I try to keep tools everywhere, so they are always handy. In time, that plan always fails and I end up with six of the same size screwdriver in each location and I can’t find a decent pair of pliers. Time to weed out the junk and get things tidy again. I upended a few drawers and neatly laid everything out. As expected, I have too many of some things and not enough of others.

Paul Graham: One is that being mean makes you stupid. That’s why I hate fights. You never do your best work in a fight, because fights are not sufficiently general. Winning is always a function of the situation and the people involved. You don’t win fights by thinking of big ideas but by thinking of tricks that work in one particular case He’s mostly talking about failure in the context of startups but it applies to just about everything.

Free Software Foundation Giving Guide 2014 Are you giving your loved ones holiday gifts they can use freely, or gifts which put someone else in control? Neither, I’m giving them gifts they want. Seriously, I’m all for the FSF and love the idea of being in complete control of my media, software, and devices. But come on, no one I know would choose any of the Free options listed unless trying to prove a point.

Hasselblad Stellar Special Edition Digital Camera 1105025 B&H B&H has discounted one of the most ridiculed cameras in recent memory, the Hasselbad Stellar. Originally selling for $3,299, the Stellar isn’t something a sane person would buy. At $999 in a nicely accessorized and boxed special edition? Almost.

The Secret About Rangefinder Cameras: So here’s the deep dark secret about rangefinders (Leica fanboys might not want to click past the break): …Most people don’t like ‘em. (Via The Online Photographer) That may be true, but I don’t understand why. Michael goes on to list some of the advantages of rangefinders. What’s not to like? For me, rangefinders are superior. The most significant reasons: I can see the scene outside of the framelines.

Some secrets should remain buried “Shift”, the second book in Hugh Howey’s Solo Series was nearly as good as the first (“Wool”). Other than a few I-don’t-believe-he-would-do-that moments, I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading “Dust” next.

This is the story of mankind clawing for survival, of mankind on the edge. The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they profess to want: They are allowed outside.

I take a lot of notes. Having always loved Vim I’m not sure why I’ve never tried Vimwiki. Vimwiki is “a personal wiki for Vim”. I’ve used it for a couple of weeks now and I like it. I love that I get to write in Vim, and I love that it basically just manages a folder full of plaintext Markdown files1. Vimwiki supports multiple wikis. I’ve created two wikis, “work” and “personal”.

I’ve never read any of Ursula Le Guin’s books, but after watching her wonderful acceptance speech at the National Book Awards I plan to change that. Guess I’ll start with The Lathe of Heaven

Keeping a journal is a great idea, but I struggle to do it consistently. I’ve been writing in a journal for years, on and off. Mostly off, if I’m being honest. I wish I’d do it more. And then there’s John Gadd. Mr. Gadd’s journal spans 151 volumes, covering 21,000 pages and totaling four million words. (read the Daily Mail story). That’s some serious damn journaling. Inspiring, is what it is.

Desk is a nice new desktop blogging app, and I love desktop blogging apps so I bought it. I’ve been a MarsEdit user for years and I love it, but that doesn’t mean I’m never going to try something new. I’ve recently tested Blogo, another newcomer, but it never stuck for some reason. Blogo feels like not much more than a pretty version of MarsEdit and that hasn’t been reason enough to switch.

I’m not a sports fan, but I apparently don’t mind drinking beer in a giant parking lot with thousands of people who are sports fans. With that in mind we braved the 25-degree weather in South Bend for a Notre Dame tailgating party. This was a first for me. Sports fans are obnoxious, but they sure love it. It’s almost an infectious feeling. Almost.