🌐 My Blogroll

These are the blogs and newsletters whose RSS feeds I subscribe to. The sites are categorized by personal blogs, newsletters, mass-posting blogs, and blogs. Some definitions: Personal blogs are written by one person. Newsletters have a recurring format, like a list of links. Mass-posting blogs are blogs that publish multiple posts every day. Blogs generally have a niche topic or don’t fall into the categories of personal blogs or mass-posting blogs.

LinkTypeOther Notes
Austin Kleonpersonal bloga writer who draws
Scott Youngpersonal blogan expert on learning
The Dishpersonal blogbaseball writer, board game columnist, food and movie critic
Julia Evanspersonal blogprogramming and blogging
Alexey Guzeypersonal blog
Tracy Durnellpersonal bloga storyteller from Seattle
Roy Tangpersonal blogthe diary of a software developer
Taylor Townpersonal bloglearning, time, design, software, ideas, and humor
Dense Discoverynewsletttercurated links
Recomendonewslettterpersonal recommendations of cool stuff
Curious About Everythingnewsletttermonthly writing from around the web
Nomadiconewsletttertravel news
The Land of Randomnewslettterfun links
Fave Fivenewslettterfive great links
Boing Boingmass-posting blogzine, blog, and directory of mostly wonderful things
Kottkemass-posting blogcool internet finds
Lifehackermass-posting blogtech and productivity
Marginal Revolutionmass-posting blogeconomics and more
Colossalmass-posting blogart and visual expression
Cup of Jomass-posting bloglifestyle
Pen Addictblogpens and stationery
Stationery Pizzablogstationery
Fangraphsblogbaseball
True Blue LAblogDodger baseball
Notedblogtips on notetaking
The Flavor Filesblogfood science
Planetizenblogurban planning news

πŸ’― My Favorites

All of my favorite media and more:

πŸ“š Book: The Count of Monte Cristo

πŸ“š Detective series: Hercule Poirot novels

πŸ“š Fantasy series: The Tales of Dunk and Egg

πŸŽ₯ Movie drama: Rear Window

πŸŽ₯ Movie comedy: In Bruges

πŸŽ₯ Foreign film: The Lives of Others

πŸ“Ί Comedy series: Curb Your Enthusiasm

πŸ“Ί Drama series: The Wire

πŸ“Ί Comfort show: Poirot or The West Wing

πŸ“± Podcast: Take Note

πŸ“± Educational podcast: In Our Time

πŸ“± History podcast: More Perfect

πŸ“± Interview podcast: Conversations with Tyler

⏱ Historical figure: Theodore Roosevelt

✍ Authors: Agatha Christie, George R.R. Martin

πŸ“š Book publisher: DK

πŸŽ₯ Filmmakers: Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock

🎻 Composer: Johannes Brahms

🎹 Film composer duo: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

🎸 Band: Led Zeppelin

🎀 Standup comic: George Carlin

⚾ Sports team: 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers

πŸ€ Basketball team: 2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers

🏈 American football team: 1999 St. Louis Rams

πŸŽ… 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the holiday season. For the second time, I’ve made a holiday gift guide of stuff I personally love this year. Note: Some of the products listed below link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Associate member, which means anything bought through one of these links sends a little money my way at no extra cost to you.

The National Parks Pass is the go-to gift for outdoors lovers living in the United States. Some states, like South Carolina and Washington, sell annual state park passes. Fifty-Nine Parks created the artwork behind the Field Notes National Parks Memo Books. Now they’ve made a guidebook to the parks. If you’re looking for other outdoors swag, check out the Parks Project. Profits support the preservation of public lands. I highly recommend Nick Offerman’s book Where the Deer and the Antelope Play if you want something to read between hikes. It will give you a better grasp of the fragility and delicate balance of the land we take for granted.

Playing the board game Wingspan has given me an appreciation for the beauty of our avian friends. The best place to start for beginner birdwatchers is with an Audubon bird call and The Sibley Guide to Birds. See the Audubon Society’s gift guide for more bird-related fun.

On the tech side, Kindle finally made an e-ink tablet on which you can write. I’m a believer in the right to repair, so naturally I’m very excited about the Framework Laptop, a computer you can build and repair yourself. Watchy is an open-source, e-paper watch to fill that Pebble-sized hole in your heart.

E-bikes are a fun, healthy, environmentally-friendly, and ever-so-nerdy way to get around town. Here’s a short guide on how to find the best e-bike for you.

The man behind Baron Fig wrote a book on the creative process titled The Laws of Creativity. Speaking of creativity, Steal Like an Artist author Austin Kleon writes a Substack newsletter with bonus content for paying subscribers. His book bundle trilogy also makes a wonderful gift.

For stationery lovers, Yoseka Stationery has published their annual holiday gift guide. Currently, my favorite notebook is the Maruman Mnemosyne. If you’re looking for writing utensils, Pen Addict has you covered. I have long been a fan of Studio Neat’s work. They make a notebook designed specifically for your desk.

