I was wondering how I could do a video for a sketchnote tutorial at my desk.

I started thinking about getting an HDMI in so I could hook up my mirrorless camera, then maybe rig a phone above my desk, perhaps move the screen so the camera could be more in front of me… And then I realised that using continuity camera and desk view would be perfect. I tried it rigged above my monitor and it was too high away which revealed the final truth.

The best (simplest) setup for doing a sketchnote tutorial video is probably a mac laptop with an iPhone doing continuity camera¹.

Not just tutorial videos

Of course, this isn’t just about the amazing continuity camera, but many other “defaults” and built in experiences are good enough.

Yes, there are definitely exceptions (the webcam on my 2020 Macbook Air has A LOT to be desired) but the additional complexity comes with a lot of extra resistance.

There’s a reason the smartphone is the most popular camera in the world.

It’s also why even though I can see the value in all the bells and whistles of omnifocus, I’ve never managed to make it stick. Although, it does present a good example of an exception.

Exception: When you love the details

The people who I’ve noticed love Omnifocus find all those bells, whistles and automations to be joyful. Sure, they have setbacks but they never seem to find them frustrating. While I don’t find this the case with omnifocus, there are other tools and systems where I do experience it.

That seems like a good guideline for whether the more or less complex solution is right for you.

As I was listening to the latest episode of Cortex on “Yearly Themes” I instantly knew what mine should be.

The year of health.

It’s the culmination of several factors in life at the moment so let me explain.

An apocalyptic moment

A few week’s back I noticed that I was struggling to see the tiny text on my laptop screen.

Normally, I work at a 32" 4k monitor so I hadn’t had to test my eyes. But this one moment revealed both that yes, it is indeed time for me to get my eye’s tested again and, more significantly, age is affecting my body.

It was a watershed moment that broke through my complacency. It also made me reframe several other experiences and ideas from recent weeks.

But it wasn’t just about physical health

The year of mental health

(note: the following is very personal, mental health like physical health is complex. Take with large amounts of salt and speak to a trained professional if you need help).

This last year has been very difficult for me for a few reasons some of which I can’t divulge on the internet. When added to the usual work and family stresses (and noises — my daughter is currently in a neighbouring room blowing a whistle with much gusto), it’s affected my character for the worse.

I’d love to say I’ve been able to respond rationally and affectionately to every situation but in truth I’ve been reactive with an unpleasant tone far too often.

Honestly, if I carry on like this I will make my own life, and the ones of those around me, worse.

I need to look after myself so I can look after them.

The connection of physical and mental health

Physical and mental health work together.

While it’s possible to be ill mentally or physically and be well in the opposite field, it’s far more common for each to affect the other.

• Get a cold and your mood is likely to get worse.
• Look after your body and you’ll probably feel better about yourself.

So when one area is doing well, it’s far easier to help the other. And if you have a serious issue in one area, it’s worth helping the other.

That means that a lot of actions to help my physical health (eating better, exercising more) will help my mental health and some to help my mental health (socialising more) will help my physical health too.

One of the simplest tools I’ve found so far is a maxim I’ve taken on.

“Make the healthy choice”

I started using this simple phrase when I had my laptop revelation.

As I was thinking through some unhealthy habits (drinking too much coffee, eating certain junk foods) I had the thought “I want to make the health choice”, and it stuck around.

Now, when I’ve had a moment where I’ve been choosing between drinking a coke or having a cup of tea, I’ve gone for the tea. Or when I really wanted to take the kids to the cinema so I could rest rather than the nearby park, I went to the park as it was the “healthy choice”.

I’ve still indulged at times like Christmas and New Year, but those are exceptions rather than rules.

The first steps and the next ones

I still have bigger actions and project I need to address for my health, but this little saying and the idea of the year of health have already helped me change my lifestyle.

Taking on these bigger projects will be harder but the early rewards are giving me the motive to invest more.

Whatever your yearly theme is, I wish you the best of luck.

I love Micro blog. I’m not sure why exactly, but it always feels like a nice place to go on the internet. I’ve met great people there whom I’ve then met in real life and exchanged gifts with. I’ve been challenged by different perspectives, and grown from people further along the path than I am.

It’s my favourite social network.

But I feel it’s changed over time[ˆ1] and I want to push against that.

