My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on February 8, 2024

This probably should be a Tech Friday post, but since a year has passed since starting to use MarsEdit 5 instead of Open Live Writer on MyDesultoryBlog, but I’m making this a ThrowBack Thursday #TBT post. 

After initially tinkering with the trial in January of 2023, I purchased a license and started using in full time. After upgrading my notebook with a new MacBook Air M2, there has been no reason to turn back. So far I’ve added a few custom macros to smooth out the glitches in the way I personally use it (differences from the now retired Microsoft LiveWriter) and find myself useing Copy’em more than ever for links and formating macros; I’m pretty happy with the software.

Daniel Jalkut, the creator of MarsEdit has also been responsive and helpful with my questions and I’ve been increasingly tempted to add another app from  Red Sweater called FastScripts. Stay tuned.

Category: Apple, Blogs, Computer, Software, TBT, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: blogging, Computer, copy'em, fastscripts, imac, macbook air, marsedit, Software, TBT

Posted By RichC on February 7, 2024

Started a “new to me” audiobook by Michael Pillsbury titled “The Hundred Year Marathon: China’s Secret Strategy To Replace America As The Global Superpower.” His experience and expertise on China is pretty much unmatched so what he shares offers an intense look at understanding the Chinese longterm philosophy and strategy. The possibility … or perhaps reality … that the Chinese Communist Party running China is playing the long game compared to the west’s laissez faire economic system and politicians who wear blinders is eyeopening (pun) and reminds me of Eran Nitzans’ book from a few months ago. 

Currently about halfway through, but I’m learning a lot.

One of the U.S. government’s leading China experts reveals the hidden strategy fueling that country’s rise – and how Americans have been seduced into helping China overtake us as the world’s leading superpower.

For more than forty years, the United States has played an indispensable role helping the Chinese government build a booming economy, develop its scientific and military capabilities, and take its place on the world stage, in the belief that China’s rise will bring us cooperation, diplomacy, and free trade. But what if the “China Dream” is to replace us, just as America replaced the British Empire, without firing a shot?

(more…)

Category: Books, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: audiobook, book, china, foriegn policy, michael pillsbury, strategy, superpower

Posted By RichC on February 6, 2024

While looking for an excuse to modify and add this automotive humor meme to a post …

Below the break there’s an animagraff that details a front wheel drive manual transmission and clutch assembly on YouTube.  It’s well done and rather mesmerizing.

(more…)

Category: Automotive, Humor, Video | No Comments »
Tags: animagraffs, clutch, transmission, youtube

Posted By RichC on February 5, 2024

Call today’s Music Monday post from X.com a lazy one … but I still like it (what a great dad)!

Doesn't look like a lot of money here, not a lot of 'stuff'. There's one thing present that's far more valuable, can you see? pic.twitter.com/wOU6U9ak0F

— Dane (@UltraDane) February 4, 2024

Category: Music, Social Media, Video | No Comments »
Tags: families, fathers, kids, music monday, musicmonday, twitter, x.com

Posted By RichC on February 4, 2024

Years ago while regularly making my weekly drive to and from NE Ohio and through Akron, I often saw Goodyear blimps like the “Spirit of Akron” hanging over the interstate and city. Most of us know the blimp either for their aerial coverage of sporting events or watching them leisurely pass along beachfronts — often in Florida as in these photos last month.

It reminded me of a couple older MDB posts and Odd Aviation Projects. 😊 

(more…)

Category: Aviation, Photos, Travel, Video | No Comments »
Tags: blimp, florida, goodyear, mp4

Posted By RichC on February 3, 2024

While Brenda and I apprecated the warmer weather while in Florida last month, we really focused on walking more each day after working half days from the condo. Our steady daily beach walks and healthier eating will hopefully pay-off with the shedding of a few pounds and improving our long term health (Brenda’s hip replacement rehab has her almost back to where we were hiking in the Canadian Rockies … as I keep an eye on my Fitbit Versa 2 step count).

While walking the beach, we’re always on the lookout for shells … this year the “treasure” have been a couple of Whelk shells … one is very tiny (below on right). 

Category: Health, Personal, Photos, Travel, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: brenda, fitbit, florida, Health, richc, shells, walking, whelk

Posted By RichC on February 2, 2024

As a long time Apple device buyer and user, I do tend to follow the company’s new gadgets. The Apple Vision Pro VR headset looks interesting, but limited as to what reason most of us would currently spend thousands of dollar to buy ($3500). After reading about it for months and glancing at the pre-release reviews, I’ll highlight and archive (PDF) a New York Times article for today’s Tech Friday post. 

First, in many ways, the Vision Pro is an impressive product, one that has been many years and billions of dollars in the making. It’s leaps and bounds better than the previous best V.R. headsets on the market, the Meta Quest series, when it comes to its eye-tracking and gesture-based controls, the quality of its displays and the way it combines immersive virtual experiences with the ability to see the world around you, a feature known as “pass-through.”

I was primed for skepticism going into my demo — Apple’s aggressive stage-managing made me wonder what the company was trying to hide — but there were several moments while wearing the Vision Pro when I felt genuine wonder, and a feeling of being present for what could turn out to be a major shift in computing.

The second thing to say about the Vision Pro is that even after trying it, I still have no idea whom or what this thing is supposed to be for. At $3,500, it’s not a device for the masses, or even the mass affluent. It’s a big, honking statement piece — a status symbol for your face.

LINK to NYTimes article

Category: Apple, Gadget, News, Technology | No Comments »
Tags: $appl, apple, applevision, nytimes, tech friday, techfriday

Posted By RichC on February 1, 2024

Contemplating classic cars after seeing a good looking late 1960’s Pontiac Firebird 400 while filling up at Costco. I posted a comment on X.com and it gave me a ThrowBack Thursday #TBT excuse to repost a couple old black and while of photos of my first junkyard rebuildable … my 1974 Capri (it was pea green). Good memories! 

Gassing up the #goobermobile (Honda Odyssey) at @Costco tonight and admired a classic doing the same. 🥰 #Firebird #automotive pic.twitter.com/8QTAGxKDiO

— Rich Corbett 🇺🇸 (@RichC)

January 24, 2024

Category: Automotive, Memories, Photos, Social Media, TBT | No Comments »
Tags: capri, costco, firebird, honda, mercury, odeyssey, pontiac, rebuildables, twitter, x.com

Posted By RichC on January 31, 2024

Full back up of MyDesultoryBlog.com and updated WordPress.

Maintenance and Security Releases

Version 6.4.3 addressed some security issues and fixed 21 bugs. For more information, see the release notes.

Version 6.4.2 addressed a security issue and fixed 7 bugs. For more information, see the release notes.

Version 6.4.1 addressed 4 bugs. For more information, see the release notes.

Category: Blogs | No Comments »
Tags: backup, blog, maintenance, update, wordpress

Posted By RichC on January 31, 2024

This content is restricted.

Category: Memories, Personal, Photos, Weather | No Comments »
Tags: 1978, blizzard, cuteness, ellerie, family, granddaughter, love bugs