TL;DR. If you are looking for a small, light, fast drying towel to use while backpacking or traveling, I recommend the PackTowel Ultralight which now seems to be discontinued. I found I can effectively dry my body with a 25″x35″ towel, but the body size lets me wrap the towel around my waist or be worn like a shawl which can be useful.
While in Japan, I visited Hiker’s Depot a wonderful store dedicated to ultralight backpacking. I purchased a “quick dry”, packable towel which was very fuzzy and felt nice against the skin on one side, with an open waffle pattern on the other side which looked like it might enable rapid drying and also make a cozy scarf. My wife tried the towel after using an onsen. I strapped the towel to the back of my pack. It seemed to dry in less than 30 minutes while we were drinking tea. Excellent I thought, maybe it’s time to retired the PackTowel Ultralight I have used for the last 10 years. Or maybe not…
When I got home I compared four towels. The terrycloth bath towel that lives in our bathroom, a Turkish towel that lives in our car for emergencies, a Packtowel “Ultralight”, and my new towel.
The test was simple using a real world scenario: drying my body after a shower and then hanging the towel inside, no sun, 60F, 60% humidity. The method was
Weight towel
Take shower
Dry off with the towel
weight the towel
hang it up
reweight every 30 minutes until it reaches original weight
I did this measurement for each towel four times, taking back to back showers so the conditions were similar for all the towels and rotating the order of which towel was used first. Each towel was consistent with itself on the four cycles so I didn’t feel the need to collect additional data.
Towel
Drying Time
Weight Gain (gm)
New Towel
2.5 hours
20
PackTowel Ultralight
3 hours
33
Turkish
5 hours
40
Terrycloth
20 hours
49
Towels drop between 1-7 grams / 30 minutes, mostly between 3-5 grams / 30 minutes.
Something I immediately noticed was the time to dry was related to the amount of water that was absorbed. I was reminded of By The Numbers: Testing the Performance of Mountain Hardwear AirMesh Garments – Backpacking Light which was doubly appropriate because not only did this report cover drying time, but the fabric that triggered the investigate was Teijin octa, which is the fabric in my new towel.
Subjective Experience
The Teijin octa towel got me functionally dry, but I didn’t feel 100% dry.
I felt dry after using the pack towel but the drying process required more care than the heavier towels.
The Turkish towel was easy to use but felt rough against the skin.
The Terry towel was the easiest to use – you could just wrap yourself and wait a couple of minutes and been nearly dried. It felt the best, and apparently got me slightly drier than all the other towels.
Analysis/Conclusions
While Teijin octa has a number of nice properties, it’s not ideal as a towel. It seemed to absorb less water, and took longer to dry when considering how much water it absorbed
The PackTowel untralight is 1/3 the weight of the Turkish towel, making it the more absorbent towel / weight. From other times I also found it was the least painful to use when I had a bad sunburn.
The Turkish towel certainly dries faster than a traditional terry towel. The added durability compared to the Pack Towel makes a Turkish towel more appropriate for these multiple use cases but with a substantial weight penalty
Thick terry cloth towel dried significantly more slowly that the thin towels, even when controlling for the amount of water absorbed. It seems like it sucks the water deep into the material and then is slow to release it. There is a good reason nice hotels often have heated towel racks.
A towel is the most important item a Hitchhiker can carry. Ford Prefect and his fellow hitchhiker and friend Roosta both emphasise the importance of towels throughout Hitchhiker’s and are both known to carry one with them at all times. Although towels are repeatedly mentioned in every version of Hitchhiker’s, they are only seen visually in the television series and 2005 film
I would like to produce images which inspire to help others see the world in new ways like Ansel Adams, Mary Ellen Mark, Sebastiao Salgado (Salgado@NYT), Steve McCurry. Peter Turnley, David Turnley or Galen Rowell. After many years I realized I am more of a “snapshot” taker. While less aspirational, taking good snapshots is still valuable. I can capture images which trigger memories and/or invite people into a sight they missed. Typically snapshots aren’t planned, rather they pop up. Often you only get one chance of capturing them. This means that you want the camera with you always (small and light so you are willing to carry it), a fast and accurate focus, and good low light performance. Surprisingly, the modern cell phone works pretty well to capture these sorts of images thanks to improvements in sensors and the advent of computational photography.
Updating this post was triggered by deciding I want to use a “real” camera. The initial trigger was missing a number of pictures due to delays of unlocking my phone and my inability to control exposure / fill flash. I also believe using a more traditional camera will help me stay in the moment. I think I will also be more fun. I am writing down what I want to optimize for to clarify my thinking. This page also has an updated set of bookmarks I made between 2000-2016 and ends with a bit of my photography journey.
What I am Using Today
Updated: December 2024
I am once again trying to use just a cell phone. I have been pleasantly surprised by the image quality from the iPhone 16 Pro. The camera button allows me to quickly unlock and take pictures. The 5x optical zoom seems adequate for most of my needs.
After a year I concluded the image quality of the Panasonic LX100 II wasn’t sufficiently better than my phone’s camera to justify the added weight and size of the camera. Using a dedicated camera did help me be a bit more mindful, but not enough for me to be carrying it all the time. I spent some time with a friend who carried a Leica M10 everywhere. When we reviewed pictures we took at the same time I deleted 90% of my pictures and made copies of his. They were so much better… but I am not prepared to spend that sort of money, nor be that focused on photography.
If I decided to put more effort into photography again, I will give up on finding the most compact camera, and select a camera with interchangeable lens that has superior performance / image quality. These days I think this would be Leica Mx, Fuji X-series, or Sony.
Seeking a Compact Low Light Camera (2022)
For several years the only camera I have used was the camera on my phone. It has produced respectable image quality which is conveniently geotagged which increases it power as a memory aid. While fairly effective, I still miss having a “real” camera. The failings of a camera phone are:
Wildlife and sports subjects where a fast, long telephoto lens is needed. I rarely am taking these sorts of pictures. When I plan to do this I just rent a camera and lens.
Challenging lighting situations like heavy backlighting. I have found the flash on the iPhone is often inadequate for “fill”, the native app doesn’t have decent controls, and third party apps are hard to use.
Taking pictures quickly, especially when I am in bright sunlight. A screen based user interface rather than knobs is slow and the screen is virtually unreadable which means I am often “shooting blind”.
It’s time to purchase a camera which is smallish and light but also versatile and effective. If you search the internet you will find countless queries such as what’s the best camera for a world trip. I identified the following as cameras that would make sense for me:
Panasonic LX100 II: Felt notably smaller / lighter than other options, even though it has a zoom and compared to cameras with pancake style fixed lens. 49 contrast focus zones which was surprisingly speedy and accurate. Downside is that the sensor and lens are just ok, sensor is only really good to ISO 1600. Product Guide.
Fuji X100V: a beautiful camera with great ergonomics. Wonderful viewfinder. Great image quality to ISO 3200, very good to 6400 and beyond. Great, Fixed 35/2 lens strength and limitation. Built in flash. Downside is no image stabilization and virtually impossible to find due to supply issues and influencers who have made it a badge of honor.
Panasonic GX9 + a small prime lens. Small but tiltable viewfinder. Built in flash. In body Image stabilization which can be combined with OIS lens. Clean at ISO 1600, decent at 3200 though dynamic range suffers. 49 contrast focus zones. The Olympus OM E-M10 Mk IV and E-M5 Mk III would be heavier/larger but more performant options. All would allow me to mount longer lens when needed.
It’s difficult to purchase any of these cameras due to supply chain issues. I had hoped I could pick one of them up in Japan, but none of the stores had them in stock either. Shortly after writing this post I found a new Panasonic LX100 II and a Panasonic GX9 with a small pancake lens for sale. After less than a day I decided to keep the LX100 and return the GX9. The LX100 was noticeably smaller/lighter, had faster less error prone focus, with what seemed to have the same image quality.
Rejected
Sony a6600, Fuji X-T30, Fuji X-E4 + prime lens: Wonderful low light performance. Good focus performance. Downside no flash or image stabilization. The Fuji X-T5 does have IBIS. Larger and heavier than desire when factoring in lens.
DSLR style Micro Four Third camera. Larger than desired, rather go with Fuji X-T5 for low light performance in the image quality.
Sony RX100: Tiny. Super fast focus. Wide zoom range. Nice built in flash. Up to ISO 600 image quality (to my eyes) is in the same league as any camera, but above ISO 800 image quality starts to suffer. Honestly, the picture from my iPhone or a modern Android phone look better. The Canon G5 Mk II is cheaper, not quite as good option.
Ricoh GR III: a classic “street shooter”. Very fast usage. The lack of a viewfinder, flash, and and noise above around ISO 1000 is a fail for my needs.
Leica D-Lux 7 an expensive sibling to the LX100 II. Why pay the extra money for the same performance.
Leica Q2 – crazy expensive, larger / heavier
Sony RX1R1 – fairly expensive, larger / heavier than alternatives
Around the time I moved to California (1992) I made a real effort to improve as a photography. I really benefits from PhilG’s photo.net site. My Leica was stolen. I picked up a Nikon SLR because I couldn’t bring myself to spend the money on a new Leica. After several years of using an SLR I found that I missed the rangefinder experience so I picked up a used Minolta CL. In 2002 I switched to all digital when my favorite E6 lab closed. At that time I was delighted by Domke bags, Gitzo legs, Arca Swiss ballheads, and mount brackets from Really Right Stuff. I observed that using a tripod is likely to be one of the very best ways to improve image quality and allow you to take images in low light. I will admit I often didn’t follow my own advise. With the advent of image stabilization, tripods aren’t as necessary as they used to be.
Around 2005 I made some acquaintances who are really good photographers. We would be in the same place and they would captures images that amazed me, things that I completely missed. Their images helped me see the world in a new and different way. I aspire to see the world as they do, but so far I have not been able to cultivate that sort of vision.
Around 2010 I concluded that I could take a good snapshot which captures a moment, but not a picture which would change the way people see the world. As I had this realization I lost my willingness to lug my DSLR + pro lens everywhere and mostly carrying a “pocket camera”. The number of pictures I took started to drop off and I didn’t have pictures of things I wanted to remember. I realized that my “pocket camera” wasn’t really up to the task. I tried to find a camera which was good enough for available light photography which was light enough that I was willing to carry it. I tried use the first generation of the Micro Four Thirds which was ok and a Fuji X mirrorless line which I like quite a bit.
After I lost my wife my photography slowed down and I found that I wasn’t willing to even carry a Fuji X100. I gave my micro four third camera gear to a friend whose camera had been stolen and eventually ebayed my Fuji cameras. I downsided to a Sony RX100, and then with the improvements from computational photography to just using the camera on my iPhone 12 mini.
Calendar Project
I have found pictures really help my ability to recall events. My goal to to take pictures every day, and at every significant event. Each day I will select a picture which best charactered the day and place it in a yearly calendar.
In have an updated list which captures what I am using now.
I strive for simplicity using items that enable a healthy, impactful life, while removing unnecessary friction and decisions. Additional thoughts in my packing light post. The following is a complete list of everything I own. Making this list was inspired by zenhabit’s one bag lifestyle and Tynan’s Gear posts. I have a list of items shared by our family. Please do not allow your possessions to become the basis of your self-worth, security or well being.
Change in 2023: improved sun protection, added items for walking the Camino, moved more items into storage as we travel seeking our next “home base”. My “working set” fits in a 23l daypack. The extra items which get swapped in as we change conditions / locations are stored in a 26l daypack. My long term storage is a 75l Ikea duffel which holds clothing I have archived for this season of life, and a 75l box holding backpacking and camping gear. Minor updates in June 2023. A variant of this in a retro posted on reddit.
Items in bold are exceptionally great. I happily use items marked with “*” but I would not automatically replace them. If I was a “true minimalist” I would get rid of them. The (year) is when the item became a standard part of my life, /year indicates when I re-purchased.
On My Person
Flexon Frames (1995/2020) with high index progressive lens (1995/2023). Eyeglasses are an incredible blessing. I used to break frames within a year until I tried Flexon frames in 1995. They last an average of 8 years with lens being changed each year due to prescription changes. I typically have one pair of frames with clear lens, and one pair that are prescription sunglasses. After several disappointments over the last 45 years, I decided to give photo chromatic lens one more try. Transitions XtrActive Polarized go from almost clear and unpolarized to 90% light blockage which is polarized. They actually work!! Now I don’t need to carry sunglasses.
N95/KT94 Masks (2021/2023) I like the BOTN KT94 and the classic 3M N95 but they are sometimes hard to acquire. For other good options see Masknerd reviews. KT94/N95/etc properly worn provide significant more protection than cloth or the basic surgical masks.
Victorinox Swiss Army Rambler (1999/2015) is the smallest, usable tool I have found with a blade, phillips head & flat screwdriver, scissors, bottle opener, and nail file. There are variants with a small pen or LED which replace toothpick/tweezer. I am on my 3rd Rambler after losing a couple to TSA. When flying and no companion that is checking a bag I swap my Rambler for a Swiss+Tech Utili-Key (2002/2023) which has made it through TSA checkpoints over 100 times without being confiscated, but isn’t as usable as a Rambler pocket knife. On third Utili-Key due to losing them. I have some notes about other knives.
Flowfold Minimalist Wallet (2012) a tiny wallet which holds my IDs, 1-2 credit cards, 1 debit card, a few bills, and a Chipolo Card Spot (2023) which is tied into Apple’s “Find My Item” network. I historically used a BarclayUS card that has no annual fees or foreign transition charges, but few other benefits and a wonky anti fraud system that often required me to approve purchases via SMS. This year we added a Chase Sapphire Reserve card because the benefits we receive are worth more than the annual fee given the travel we are doing in this season of life. Really appreciate that the point can be transferred to the frequent flying programs we use, and like the access to airport lounges.
