paperturn

After several months or several weeks (whatever) of using the reMarkable Paper Pro, I've switched back to a paper notebook, a Baron Fig Confidant Plus with Pigma Graphic pen. Haven't fallen out of love with the rMPro – it's a brilliant, wonderful device that does pretty much everything I ask it to do; no, I simply missed the feeling of pen to paper (god I love the Pigma Graphic pens - similar to the Flairs but without that sharp angle that digs into my finger because of my weird-ass way of holding a writing implement) and the ease of turning physical pages: indeed, the only thing the rMPro does poorly is replicate a page turn: too slow, too unsatisfying to be anything more than a novelty. Other than that, progress continues – though it did take me a bit to figure out what needed my moderately awake brain this morning before the descent into the standard postprandial stupor that awaits.

New iPad Mini (the 7) arrived yesterday and I've already forgotten the M1 iPad Pro I've been using for the last several years. While the downshift in size isn't without its limitations (it'll take a bit to get used to using TouchID again), none of them are dealbreakers because a.) I hate drawing on the iPad and b.) all I really wanted out of the thing was a battery that didn't need recharging four times a day; so far, that latter qualification's been met. Always did prefer the size of the Mini to its larger brethren (if I want to hold a monitor, I'll use a laptop) anyhow. I'll eventually figure out another (plugged in) use for the Pro – though for now it's relgated the archive bin of tech past.

reMarkable Paper Pro just arrived. Setup took less than five minutes, especially since I don’t use their Connect service. First impression: small enhancements that make a big difference. Not sure how I feel about the new Marker tips, but I’ll give them a chance. Paper feel is light years better than the rm2 (which was already excellent), and being able to see highlights in color is wonderful. Its paces, they begin.

Realizing only now that all of my building and construction projects these last several weeks have been my way of spending time with my grandfather, connecting: when I use his sawhorses, his vices, his saws, it’s like he’s helping me again, as he did for all of the 42 years, two months, and 26 days we had together. I miss him terribly.

m3 paintshop reorientation, ctd

Large monitor, gone; rising desk, gone; Kinesis keyboard, gone. All that's left is the M3 laptop, the Logitech Ergo trackball, and the Stream Deck – resting, as it should, atop a 1966 red Batman Bat-phone. Picked up one of those $100 Arzopa portable monitors though I've yet to figure out a problem which it solves – though I’m experimenting with using my iPad as a second (third?) monitor, with the M3 as the center focus. Goal here is that this space feels as little like an office as humanly possible, a feeling which I'm hoping to translate over to NuShed once it arrives and I begin the process of transforming it into my maker/writerspace. I once dreamt of owning a shed in Monte Carlo: halfway there – though I've little interest in Monte Carlo at this point, so I guess you could say I've reached the practical dream.

M3 morning one

First morning with the M3 Air being one of experimentation, of figuring our way around each other, of making do with improvised risers (have an actual laptop stand coming later today), and adapting previous processes to this new tool: it's been a most welcome change. 15" M3 screen so good I don't miss the 20"-loss from the 34" I was using with the Mini – though Obsidian canvi are a tad unwieldy on the smaller screen (but the focus of going back to single documents has been grand). Only thing I do miss, rather terribly, is the Elgato Stream Deck, but I'll eventually get that hooked back up. Maybe that could be today's job; remembering all those custom Obsidian hot keys has been… challenging. Kinesis Freestyle 2 Blue keyboard and Logitech Ergo M575 trackball integrated flawlessly (though it'll be nice to spread the Kinesis out a bit more with the dedicated laptop stand).

mactest

Bit of a test post, first post written on the M3 Macbook Air, 15" and jesusfuck this screen is beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, it's more than enough space than I need to work with (think my biggest laptop screen was 12", maybe), and I've taken out the external monitor and am giving going solely with the Air a go. Pre-NuShed trials. Decided that it'll be my studio / makerspace: I haven't gotten to to go anywhere for work in 15 years so I might as well shuffle across the backyard and give it a go. Oh, I do like this thing – though I’ve got to set up my invaluable Elgato Stream Deck again. Small price.

Day two of giving the reMarkable 2 another go: seems that the latency issue which caused me to switch back to paper NBs is gone (probably just crap from my hand that I couldn't see and I, as is my way, made a mountain out of a hillmole) but the main reason is that my hands hurt all the time now and I've found that the digital Lamy Safari + rM2 is (literally) less painful for me to use, a pleasant textural mix of fountain pen and Papermate Flair in digital form. Kinda nice to (again) include a PDF of the page in my Obsidian Daily notes without need for duplicates and rewriting; makes the daily notes significantly more useful.

After years of experimenting with writing implements – from the cheapest of the cheap to the most iconic fountain pens to digital notebooks – I've returned (for now) to the plastic embrace of my old standby warhorse, the Papermate Flair: it's nice to come home.

My inability to put into words just how much I loathe this iPhone 14 Pro is as vexing as Wi-Fi connectivity seems to be to it. I want to hurl it through a window – a very high window. Fuck this thing.