The Weekly Review: Vol VI Issue 16
Hello friends!
I trust you’re having an excellent start to the fall season. We’re already into sub-zero temperatures each morning in this corner of the globe, but I’m trying not to focus on that yet — although it’s hard not to when you’re out for a run. The gloves, toques, and tights have already seen some use.
Ah well. I have an upcoming trip to Philadelphia this week, and while it’s technically autumn there, the temps are currently 20° higher. I’ll take it!
In other news, it’s my birthday — I’ve hit the very square and even-keeled age of 44. I’m not sure what it is about us humans that we come to have an affinity for things like numbers or colours, but this was the first favourite number I can remember. It was replaced once I got into sports as a young teen, but for a long time I held a lot of affection for it (and purple).
I distrust odd numbers, to the point where I’ll always turn the volume up or down 1 spot when someone flips it to an odd number. A strange peculiarity for sure, but that meant 44 hit the spot. If you halve it or double it, it’s still an even number. And although if you cut it into quarters it results in an odd number, there’s comfort in the squareness of 4 pieces making a whole (unlike those creepy thirds that never end … I’m looking at you, 33.3333333).
What does all that mean for my birthday? Nothing much at all — just ignore the ramblings of an old man. Onward!
RescueTime for iOS
I’ve been using RescueTime for a few years now, and I have come to appreciate it. But for whatever reason, I never had any desire to install the version for iOS. Until recently.
What I like about it
The app tracks your pickups and how much time you spend on your device. I like the way it summarizes the pickups — both the total and the location and timing of them. It’s a nice way to visualize how much you’re reaching for the phone.
But where the real value of the iOS comes into play for me is how the desktop dashboard combines the two.
What I like is that it shows a combined value, but you can hover over the time to see how it breaks down across devices. The chart also shows the same with the phone time showing as a green line.
Does this replace Screentime (especially now that it’s available on all your devices as well)? It’s too early to tell for me. But since RescueTime is a tool our team uses and the team behind it focuses on nothing by healthy habits (unlike Apple), I don’t see myself dropping it for the options built into the operating systems.
Items of note
Marius Masalar asks the question of which input device is easier to use. His own answer? Both.
My usage is by no means exclusively as described above, but in general if I’m moving a cursor and clicking, it’s with the mouse, and if I’m navigating a canvas or scrolling, it’s with the trackpad.
Personally, with a trackpad on one machine (my main laptop) and Magic Mouse on another (our family laptop), there’s no comparison. I’ll take a trackpad 100% of the time. All the pain I used to experience in daily computer use went out the window once I switched to a trackpad.
Now, whether that’s due to mice being so bad, or just the Magic Mouse being so bad, I’m not sure.
iOS Shortcuts: The Ultimate Guide for Resources, Examples, Libraries, Triggers, and More
I’ve yet to dig into what’s possible on iOS with Shortcuts, but I’m sure I’d be happy for it if I did make the time. If I do, this will be the place I’ll start.
Alan Jacobs opens a recent blog post with this zinger:
Of all the peculiar traits of the church, perhaps the most peculiar is its double character as end-in-itself and instrument. In one sense it is koinonia, the community of fellowship of the faithful with one another and with their Risen Lord; it is, then, what we were made for; it is. In another sense church is an instrument for the making of disciples and for the transmission of the faith from generation to generation. No shame need fall upon us for reflecting on that instrumental character as long as we do not forget the other face, the koinonia.
The rest of the article is a nice look at the role of the church and how it’s a technology. Just not in the modern sense of the word. He sums up the post this way:
A proper understanding and application of these concepts — lateral thinking with seasoned technology, tools that promote conviviality, the role of repair in a broken world, the acknowledgment of the necessity and creativity of the work of maintenance — will help us to renew the church and, in the spirit of Tikkun olam, repair the world.
The aspect that spoke the most to me in this article is conviviality. That is, to be friendly, lively, and enjoyable. When I think of the church being this way with those they live with daily, it strikes as the opposite of so much of our modern technology. Inwardly focused (absorbed), disengaged, and distracted is how so many of us interact when out in our community. Yours truly included.
I need the work of the Spirit here.
Quote of the week
The secret of a believer’s holy walk is his continual recurrence to the blood of the Surety, and his daily communion with a crucified and risen Lord. All divine life, and all precious fruits of it, pardon, peace, and holiness, spring from the cross. All fancied sanctification which does not arise wholly from the blood of the cross is nothing better than Pharisaism. If we would be holy, we must get to the cross, and dwell there; else, notwithstanding all our labor, diligence, fasting, praying, and good works, we shall be yet void of real sanctification, destitute of those humble, gracious tempers which accompany a clear view of the cross.
Horatius Bonar, God’s Way of Holiness, quoted by David Mathis in Get to the Cross and Never Leave
Currently
Listening: We continue to explore all of Andy Mineo’s library in our home. The two albums that I’ve started to dig recently are a couple of EPs from 2018. I: The Arrow and II: The Sword are both catchy, playful at times, and deep. Highly recommended.
Watching: We’ve recently started on another show that seems to fit for the entire family. Raising Dion is another Netflix produced series, and it’s been clean and not too frightening (so far — we’re two episodes in). It reminds me ever so slightly of Stranger Things, but set in the south (Atlanta) with a hip-hop vibe.
Drinking: I picked up a one-time specialty bottle from Red Collar brewing: “A Dog Aquatic” Pale Ale.
Are you ready to embark on a new adventure? Can you hear the Jack Whales singing? It’s beautiful, what could they be saying? A Dog Aquatic is a gently hopped pale ale featuring an array or aromatic hops, perfect for red toqued expeditions and best enjoyed below sea level. P.S. Do you ever wish you could breathe underwater? (Disclaimer: This beer will NOT give you the ability to breathe underwater).
Yeah, it’s a play on the movie. And a very good beer. Very nice notes. Hoppy, but not bitter and flavours almost matching a heffe. And it’s only 4% 👌🏻
Playing: Not Fortnite. Well, I’m still playing a little Fortnite. But only until season X ends, then I need to make myself take a break. But over the past month or so, I’ve started playing Sudoku before bed. I know … right? Well, it may be something “old” people do, but I sure like the way it feels. It engages my brain, and there’s something I love about searching for patterns and logical operators. Anyway, the result is that it’s very calming and peaceful and the perfect way to wind down before. Pretty much the exact opposite of Fortnite!
While I’m away this next week, I’ve got an extra day in Toronto. And in the spirit of Craig Mod, I’m planning to make it an urban walk day. I plan to put in over 20 km as I explore Toronto in a way I’ve not been able to in previous trips.
If you’re from the area and have suggestions, send ‘em my way. Thanks!