Apple iPhone 12 Mini (2020) on T-Mobile (2022). The iPhone mini is the smallest full feature phone on the market. I wish the mini was a bit smaller because my thumb can’t reach the upper right corner. Can someone please make a phone the size of the original SE with a 4″ high resolution screen? How about it Apple or Unihertz? Ease of sharing (AirDrop, iMessage. iCloud) with family and friends keeps me in the Apple eco-system. I am tempted by Android’s superior speech recognition, notifications, and open platform. I switched from Verizon which has good coverage in the US but crazy pricing for international use to T-Mobile which has great pricing if you do international travel, but mediocre coverage in USA. While using T-Mobile internationally is convenient, I am tempted to use a local SIM which is typically cheaper when using more than 5gb of data/month, and is often faster because T-Mobile seems to partner with the second place carrier in many markets. Airalo and Gigsky make it easy to acquire an eSIM for wireless data while traveling internationally but I haven’t need this since switching to T-Mobile. I would consider switching to whatever carrier offered satellite coverage at a reasonable cost.
Apple AirPod Pros (2021/2023) are nicely integrated with the Apple eco-system and just work. Bluetooth connects reasonably quickly, is reliable, and switches between my phone and laptop mostly automatically. Noise reduction is “ok”, and the “ambient mode” provides adequate situational awareness. Downside is battery isn’t swappable when it wears out, though there is a company that claims to refurbish AirPods. I have written about other headphones. Upgraded from v1 to v2 when the original case fell out of my pocket while biking. v2 volume control is a nice addition and the case now can be found using Apple’s “Find My” app.
Garmin 955 Watch (2022) accurately tracks my activities and measures my fitness level. Has decent integration with smartphones and notifies me when I have left the paired phone behind. I find the data I get from Garmin to be higher quality than most other wrist worn sensors I have tried, being close to medical grade instruments when paired with a HRM and a power meter. Better battery life than iWatch and physical buttons which work with sweaty fingers. There are other good sport watches. A gift from Jackie to replace my Garmin 935 whose battery had degraded after 5 years of use.
Daily Life
MacBook 12″ from 2017 (2023) – picture is a 14″ MBP. I purchased the 12″ MacBook used with a replaced battery. It’s the last ultra portable Apple made. It can feel sluggish, but thanks to 16gb of memory the dual core cpu is generally adequate. I wanted a device which was less than 2lb, decent keyboard, and would let me complete the tasks I do daily with a minimum amount of friction. I have tried a number of options. Tablets with keyboards have too much friction when I switch between windows/apps while integrating information. The Chromebook I used for a year was ok, but none are lighter than a MacBook and are missing some Apps. Tiny PCs like the GPD Pocket 3 have keyboard and screens which are too small for me to be productive. There are some amazingly light x86 laptops such as the 1.4lb Fujitsu Lifebook UH-X and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano which would give me a much more performant laptop than a 2017 MacBook, but several of my apps aren’t available under Linux (Lightroom Classic & Bear), and I don’t like Windows due to the fragility / pain of patching and upgrading the OS. In the past I found maintaining a Hackintosh too fiddly. Maybe in the future running Linux with macOS in a VM is worth a try. For now Jackie and I are using a slow, 6 year old laptop, and are content. My 14″ MBP (2022) has been left running in a safe location and accessed remotely via Tailscale when I need more computational power and/or I can spin up AWS instances.
Zojirushi Double Walled Mug 16oz (2013/2017) can easily be used one handed, locks, pours at the perfect speed, the mouth is wide enough for ice cubes, and insulates better than every other mug I have tested. When air temp is ~80F and the mug is exposed to the sun, 6 small ice cubes in cool water have just finished melting in around 3 hours – water temp is 35F. In 68F conditions ice lasts most of the day. I have a Deep Cherry color mug which I picked up after misplacing my silver mug at work. The color make it easy to spot when searching for it. In many countries you you can fill mug with ice (no water) and get through airport security. Once through, add water and you can have icy cold water for your flight. While 16oz is how much water I often want, I prefer the physical size of my wife’s 12oz mug. Sometimes swapped for a couple of reused “disposal” bottles or one of the Platypus water bladders in our camping gear if I need to carry a lot of water.
6 Foot Tape Measure (2023) I often need to measure things. Replaced a retractable fabric tape measure that broke.
Newvanga Sleep Mask (2021) helps me get longer / better sleep because it stops external light from disturbing me. More durable that the Bucky I used to use.
Nicore NU20 headlamp (2016) Very light-weight (29grams), especially when the headband is replaced with shock cords. Adequate regulation on medium and low settings. When closed the power button to covered preventing accidentally turning it on. Use when I need hands free light: repairs, backpacking, running in the dark, and it has been used when I forgot to recharge my bike light. Lit our kitchen during a power outage by bouncing light off ceiling. Can be powered from a remote USB power bank making it useful in extreme cold. I was using a NU25 which I left in Costa Rica as a gift. The NU21 seems the closest product now made. There are many other good flashlights.
Panasonic LX100 II Camera (2023) Gives me control which I couldn’t find with photo apps on my phone and I don’t have to fight with my phone’s “unlock” to take a picture. Has a one generation back micro 4/3s sensor which works better in low light than 1″ sensors like the Sony RX100 or the even smaller sensors in phones. Reasonably compact weighting in at around 400grams. Viewfinder so it can be easily used in bright light. A decent quality small zoom lens. Analog controls which remind me of classic rangefinders. Used primarily for street and portrait photography, particularly in challenging light conditions often using a fill flash which cell phones still haven’t mastered. I found that the camera on modern cell phones are just as good for day time landscapes. Pictures of wildlife need a much longer lens, say 300-600mm 35mm equivalent. Notes about cameras / photography.
Etymotic HF3 (2013/2023). Great sound isolation, Apple friendly volume stop/start button, and mic. Provides me with around 40db of noise reduction which is better than any consumer grade active noise cancelling headphones I have tried. Also gives better audio quality on phone calls than BlueTooth earbuds. I have a lightning and airplane double jack adaptors. I thought the double jacks would be phased out, but this year I flew on several new 777 which still had these plugs?! Was cheaper to purchase than to re-shell my Westone 5ES IEM which no longer sealed well.
“Tech Kit” items are stored in a small litesmith zipza pouch (2023) which is the perfect size, mostly waterproof, light, and a different texture than anything else in my bag so easy to find by touch. Picture is a muji pouch I previously used
Nitecore 10000 Gen2 (2023) power bank with USB-A&C out. Lightest and most compact 10k battery I have found. Enough power to very slowly charge my MacBook or mostly power the MacBook while charging my iPhone. Supports pass through charging so I can charge this battery while my MacBook is plugged into the charger. Replaced a RAVpower 10K which was a bit to chunky to carry comfortably in my pocket. Spreadsheet of many power bank options.
Anker 523 (2023) Dual USB-C, 47w. Single port 45w, using both ports 27w top, 20w bottom. Can charge my MacBook at near maximum speed when it’s the only device plugged in. Over night can charge fully depleted iPhone, Nitecore 10k, and MacBookwith power flowing through the 10k. It’s fairly compact making it less likely to slip out of loose outlets. Replaced a Sharge 3-power USB charger (2020) which my wife is using. I recommend the Anker 735 for people who need 65w and/or 3 jacks.
Cables: Apple 4ft USB-C to Lightning, Generic 4ft and 2 6″ USB-C cables
Adaptor tips from USB-C to (A, micro, Lighting, Garmin), and USB-C to A converter.
Garmin HRM-Pro not shown (2021) get higher accuracy during interval training than built in optical sensor on smart watches and works when swimming. Can record data without the watch being connected, but I don’t generally use that feature. Also provides running power which has been somewhat useful. Supports ANT+ and Bluetooth.
o2Trainer – not shown (2022) Working on improving my breathing. Not used enough to have an opinion.
Small combination lock (2012) for use at the gym.
Bags & Travel Accessories
Gossamer Gear Vagabond – my review (2022) a 23L day pack which is light weight, comfortable to carry, works well for EDC, and is large enough to hold everything I am using. The 46x27x15cm (18/10.75/5.75inches) filled with my gear is small enough to squish into every “personal item” sizer I have encountered and under the seat in front of me on every jet I have flown in with the exception of the aisle seat of of the AirBus 350-900 used by French Bee (maybe other AB350s) which has a bar to secure the seats right in the middle of the space. Thankfully, there was plenty of overheat space. A Tom Bihn 1” padded waist strap allows a reasonable amount of weight transfer for me (works better than the GG fast belt). While access is not as easy as a clamshell style bag, I have no problem retrieving items by feel because my clothing and organizing sacks have different textures. Stands up on its bottom making access on the go pretty easy. Replaced a Tom Bihn Synik 30l because I needed less volume and wanted a pack which was more comfortable when carried for multiple hours. I am using the Trail model. The Jet looks even nicer but I don’t have a compelling reason to upgrade. I have a list of other traveling packs that could be a good alternative.
NiteIze RunOff Waterproof Pocket* (2023) is extremely useful when spending time on a beach when there was no one to watch my stuff while swimming. Large enough to hold my wallet, cellphone, keys, and passport, but not so larger than it interfered with swimming. I tucked it under my suit’s waistband on my back. When transiting International flights I would use it as a tiny sling across my chest to hold travel documents, my wallet, and phone. I have used it under clothing as a security wallet when in high crime areas. After around 200 zip/unzip cycles the it stopped sealing and was retired. A Loksac elements proof bag is smaller, cheaper, can operate phone but less durable and has no “strap” option.
PackTowel Ultralight Body Size (2009) Dries in less than 3 hours after I dry myself when hanging indoors, faster in sun, is compact, weights just 3oz. Large enough that I can wrap it around my waist like a small sarong. I found the face size sufficient for me to dry my body, but I am willing to carry a larger towel for the added versatility and ease of use. There are other travel towels.
Mogics Adapter MA1 (2023) is the smallest and lighter power adaptor I have found. For type E remember to unscrew and extended the type C prongs. I wonder about its durability but it’s been ok so far. My previous adaptor, a Micro International power adapter (2018) is being used by my wife.
Sea to Summit Clothing Line* (2022) Has beads to tighten around clothing which removes the need for clothing pins. I prefer braided rubber cloth line which was retired years ago. I retired it after doing the Camino. Just don’t need it.
Decathalon Packable 15L Courier Bag – not shown (2023) Used around town and sometimes to hold items I will use on the flight if I put my pack in the overhead compartment. Seems to be a very inexpensive clone of the long discontinued Patagonia Packable Courier Bag which I used for 10 years.
Coin Purse – not shown (2023) Used instead of my wallet in locations that still frequently use coins (TW, Japan, Costa Rica, EU, etc)
Tom Bihn Smart Alec – not shown (2022) durable top loading day pack. Stands up by itself and is easily accessible through the top zippered opening without spilling. Large enough to carry two folding chairs and food for a picnic. Functions as my “office” storage. In this season of life is holding my “extra” stuff. When at home or at destination we drove to placed wherever I am doing “work”. When we flight to a destination left in the trunk of our car holding whatever items I am not taking.
Bathroom
REI Micro Shower Bag (2017) is the perfect size for my toiletry kit and make it easy for me to find everything quickly. Inside pocket holds a few doses of nyquil and benadryl. Main area has: lip balm, toothpaste, a micro fiber cleaning / storage bag for my glasses, a small HumanGear GoTubb to store aleve, and the bathroom items listed below. Outside pocket holds first aid kit which includes band-aids, single use benzoin tincture, compeed blister pads, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic cream, superglue, a couple of safety pins. This bag is discontinued… the GOX Organizer looks to be similar.
Matador Flatpack Soap Case (2020) to carry a 100senses body bar (2019/2023) which takes care of all my cleaning needs without drying out my sensitive skin or making my hair feel like straw. One bar lasts around six months. There are better shaving creams and detergents to wash clothing, but it’s been good enough and simplifies life for me. The Flatpak lets the soap dry out better than a ziplock bag, but it’s far from magical. Downside is that it doesn’t work very well as a case while showering.
Gillette Power Mach-3 Razor (1999) and blades (1999/2021) Using as a manual handle since vibration stopped working. Use around 11 blades / year. Costco often sells large packs of the blades
PaRaDa Nail clipper (2014) are large and heavy but effective and the trimmings catcher is brilliant. Will likely replace someday with something lighter and more compact.
Reach (rebranded Listerine Woven / Ultraclean) Floss (1996/2022) is the most effective dental floss I have used. Gentle to the gums while still getting plague and food wedged between teeth out. I believe it has been discontinued but still possible to find stock. My dentist has recommended coco floss as a good replacement though it’s more than twice as expensive.
Oral-B/Braun 6000 Electric toothbrush (2016) and USB powered charger. A recent meta analysis concluded that the rotational approach of Oral-B is likely superior to approach of Sonicare, but both are significantly more effective than manual brushing and the electric toothbrushes like my Violife which relies on a brushing motion.
Crystal Deodorant – not shown (2023) Simple Potassium Alum crystals. Years ago I ran an experiment and discovered if I showered regularly, no one could tell that I didn’t use deoderant. I suppose I have lower BO than some people. After >10 years I gave this deodorant a try after reading about them on /r/onebag. I notice that my shirts go a day or more longer before they pick up body odor. Carrying a 1.5 oz stick which seems like it will last for more than a year seems like a good trade-off. It’s best to apply right after a shower since it needs to be wet and works best on clean skin. It’s not an anti-perspirant and doesn’t cover up existing odor. Rather it produces it environment that is hostile to the odor creating bacteria.
I acquire sunscreen wherever I am. I try to select SPF >=50, considered very low risk for health, and reef safe when near the ocean. The sun screens in EU are way better than in the US because the FDA hasn’t approve some of the newer options. Such a shame since they are reportedly are safe, feel better on the skin, and often don’t leave you looking like a ghost. If the trip is short and I don’t have any sun screen from the EU left I will bring a Neutrogena Mineral stick. Around town where I don’t need to worry about form factor or TSA I will see what the top rated sun screen that is liked by both consumerlab and ewg.
