. A promising first two episodes turned into a slow burn that I’m nonetheless looking forward to coming back. 👍
Finished reading: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer 📚
A harrowing tale… that nonetheless stoked my passion for the mountains — despite their inherent dangers. 👍
Rama Duwaji is a talented artist who is set to become the youngest First Lady of NYC when her husband, Zohran Mamdani, becomes mayor on Jan 1. You’ve gotta check out her website! I love how you can interact with the animated GIFs on the animation page.
Amazing.
Good morning! Just wanted to let you all know that Rian Johnson subtly rickrolled us with a scene in Wake Up Dead Man.
I’m incredibly proud of Hao and Junlin for taking on a new challenge in a little Christmas Eve ice climbing! It was Hao’s first time on ice, and Junlin’s first time climbing ever. They crushed it on Pitchoff Right, dialing in technique quickly and having a grand time despite the cold and wind.
Hope they’re resting up tonight as we are venturing into Adirondack wilderness tomorrow for another new adventure for them: winter camping and mountaineering. 🏔️
Started reading: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer 📚
Finished reading: Apple in China by Patrick McGee 📚
This book makes Apple’s acquiescence to Donald Trump’s authoritarianism make even more sense. It’s not their first game. They know the playbook well.
It’s an enlightening tomb. A little dry, but the second half really picks up. 👍
Watched: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery 🍿
Watched: The Alpinist 🍿
I watch this documentary multiple times a year, and it’s still one of my all-time favorite films. 👍👍
Chouinard’s Gully. Crystal Ice Tower. Roaring Brook Falls. Great day to climb ice with @mikehazard__!
Fun day down in the canyon getting on a couple classic single pitch ice routes with @mudrat_mackenzie! Lions and Hot Shot were both awesome. Thick enough to not bottom out any screws. 👌
Weather turned out to be perfect for @adkclimb.club! A nice, temperate evening after all the frigid days we’ve had (and will have again tomorrow!). Fun times working the steep routes at Pitchoff Quarry with friends!
Nick Heer: ‘Fault and Responsibility’
While I am excited for the potential of a change in direction, I do not think this singlehandedly validates the perception of declining competence in Apple’s software design. It was [Alan] Dye’s responsibility, to be sure, but it was not necessarily his fault. I do not mean that as an excuse, though I wish I did. The taste of those in charge undoubtably shapes what is produced across the company. And, despite a tumultuous week at the top of Apple’s org chart, many of those people remain in charge.
I so appreciate Heer’s signature measured and clear thinking.
A new, classic @atpfm@mastodon.social moment is born! “How DARE you!?” 🤣 🎙️
Louie Mantia blogged about Alan Dye leaving Apple, pointing out a change in Apple’s design direction that happened without my conscious noticing:
Not to put too fine a point on it, but they started making products that appealed to themselves. Because since Steve Jobs died, Apple, its executives, and its corporate employees got significantly wealthier. It wasn’t just Jony who took an interest in luxury. The whole company did. Anyone with even a little bit of power in the company started to dress more expensively. They all look like they could walk right out of a fashion advertisement.
Making the most of these awesome early winter days! Starting with a 5-mile ascent up the Whiteface Memorial Highway and then cruising back down before jetting off to the North Face of Pitchoff to climb ice till dark! Thanks to today’s adventure buddies for making it great!
Fun in the… snow! ❄️ Thanks to @bbrianandersonn for joining me on this scouting mission. Base could use some more work (lots of rocks under there!) but the snow is powdery and DEEP up top! Gonna be a great winter for backcountry skiing in the ADK! ⛷️
Remember that Rewind app that recorded everything on your Mac screen? Or their Pendant that recorded your physical day-to-day? If you’re a user, I hope you really trust their privacy policy because they’ve just been bought by Meta. If you don’t, now’s your chance to export and delete your data.
Early ice season is treating us so well in the Adirondacks! Awesome couple of days swinging tools and kicking ice. Come learn to scale frozen waterfalls with us!
Greg Morris: ‘The Weird Part Was the Platforms’
When there was one big platform, leaving meant missing out. Now there’s Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads, and whatever else springs up next week. No single space feels needed anymore. The FOMO vanished. Once that happened, having your own blog stopped looking like the odd choice.
It’s not perfect, but it’s better this way.
Apple’s latest video, ‘I’m Not Remarkable’, might be my favorite that they’ve published in quite a while. Their technology really takes on a secondary, literally assistive role, while the actual, awesome human beings take center stage. Full of life, with a great message. 👍👍