My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on March 17, 2023

It has been almost a week and I’m slowly getting comfortable with my new “open box” MacBook Air M2. Everything is working as it should, but there are changes for me in getting comfortable with smaller type and less screen real estate. I suspect a second monitor is in my future?

I’ve looked at the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter in order to plug in my Apple Thunderbolt Display (currently on my iMac), but can’t get myself to spend $50 if I’m really going to want something different when I’m traveling or away from my office and desk. So I’m looking at the portable display powered off the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port or a dongle hub to add some additional space. I’m just not sure this will be sufficient?

As a test, I’m liking the built-in Apple Sidecar feature that permits me to use my iPad as an additional monitor (photo with my iPad still attached to the Brydge keyboard, just flattened out). It works great and I’m finding myself wishing I would have opted for the 3rd or 4th generation iPad Pro 12.9” model a few year back when I upgraded? On the other hand, if i keep looking around, maybe an older model will become available for cheap???

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Category: Apple, Computer, Software, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: Air M2, display, ipad, macbook, sidecar, tech friday, techfriday

Posted By RichC on March 16, 2023

The South China Sea has become a hotly contested region in recent years, with multiple countries claiming various parts of the sea as their own. China, in particular, has been actively asserting its dominance over the region by building military structures and increasing its naval presence in the area. The WSJ published a detailed article this past weekend that is worth reading. 

The disputed sea is ringed by China, Taiwan and Southeast Asian nations, but Beijing claims nearly all of it. It has turned reefs into artificial islands, then into military bases, with missiles, radar systems and air strips that are a problem for the U.S. Navy. It has built a large coast guard that among other things harasses offshore oil-and-gas operations of Southeast Asian nations, and a fishing militia that swarms the rich fishing waters, lingering for days.

The U.S. missed the moment to hold back China’s buildup in part because it was focused on collaborating with Beijing on global issues such as North Korea and Iran, and was preoccupied by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. China also stated outright in 2015 that it didn’t intend to militarize the South China Sea.

The Chinese have been constructing artificial islands in the South China Sea, which has raised concerns among other nations in the region, as well as the international community. These islands are being equipped with military installations, such as airfields, radar systems, and missile defense systems, which are capable of supporting offensive military operations.

The militarization of the South China Sea has led to increased tensions between China and other countries in the region, such as Vietnam and the Philippines. The United States has also been involved in the dispute, conducting freedom of navigation operations to challenge China’s territorial claims.

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Category: AI, History, Millitary, News, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: chatgpt, china, History, islands, militarization, pacific, philippines, reefs, wsj

Posted By RichC on March 15, 2023

While reading a health related social media post this past week, a graphic struck me as interesting since it highlights many of the ailments that most doctors and aging humans eventually face. Just to keep it personal, I’m noticing the hair thinning, vision and hearing loss as well as my high cholesterol needing some work (not to mention that I’ve gained weight since last summer). On the female side, Brenda has her aging battles too … with bone loss, orthopedic repairs and varicose veins. We can only hope that a few of the more life threatening issues are avoided as we age. How are MyDesultoryBlog readers measuring up?

On a much happier … and far more satisfying note … Drew sent me a cute photo of our granddaughters working on their “spiritual health” last Sunday in church; I loved the photo … and those little girls! 

Category: Blogs, Faith, Health, Human Interest, Photos, Social Media | No Comments »
Tags: aging, church, family, granddaughters, graphic, Health

Posted By RichC on March 14, 2023

Over the weekend, I started a woodworking project that has been buzzing around in my head. There is no hurry to this side-table (mentioned previously), but wanted to use recycled hardwood rather than the particle board in the mass manufactured tables. 

This required a different design that I patterned after our antique octagon foyer table and some delicate cutting and glue up. I used the same router technique for the beveled glass (photo) used in cutting the Cornhole game boards … but focused a bit more on the jig to keep it tighter. All in all the glass sits nicely in the octagon top and looks good … now I’m questioning the antiqued painting the finished project (like the toothbrushing stool below).

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Category: Personal, Photos, Woodworking | No Comments »
Tags: octagon, project, side table, weekend, workshop

Posted By RichC on March 13, 2023

This content is restricted.

Category: Music | No Comments »
Tags: all right now, free (band), mp3, music monday, musicmonday

Posted By RichC on March 12, 2023

Now that I own a MacBook Air M2, it is time to get it set up for a few of the daily computer chores … like posting to My Desultory Blog. I’m still trying to get comfortable using MarsEdit5 blogging app, but do enjoy the ability to be able to write custom macros that helps with a few of the normal items that were part of OpenLiveWriter. I’m learning. (Testing side by side photos below)

New MacBook Air M2 on my desk on Sunday night and my granddaughters setting up the green rope I left behind pretending they were laser beams. So imaginative! 