Core Clothing
I have notes about selecting clothing for an active life which goes in detail about how I select clothing for a wide range of activities and conditions. These are the clothing I take on almost all trips and use in my daily life at home. Some people achieve simplicity by having many pairs of the same clothing item which the rotate through. My approach is to have at most three, and run small loads of wash when they get dirty. I keep a log tracking each item’s longevity. Number of days was determined by asking others who would be honest with me if the clothing still looked good / had no odor after airing out overnight.
Western Rise Unlimited Button Down (2022) Blue Merino / Polyester blend button down shirt. My wife tells me it also looks like it was just ironed as it comes out of the my pack. Reported to be UPF 40. Fairly air permeable, resists odor, comfortable in a wide range of conditions. Dries quickly enough to hand wash at night and be ready to be worn the next morning. Can wear at least 4 days without any odor.
Icebreaker Anatomica Tee-shirt (2014/2021) merino wool with a bit of nylon for durability and a bit of lycra for a body hugging fit. This tee-shirt fits me perfectly, is super comfortable, doesn’t smell after many days of wear, dries fairly quickly, and my wife likes how the shirt looks on me. UPF between 15-30? I get around 500 days of wear before an Anatomica Tee looks tired, and 600 days before the first small holes appear which is 2-3x longer than the original Anatomica which was 100% merino. I think Icebreaker makes the best merino tees, but there are a number of other good options from Smartwool, Outlier, and Wool&Prince. While I love merino wool, there are advantages to synthetic technical-tees: synthetics work better when I am heavily sweating, dry more quickly and are more cost effective because they tend to be cheaper and longer lasting.
Arcteryx Cormac Hoodie (2023) A casual UPF 50 shirt. Slightly calendared which I find reasonably comfortable when I am hot and sweaty. When using a crystal deodorant resists odor for 3+ days of normal activities, 2 day of vigorous activity. Provides full sun protection. Resists stains pretty well so spills generally clean with a quick rinse, but after 130 days of continuous use (mostly hand washing) there were stains which won’t come out even after being machine washed a few times on heavy duty. Thankfully light stains on the white heather aren’t as noticeable as pure white shirts. I found this shirt dries in less than 3 hours after being squeezed, rolled in a towel and hung in a cool indoor room with modest ventilation. When hung in bright sunlight on a warm day dries in less than 1 hour. Also dries in less than 1.5 hours when I am wearing it in moderate temperatures and humidity. This is now my default shirt.
De Soto Mobius Tri Shorts (2018/2021) works well cycling, running, and swimming. They are comfortable for all the activities I engage in when the temperature is above freezing. They have reduced issues with chafing, dry fairly quickly, and are reasonably comfortable when wet. They have side pockets large enough to hold some nutrition and my phone so I don’t need to use a special cycling jersey. I never need to think about what to wear for vigorous physical activities…. I just grab a pair of tri-shorts. I get around 1000 hours of use from each pair before the elastic no longer provides any compression. Never had a pair develop holes.
Outlier New Way Shorts (2014) are nice looking shorts which fit me perfectly, are durable, and resist stains. The first place I have noticed wear is mesh to drain the pockets develop holes. These shorts feel like they were tailored just for me. I can’t put into words how “right” they feel each time I put a pair on. The fabric is thick enough to prevent items in my pocket from really standing out. They are pricy but at the time that I purchased them, I hadn’t found any shorts that I liked as much. They can function as a swim suit but aren’t ideal for that use because they take 2x times to dry as some of my board shorts and wife observed “they don’t look like a proper swim suit.” Still wearing the first pair I purchased. Purchased some others (some at goodwill!) which are in my cache.
Western Rise Evolution V1 Pants (2020/2022) Slightly stretchy nylon pants that are a cross between jeans and chinos which can dry overnight when hanging in the bathroom. The most comfortable pants I have found in hot weather that have a “business casual” look. I found their fit to be “snug” fitting rather than the nearly tailored fit of the Outlier Slim Dungarees. After around 300 days of wear they are a stretched and the color fades slight but otherwise are still in reasonable shape. I love my first pair of these pants, I am not as happy with later pairs. Sizing is not consistent, customer service is poor, and others have reported issues with stitching. Version 2 of Evolution are a bit more tight fitting and stretch more.There have been a few times these pants got completely soaked in the rain. I survival but it was uncomfortable. Bluffworks, Maker&Rider, Outlier, and Wool&Prince makes nice alternatives. Classic hiking pants like prAna Brion aren’t as refined looking but are cheaper. There are a number of good pants.
Icebreaker Anatomica Briefs (2014/2021) the most comfortable underwear I have worn. They dry quickly and resist odor. I get around 600 days of wear before the waist band deforms and small holes appear. Only downside is that they bunch up a bit in hot weather when carrying a backpack. Tommy John’s Air Briefs (2022) are really wedgy-proof and dry very quickly except for the waist band. In the past I found the synthetic briefs from Ex Offico were pretty good but have heard their quality has dropped. I tried Saxx a number of years ago, and didn’t think they were worth their high price. I have heard Uniqo Airism and Duluth Trading Buck Naked boxer briefs but no personal experience.
Xoskin Toe Socks – 2 pairs (2022) prevents blisters forming between my toes when walking or running for extended distances. I have worn one pair 30 days in a row doing 15-37 miles of hiking each day without blisters and had pre blisters that were forming before I started using the socks heal. They weren’t stinky after six days of continuous use (and not washing) while backpacking, though the are more prone to pick up odor after several hundred miles of use. They are significantly more durable than my previous merino toe socks. After 640 miles my first pair of socks got a hole from a toenail. I darned the sock and continue to wear it. Small holes between my hammer toes appeared at 700 miles but are not impacting it’s blister prevention At 1400 miles developed a large hole from my sandal’s toe strap. I have switched to primarily using a new pair, but on days that are less than 5 miles of walking I am still using them for sun protection when wearing sandals.
Luna Venado Sandals (2012/2022) I can walk 15-37 miles / day for a month on hard surfaces and my feet are still feel good. I love the feel of running almost barefoot and the tiny space they take when packed. They don’t make the slap sound some sandals do. They mold to your feet over time. Even after 1500 miles they have a bit of cushion though I have worn the sole through in at least one spot. I expect to replace them every 1300 miles or so. I have used them in the back country but the traction isn’t great. These have been my “shoes” in town unless social convention would have me wear closed toed shoes and have become my favorite track / street running footwear. Why is it women can were sandal and be considered dressed up and men have to wear closed toe shoes?
Inov-8 Trailfly G 270 (2022) Zero drop trail running shoe that is a good amount of cushion and a 12mm stack. Great fit for me: enough room for my toes to splay while gripping my heel perfectly. Used for backpacking or trail running when the terrain is too challenging for my Luna sandals or when I need to wear closed toe shoes. This model used to be called the TerraUltra G 270. I don’t have enough miles to determine if the graphene infused soles are any more durable than typical trail runners. So far they have been acceptable footwear in fairly snobbish establishments. I typically wear them whenever I am in transit because they are more bulky than my sandals.
Extra Clothing
There are some clothing that I take / use based on what the next leg of my journey will require. When not in use, they are stored in the trunk of our car.
Outlier Slim Dungarees – 2 pairs (2014/2019) High-tech nylon pants in the style of jeans. Gives me an almost tailored fit, looks great, good mobility and durability. Thanks to the NanoSphere treatment very stain and water resistant. They are perfect when it’s <75F and I am inactive, <55F when very active. When highly active in >70F the seam that runs along the inner thighs chafes. In hot weather prefer Western Rise Evolutions Pants. Over time the pants stretch out a bit especially around the knees which make them a bit less slim fitting. I get more than 550 days of use before there is any signs of wear: light pilling at the top of the pocket I use the most. I have yet to completely wear out a pair though I have retired a couple of pairs after a pen leak created a large stain (why I no longer use Pilot V5 pens) and after I lost weight and needed to switch to a smaller waist. When paired with nice shirt, blazer, and tie they have been accepted in situations which called for semi-formal dress, something the hiking pants I wore in the past couldn’t do. I have repeatedly had women say “Where did you get those pants? They look great. I want to buy a pair for my husband.” Twice the question was from someone in the “business” such as the owner/buyer of a women’s clothing boutique that my wife loves. SD seem pricey but it depends what you compare them to. When considering the cost / day of wear ($0.07/day)… they are 5x the cost of mass market nylon pants which don’t fit me that well, 2-3x the cost of higher quality nylon pants from companies like Prana and Patagonia, and about the same cost per day as Levi 501 jeans if you retired them when the knees are blown out. Maybe an indulgence, but I don’t think them as a luxury item when I see $1390 nylon shorts from Prada. Current pairs I am wearing were acquired in 2017.
Extra Icebreaker Anatomica Tee Shirt & Underwear which when added to my core clothing enables me to go for a week before I have to wash all my clothing. If I am going to be staying in one location for an extended time I will bring these along so I can avoid the hassle of hand washing my clothing. I have found washing machines clean clothing more effectively than when I hand wash.
Patagonia Cool Daily Hoodie (2022) Comfortable hoodie, resists odor for 4 days when somewhat active, provides moderate sun protection which I believe is good enough when I am indoors much of the day. Patagonia removed any UPF claims because between their initial testing and production the UPF performance dropped / was inconsistent (from >50 to 17-45, average 34). The Outdoor Research Echo is a good alternative for many: lighter, cooler feeling, with a slimmer fit, thumb loops, anti odor that almost as good. Unfortunately for me, the Echo’s UPF is 15-20 has resulted in me getting sunburn when I spend all day in locations that hit >10 UV Index.
Solbari Weekend Shirt* (2022) White button up which is UPF50+, resistants odor for a few of days when moderately active, dries quickly, and under a sport jacket can be mistaken for a more formal dress shirt. In cooler weather blocks a bit of wind, surprisingly comfortable in hot weather. Downside is that it seems to be a dirt magnet and has collected stains and has started to slightly grey after just 34 days wearing it while hand washing every other day or so, and machine washing weekly. Still gray several runs through washing machine using a non-chlorine bleach suggested by Solbari customer care.
Bluffworks Hopsack Blazer (2022) Blazer which doesn’t wrinkle, can be washed in a machine, and is light enough to wear in hot weather. Took on several trip but used very rarely and was never required. Current dress standards make it mostly unnecessary.
Darn Tough Socks – 2 pair (2013/2019) are unsurprisingly durable since they come with a lifetime warranty. Icebreaker and the Smartwool PhD line are good alternatives. Worn out and replaced 2 pair of the no show light socks after >4000 miles of use for each pair. None of my light crew have been worn through yet.
Vivobarefoot Gobi II (2017/2022) are comfort, zero-drop, minimalist ankle boots which look good with casual clothing or dressed up in a suit. I have used them around town, hiking in the backcountry and even run in them. Sending my original pair to be resoled after walking more than 1500 miles. With an occasional brush and polishing the uppers still look good after repeatedly soaked in rain storms, covered in mud, etc. They are generally not needed given current dressing standards, I can typically get away with trail runners.
Patagonia Hydropeak Hybrid Walk Shorts – no shown (2023) dry in a couple of hours while hanging, faster when wearing. The are very comfortable, give me good freedom of movement. Not excessively “Technical” looking. They can function as a swim suit, but if I am going to be be constantly doing water sports by the ocean I will retrieve my Bluesmith board shorts described in the “beach section” below. Used when I want to bring a single pair of shorts and expect to spend time at the beach.
Outerwear
The following clothing allows me to be comfortable at all actively levels when the temperature is 25F or warmer, and colder if I am engaged in high aerobic activities like running or cross country skiing.
Montbell Peak Dry Shell (2021) made from Shakedry. I can actually wear it and not be soaked by sweat when active! I have done zone 2 runs for >2 hours in 48F rain with just 1 gram of water accumulating in my running shirt. Waterproof and doesn’t wet out. Works well as a wind shell. Alas Shakedry is somewhat fragile and is being discontinued… hope something equally performant comes out soon. In the mean time I have picked up a few Shakedry jackets for my “stash” for when my Peak Dry wears out. This jacket was pulled from my stash when my GoreWear R7 Shakedry’s zipper failed. The Montbell is heavier, has a bit more room for insulation under it, a better hood, and a lot less ugly “branding”. Other options are discussed in my post about rain gear.
Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants (2018) are simple, light, breathable, waterproof rain pants. Used when in cool rain commuting by bike, hiking, or backpacking. I have been known to wear them while doing the laundry. After a few years of light use I am getting some minor leaking in the seat, and the bottom cuffs are fraying / delaminating. When they wear worn out will go with rain pants made from a more durable material like Gore Tex Pro.
Macpac Nitro Pullover (2021) Made from Polartec Alpha Direct (90gsm). Highly breathable and dries super fast. Very light insulate without a shell, surprisingly warm under a shell. Great when active in cold conditions. I can feel air flow at walking speed in still air. Worn whenever my shirt isn’t warm enough. I am comfortable sitting in 68F wearing the Nitro and a tee-shirt, but when I pull up the hood and layer on a shell I am comfortable down to 40F doing light work (walking <2mph). There are lots of good options for an insulation layer.
Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest (2021) Incredibly light weight vest which provides moderate insulation for my core. I have the Japanese version which has pockets. With a long sleeve shirt and shell I am comfortable down to around 40F. When combined with a tee-shirt, Macpac Nitro, and a shell allows me to be comfortable while walking down to 25F. Combined with Nitro and Micro Puff keeps me warm enough in any winter conditions I am likely to encounter in the next few years. More acceptable looking over button down shirt / under blazer than my hoodie. Less than perfect for me: cut is a bit too boxy the neck doesn’t seal well.