A return to blogging

There’s nothing wrong with microblog post, but there’s something special about a blog post.

Someone taking the time to give a post a title transforms the fleeting thought into a codified idea takes time to create and consume properly. It’s so easy to gravitate to shorter, louder and reductive content that gives quicker rewards.

But when I spent time indulging in richer and longer content, I always feel the better for it.

So, I’m trying to be the change I want to see.

More blogs next year

For next year, I’m committing to share more longer form posts.

I’ve had several posts in the back burner or half drafted, this year I’m going to do better at finishing things off (or not let a technical issue stop me from publishing!).

I don’t know exactly what these posts will be on, but we’ll see.

Just longer blogs?

Nope, I also want to share more links of great content that I’ve found as well.

It was something I did a lot in the early days of Micro.Blog but I fell out of the habit of doing.

Burning the Ships

A final change I’m making is closing down a couple of old sites.

I had a personal site which I started more than 12 years ago. It started as very general thoughts, became street photography focused and now lies neglected (but still makes some Amazon affiliate link money).

So I’m merging it with my micro.blog account.

Hello 2025

I’m sure some plans will change in 2025, but these are my current plans.

I can’t wait to see what you share too.

[ˆ1]: This is 100% subjective. I’m aware of evidence against this including the name of the site.

At some point I will be writing a masters thesis on Biblical studies through my part time program (I’m taking a year off right now). So I’m thinking of questions that would be interesting to ask and answer in preparation.

1. Henry VIII’s faith.

He was such a defendant of the Roman Catholic Church and then changed. Was it simply so he could get divorced or were their hints before/theology trends that continued (and maybe influence Anglicanism today?)

2. Jesus receiving the covenant blessings (and curses?)

If Jesus fulfills the mosaic covenant, he should receive the blessings of that covenant (and those who are “in Christ” should receive them too) It would be interesting to go through each stipulation and blessing in turn and how they are fulfilled. Conversely, if he took the curses in our place, then we should be able to see that?

Bonus: Abiding in Christ

This is one I’ve been reflecting on as a devotional topic. I took every verse on abiding in Christ, put them in obsidian and have been grouping them, looking at the reasons why, the statements how, etc. I think someone has probably really covered this but i

One of my kids had a very specific request for her birthday.

A giant toy connected to their favourite cartoon of the moment. I was hesitant — we don’t have that much space and already have a couple of really large toys (that for me at least are just annoying) — but we relented and sure enough a giant Gabby’s Dollyhouse arrived complete with set of figures.

Before it arrived, my wife had noted that this gigantic plaything wasn’t complete. In fact, it’s a modular toy so you can add more rooms and areas on to it — oh. Joy.

But, here we are a month later and my daughter recently exclaimed their frustration at the toy.

• It’s too big
• It’s not like real thing
• it’s stupid (her words, not mine).

And so, she isn’t playing with it much. To be clear, she does still play with it, but she’s also suggested selling it (we regularly sell our old kids old toys and they can then use that money to buy new ones).

It made me think about some of the toys we’re had recently that they’ve used consistently and still enjoy.

• Bikes
• Roller blades
• swimming goggles
• A paper zine with printing out pictures they chose.

It seems that the more active, involved and self created things are those they love the most. And, of course, they are far cheaper too.

It’s not just kids

Of course, it’s not just my kids but me too.

Many of the cool gadgets I think will make me happy I grow out of quickly. But the things that get me out and about or tools to create things are the things that bring me ongoing enjoyment.

I’d bet you’re similar.

An irony of Tim Keller’s winsomeness — he never rested in his power to convert.

Yes, he studied and used his intellect to present arguments for God and theology, but I always sensed a humility where he didn’t try to force his faith.

“Here it is. It is good.”

Is the posture I always got from him. And he believed it.

In the last few days, I’ve (unfortunately) caught some of his detractors again complaining about his “winsomeness” approach¹.

The main criticism I’ve heard is “he should have been more forceful!” That usually means he should have insulted or belittled his opponents, he should have campaigned politically on their top issues, or, as I read yesterday, he didn’t change the politics of New York so he was a failure.

All of which come back to trusting in our own strength to achieve a goal, rely on ends justifying the means and usually **come from insecurities that their ideas aren’t actually good or persuasive **but have to be forced upon people instead.