Category: Blogs, Computer, Photos, Software, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: granddaughters, kidgenuity, macros, marsedit, snow, spring, wordpress

Posted By RichC on March 12, 2023

This past week my son Taylor and I had a father-son dinner together at Chili’s and enjoyed some “desultory” conversation … from the Ukraine-Russia war to ChatGPT. Eventually he commented, “Dad, you should let the AI system write or rewrite your blog posts.”  

Hm … how about I just ask the Chatbot to write today’s blog post for me?

Change is an inevitable part of life. Whether we like it or not, things are constantly changing around us. From technological advancements to societal shifts, change is happening faster than ever before. As a result, it’s essential to learn how to embrace change if we want to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Here are some tips on how to embrace change:

1. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment. When we’re mindful, we can observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment, which helps us better manage our response to change. Practicing mindfulness can also help us develop resilience and cope better with stressful situations.
2. Cultivate Flexibility: Being flexible means being open to new ideas and different ways of doing things. It also means being adaptable and able to adjust to changing circumstances. By cultivating flexibility, we can better navigate change and see it as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat.
3. Develop a Growth Mindset: A growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. When we have a growth mindset, we’re more likely to embrace challenges and see them as opportunities to learn and grow. This mindset can help us approach change with curiosity and optimism.
4. Build a Support System: Change can be challenging, and having a support system can make all the difference. This can be friends, family, or even a professional network. Having people to turn to can help us stay grounded and provide a sounding board for our ideas and concerns.
5. Stay Positive: Finally, it’s essential to maintain a positive outlook in the face of change. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of change, try to see the opportunities and possibilities that it presents. By staying positive, we can approach change with a sense of excitement and adventure.

In conclusion, change is inevitable, and it’s essential to learn how to embrace it if we want to thrive in an ever-changing world. By practicing mindfulness, cultivating flexibility, developing a growth mindset, building a support system, and staying positive, we can approach change with confidence and optimism. Remember, change can be an opportunity for growth and transformation, so embrace it with open arms!

Category: Advice, AI, Computer, Innovation, Technology, Tidbits | No Comments »
Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, change, chatbot, chatgpt, chilis, Computer, desultory, mindfulness

Posted By RichC on March 11, 2023

When I was in high school, I headed off to Ohio Northern University to become an engineer although veered off into industrial technology, facility design and then teaching when offered a Miami University instructor position when in graduate school.

Now putting that education redirection aside … and the other career moves that followed … I’m still attracted to solving design dilemmas as do engineers. Perhaps this kind of video will inspire the next generation to study engineering?

Category: Education, Innovation, Science, Social Media, Video | No Comments »
Tags: design, engineer, engineering, miami university, mp4, ohio, onu, sidney

Posted By RichC on March 10, 2023

It has been quite a few years that I’ve been struggling with what to do when it comes to purchasing a new “travel” computer and I have contemplated doing something a number of times. The aging Lenovo still works, but I do struggle with not having everything with me that is part of my “Apple Life.” Still the new MacBook Pro line is too expensive for what I do anymore and the lower priced MacBook Air M1 wedge shaped notebooks with limited SSD storage seems underwhelming (Taylor loves his MacBook Air and not sure about Katelyn, but she has one too). I’m still tempted to go with the new M2 MacMini. 

When the MacBook Air M2 was released in mid-2022, it looked as if it might be the perfect travel computer … but it of course came with a much higher price point and still didn’t have a touchscreen (not necessary, but something I’m gettting comfortable with after using my Lenovo, iPads and Brenda’s Chromebook). The lowest priced M2 Air also comes with a pitifully small SSD (only 256GB) and bumping that up adds hundreds of dollars to the price … so I’ve put off a new computer again.

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Category: Apple, Computer, Shopping, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: adorama, Air M2, apple, Computer, macbook

Posted By RichC on March 9, 2023

It has been a quandary for years. Do you value Tesla like a car company or a fast-growing technology company? This past weekend Barron’s Magazine included an interesting article by Jack Hough after Tesla’s “investor day” and subsequent stock price drop. 

Tesla is trading “more like just another car maker,” wrote Bespoke Investment Group this past week. I don’t think it was a compliment. On Wednesday evening, the company held a new investor day at its equally new Texas Gigafactory. On Thursday, shares sagged 6%.

That’s not how these things are supposed to work. Investor days aren’t a must, like filing an annual report. Companies do it to generate enthusiasm for their strategies and products. Rapturous applause in the moment is good, but a pop in the stock price is better.

FULL ARTICLE

A $220/sh value calculation for $TSLA by Adam Jonas at Morgan Stanley:

Category: Financial | No Comments »
Tags: $TSLA, barrons, investing, jack hough, stock, tesla