Montbell Umbrero Rain Hat (2021) is a 1.8oz folding hat which fully shades my face, ears, and neck. It’s fully waterproof but still provides the best ventilation of any hat I have used. It deforms but usable in 25mph winds. Montbell listing originally said provide protection from sun, but when I reached out to ask what’s its UPF was informed the indication of UV protection was a bug in their website. I addressed the lack of UV protection by coating the inside with a paint which fully blocks UV. I think it’s silly looking, and periodically have people point and laugh… but I have also received compliments and have had people chase me down, say across the parking lot at Costco to ask where they could purchase one for themselves. When walking the Camino we had around 90 people ask us where they could get their own and several requests for selfies with the hat. There are lots of other good hat options.
PolarBuff (2003) Generally I use the hoods on my garments, but sometimes I want extra insulation for my neck or head. Don’t use it that often, but small and light enough it doesn’t make sense to retire it.
Enlightened Gear Visp Rain Mittens – not shown (2022) Super minimalist protection from hands. Keeps my hand comfortable from freezing to around 50F when engaged in modest activity up to zone 2 workout.
Patagonia Micro Puff not shown described in the section below labeled “In the Car”
Camino Gear
When walking the Camino I wanted to carry a light and compact pack. We will be staying some nights in alberques which don’t provide linens and post COVID don’t have blankets. We will be washing clothing and letting them dry over night and sleeping in spaces that are mixed gender. I want to use clothing which is exceptionally low water absorption and fast drying.
Hostel sleep system: 48″ x 62″ piece of Polartec Alpha Direct 4004, 120gsm (2022) compressible warm blanket which is a $20 piece of bulk fabric, MLD Bag Liner (2023) 3oz 10D nylon sleep sack, in a Sea2Summit 2.5L Ultra-Sil Stuff Sack (2022). For stays in basic hostels and alberques that don’t provide bedding of any sort. Comfortable for sleeping down to 55F. The sack is snug but not too tight, keeping the blanket well positioned when cold. As it warms move blanket to outside of the sack or remove completely. Blanket can be warm like a shawl during particularly cold days. Likely will get a bigger piece of alpha direct, add a head slit so it can be worn as a poncho and get a larger sleep sack.
Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers (2023) Very light weight polyester pants which provide a good range of motion, are very light, pack up small, UPF 40. Dry in less than 2 hours when hung indoors, less than 1 hour when wearing after being completely soaked in a rain storm once the rain stopped. Very breathable and comfort in hot weather. These are the only pants I worn when walking the 800km Camino Frances in 2023. found them good for outdoor activities in cooler weather and for sleeping / lounging. Downside are that the pockets are a bit shallow and loose so items can fall out when sitting down. Now my default backcountry backpacking pants.
REI Swiftline Running Shorts Shorts* (2022) are very light shorts which dry quickly and pack down into a tiny space. Great for running, working out in the gym, and as sleep wear. They can be used for swimming in a pinch.
The following are used whenever they can be easily transported to where we are staying for >2 weeks. If we are flying to a destination, they are stored in our car.
Withering Body WiFi Scale (2014) makes it easy to track weight which is well integrated to Garmin, Fitbit, MyFitnessPal, LoseIt, and numerous other health tracking eco-systems. Body composition numbers not accurate. Having trouble getting it to switch WiFi networks.
ChiliPad (2019) which cools or warms water which flows through a mattress topper. I need to be significantly colder than Jackie to sleep soundly. When under our bed the heat exchanger not able to hit the cooling target when the unit was under the bed, but it has been fine when sitting out. We tried an eightsleep system which much quieter but not worth the added cost to us. I didn’t find the automatic temperature adjustment of the eight sleep particularly helpful and the sleep tracking wasn’t significantly better than my Garmin watch.
Pulse Flex Wireless Speaker (2017 & 2022) allows us to have synchronized whole house music and plays nicely with other BlueSound products. We have the original Flex speaker and the updated Flex 2i. It also supports inputs via USB, Bluetooth, AUX, a number of streaming services like Spotify, and many free sites via URIs. Has a iOS and Android remote control app which works but has a somewhat awkward UI. Controls on the top let you select one of 5 user-defined “channels” without using the remote. I have the optional battery pack so it can be used in our backyard. Sound quality is significantly less than KEF LS50 but better than most portable speakers. When using them away from home primarily play lossless music which is stored on a thumb drive plugged into the back of the speaker. For people who aren’t using Roon, I would recommend Sonos: for its lower price point, better streaming options, and slightly more processed sound quality which everyone but audio purists like me typically prefer. Even cheaper are products from Audio Pro.
MacBook Pro 14-inch (2006/2021) Holds the family’s archives: pictures, videos, ripped CDs, digitized books, and documents. There are better performing laptops for the money, but the touch pad is more usable than most laptops and OS X provides high quality commercial applications and full UNIX tooling. I have made it through many OS upgrades without problems and have never had to wipe the disk and reinstall the operating system. I select a configuration with enough storage for 2x my current usage (4tb at the time of purchase) and the maximum memory available which has allowed me to use the same MacBook Pro for ~5 years before I feel the need to upgrade. My wife is still happily using my 2012 MacBook Pro. Only downside is size and weight. I hope Apple brings back an ultra-portable someday.
Lives in Car
I leave some items in car trunk in case we encounter unexpected conditions. I rarely use these items personally, but have often loaned them out to friends who weren’t prepared for the weather we encountered.
Linen Towel* (2020) Lighter weight, dries faster, and less likely to get smelly than a traditional cotton terrycloth towel, but isn’t as soft.
Matador Freerain24* (2017/2020) The waterproof zipper on a 1.0 model wore out after 2 years of daily running commute with my laptop and other supplies and so was replaced with the second version. Keeps contents dry in the worst rain. Weights only 5.5oz, and stuffs into a fist size package. Carries reasonably well but not as well as packable Vagabond. Shape tapers which is good for running but makes it a bit challenging to load properly for more “urban” uses.
Tilley LTM6 Hat* (2014) durable hat that provides good sun protection. I prefer the LTM8 which has more ventilation. Replaced a 20 year old canvas Tilley that was lost on a river trip.
ArcTeryx Squamish Wind Shell* (2012) is a 5oz windshirt with an air permeability of ~30 CFM. When combined with a heavy base or light middle layer provide comfort over a huge range of conditions. Comfortable against the skin. Current Squamish isn’t as air permeable. Best replacement is likely the Mountain Hardware Kor.
Icebreaker Quattro Hoody* (2012) is a medium weight merino wool sweatshirt. After several years of near constant use starting to pill so has been “retired” to the car.
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody (2020) Keeps me comfortable ~25F lower than I would be without the jacket. Provides just the right insulation for me for winter nights in the SF Bay Area and shoulder season backpacking in the sierras. Combined with down vest or Nitro Hoody it’s just right for winter trips in the sierras. Reasonably light and compressible. Long enough to cover my blazer.
Keen Clearwater CNX* (2014/2018) are the lightest sandals Keen makes. The toe cap has been effective at protecting my toes. When worn with gray socks they can “pass” for shoes most of the time. Keens ground feel is a bit “dead”. I use them when I have been biking and Jackie meets me somewhere for lunch so I have something to wear besides my cycling shoes with cleats.
Backpacking / Hiking / “Real” Winter Gear
I have a 3-season packing list which makes use of a number of the items on this list and has several items which are specific for backpacking. I have not taken pictures of any of these items. The “winter gear” is not used “at home” because the Bay Area never gets cold enough to need these items, but they are pulled out when traveling to winter destinations. These are stored in a old Coke crate in the garage.
Gossamer Gear Gorilla (2012) An older version of the Gorilla which I use when doing multi-night backcountry trips or urban travel when I am carrying more weight / volume than appropriate for the Vagabond. Its weights just 28oz, comfortable carries up to 25lbs for tens of miles in a day, has survived thousands of miles, and works as a carry-on bag. My size L is actually 23″ long, but has been able to fit in airline sizers and overhead luggage bottom in first if not overpacked and placed at an angle. Sidenote: The first generations of the Gorilla carried pretty well, the current generation connects the frame directly into the hip belt which has been stiffened compared to the first generation improving it’s carry characteristics.
Osprey Ultralight Drysack (2021) Used as a liner to protect against rain, can be used to wash clothing on trips if I am sharing a bathroom and can’t soak my clothing in the sink, and as a giant “clothing packing cube”. Sometimes used to separate dirty from clean clothing.
Gossamer Gear Vagabond Packable (2021) 23L pack which is comfortable to carry and easily packs away in my larger bag. Used for done in a day outdoor activities, as a EDC / grocery shopping bag, and has been used as my primary luggage on trips on several trips. This is by fair the most comfortable carrying packable day pack I have ever used. Most package daypacks feel like a sack with straps designed to fit a non human.
Entchin Fanny Pack (2020) Inexpensive fanny pack which is a good size for half day activities. Can hold a headlamp, mini first-aid/emergency kit, water bottle, a protein bar, and small volume jacket. Use rather than daypack so my back is ventilated. The bucket has broken three times and is being held together by tape. Looked at a bunch of much more expensive fanny packs, but not work as well. Closest was the REI Trail 5 but when I put my water bottle in a holster it gets in the way of my arms as they swing.
Patagonia Cap 3 Tights (2007): added to my legs when facing continuously below freezing conditions.
Mountain Hardware Grub Gloves (2015/2020) medium weight PowerStretch gloves with a quilted mitten cover which folds away into the back of the glove making it comfortable to wear in a wide variety of conditions. My second pair almost worn out. Alas, this model has been discontinued.
Outdoor Research Meteor Mitts* (2004): which have a removable 300wt fleece inner mitt which folds back to let you use your fingers and a durable, waterproof shell. Can use the shells without liner when it’s warmer. The magnets on the inner mitt detract from overall comfort. Many people replace the liners. Dries faster than all-in-one handwear.
Traction Devices* (2020): Gives trail runners and other shoes grip on snow and ice. Picked up when we were facing icy trails in Grand Canyon without footwear with sufficient traction. Don’t remember the brand and it’s not stamped into the chains. When doing a lot of winter trips I would use screw shoes.
OR Gaiters: (<1988) for keeping snow out of shoes/boots and the lower legs most dry.
Bicycling Gear & Clothing
Specialized S-works 2019 Roubaix (2021) an endurance bike that smooths out the road making it easy to be confident on less than ideal road surfaces with a responsiveness that approaches the Cervelo R-series. A huge improvement from the 2013 version of the Roubaix. Fitted with an Infinity Seat (weird looking but the most comfortable seat I have used), 2 water bottle cages, and a small seat bag which holds a pump, tubolito, bike tool, and 2 tire levers. I have a charger for DI2 which is powered via a micro USB cable gets used every month or so. Otherwise it sits in the garage.
Cervelo R3* (2013/2015). Replaced with identical bike when my first was stolen. Comfortable enough for an endurance ride, responsive like a race bike, great for climbing. Wore out drive train which has now been mostly replaced… still looking for Rotor chain rings. Now primarily lives on a Kickr for indoor “rides” and is my “spare bike” and if my Roubaix is out of action or an out of town friend wants to go for a ride.
Felix BC21R Bike Headlamp and Cygolite Hotshot Pro 150 (2019) The BC21R uses a removable 18650 rechargeable battery. I don’t love the Felix but it’s getting the job done and the swappable battery is very handy.
Power Tap P1 Pedals (2015) because I like objective measures. No longer made. The Garmin Vector 2 pedals use standard Keto cleats, and are lighter.
Bicycling Shoes (2013) with cleats for PowerTap peddles. No idea the brand.. they were the cheapest shoes I found at a local bike shop. They are near the end of their life, but I haven’t found a shoe that is as well ventilated so I continue to squeeze a few more miles out of them by regluing the seams.
Xenith Delta Shirt (2021/2022) is the most comfortable shirt I have worn when sweating heavily. The shirt maintains air permeability and doesn’t stick when wet. The shirt dries at the perfect rate: faster than wool or cotton, but slower than classic “fast dry” shirts, and feels cool against the skin. I have also found that is it the most odor resistant synthetic shirt I have tried, though not as good as wool. Only UPF 30. If I am doing a long ride I put sun screen on and then put the shirt on. My first shirt has holes after around 1500 hours of exercise. If day to day wear-and-tear is similar, I would only get 90 days of all day wear :(. Hopefully my second shirt will last longer.
Black Diamond Alpine Start (2021) is a 6oz hoodless ultralight soft-shell which is very air permeable (30-60 CFM depend on who did the measurement… feels like 45cfm to me) and extremely water resistant thanks to the Schoeller NanoSphere treatment. Very comfortable in high wind <60F doing normal activities, bicycling at tempo pace (~220watts / ~18mph) when it’s <55F or doing a zone 2 HR runs when it’s <50F. In a light rain find it easier to manage moisture than a Shakedry shell because the higher air permeability helps me dump heat (reducing the amount I sweat) while resisting the rain. Normally I like a hood, but the lack of a hood is useful when cycling and running with a hat. Windshirts are great!
Castelli Light Arm Sleeves* (2021) and Leg Sleeves* (2022) UPF 50 sun protection I combined with short sleeve shirt and shorts to avoid hassle of sunscreen. When in direct sunlight, limbs actually feel a bit cooler than when uncovered. Typically using the Arcteryx Cormac hoody so don’t need arm sleeves.
CoolNet UV Buff* (2022) Protects my neck and ears from sun and also functions as a headband to keep sweat out of my eyes. A set of magnets made to “pin” race bib to a shirt keeps the buff from riding up and exposing my neck. Typically using the Arcteryx Cormac hoody so don’t need any more.
Giro Air Attack Shield Helmet (2013/2016) provides protection, good ventilation while having a streamlined aerodynamic profile. Has snap on optical shield. On my second Air Attack helmet due to a crash which broke the helmet but protected my head. If you ride a bicycle, wear a helmet!! I have been able to walk away from at least two accidents thanks to the protection of a helmet. Helmets don’t lead to more injuries due to a false sense of security. These days there are helmets which are more aerodynamic than mine, and also cheaper while providing equivalent protection.