My church is doing a series on Evangelism at the moment and one of the themes four preacher (all of who haven’t known what the other would preach) have touched on is faithfulness and trusting God rather than resting in our strength or skill.

I wonder what that does to the culture war stuff?

I am certain it let’s speak confidently on issues that are “progressive” or “conservative” without fear of repercussion ². And, although there will be exceptions who imbue impure motives, lets the listener see the honest conviction of the speaker rather than see the demon they fear is underneath.

Keller wasn’t perfect, but I’d certainly rather adopt his posture and rely on God’s power than try it on my own.

I’ve got a few camera options

• iPhone
• Ricoh GR (10+ year point and shoot)
• Olympus Mju ii (pocket film camera)
• Hassleblad 500c
• Nikon z50

The recent bout of new film cameras has given me a desire to hit the streets with my Olympus again, but I suspect I’ll end up just taking my iPhone for the same reason I normally do.

Camera decision fatigue

Here’s how my typical thought process looks.

• Oh that’s makes me want to use my [insert camera] again
• Ah, but that camera [doesn’t have enough photos/is too big/needs more film/is fixed lens/required me to bring more lenses/]
• I’ll take [Insert other camera] instead
• Ah, but that camera [doesn’t have enough photos/is too big/needs more film/is fixed lens/required me to bring more lenses/]
• Repeat X times
• Oh, it’s late. I’ll just not take a camera. (but I always take my phone).

By trying to pick the best option, I pick no option.

There are exceptions, but as I just wrote, they are exceptions, not the norm. And that’s a real shame as every camera I own is great. Sure, I’d love a newer GR with IBIS and wifi to make transferring images faster, I’d also love a full frame Nikon, but those are small details in the big picture.

While the iPhone is a great camera, the other cameras have their own charms.

A mission to use other cameras more

So I’m committing to rotating my cameras better.

They all need a run around and stretch of their legs to make sure they aren’t getting rusty (in some cases literally). And by forcing myself to take one picture a day on one camera, I’m sure I’ll have some fun experiments.

I’m fully aware that I will probably have failed this by next week, but if I don’t try then I will certainly have failed.

**If you are struggling with camera decision fatigue, maybe you’d like to try too. **

Now where’s my Olympus…

On Monday, I popped into a local tech shop to try the new iPad Pro and iPad Air.

I wanted to see what the new pencil was like and how the Air’s screen held up. Why? Well, I’d love to replace my current iPad with its multi-year-old white spot on the screen and Apple Pencil 2.

At the same time, I don’t have unlimited money to drop on any old tech purchase I want. So if an M2 iPad Pro or Air fits my needs, then that’s far better for me. (Of course, either would. My current iPad is fine and I could do my little sketches with any device, so it’s not really a question…and yet.)

Apple pencil issues

I picked up the Apple pencil straight away and… nothing.

My guess was the pencil wasn’t charged so I clipped it on and tried another iPad (the Air this time) — the same issue.

I went back to the first iPad thinking the pencil would be ready now. NOPE!

Eventually I managed to use the pencil on the 13" Air but it was a real hassle and I’ve heard similar pairing issues from other users. I don’t know if this is caused by the new magnet position but it’s not something I’d expect from a display iPad with 100% charge in the pencil.

What screen difference?

I know the Pro’s have an amazing screen and I’m sure John Siracusa can spot that instantly…but I couldn’t point to a difference. (Although I’ll walk this back in a second)

I was really expecting to notice the slower screen refresh especially with the pencil but I didn’t pick up on it with the Air. It seemed great quality and responsive.

Now, I didn’t really get to try the Pro (the pencil didn’t work) and I didn’t really stretch or directly compare the two screens. I’m 100% sure that if I had, I would have noticed the difference. But from just casually picking the iPads up and having a 10 minute play around in procreate, I didn’t spot any weaknesses in the Air.

Where’s the home button

I found my muscle memory kept searching for the homebutton on the side of the iPad — but there was none.

I know I’d unlearn this habit within a day or two but it’s amazing how ingrained these things become. And while swiping up from the phone felt very natural, the iPad didn’t seem as natural to me.

So what will I get?