In the past, I recommended the Freewrite Traveler as a writing device without the distractions of an ordinary computer. For a cheaper, more retro alternative, check out the AlphaSmart 3000. If you are a notetaker like myself, Tiago Forte published a book on the subject titled Building a Second Brain. I use Obsidian for my notetaking. The software is free, but they sell a service that allows you to sync your notes across multiple devices.

Lately, I’ve taken an interest in chess. I even bought a small travel chess set. Bauhaus makes this cool chess set designed to show exactly how each piece moves. A chess.com subscription is a great way for beginners to learn the game. For board games other than chess, check out Keith Law’s list of top 100 board games. If you’re a fan of crosswords, buy a New York Times Games subscription.

Major streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ are known to everyone, but several lesser-known services are also worth a subscription. For the film snob, check out The Criterion Channel. For the horror fan, check out Shudder. And for the Anglophile, check out BritBox.

If you want to find a way to give back, there are several worthy causes where you can buy amazing gifts. Many museums, like the Smithsonian, Met, and Art Institute of Chicago, have online stores. The same goes for many major libraries, like the NY Public Library and Los Angeles Public Library. Wikipedia recently opened their online store with great swag. Or if you are anti-consumerism, use Charity Navigator and GiveWell to find the best ways to spend your donations.

πŸ’Έ Affordable Purchases to Improve Your Life

Sometimes a small purchase can make a huge impact on your life. Below are 75 affordable purchases that have the potential to improve your life in some way. Note: Links below include affiliate links to Amazon.com, of which I receive a small commission for every purchase, at no added expense to the customer.