Wahoo Fitness Kickr (2013) is a trainer for when it’s not convenient to hit the road. Integrated power meter and variable resistance which can be controlled via ANT+ or BlueTooth. Very useful if doing structured training based on power.
Stored during our travel (2022-????)
“Variety” Clothing
While I normally like to wear my “uniform”, but I sometimes want to wear something a bit different. I know my wife likes variety in my clothing. I sometimes call the following my “Jackie clothing”. These clothing can be rolled over their hangers and be stored in a $4 Ikea Frakta Duffel (2022) along with my beach items and extra clothing items.
Toni Richards Hawaiian Shirt (2019) Everyone needs at least one shirt for “Hawaiian shirt day” though some might argue that white and blue with sharks rather than flowers isn’t very Hawaiian. I find the cotton lawn fabric used by Toni Richards to be one of the most comfortable materials when it’s hot and humid. Alas, UPF is quite low.
Montbell Wickron Dry Touch Short Sleeve Shirt* (2021) for when I need to be more dressed when it’s is hot. The seersucker fabric is more comfortable than many other materials when it’s hot and humid. It resists accumulating odor better than many synthetics shirts I have used. A gift from my wife. Alas, UPF 20.
White Cotton Button-up Shirt* (2012) Was my default when I want to wear something more formal than a tee-shirt. Appropriate in almost any setting. Shirts which have more sun protection and dry more quickly have replaced it.
Peach Button Up Shirt* (2014) for a change from a white shirt when we are going out for the evening. Birthday present.
Muji Black/Grey/White Checked Button Up Shirt* (2013) for something that is casual but a bit more dressed up than my tee-shirt or hoody. Gift from Jackie.
Outlier AMB Merino Wool Button Up Shirt (2019) Very comfortable. It doesn’t wrinkle and if I don’t spill food on it can be worn many days without washing. Good air permeability, surprisingly comfortable in warmer conditions.
Banana Republic Purple Merino Wool Sweater (2013) for cool days or when some color is called for. Purple is the color of royalty… so it can function as a Christmas or Easter sweater. Gift from Jackie.
Grey Cashmere V-neck Sweater* (2019) for fall and winter evenings when I need more warmth than just a shirt and my hoody is too casual. Love cashmere but durability is low, it pills very quickly.
Boss Blazer* (2014) for dressy events in the fall and winter that don’t require a formal suit. Christmas present.
Boss Wool Suit – not shown (2012) slim/european cut in super 140 wool. Fits me perfectly though not bespoken. First suit that I wear rather than the suit wearing me. Light enough that it’s usable in the summer. I use it for weddings, funerals, and special nights out on the town. I won’t naturally choose to wear a suit, but sometimes it’s appropriate.
Alpaca Blend Socks* – not shown (2021) are soft, warm, and cushioning with non slip “dots” on the bottom. Work well as slippers at home and are very pleasant on cold days inside shoes.
Luna Oso Flaco Sandals – not shown (2022) I can walk 25 miles / day for a week on hard surfaces and my feet are still feel good. Has decent ground feel and pack very compactly. Good traction on trails. The wings are must more convenient that the “traditional” lacing. They irritate the side of my foot when I run without socks (fine for walking). The sandals can make a slap sound when walking on concrete which the Venado don’t make. When they are wet my feet slide a bit which makes me consider trying 5fingers again for back country trekking and trail running. Purchase because Venado were nearing end of their life and wanted more traction.
Carots Shoes* not shown (2017) are formal looking zero drop shoes. These are the only minimalist shoes I have found that looks like traditional dress shoes (heels and and tapered toe) that are sufficiently comfortable for an evening..
Tadeevo Derby* – not shown (2023) Light (13oz), flexible, comfortable, zero drop shoes. Purchased to be a dress shoe that packs smaller than my Gobi. I like them, but the Gobi’s are better looking. What looked like a dark shadow around the toe on the website is a different material than the leather uppers which makes the shoe look at lot more casual. I considered returning them but international shipping back to Poland was expensive. The run a bit large, make sure you read their fitting instructions.
Ultrafino Santa Fe Hat* – not shown (2021) is “Panama” straw hat. Alas, this hat’s weave is so tight that the ventilation is minimal, and the brim isn’t large enough to consistently shade my face and neck. The function of this hat isn’t as high as I expected, but I have held on to it because it’s a great looking hat that I will sometimes wear to a party when the UV index isn’t too high (like early evening).
Nike Dri-Fit Visor – not shown (2012) keep sweat and sun out of my eyes while maximizing air circulation for my head. Mostly used when I am running. Combined with a hoody for sun protection.
Beach / Water Clothing and Gear
When we spend extended time near a tropical beach these get pulled out.
Bluesmith Spartan Board Shorts* (2016) For days that I am living in swimming suit, going in an out of the water. These shorts dry very quickly. Could use my other shorts if I was trying to minimize more.
Patagonia R0 Longsleeve Shirt* (2022) UPF 50 shirt for water activities. Tight fitting, dries quickly. Jackie approved. Picture has my retired Bluesmith shirt rather than white R0.
Matador Droplet Wet Bag* (2019) which holds items on the way to the beach, and wet items on the way home.
Yeesam Prescription Snorkeling Mask (2019) which lets me actually see underwater life when snorkeling rather than just blurs and flashes of color!
Akona 2mm Neoprene Socks – not shown (2019) Prevent my toes from getting ripped up when using flippers. Sometimes used with keen sandals if I am constantly going in and out of water or with my cycling shoes if doing an extended ride is cold rain.
There are a several items I have kept as a specific way to honor people I love or past experiences.
Box which I store these things, my spare glasses, some old documents, etc.
Various buttons collected over the years related to projects or movements that were important to me.
Libby’s pins (<2000) of a nativity scene, a mother and child. Originally worn by my late wife Libby on special occasions, they became daily decorations on the hats she wore during chemotherapy. They remind me of Libby’s courage and the two things most important to Libby, family and Jesus.
Gumby (2011) which was given as a reminder that when life is difficult, we need to be flexible.
Dad’s (<1980) tie tacks and Alox Swiss Army Knife which remind me of his love of the outdoors and his care for his students.
Knit Cap with 23andme logo (2016)
CatBus Plushy (2018) given to me by Jackie. It reminds me of the gentle film My Neighbor Totoro. I wanted a real CatBus, but no one can find one for me 🙂
Computer Wizard’s Tee Shirt (1977) from high school group club… still fits. Not shown: 23andme Tee-Shirt (2016) Hashicorp Cycling Jersey (2021)
Grandpa’s Yamaka (<1980)
Stored – Possibly Retire
“Extra” clothing stashed for when my existing clothing wears out. Most of the extra clothing were purchased on sale, lightly used, or I had been wearing and decided to drop the number of items I have in a weekly rotation. I currently have 1 pairs of outlier slim dungarees (2019), 3 outlier new way shorts (2014-8), 3 western rise evolution pants (2022), 3 tee shirts (2018-2021), 2 arcteryx cormac shirts (2022-2023), 3 pairs of briefs (2019-2021), 6 pairs of darn tough socks (2015-2019), 2 pairs xoskin socks (2022), GoreWear R7 trail running jacket (2022), Montebell Peak Dry Jacket (2023), Sikta Shakedry Jacket (2022), Macpac Nitro hoodie (2022), 2 delta tee-shirts (2022). These items will be pulled out when my current clothing wears out. It’s useful to have have an unused items purchased at the same time as one which is in “heavy rotation” to see how much wear and tear accumulates over time.
Tom Bihn Passport Pouch (2022) Small pouch which is large enough to hold my passport, phone and everything that might be in my pockets when passing through security checkpoints. In high crime cities I wear it under my shirt. Picked up a waterproof pouch for when we are in Costa Rica which can provide this function.
Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Hoody (2009) for cool/cold weather outdoor activities. Without wind protection the grid weave lets air flow through speeding the release of heat. With a shell it provides some insulation. Comfort down to 30F when running without a shell, below that with a shell. When walking around town keeps me comfortable down to 45F when combined with a wind shirt with hoods up. I am reasonably comfortable engage in high energy activities when it’s 65F by fully opening the zipper and pushing the sleeves up to my elbows. Dries amazingly quickly and feels more comfortable than any other shirt I have used when it’s wet in cool conditions. Mine was actually called Capilene 4 because it pre-dates the renaming to “thermal weight”. Likely retire because light base + macpac alpha direct hoody is more versatile and has better performance.
Rudy Project Ketyum Frames with Transitions DriveWear manufactured by Sports Optical* (2021) provides excellent protection for my eyes while cycling and any other daytime activity. Ketyum is one of the few wrap around frames that can handle a prescription as strong as mine. The lens are thick but not too heavy. Transition lens work well during daylight but are a bit too strong at dusk.
HiFiMan RE800 Silver IEM (2022) Light weight, good quality sound which doesn’t completely cut me off from my environment. Used when I want to listen to music without disturbing family. Great deal at $90.
Radsome EarStudio ES100 (2018) bluetooth/DAC/headphone amplifier allows me to use wired headphones with devices missing a headphone jack. Can also function as a USB DAC. The ES100 is tiny, with decent sound quality (though Chord Mojo is better) and can even drive Sennheiser HD800 to reasonable sound levels.
MagSafe Charger* (2021) at bit heavy but useful when lighting port in aging iPhone becomes unreliable
Extra Batteries and Charger for Panasonic LX100 (2023). So far haven’t needed to carry an extra battery.
Violife slim sonic toothbrush (1999). I was thinking about some other travel toothbrush when I couldn’t find replace heads, but I decided that oral health is too important to to bring a full size electronic toothbrush on any trip that is for more than a few days.
Kindle Oasis (2019) Lets me carry the majority of my library and every book can be displayed with large print for my aging eyes. Love being able to quickly search for notes / highlighted passages. I miss physical books and I know knowledge retention is better when reading paper books, but the convenience of the ebooks outweighs this for me. The Oasis ergonomics allows reading with a single hand and I like the warm backlight in the evening. I have been tempted by e-paper Android tablet such as those made by Boox which are a more versatile devices. If I lost the Oasis I would likely use my phone and laptop to access my Kindle “library”.
Apple iPad Air 4 + Smart Keyboard Folio + Magic Keyboard for iPad (2021) Purchased as a second monitor (via Sidecar) for MacBook for when I am working away from home. I have found the iPad also works well for consuming media. The Folio keyboard is compact making it compact for onebag travel, but the keyboard feel is mediocre and not stable enough to use on the lap. I tried to do most of my “personal” computing on the iPad with a Magic Keyboard to see if a iPad could replace a laptop: it was a failure. There is too much friction integrating information from several windows and often the app experience on the iPad fell short when compared to the experience on a real laptop or Chromebook. This is my third iPad since they were introduced. While each was useful for a particular task, I have yet to find it a compelling device for general use. A portable UCB-C powered screen is more effective for me as a second screen. I have abandoned using the iPad. Jackie tried and gave up on “live on it”. Lives in garage for when exercising using Kickr.
Retired
GoreWear R7 Trail Running Jacket (2020) I can actually wear it and not be soaked by sweat when active! For example: doing a zone 2 run for two hours in 48F rain just 1 gram of water accumulated in my running shirt. Downside is that the fabric is fragile developing pinpoint holes in the shoulders after 2 years of use though I didn’t experience leakage. Then the zipper broken hence retiring it. GoreWear replaced it under warranty. The “new R7” is a bit more boxy, 50% heavier (4.2->6.4oz), has stretch fabric on the cuffs which I don’t like, and a double zipper which isn’t as stiff. I wish the branding on the jacket wasn’t so obnoxious / ugly. The replacement is in my future wear box for when my Montbell Dry Peak wears out.
Icebreaker Spector Tee (2021) I decided to try a lighter weight tee that isn’t as body hugging and is more colorful. I quickly decided that I prefer the Anatomica fit, and black for daily wear. After 300 wears it was looking tired. The first hole appear around 400 days.
REI eVENT Rain Hat (2013) a discontinued ball cap made from waterproof / breathable eVENT. Used when hiking or running when I know it’s going to be raining. Keeps rain off of my face and glasses.
Altra Running Superior Trail-runners (2017/2022) zero drop, modest cushion, trail running shoe which are light weight with a fairly grippy sole for mixed trail conditions. Beside wearing them running, they are my primary footwear in the backcountry, and I wear in town when my feet are sore and need some extra cushion. I have worn 18 pairs. Wish I could get more than 400 miles before they wear out. Pair 17 soles came detached after around 75 miles. Alta sent me a new pair under warranty. Something changed in version 5 (or maybe my feet changed) and they aren’t as comfortable as they used to be.
Bluesmith Kanaha Shirt (2021) Hydrophobic treated shirt which protects from the sun and absorbs very little water. Very comfortable to wear and works well when swimming without being extremely tight. Replaced a misplaced “rashguard” shirt. I experimented with it as a general fitness shirt but I don’t think it’s hydrophobic approach to moisture is better for me that Polartec Delta in hot weather. Downside if not used for water sports is it quickly accumulated body odor, upside is that a quick rinse seems to wash the odor away. Its effective, but Jackie really hates it style so it’s being retired.
Muji Sport Jacket (2013) A casual blazer which resists wrinkles and has served me well. Retiring because it was never a great fit and there are some stains that aren’t coming out.
Tom Bihn Synik 30 Backpack (2020) Wonderfully designed with organizational features that perfectly fit my needs. Large enough to hold everything in my packing list, but small enough looking that I have never needed to check it. Have notes about other travel packs. Downside is that it doesn’t have a load transferring hip belt. These days larger than I need.
Osprey Transporter 46L (2004) is nearly identical to the current Osprey Porter 46 with the exception that it doesn’t have a laptop compartment or a luggage pass thru slot. Used for 10 years as my primary travel bag until I downsized to a Tom Bihn bag in 2014. I can list features it’s missing, but I still loved it. Used to transport items to family and left with them to use.