Honestly, I think I’m not going to get one…yet. BUT if my iPad died today and I had to get a new one…I’d probably buy an iPad Pro M2. The new features sound great, but I don’t need the power of the m3 and I’d sacrifice the pencil pro’s benefits for the faster screen refresh of the Pro.

I’m sure if I played with the m3 pro more, justified it as a business expenses, and if the next iPadOS adds some extra advantages of the m3 or new iPads, then that might change. But as for now, I’m still happy (ish) with my current iPad.

I used my iPad heavily when I was teaching but there was one thing that always brought me back to a PC: logging reports and data in the terrible student management system.

That was despite the promises of “a mobile friendly version so you can take registration anywhere”. They promised us it would reduce paperwork but during the role out they said some features weren’t ready so we had to continuing keeping paper records… and then the paper records never went away.

So our wonderful new system “to save teachers' time” made us spend far more.

I knew it wasn’t really about the teachers. It was so they had better data on student attendance and engagement so they could take actions to maintain student enrolment.

And if that meant teachers had to do more (unpaid) work to achieve those goals, well that’s a price the executives were willing to pay.

So, a certain high up at a company that may or may not be mine has decided that Slack threads aren’t good. Apparently, we (read, the high up) lose track of updates and don’t know what they are about. Related, we…I mean some company… have stopped using campaign specific channels and now have area channels (i.e social media/ SEO).

So, now there can be two people asking about two different projects/articles and responses where you just have to guess which project it’s about. Plus you have to scroll through every single response even if it’s about something you’re not working on.

I get that this is easier for a manager.

You need to go through everything and check all the action items, if you miss a comment or two then it can be a real pain. But there’s a better solution to this: Comments next to tasks.

We have project management systems, including ones that show who needs to take action and add tasks only once the previous one is completed. We can even discuss issues in these projects. BUT, then we see the comments rather than them disappearing off into the infinite scroll ether of Slack.

So of course we don’t use them.

The biggest irony in this whole situation is that by trying to make things easier to manage, they’re actually harder to manage and keep track of…in this hypothetical company.

The iPad event is today. I’m interested to see what apple brings. Mine is six years old and apart from a pixel burn in the screen, it’s great. Okay, it lags a bit more than it used to and the battery life is no where near what it once was, but it still does all I need. That said, I am really intrigued what’s coming especially as this could be my next iPad. And if not, it means the current, amazing iPads (with wireless charging Apple Pencils) will come down in price. Win win win.

A few years back I read a terrible self-help book. It was one I’d never buy for myself which is probably why I didn’t like it much. BUT, it did have one useful idea.

Know exactly what you want and don’t water it down.

It’s been on my mind recently because I’ve been reading a far better business book — “The Coaching Habit” by Michael Bungay Stanier.

While it can be summarised in one sentence — give less advice, ask more questions, let the other person speak more — it also has a ton of value inside and one of the biggest is the question

What do you really want here?

Admitting what we want

Most of the time,

1. we don’t know what we really want
2. when we do know, it’s the surface level desire
3. and we prevent ourselves from knowing because we are afraid to say what we actually want

This makes us discuss ideas or solutions that don’t actually get to the core of what we want. When we can admit what we want — even when we feel like it’s selfish, impossible, or “not what people like us do” — we can find real solutions.

Those may mean compromises including ones that consider those factors, but they may not too. When we are clear about what we really want, it makes it a lot easier to make appropriate compromises and know when we shouldn’t.

Here’s a simple example

You might say “I want a more managerial role” and so gun for a promotion. But when you get down to what you really want, it’s more free time, but you’ve been conditioned to think 1. a more senior role is easier (The reverse can be equally true). 2. more money = more free time (but it can come with more overhead). 3. The more senior your role, the more likely you need to respond outside regular hours.

The better solution might be to go freelance, consult, or even take a lower paid, more hands on position but with more free time.

Now, that might be you, but it might not be you too. If you see that example and accept the conclusions without knowing what you really want, that’s a recipe for disaster.

What do I really want?

This is the part of the post where I should give a personal example to help illustrate it, but I can’t do that so easily.

You see, I’m not really sure yet.

But I have a new note in my obsidian vault and I’m using the 5 why’s technique to help dig deeper.

Maybe you just need a piece of paper, but I recommend you give it a go.