1. A pull-up bar to get you in shape fast.

2. A heated blanket for cold nights.

3. A detachable showerhead for washing the hard to reach places.

4. A pair of blue light blocking glasses to protect your eyes from screen fatigue.

5. A YNAB subscription to get your finances in order.

6. A bidet for a thorough cleaning.

7. A headlamp so you can see in dark places without occupying your hands.

8. A sharp chef’s knife because a dull one is dangerous and less efficient.

9. A sunrise alarm clock for a more gentle way of waking up in the morning.

10. Blackout curtains to sleep peacefully.

11. A shoehorn so you don’t damage your shoes.

12. A journal for working through your thoughts.

13. Noise canceling headphones for focus mode.

14. A National Parks pass to explore America’s best places.

15. A second monitor for optimal efficiency.

16. Timer cap bottles so you don’t have to remember if you’ve had your medication.

17. A mechanical keyboard for satisfying typing.

18. An extra long phone charging cable so you can use your phone while it charges.

19. A toaster oven for quick meals.

20. A fireproof safe to protect your most valuable possessions and documents from disaster.

21. The perfect notebook for capturing ideas.

22. A therapy light to bring the sunshine indoors.

23. A rice cooker for easy rice.

24. A first aid kit for emergencies.

25. A AAA membership for safe driving.

26. An e-reader for cutting down on book clutter.

27. Slippers to keep your feet warm.

28. A phone lockbox with timer to cut out distractions.

29. A kettlebell for heavy lifting.

30. A BKLYN library subscription for unlimited ebooks.

31. A tongue scraper for better breath.

32. A Bluetooth headphones headband to fall asleep to soothing sounds.

33. A jump rope for some cardio.

34. An egg cooker for an easy breakfast.

35. A pair of socks to last you forever.

36. A curved shower rod for more space in the tub.

37. An electric toothbrush for optimal dental hygiene.

38. A meat thermometer for safe and tasty eating.

39. A Uni-ball Jetstream pen for smooth writing.

40. A beautiful planner for managing your schedule.

41. A kitchen scale for more precise measurements.

42. A fabric shaver to keep your cloths from pilling.

43. A handheld vacuum to clean the hard to reach places.

44. A toilet stool for better bathroom time.

45. An iFixit toolkit for electronics repairs.

46. Scrivener for writing efficiency.

47. A vertical mouse to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

48. Motion sensor lights to make walking around in the middle of the night a little easier.

49. A carbon monoxide detector for a safer home.

50. An air compressor to fill up your tires and more.

51. A portable jump starter for when you need a jump.

52. A fire extinguisher to save your home.

53. A dash cam so you don’t get blamed for an accident you didn’t cause.

54. An SSD for faster computing.

55. A car emergency kit in case disaster strikes.

56. Touchscreen gloves for when you are outside in the cold.

57. A power bank so your electronics don’t die.

58. A Bluetooth car kit for more pleasant driving.

59. A pepper mill for delicious, fresh pepper.

60. A bento box for more pleasant lunches.

61. A running belt for a place to put your stuff as you exercise.

62. A foam roller to loosen your muscles.

63. Smart plugs so you don’t forget to turn things off.

64. An emergency blanket just in case you get stranded on the road.

65. Bar Keepers Friend for easy scrubbing.

66. A reusable water bottle so you don’t have to buy water bottles.

67. A water flosser for healthy teeth.

68. A bicycle helmet to protect your brain.

69. A water filter for clean drinking.

70. Cloth napkins to cut down on paper towels.

71. Magic erasers to clean the stubbornest of stains.

72. A slow close toilet seat so the lid doesn’t slam.

73. Houseplants to add some green to your living space.

74. A soft robe for luxurious lounging.

75. A drill brush to deep clean any bathroom.

πŸŽ… 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Celebrate the winding down of this chaotic year with some holiday shopping. Below are my gift suggestions for the 2020 holiday season. This list emphasizes creation, exploration, and learning. You will find useful things, fun things, and causes worth supporting. Good luck shopping, and happy holidays!

Disclosure: Some of the products listed below link to Amazon.com. I am an Amazon Associate member, which means anything bought through one of these links sends a little money my way at no extra cost to you.

NATIONAL PARKS MEMO BOOKS

Get these beautiful notebooks for writers with an appreciation for the outdoors. The National Parks memo books are sold in packs of three. If you can’t decide which parks you want, get all 18 by buying the box set.

FREEWRITE TRAVELER

The Freewrite Traveler is a great gift for the easily distracted writer. It consists of a keyboard and an e-ink screen for maximizing writing productivity β€” no editing or web browsing capabilities included. When finished writing, press a button to send your work straight to your email.

HOW TO WRITE ONE SONG

Songwriter Jeff Tweedy of Wilco fame breaks down his creative process. Even those who aren’t musically inclined and have no wish to ever be could benefit from this book.

CRITERION CHANNEL SUBSCRIPTION

Get the largest collection of classic cinema. The Criterion Channel is a curated collection of the best movies ever made, making it a perfect gift for film buffs.

SONY ZV-1 VLOGGING CAMERA

Start your YouTube career. The Sony ZV-1 is made specifically for content creators. It includes a pull-out screen that allows you to see yourself as you record β€” perfect for the filming crew of one.

HOW TO WRITE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL

This award-winning memoir by writer Alexander Chee explores life as a gay Korean-American and the impact it has on his art.

PERSONAL LIBRARY KIT

Play librarian. Turn your bookcase into an at-home library. This kit comes with card catalog checkout cards, bookplates, a pencil, a date stamp, and an ink pad.

THE CITYRADIO

Wake up to the sounds of cities across the world. Press a button and listen to the radio from a city of your choice. Customize your cities from up to 18 different locations around the world.

CUSTOM TRAVEL COASTERS

Commemorate your travels across the world with custom coasters.

WINDSOR & NEWTON WATERCOLOR KIT

Create art. This portable watercolor set is perfect for anyone wishing to connect nature to their art.

LAMY SAFARI FOUNTAIN PEN

A beautiful writer deserves a beautiful pen, and there is none more beautiful than the LAMY Safari. It’s a great pen for the beginner fountain pen enthusiast as it is quite affordable (as far as fountain pens go) and easy to use.

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY MERCH

Support public libraries, specifically the New York Public Library. They sell all kinds of merch at their website including the hat seen above. You can even buy bookends of the famous library lions Patience and Fortitude.

50 THINGS TO DO IN THE WILD

Rediscover the outdoors. With 50 Things to Do in the Wild you will learn skills and projects to bring you closer to nature.

RASPBERRY PI 400

The Raspberry PI 400 is a computer in a keyboard. It’s great for the project enthusiast or those who want to learn about tech. When you buy the Raspberry PI 400 you also get a mouse and a beginner’s guide.

XI’AN FAMOUS FOODS

Recreate dishes from the popular New York noodle shop. Xi’an Famous Foods will teach you how to make delicious Western Chinese meals.

PARKS PROJECT MERCH

Support our National Parks by purchasing something from the Parks Project. Proceeds from the purchase of these beautifully designed items go directly to helping out parks. The mug seen above depicts landmarks from parks across the nation.

IFIXIT PRO TECH TOOLKIT

Fix your stuff. The iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit comes with (almost) everything you need to repair your electronic devices.

MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR

For most people the opportunity to fly a plane will never be a reality, but with Microsoft’s Flight Simulator, you can get close. Fly over the world and do your best to scratch your pandemic-induced travel itch.

LETTERS TO THE FUTURE NOTEBOOK

Write letters to your future self. This notebook comes with perforated pages and twelve envelopes, so you can tear your letter out and save it for later. This is a limited edition release from Baron Fig, so once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.

BLACKWING 602 PENCILS

The perfect pencil makes the perfect stocking stuffer. With the Blackwing 602, Palomar promises β€œHalf the Pressure, Twice the Speed.” After using these pencils, you will never look back.