Patagonia Tres 25L Bag* (2016) 23andMe swag which I don’t need.
Biosense (2022) ketosis breath meter to simplify measuring ketosis when experimenting with diets and fasting. Don’t need to test frequently and prefer accuracy of blood test.
Immersion Water Heater (1992/2019) carried primarily for Jackie when taking trips to cold destinations where the hotel rooms don’t have any way to heat water. We generally stay places that it’s not needed.
RunScribe Plus (2020) to get information about running form. I am not getting particularly actionable insight but provides more data on running form that Stryd.
Twelve South AirFly Pro (2022) BlueTooth transmitter and receiver used on long flights to listen to audio. Allows me to use AirPods with the audio from the airplane and to drive my Westone from devices that don’t have a headphone jack. There are cheaper/better bluetooth transceivers.
Westone 5ES IEM (2012) Great audio quality, used to provide 35db noise reduction which could be comfortably worn on 14 hour flights. Alas, my ear canals have changed shape so they longer seals well enough to significantly reduce external noise. The cost of reshelling doesn’t make sense given I don’t use them that much.
Geyes Bluetooth Keyboard (2015/2022) I have repeatedly searched for a compact bluetooth keyboard to use with my phone. In the last few years I twice settled on the Geyes keyboard. Yet, I end up giving up on it. Certainly better than typing on the screen, but falls way short of a real keyboard. I have decide to give up on a compact bluetooth keyboard once and for all, and will try to remember not to revisit this decision.
Portable 14″ 4K Monitor (2022) for more screen real-estate. Was needed when I was doing a lot of Zoom meeting and needing to also have screen space for documents. Now that I am not in back to back meetings likely not needed. A better solution might have been xebec since the screen is attached to the laptop rather than sitting to the side.
Moved from me to Family
LG 27BN88U 27-inch 4K Display (2020) No longer doing endless Zoom meeting for work. Left in our guest room for visitors.
Foldable Desk (2012) which the above monitor is mounted on. When folded up small enough to fit in the trunk of our car for transport. No longer needed by me. Now functions as a desk in our guest room.
RAVpower 120w USB-C Charger (2021) A compact power source with 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A ports allows me to rapidly charger all the devices I might use in day. Only downside is it sometimes gets confused how much power to deliver to which port and I need to disconnect / reconnect devices until each is getting power. Now in living room to be used by anyone who is sitting on the coach and needs power.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
Several items on my personal gear list were used by the whole family, and thus, this page was born. I have excluded our furniture. We keep only those items that are useful and/or are enjoyed which allows our family to focus on doing things that we find rewarding rather than devoting ourselves to managing stuff. When we needed to move, it took less than 10 hours to pack which started with acquiring boxes and included breaks to eat. We were able to unpack even more quickly. By the end of a weekend we were not just out of one place, but fully moved into the new with boxes put away and pictures hung on the walls. Items in bold are particularly great, and those with “*” I am not sure we would replace if they were lost or damaged. The (year) indicates when the item was acquired.
Electronics
LG OLED55B6P SmartTV (2017) for family / friends movie night and other group activities that use a screen. I would be content using the screen on my laptop or even iPhone for the occasional video streaming I watch. That said, the picture quality is amazing and the webOS based controls work well. Also sometimes used as a display for Macintosh. 4k works nicely when trying to see a lot of pictures using Adobe Lightroom.
KEF LS50 wireless monitor speakers (2017) with a built in DAC and amplifier designed for the speakers. Good quality sound that fills a room, excellent for near field use in a nicely designed, compact package. Can take TOSlink, USB, Bluetooth, analog, and several IP based streaming protocols inputs over ethernet or WiFi. Roon can stream directly to it over the network, but it’s not Roon-Ready so can’t be synchronized with other Roon-Ready systems. The iOS remote application is poor. I drive the LS50 via USB Bluesound Node which remove the need for the KEF remote and the speakers can be synchronized with other Bluedound end-points giving me whole house music. I still prefer the sound quality of electrostatic speakers with audiophile grade full electronics, but I am happy that I downsized our stereo so we can focus on other things. It has been shipped back to KEF for electronic failures. They covered the repair under warranty, but I had to pay to ship them to KEF.
BlueSound Node Audio Streamer (2021) to remove dependency on Roon for multi-room audio playback. Lets me connect Pulse Flex speakers with our KEF LS50s through the house for Spotify or as an AirPlay2 endpoint.
Google WiFi Mesh (2017) network access points easily install and just work when you have an area than a single WiFi router isn’t sufficient. There may be faster / more featureful options out there, but the Google devices work flawlessly and are visually appealing. We are using ATT fibre which so far as been a big improvement over Comcast for slightly less money.
Brother MFC-J880W not shown (2017) Multifunction Printer, Scanner, Fax, Copier has been a reliable device for us unlike several other multi-function devices which failed within a year. WiFi enabled, supports AirPrint, Google Print, and several other standards. Connected to a Obi device which lets us Fax over Google Voice.
Pulse Flex Wireless Speaker not shown (2017 & 2022) allows us to have synchronized whole house music and plays nicely with other BlueSound products. We have the original Flex speaker and the updated Flex 2i. It also supports inputs via USB, Bluetooth, AUX, a number of streaming services like Spotify, and many free sites via URIs. Has a iOS and Android remote control app which works but has a somewhat awkward UI. Controls on the top let you select one of 5 user-defined “channels” without using the remote. I have the optional battery pack so it can be used in our backyard. It can be used away from its home, but you have to reconfigure its WiFi settings which is a pain. Sound quality is significantly less than KEF LS50 but better than most portable speakers. When using them away from home primarily play lossless music which is stored on a thumb drive plugged into the back of the speaker. For people who aren’t using Roon, I would recommend Sonos: for its lower price point, better streaming options, and slightly more processed sound quality which everyone but audio purists like me typically prefer. Even cheaper are products from Audio Pro.
Small Appliances
Vornado 660 Fan (2008) air ciculation in the garage or living room
Vornado Panel Fan (2014) pulls cooler outside air into bedroom to avoid using air conditioner most of the summer
Conway Air Purifier / HEPA Filter (2020) Was a lifesaver during the fires in the summer of 2020. Took air quality from over 200 down to 25 in our study.
Dyson V10 Cordless Vacuum* (2019) Expensive. There are cheaper options. The battery life dropped to one minute after just a few years and is still poor after replacing the battery. Will will replace this vacuum with something else the next time the battery dies. Don’t waste your money. I think all of Dyson’s products are seriously overpriced.
Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven (2020) is used for nearly all our baking, broiling and toasting needs. We have a full size, built in oven, but this unit heats up more quickly, seems to heat more evenly, and is the perfect size for almost everything we make. When if dies will likely switch to an Air Fryer.
Oxo 11lb Scale (2014/2022) Easy to use, accurate, the display can be separated to enable viewing when weighting oversized objects.
Soda Stream (2017) To avoid purchasing bottled bubble water. Cheaper, cuts down plastic waste, don’t have to haul water back from costco. Refills are more expensive than they should be. At some point will replace with a DIY device.
Rival RC101 5-Cup Rice Cooker (2007) Simple to use and faster than a rice cookers with fuzzy logic and other advanced features.
Panasonic Electric Water Boiler (2019) Holds 3 quarts of water. Insulated to minimize energy usage and allows hot water to be used for a couple of hours when power is not available. Don’t actually have it anymore. Our daughter took it when she moved out.
Zojirushi Electric “Hot Pot” (2005) Hot pot is one of our favorite ways to celebrate holiday or when having a small dinner party with friends.
Waffle Maker* (2005)
Amazon 6 sheet Paper Shredder (2020)
Pulse SpO2 Meter* (2020) Purchased primarily for better insight in the face of COVID19. my wife sometimes uses to get a read of pulse rate when doing HIIT.
Baking and Mixing
Silicone Oven Mitts not shown (2014) with inner, removable terrycloth liners. Effective, waterproof, durable.
Pampered Chef Mixing Bowls (2007) Light weight, rubber on the bottom keeps them from sliding around. Useful size. Often use the larger as a salad bowl. Have well sealing lids which aren’t shown.
Electric Hand Mixer (2017) Christmas gift for Amber who loves to bake. Used to have a Kitchenaid but got rid of it because its ease of use compared to the hand mixer was overshadows by the hassle of pulling it out of the garage. Move out with our daughter.
Measuring Cups
Rolling Pin
Hand whisk (not shown)
Strainer, Collapsing Silicon Funnel
KitchenAid Immersion Blender (2014) for many mixing, blending, and whisking tasks. There are better models on the market, but this one is good enough for our needs. Has several attachments.
Pots and Pans
T-fal 10″ frying pan (2014/2019) replaced in 2019 when first was warped. Modest price. Anti-stick works well and is durable.
In our garage we have a baker’s rack which holds most of the outdoor gear we use.
Bin with Xmas decorations. Outdoor in the sense that there is lighting for the front yard, but also has decorations for inside.
Enlightened Gear Accomplice Double Quilts (2014), Montbell Down Hugger Super Stretch #3 (2005) and NuntakUSA Ghost Down Blanket/Quilt (2002). Notes about Sleeping Bag & Quilt
Therm-a-Rest XTherm Air Mattress (2012) Big Agnes Q-Core SLX Sleeping Pad (2019). Notes about Sleeping Pads
Northface basecamp duffel small – 50L (1987) holds all the contents described below and also some TP, extra fuel canisters, plastic bags and aluminum foil.
Platypus Water Containers, Gravity Filter (2018) because we are sometimes places that don’t have safe drinking water.
Plastic tub (2000) Used to wash dishes and pots when car camping. Use the case for the dinner set for rinsing. Pack Towel (1988), sponge (2002/2021), nylon pots scraper (2002), Dr Bronner’s Soap (1972/2020)
Work Gloves (2008)
Gear “Repair Kit” (2009) zippers, grommets, rope, safety pins, etc. Supplemented with various other small repair items and single use superglue (2014)
Leatherman (2000), Fallkniven F1 fixed blade knife (2002). There are numerous other good knives I would recommend.
REI Dinnerware Set for 4 (2012) including wash basin, drying rack, and cutting board
Misc items for kitchen most of which are stored in a ziplock bag. Consumables refreshed as needed Long Lighter, Cooking oil, Hot Sauce, Salt/Pepper, matches/lighter, paring knife, tongs
1.3L Evernew Ti Pot (2001), Snowpeak GigiPower Stove (2001), Fuel Canister, Silicon Cup/Bowl (2010), and MSR folding Foon (2010). This kit is used when we do family backpacking trips. We used to have a set of pots and pans for car camping but got rid of them when we realized that we typically used grill and skillet built in to our Coleman stove. We really only needed one pot for heating up water. On car camping trips the Snowpeak stove is typically not used.
N95 Masks (2021)
Whistle
Rite in Rain Pad and Pen
Trip Tease Cord. So many uses of rope. Stringing up a tarp, a line to dry clothing, etc.
Black Diamond Apollo Lantern(2018) which is a perfect size and amount of light for car camping or emergency lighting in a house in the case of a power outage. Built in rechargeable battery with the ability to use three AA batteries if the internal battery has been fully discharged and you need light.
Zebralight H600 Headlamp, which uses a 18650 battery. A bit heavy, but very bright and long run times. H51 Headlamp (2010) and H52W flashlight (2012). These lights are compact, surprisingly long runtimes due to excellent regulation, and use a single AA that is easy to acquire. There are several other flashlights and headlights I recommend.
GoalZero Power Sherpa 100* (2020) High versatile power system. Has been used during power outage to keep our Internet connection up, as a portable power outlet for small appliances and to charge devices on extended trips without access to car or wall power. Not shown are a few USB cables to be used to charge a variety of devices and an Olight Universal Magnetic Battery Charger (2018) which charges pretty much any size battery including 1.5V NiHM, 3.6 & 3.7V LI batteries
Lijiani Weather Radio – not shown (2022) Had the best reception on AM/FM/Weather bands of 6 radios I tried and happens to be the least expensive. Fairly intuitive user interface when performing basic functions. Downsides are that it feels cheap, power is exclusively 2 AA batteries, and the speaker is mediocre, but good enough to get news.
Picnicking / Emergencies
Arctic Zone 36-can Folding Cooler (2011) is a good size for long weekend car camping trips. Not super insulating, but ice keeps contents cool for 2 days, and dry ice works for 4 days.
Wine Tote (2016) which is a good size for wine and cheese in a park: holds up to two bottles, some snacks, and a couple of glasses, with a small cutting board, bottle opener, small knife.
Alife Mayfly Chair* (2010) is a low slung folding chair which works on any surface and doesn’t have legs so it can be used at Shoreline amphitheater.
GoChair – 2 (2018) which we funding via indiegogo which deploys very quickly.
Pentax S 8×42 Binoculars (1994) Nitrogen filled, excellent visual quality in a moderately compact body.
60w Solar Charger* to provide power off grid over an extended period of time (2020). When people were purchasing excess TP at the beginning of COVID I was beefing up my disaster kit.
“Emergency” Food (not shown) – The box also has some freeze dried food and food I commonly take backpacking but don’t eat a lot of home such as couscous. We also have durable bag to collect food from our pantry in the event of a disaster. We keep a week worth of food in our pantry that won’t spoil and is easy to cook.
Exercise and Health Devices
MX Select MX55 Adjustable Dumbbells (2021) 20-55 lb in 5 lb increments. Smooth and fast to change weights. Considered the Bowflex adjustable dumbbells, but local store told me they were a service problem and stopped carrying them due to mechanism failures.
Pullup Bar* (2020) To work upper body without going to gym.
20lb Rucking Plate* – 2 (2020) – Held in a backpack and used to add weight to walks, pull-ups, squats, etc.
Bowflex Adjustable Kettlebell* (2020) Useful for several sets from my Simple Six workout. Likely better options out there: max weight is 40lb (I would like it to be 60lb) and there is a 10lb jump between 25-35 lb rather than the 5lb for every other increment.