I’m interested in getting a new iPad (eventually) and I’ve heard a few interesting rumours about the next iPad updates (But I’m not following religiously). But, here’s my take on where the product lines should go.

These are not what I expect Apple will do, but I what I believe would be a good, clear delineation and attractive line up.

TLDR

• iPad mini is the small one
• iPad is the cheap, causal device
• iPad Air (change name to studio) is the Artists one
• iPad Pro is the future touch laptop replacement one.

iPad mini

This is the one iPad Apple has nailed. There are a few performance compromises over the larger ones, but it does a great job as a small reader iPad that you can also sketch on. You can even hook it up to a display if you really want.

Just keep on this track and you’re fine.

iPad

The iPad is doing…okay. It’s better now with the USB pencil avoiding that confusing usb to lightning cable and adaptor. It’s great as a first computing device with the folio keyboard or casual browsing device. Just give it a chip update and improve the screen refresh.

iPad Air (Studio)

The Air is the strange one at the moment. It’s a halfway house between the regular iPad and pro. Some of the compromises are just to make the pro more attractive, while it has some really impressive spec that make it almost as good. I suggest Apple makes this take the place of the current Pro in their line up, make it more for artists and designers, and call it the studio.

1. They don’t have to compromise and hold the Air back
2. Air is a strange name, it suggests lightweight but it’s more pro than the regular. Calling it the Studio helps fit with the mac naming system.
3. Artists/aspiring artists are a great market and keen users of the iPad. By tailoring this device for them, they can really hone in on what they need.

One other factor to mention, add a 13" size. That’s a bit plus for some artists.

But what about the pro? I’m glad you asked.

iPad Pro

The rumours for the iPad pro are that it will be a foldable device and gain even more power. That sounds really intriguing and could help push the pro more towards the hybrid laptop/tablet so many users want. But, will a foldable be great for the artists? How will it affect using a pencil on the screen? I have no idea but let’s imagine there are some compromises for the first couple of years. By elevating the air to the studio, you mitigate against those risks AND can still charge more for both devices (I’m pitching to Apple execs right now).

Plus this would allow the Pro to really stand out as a different device from in the line up.

And, if this is perfect for an Artist with no compromises from the folding of the screen, you can pitch this as a larger cintiq replacement too.

Final line up

• iPad Mini (7")
• iPad (11" ish)
• iPad Studio (11")
• iPad Studio (13")
• iPad Pro (7-14" foldable)
• iPad Pro (12 - 24" foldable)

Not perfect at all, but I’d certainly know what I’d buy next.

I love my iPad pro. It’s probably my favourite Apple device (although my m1 Macbook Air and iPhone are great too). But, do I have to stick with it?

For years, the iPad was the only choice of tablet.

Sure, Microsoft had some more powerful tablet-shaped laptops, but that’s what they were. Big heft laptops that could dress up (or down?) as a tablet if you really wanted (but no one would want to read an ebook on them for an extended time).

While there were several factors that kept me in the Apple ecosystem, the portability and battery life of the iPad was a big one (it was the perfect EFL teacher’s device) and Procreate made it more inevitable than Thanos.

But now I’m not a teacher and there a more than viable (and arguably far suprerior) alternative to procreate in Adobe Fresco (Concepts is great too but I’ve never quiet got on with it).

So what if I switched?

I’ve had a long term plan to replace my iPad after the screen got a white spot due to overheating. It still works, but obviously isn’t great for drawing (and it doesn’t harm that the new Pros have a better pencil, better support for external displays, new multitasking, and so on.

But, if I’m using Adobe fresco, maybe there’s a cheaper or better alternative? (I just did a quick check and it’s not looking great. Surface options look pricey and don’t have great battery life. Sure, it’s more of a computer when plugged in but I have other needs).

For a long time I’ve liked Apple as a company.

Their philosophy of devices that work well together, opinionated products and commitments to environmental causes have resonated with me. But their attitude to recent anti-monopoly regulations has left a bad taste in my mouth.

That said, Apple still does seem to align with my values (though I’m sure there are alternatives who do align more). And buying an Apple or alternative device so close to rumoured release dates for updates would be crazy — I don’t have the funds anyway!

In all likelihood I’ll still end up with an iPad. The combination with my Macbook is fantastic and it is probably the best tablet tablet for me around. But it’s not a guarantee.