Resurrecting some podcasts from the depths of the archive for 2024.

• Micro Thoughts from Zak Winnick - (Semi)Daily microcast, just to use as a daily update for posterity
• ZaxTrax - Long-form podcast, featuring music from my collection (maybe some originals from me as well?)
• StickWorld Podcast - This one is the enigma. I’m picking up playing the Chapman Stick again, and want to jump back into the community with my award-winning podcast from…checks notes…2004.
• Untitled Podcast Project - This one’s a secret. I’ve been working behind-the-scenes on something that was very prominent in my past, and will probably be released towards the end of the year for a special anniversary in my life. More TK.

Finished reading: Fifty Shades of Crimson by Pete Tomsett 📚

This is the first book I’ve finished in many years. A fascinating story about one of the most prolific bands you’ve never heard of, but know their many amazing members.

Just because I could, I set up a TOR Relay, and an Onion site for myself.

I spun up a VM on DigitalOcean, and was able to get it all to work within 15 minutes (with some minor Linux work).

Check out my basic Onion site @ zak2eej7zahsockgaxvifvphknugsxapzjhk3is342mvkldwkhochyad.onion

Picked up a pair of AirPods Pro with the USB-C case.

Gotta say…I love Adaptive Audio.

It took me about an hour to get used to it, and now I don’t know how I can use any other headphones…

Woke up at 450a to order the new iPhone (upgrading from the 14 Pro Max, getting the 15 Pro Max).

Ordered through Verizon (my carrier) because they were offering some really great incentives (including the Watch Ultra 2, which I don’t need, but got anyway).

3.5 hours later…

After some ridiculous issues with Verizon (balance due on an account I had with them years ago), and my bank being stupid (but safe, thankfully), everything was ordered.

This was the first time in several years that I had any issues with pre-ordering. I forgot how horrible the experience was if one little thing goes wrong…

This video by MKBHD is a fascinating dive into how Apple markets its products without using “common” buzzwords.

As a former Apple employee, I can safely say we find it annoying as well. 😏

Drove out to Francis Ford Coppola Winery today. I was really excited, but came out disappointed. I was really expecting more from the “museum”.

However, it did allow for a stop in Downtown Healdsburg, where one of my favorite butcher shops in all of CA resides, Journeyman Meat Co.

Plus, they have these awesome paintings in the bathroom…

Here are some of my thoughts on the new Apple Vision Pro…

• $3499. Yikes. However, I think I can get over that with the rest of my points...
• This is an amazing piece of technology. What they packed in there is just insane.
• It essentially eliminated the need for pretty much every tech-driven device in your house.
• You no longer need a TV, sound system, or a computer.
• Obviously, I am writing this *right after* the Keynote, so I don't know what connectivity looks like, so there could be more on this list.
• Looking at it from an enterprise perspective, the $3499 price tag is roughly in the mid-point of what companies spend on new hire equipment and setup. Just give them one of these, and they're set (even for remote work).
• All the tech that Apple has been working on for, at least, the past 5-7 years was to get to this product. It's quite remarkable.

That's all for now. I'm sure I'll have more thoughts as I watch videos from the demo area, and subsequent follow-up videos from my favorite tech peeps.

Beautiful day for Mets baseball. I’ve now seen them play in 8 parks around the country. Of course, they beat the A’s 3-2.

It was a good day…

Way more happy than I should be to have my Breville Oracle Touch back from repair.

I almost forgot what a good cup of home brewed coffee tasted like.

Fog over the northern Sonoma valley, getting on an Avelo flight to Burbank a couple of weeks ago.

Spent the day at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. It was incredible, and surprisingly peaceful.

The rare moment I’m in front of a camera.

Totally worth it to meet my favorite LA Kings player, Pheonix Copley (he’s the starting goalie, and yes…that’s how he spells his name).

This was at the 2023 Kings Fan Fest at the Microsoft Theater (across the street from Staples Cen…I mean Crypto.com Arena).