Lactate Plus Meter* (2022) for determine zone 2 and zone 5 thresholds to optimize training.
Dekopro 126 piece Toolbox convient box with most of the tools I need. Originally purchased when renting out a house so there would be some on-site tools. Many of my tools (Snapon and Craftsman) were stolen a few years ago and decided to see if I could make do with the Dekopro set. They have been mostly OK, but will likely start to replace the tools I use the most and/or I find inadequate such as the needle-nose pliers.
Milwaukee Hex Electric Screwdriver (2013?) with right angle adaptor and multiple bits. It is mostly powerful enough to use as a light duty drill.
Additional tools that live the the Milwaukee case (avoiding pulling out the Dekopro case): metric hex wrench, screwdriver, precision screwdriver with multiple bits, box cutter, pencil, sharpie, cresent wrench, hex wrench bits, precision needle nose pliers, nitecore nu20 headlamp
Misc other tools not shown: Fluke IR Temp. Meter, Fluke Multimeter, Soldering Iron, Clamps, Calipers, Level, Micro screwdrivers
Snake Blocks (2021) for a fun and a bit of color on the table.
Keith Titanium Double Walled 150ml Tea Cups (2021)
Nitecore UMS4 (2022). Versatile charger powered by micro-USB. Supports most battery formulations and sizes with informative display which describes state of batteries and charging process. A bit larger than I would like but it has to accommodate large batteries. We generally use Eneloop Pro Batteries. Reasonable power density and power retention when stored.
Dimmer for String Lights (2022) Allows use to schedule changes which can include sunset or sunrise as triggers.
ReoLink Outdoor Camera (2022) to figure out what creatures were eating our vegetables.
For the next 2-3 years we will be traveling. partially to explore the world, partially to determine where we will spend the next season of our lives. We decided not to sell our home in Mountain View, but to rent it out given the high rent and that it seems like a good investment to hold on to. We are living out of 1-2 bags, and Jackie has some capsule wardrobes that are stored in a location we can periodically access.
Traveling actually started a couple of years ago. A bit after COVID hit we traveled to Portland to investigate the possibility of buying an investment property, and maybe relocate there. Since then we have spent time in several cities, purchased some property in Santa Rosa, I retired, and our youngest got her own apartment. For the next two to three years we are fully embracing a semi-nomadic existence as we figure out where our home based will be for the next season of life. Our first stop is Santa Cruz for December. Close enough to support our youngest as she is figuring things out, far enough that she won’t feel crowded, and we get to experience living in Santa Cruz rather than just visiting for a day. We are traveling heavy as we finish consolidating life in preparation of spending significant time out of the country.
Jackie’s bags, shoes, and shark fin melon on the left, food we needed to clear out of the house, Mark’s two bags, chilipad, and our scale.
I retired this pasted summer so I would have more time to pursue my interests. I decided to sign up for psychology class at Foothill college for several reasons:
I am interested in psychology, and thought having introduction class would ensure I had a broad and systematic overview of the field.
In my younger years I started and stopped taking college classes because I repeatedly failed one or more of my classes. As an older, and hopefully wiser person, could I now do well in college?
Provide a bit of structure
An opportunity to interact with some fellow students
Classes Take Time
The reading, videos embedded in lecture notes, and time to do the assignments took 10-15 hours a week matching conventional wisdom that time for a class is between 2-3x the number of credit hours. Often I would find myself watching a video for 20 minutes that explained the material in a very basic manner missing nuances that I already appreciated. It was tempting to skip the video, but I felt compelled to watch it in case it covered something I was unaware of.
Discipline Required
The class was 100% online. Initially I was doing the school work on my laptop in the same location I do everything else. I found it very easy to get distracted. I needed to set aside specific times to do my school work, and do the work in “study” location. When I failed to do this, I had to spend time on the weekend “finishing my work”.
Material To Study Directed by Others
As a student in a class, I had to attend to the material selected by the teacher. I found that there were areas that I thought the material was way to superficial and would have liked to go into much more detail. There were other areas that I had little interest in, and I don’t think are that important in the scheme of things. As a “good student” I needed to attend to what the teacher wanted and do the assignments that where assigned.
Each week we wrote multiple mini papers (>=350 words). Some of the topics required me to radically shorten what I would naturally research and what I wrote. Others topics were so uninteresting that I had to struggle to find enough words to answer the question. In almost all the cases, a large body of life experience resulted a mismatch of the class expectations and what I would naturally do.
To do well in the class required memorizing certain facts and definitions. For someone working in the field, having this material available for instant recall would be key. For someone who isn’t interacting with the field on a daily basis, having a framework and access to the web, or even an encyclopedia would be adequate.
Interaction with Fellow Student Not Good in Async Classes
Due to some delays in registration, all the in-person classes were full so I registered for the 100% remote class. Structure the class provided was slight: there was a syllabus which specified the topic for the week, the quiz could be taken at the end of the week, but a few assignments and reading lists.
As a fully remote class the interaction with fellow students was in a very poorly designed “discussion system” which resulted each student posting a short paper answering several questions, and then maybe a couple of comments in response to the post. Little back and forth. Hard to really pull out people’s life experiences.
Conclusion
At the end of the 5th week I have a near perfect score. I have confidence that I could go back to school and get a degree if I wanted to. Alas, I feel like I have learned very little in the class and engaged in a fair amount of “busy work”. This is not a good use of my time. I would like to skip over what I already know and focus on new material. It’s very hard to do this in a structured class.
One thing I did learn. I can improve my ability to evaluate the quality of research studies and identify ways to improve studies. I don’t know if this is something I would have discovered in most classes, but it’s something that some of my instructors assignments helped me appreciate.
Getting through introductory classes / basic educational requirements will be a challenge for me… not due the difficulty of the material, but because it will be boring. Succeeding in these classes will depend on “playing the school game”, not about learning.
Online discusses of academic material really sucks. It wasn’t a discussion, it was more like people making statements to each other. It’s very unlikely I will sign up for classes that don’t have synchronic interactions as a core part of the class. I really feel bad for the student whose college experience is largely made up of these a-synchronic remote classes.
Athletes, especially those who engage in endurance activities are typically familiar with VO2max because it’s a useful predictor of their performance in races. As we age, VO2max is also a good predictor of what physical activities we will be able to engage in, so I think it’s useful for everyone to be aware of.
What is VO2max?
VO2max is a measurement of a person’s ability to take in and use oxygen. It is impacted by how effective their lungs are to transfer O2 from the air to blood, how effective the heart is to deliver the blood to muscles (volume per beat and maximum heart rate are the keys), and the muscles ability to utilize the oxygen. It’s worth noting that often VO2max is described as milliliters of oxygen per minute per kilogram of body weight so losing weight will often raise someone’s VO2max.
What is a “Normal” VO2max
I think it’s useful to know what “normal” is, and to see how it changes generally in people. I think we should select a target based on the activities we want to be able to engage in rather than settling for “average”.
Humans who have been training throughout their lives tend to have their VO2max peak when they are around 30 years old. After 30, VO2max has a tendency to drop. The individuals health and training determine how quickly VO2max drops. For people who have not trained before they were 30, it is possible to increase VO2max beyond what they achieved at 30. Once an individual is trained, their VO2max will drop over time.
10% / decade after someone is 30 is the common figure if an individual is not training
5% / decade is what is often cited for people maintaining training.
Recorded data from training individuals suggests that well trained individuals lose around 5% / tens years between ages 30-60, after 60 even with continued training people loss 8-10% / decade.
VO2max can spiral down more quickly toward the end of life because people aren’t active, their VO2max drops, which makes it harder for them to be active, and the cycle continues.
To have a sense of a VO2max required for other activities, you can consult the Compendium of Physical Activities (PDF) or their website which lists the approximate METs generated by activity. Multiple METs by 3.5 to get VO2max required.
How to Measure VO2max
The gold standard is performed in a sports performance laboratory by measuring oxygen consumption via Indirect Calorimetry. This involves wearing a mask which measure the O2 you breath in, and the CO2 that you exhale while running on a treadmill or riding a bicycle as quickly as you are able. This test typically costs >$200 and has to be done in a lab. In the Bay Area DexaFit has an office in San Carlos, Silicon Valley Sports Medicine in Campbell, and the UCSF Human Performance Center do VO2max tests. Calibre makes a mask that claims to be nearly as accurate as lab equipment.
There are a number of methods which are pretty accurate that don’t require the expensive laboratory equipment. A number of methods and the accuracy are described in the show notes from podcast #223 Peter Attia AMA #39 VO2 max and more. A few methods I would recommend considering
Garmin (FirstBeat) method of VO2max… e.g. let your watch estimate it for you. Apple Watch also estimates VO2max… I have no idea how it’s accuracy compares, though online posts in 2023 by people who did treadmill tests compared to the Apple Watch suggest it’s less accurate than Garmin.
While not as accurate as the proceeding three tests, the Rockport Walk Test is easy to perform, especially by people who haven’t been regularly training.
Warm up for around 10 minutes
Walk as quickly as you can on a flat surface or treadmill for 1 mile. Don’t jog!
Record the time it took and your heart rate at the end
enter these numbers into the Rockport Calculator and get an estimated VO2Max (+/- 10%).
How to Increase VO2Max
A meta analysis of training to increase VO2max found the biggest gains over multiple months were several intervals of 3-5 minutes with an active rest in-between. A recent study found HIIT training was the most effective way to increase VO2max in the cohort they trained. Closely related, a meta analysis found sprint intervals (SIT) to be the most effective method to increase mitochondrial density / function. The protocol discussion on Attia’s AMA suggested 4 cycles of 4 minutes exercise at VO2max followed by 4 minutes of active rest. If you are looking for a minimum effective dose, one study found that doing 2 20-second all out sprints a couple of times a week was an effective way to boast VO2Max.
For cyclists, using power is the easiest way to plan workouts. See an introduction to training with power by Dr. Andrew Coggan, one of the experts in this field.
I have been starting to look into how training your breathing could significantly improve VO2max and endurance. There are several devices such as the o2trainer might be useful as well as breathing training.
There is some evidence that suggests that rowing might be the best way exercise to maintain VO2max in the later years. I suspect this is because it provides a more complete (full body) workout when compared to a number of endurance activities while being low impact and having a very low incidences of accidents which might require someone to stop training for a period of time.
Setting a VO2max Goal
Peter Attia encourages most people to train for the centenarian olympics. In AMA 39 he discussed how VO2max is often something that limits what people are able to do as they age.
So lets say someone wants to be able to climb stairs and speed walk when they hit 100 which would require a VO2max of 32. Assuming they regularly train the following is what their VO2max needs to be in the proceeding decades.
Age
VO2max
Possible Activities
30
58
Run 10mph
40
55
50
52
60
50
jog 6mph up a hill
70
45
run 8mph on level ground, carry heavy objects up stairs
When I first started to learn about nutrition, I found a lot of conflicting information about protein. The USFDA recommendations were low. Advice to body builders was high. There seemed to be differing views about optimal timing, the minimum effective dose, maximum effective dose, etc. Yesterday I listed to podcast #224 ‒ Dietary protein: amount needed, ideal timing, quality, and more | Don Layman, Ph.D. – Peter Attia. The discussion between Attia and Don Layman crystalized everything I had read over the years, and a quick email with Don confirmed my understand.
TL;DR
Older adults who are actively training should consume 2 grams / 1 kg of LEAN body weight. People generally don’t know their lean body weight, so the most common recommendations assume 20% body fat in males resulting in a recommendation of 1.6 grams / 1 kg of body weight, which is .73 grams / 1 lb body weight. For women at 33% body fat, this would be 1.4 grams / 1 kg of body weight, which is .63 / 1 lb body weight.
Younger folks who are actively training, or older adults not actively training should consume 1.2g/kg, or .54g/lb lean body weight.
Younger folks who are not actively training should avoid eating a caloric surplus (duh) and keep protein to around .8g/kg to minimize cancer risk.
Minimum effective dose in adults is around 20-25 grams / meal. Less than that you are you feeding other systems, but not triggering muscle synthesis which you really want!!
Maximum effective dose for muscle synthesis is around 50 grams. Above that, it’s turned into fuel for organs or saved as fat. In rare cases, larger amounts of protein can be consumed at one time if it is slowly metabolized such as casein proteins.
In the first 3 months of new training, get protein within 2 hours. Otherwise timing doesn’t matter
Make sure your first, and last meals have adequate protein. Ideally approach the maximum dose in your first meal.
Background
Protein is needed by the body. The body needs around 300 grams of “new” protein / day. Most of this comes by way of recycling within the body. As we age, the recycling becomes less effective requiring us to consume more protein.
There are a wide variety of proteins which our body produces from over 20 different amino acids. There are nine essential amino acids that our body can’t produce. We need to consume them. The protein we eat gets broken down and then used.
It is useful to think about dietary protein as a vitamin containing essential amino acids. The % of macro-nutrients in our diet from protein isn’t so important. What’s critical is that we are consuming enough (e.g. it’s an absolute number).
For adults (>25) it’s critical to consume enough essential amino acids, which we typically get through the consumption of protein, to drive muscle synthesis. Protein (for this purpose) is not so important in younger folks whose muscle synthetic is driven by hormones.
The absorption rate of protein affects the optimal amount of protein consumed at one time. See article about protein anabolic responses.
To maintain and regain muscle, older people need more dietary protein than do younger people; older people should consume an average daily intake in the range of 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg
The per-meal anabolic threshold of dietary protein/amino acid intake is higher in older individuals (ie, 25 to 30 g protein per meal, containing about 2.5 to 2.8 g leucine) in comparison with young adults.
