Sticking With Tile After Trying Trackr

August 16, 2018
by Collin
Apps / Tools

I’ve used Tile trackers since they first came out on my keys, wallet, backpack — anything I didn’t want to lose. They’ve always worked well enough, but they were a little big, and I didn’t love that the batteries weren’t replaceable. For those reasons, I decided to give Trackr a shot. It’s way smaller and runs on a watch battery. Those are the good parts. The bad part is, it didn’t work.

Yesterday I spent 15 minutes tearing apart my house looking for my keys because I could see in iOS settings the Trackr device was connected to bluetooth, it took that long to recognize it in the app. And this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. If the app can’t reliably detect when the device is connected — an issue I’ve never had with Tile — and trigger it to ring, it’s functionally useless to me.

I ordered a Tile Sport for my keys and will deal with the larger size and non-replaceable battery.

August 13, 2018
by Collin
Opinion

Set up Tweet Delete to automatically delete anything I post to Twitter after 30 days. Maybe I’ll be sad someday not to be able to look back on what I was saying in 2009, but the direction I’m going is to post to places I control first, so maybe not.

August 8, 2018
by Collin
Opinion

My living room basically looks like an Apple ad now, but stereo HomePods really do sound pretty good (as they should for $700).

August 5, 2018
by Collin
Opinion

Went and used the automatic car wash today and picked up a little friend on the way home. Brown Bear Car Wash was pretty affordable and good for an automatic.

July 27, 2018
by Collin
Opinion

Just finished my first Peloton ride at my new house. Feels good to get my fitness and exercise rings closed by 11am.

July 23, 2018
by Collin
Opinion

Third-party mail apps like Airmail look appealing, but I always end up going back to Apple Mail within a short time. I don’t know if it’s a comfort thing, and I’d eventually feel at home, but nothing else has ever stuck.

July 19, 2018
by Collin
Other

Sitting around working while I wait for fiber to get installed at my new place, which is clearly the most important part of moving. If anyone has a recommendation for a good router that works with CenturyLink fiber, let me know.

July 17, 2018
by Collin
Opinion

Having used Perforce for several months at my previous job, I am thrilled to be back on Git. Also, Git Tower is a treasure. I happily signed up for their subscription as soon as the version came out.

The Guest House

July 13, 2018
by Collin
Mindfulness

This poem by Rumi was sent to me by one of my meditation teachers, and I liked it so much I wanted to share it.

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning is a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all.
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

What I take from this is that you shouldn’t judge our feelings or label them good or bad, but instead try to live with, experience, and understand them. If you remain gentle with yourself and really internalize that you are not your feelings, you stop getting swept up and inhabiting whatever emotional weather is passing you by.

July 13, 2018
by Collin
Opinion

The August Smart Lock Pro and Keypad I ordered for my new place showed up this morning. Pretty excited to live in a place that’s a little more smart home conducive than a new apartment building.