Protein needs vary based on individual goals, such as building muscle, maintaining it, or improving body composition. Calculating protein intake based on lean body mass or an adjusted ideal body weight is preferred to avoid unrealistic targets for individuals with higher body fat percentages. While the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, this amount is widely considered inadequate for optimal health. The RDA is based on nitrogen balance studies, which have significant limitations.
I asked chat-gpt (4o model) optimal protein for building and maintaining muscle. Here was it’s response:
Protein Needs Based on Lean Body Mass (LBM)
Category
Protein Intake (g per kg LBM)
Protein Intake (g per lb LBM)
Under 25, Actively Training (Strength & Resistance)
2.0 – 2.7 g/kg
0.9 – 1.2 g/lb
Over 60, Actively Strength Training
2.2 – 3.0 g/kg
1.0 – 1.4 g/lb
Age 30, Active but Not Strength Training
1.5 – 2.0 g/kg
0.7 – 0.9 g/lb
Age 65, Active but Not Strength Training
1.8 – 2.3 g/kg
0.8 – 1.0 g/lb
Other Considerations
Strength trainees (young and old) need more due to high muscle turnover and the need to maximize muscle protein synthesis.
Older adults (especially over 60) require more protein per unit of LBM due to anabolic resistance.
Non-strength training active individuals need less protein than resistance trainers but still require adequate amounts for recovery and lean mass preservation.
Protein Distribution: Spread intake across 3-5 meals per day, ideally 20-40g per meal, to maximize muscle protein synthesis.
Leucine Content: Include high-leucine sources (e.g., whey protein, eggs, lean meats) to enhance muscle-building signals.
Strength Training Matters: Resistance training significantly enhances the muscle-preserving effects of protein, especially in older adults.
All sources have some bias. Bias starts by only running stories that fit a certain ideology and at its most extreme are completely made up (propaganda). Listening to just one voice will often leave you in an echo chamber which will lead you to an extremism position. Make sure you have a balanced diet.
There is too much news, especially bad news, for any human to bear… you need to be selective
My recommendation for minimum diet: NPR’s Up First podcast, WSJ 10-Point daily email for subscribers, The Economist for excellent weekly analysis.
I also get news via podcasts, blogs, and newsletters
Pressreader and Flipster allows people with library cards to read numerous newspapers and magazines for free.
I have seen excessive media consumption have a profoundly negative impact on friends. One had the news on in the background whenever she was home. It led to her being anxious and worried all the time. She recognized this and started to limit how much time she listened to the news. Within a few months she was much more at peace and abled to focus her time on things she thought were worthwhile.
I have several friends who only listened the news from their political perspective (left and right). I have watched their position become increasing polarized. Now they can’t even imagine interacting with someone associated with the other political party, even when those people were long time friends.
Changes in Media
I grew up in a golden age of traditional media: the middle of the 20th century. Media companies had enough money that they left news organizations alone. Many news rooms were run by editors who had a great respect for and a desire to know “the truth“. The heros of the newsroom were the investigative reporters. In the 21st century we are returning to an earlier era where much of the news is driven by money. Newsrooms need to attract viewer and make a profit. As the newsroom has been commercialized, there are a number of websites that have been created by some of the journalists who felt displaced / constrained by the changes in the traditional media companies. I have hope that some of these organizations might continue the tradition of high quality journalism.
Selecting Good News Sources
My goal is to learn important facts (truths that are falsifiable) that keep me informed about the most important things effecting our world in general, and my life in particular. I recognize that I have personal biases. I don’t want to live in an echo chamber that reinforces my biases. I want to be exposed to information that will grow my understanding.
There are several media organizations such as Fox News and MS-NBC which are beyond bias selection of stories and are approaching propaganda / intentional misinformation which makes me angry and sad. I have several friend who watch several hours from one of these outlets. I have noticed that they seem constantly worried or angry. It’s no surprise given their media diet.
There have been several attempts to evaluate bias and accuracy in news reports such as adfontesmedia, allsides, factcheck.org, leadstories. mediabiasfactcheck. At some point I plan to look at the methodologies used by these groups to see which one does the best job identifying bias. I expect that this would be best done using machine learning.
I am working to skew my news consumption toward issues that I can do something about, but this is just beginning so I have nothing to report at this time.
100 years ago people got news about their local community, and “major” stories from the world beyond the town or city. The news from “outside” would arrive maybe daily, or if you were in a remote town, weekly. As transportation and information distribution improved, and the news cycle sped up. We are now presented with a firehose of news.
Psychological studies have demonstrated that negative information catches our attention more than positive information. News organizations bias focus on negative news because they know it’s more likely to catch your attention which has led to the truism “If it bleeds, it leads”. This has lead to crisis fatigue.
This has resulted in people often feel that our communities are more dangerous than they were in the past. Parents feel they must walk their children to school to avoid them being snatched off the street. People are afraid the will be a victim of a violate crime, etc. Ironically, statistics indicate these crimes have decreased significantly over time. Why are people afraid? It used to be that if a child was abducted it was only reported in a local paper, maybe 100k people heard about it. Now it’s a lead story throughout the world, with hundreds of millions, if not billions of people hearing about it, and the story being repeated every hour.
We aren’t built to carry the weight of all the problems in the world. Constant exposure can be depression if not debilitating. I appreciate David Byrne’s attempt to fight this with Reasons to be Cheerful online magazine as one way to fight against this.
Daily
WSJ: I find the news from WSJ fact based with a slight conservative bias. The opinion pages are decidedly conservative. I don’t necessarily read all on the WSJ, but I always scan the daily email I receive from them (The 10-Point: A Guide to the Day’s Top News and Here’s Your Daily Discover) to decide what stories to read
NPR: I find the most of news programs on NPR (morning edition, all things considers, the world, etc) fact based with a modest liberal bias. The rest of the programs are variable ranging from neutral to quite liberal. I mostly don’t listen to NPR on the radio, but I sometimes listen to the “Up First” podcast to get a daily dose of news, and several of their programs which are listed on my favorite podcasts page.
I am experimenting with a number of daily newsletters delivered via email like 1440 and tangle news which are attempting to provide accurate, balanced coverage. I haven’t reached a conclusion what I think yet.
Out of Rotation
BBC: Seems to be one of the least biased media outlets. I sometimes listen to one of their radio or TV shows, glance at their “front page”.
NYT: Historically was a slightly liberal leaning news papers that was a primary source for me. In recent years they have become more partisan. I have let my subscription lapse. When there is a story I want to read I do it through my library.
Aljazeera: A non-western/USA centered take on news.
Christian Science Monitor: Not currently reading but it seems to be one of the more balanced newspapers published today. First started reading in the 1980s at the encouragement of a polisci professor.
Reuters / AP / UPI: Neutral (just the facts) stories which by definition doesn’t have deep analysis. I tried to subscribe to all their stories and use hand crafted filters to surface stories that I would be interested in while keeping me from drowning in too much news. I was not successful. This could be a good project using machine learning techniques combined with collaborative filtering.
Taipei Times: The only English daily newspaper in TW. Periodically scan to get news from Jackie’s hometown.
fivethirtyeight: Liberal leaning but tried to take an empirical approach to analysis.
Politico: Liberal take on US politics. Not currently reading.
The Hill: Follows the goings in Washington DC. Not currently reading, but a must for people who are focused on politics
Weekly
The Economist: I have been consistently impressed with their balance, deeply insightful analysis, and ability to cut through hype.
Out of Rotation
Propublica: Classic investigative journalism calling the powerful to account. Slightly liberal bias because the poor and powerless are typically those getting run over.
60 Minutes: In the early days was fabulous. Stopped watching because it seems to have become more bias and more sensationalized.
(Bi)Monthly
The Atlantic: Liberal leaning, thoughtful, also includes conservative voices. Available on Flipster.
American Purpose: Classic Liberal (not American political liberal) viewpoint founded by Francis Fukuyama. Website, not a magazine and doesn’t have an RSS feed 🙁
Foreign Policy / Foreign Affairs: Classic journals about US foreign policy. Reading inconsistently because I am not so focused on international relations
Columnists
The following columnists appear in a variety of publications. I have found that they simulate my thinking. Several often take positions that are different from mine, but reading them expands my perspective. This list is much shorter than it used to be, in the last 10 years we have lost many great columnists. I find many of the newer columnists overly partisan who don’t think as deeply about issues.
Arthur Brooks: Conservative who prioritizes human dignity and justice.
David Brooks: Every liberals favorite (moderate) conservative.
In 1974 I was at a summer camp for a couple of weeks. When I returned home I learned that Nixon had resigned. It made me think I needed to keep up with the new daily. I purchased a shortwave radio so I could always hear the news, no matter where I was. It has taken me a very long time to realize that it’s OK if I miss the news for a few days, or even a week or two. I finally realized that there is nothing I can do that immediately impacts any of the “big” news stories. So it I hear about it a day, a week, or even a month after the fact, nothing is really going to change.
These days when I take a vacation, do a long backpacking trips, etc, I feel free to not worry about the news. When I return home I can catch up. Mean while I can focus on my trip without distractions and give my heart a rest from the news cycle.
Retirement: A stage of life when you are able to invest time without being constrained by the need to earn a salary. It becomes easier to pursue things that you think are truly worthwhile without having to make compromises. It’s possible to be “retired” and be working a job that pays you a salary if you aren’t dependent on keeping the salary.
I expect people who read my Midlife Reset Revisited post wouldn’t be surprise that I retired July 29, 2022 after working in technology for 43 years. That’s something like 100k “work hours” and 30k hours in meeting.
I had the privilege of working with some extraordinary people at several great institutions. I had a front row seat to major technological changes… sometimes helping them along. Much of our work stood on the shoulders of giants whose work in the 1960s and 1970s still provides wise guidance such as Butler Lampson’s Hints for Computer System Design. I had the joy of mentoring numerous students and employees. I am grateful that I could be an industry advisor to several projects associated with the CS department at UC Berkeley. It’s gratifying to see how the ideas developed in the ROC, RADlab, Tier, and like projects have spread. My workplaces have included two universities, Xerox PARC, and seven startups, five of which “succeeded” by going public or by being acquired by Google or Microsoft. Along the way we built some remarkable systems and some wonderful friendships.
To be effective in most technical fields required many hours outside “work hours” invested in continual learning. Every 4-5 years there seems to be a new technology or approach to learn and master. Until recently I had enjoyed expanding my “systems” mastery. A signal that it was time to make a change was that I was happy to spend time learning about most any topic but distributed systems. I knew it would be useful to refresh my knowledge of container orchestration, to learn about Raft even though I paid the cost to understand Paxos, etc. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Yet I was eager to be reading about economics, sociology, theology, striving to understand the Krebs cycle… oh my, so much to learn, so few years left.
I also started to notice how much of my mindspace work took: the time spent in showers, on walks, in the middle of longer bike rides, and those nights I couldn’t sleep thinking about how to advance our field or overcome a challenge at work. Rather than being energizing as it had been, it was feeling like a burden.
My wife Jackie has been encouraging me to embrace “life” as discussed in the classic book Your Money or Your Life and not worry so much about money. It’s time to invest in what I find truly life giving. My desire is to spend more time thinking about the “human heart” and mind, less about technology. To have more time to invest in my family, local community, neighborhood, church, and some NGOs I have periodically assisted. I want to live rest of my life with wisdom, leveraging all I have learned and experienced so far investing into other people as described by Richard Rohr in Falling Upward and Arthur Brooks in Strength to Strength. I nearly made this transition 10 years ago, but I flinched.
Short Term
Health: I am going to step up my exercise and physical activity. Time to reactivate Strava. Times are going to be slow. After a year of stagnation it will take some time to make new PRs, but it will be fun to have more time to run, cycle and lift some weights. I will have time to join Jackie learning Tai Chi. I am making appointments for various checkups that I should have done awhile ago, and revisit my game plan for a healthy and fit life.
Backpacking: It’s been almost a year since I have taken a backpacking trip. I am going to find some places that aren’t burning and get away to enjoy some natural beauty and solitude. First stop Ventana. When did it become so hard to get wilderness permits for the Lost Coast?! Emigrant Wilderness in the next month. Hopefully I will be able to join a good friend on a section or two of the AT this fall.
Learning: There are many topics I want a deeper understanding. Some study will be on my own. Some will leverage community college. This fall I am hoping to take a psychology course that my daughter is taking. Maybe she will be a study buddy. One thing I realized is that there are more books I want to read than I have years left. I am going to focus on reading what I think will be valuable, and not feel compelled to finish a book just because I started it.
Connections: I am going to take some time to visit family than I rarely see and meet some family members I have never met. I will have more time to spend with people from our church and neighborhood. I expect we will be having people overa couple times a week for the rest of the year. Groups of six are really great. If you have 8 or more you end up with multiple conversations. Now that I have more slack I am going to restart the “whose my neighbor?” experiment that I did when I took a sabbatical from work ten years ago.
Contemplation: Make space to listen to my heart, to God, and to the people around me. Being more intentionally grateful, and more attentive to what’s happening around me, and living more in the moment. More consistent in my prayer life, and working through some material about pilgrimages and personal transformation in preparation for walking the Camino De Santiago, aka The Way of Saint James.
Medium Term
Travel: in next couple of years we are going to visit places that might be home for our next season of life. We don’t know where we will ultimately settle… leading candidates now are the Mountain View/Los Altos, Berkeley, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz. Portland, San Jose Costa Rica, Lisbon, Portugal… but all that could change in the next two years. We will spend 1 month “scouting” locations over the next year or two. Within a couple of years we hope to narrow the options down to a few places. We plan to spend 6 months in each location before planting ourselves.
Close out work lessons?: Over the years I have made notes about all I have learned about building reliable systems. I abandoned turning my notes into finished documents years ago… but I know some people who are working on formalizing something similar. Maybe with a bit of a break from technology and management I will have enough interest to put just a bit more time into my old field.
Long Term
The general vector is to get better at loving God, loving neighbors and growing in faith. The specifics are still in process. My current page will give a brief snapshot of whatever is top of mind right now.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
