Multitools, Meditation, and Madness

It’s officially the midway point of October and this month is going way too fast. I was sick for basically the entire first week so I have a lot of Fall activities to catch up on. I’m going to need a double-shot PSL asap. But the midway point of the month also means more Cool Supply. There aren’t a lot of deep new rabbit holes I found to go down (other than the ones I’m already currently digging into), but there is some new gear that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. Hopefully it’ll be just as sticky in yours.

🏠 Quick housekeeping

So this is the second issue of the month on this new twice a month cadence, and so far I really like it. It helps me pay a little more attention to whatever I come across. I’m still experimenting with format a bit so if things change over the next few months it’ll hopefully be for the better. I’m still set on moving off of Substack eventually and building out my own server for all this, but that’s a project for a future date. Ain’t nobody got time for that in Techtober.

in this issue

 🛠️ New Leatherman Just Dropped

 👨‍🍳 The Essential Apron

 🧘‍♂️ A Meditation Cushion Set

🛠️ Leatherman ARC

A good multitool is an essential part of my EDC (for those that don’t know, that stands for everyday carry). I typically swear by my Victorinox Cadet for daily use but a plier-based multitool is impossible to beat. The Leatherman Free P4 has been my go-to because of the FREE Technology that makes it easy to access every tool with just one hand thanks to magnets. The only downside is that it’s much larger and heavier than something like the Cadet.  Still, I always take note when a new Leatherman drops, and the new Leatherman ARC has definitely piqued my interest. 

The ARC uses the FREE tech as well, so accessing all of the tools with just one hand should be just as easy. For the most part, this is the same as the P4 that I already use but it does have some key differences that have me drooling over it. This one has built-in bit drivers, a sick black MagnaCut blade complete with a thumb stud, and a sick all-black DLC coating. If I were in the market for a new multitool right now, this would be the one.

👨‍🍳 Hedley & Bennett The Essential Apron

Is it just me, or is there something kind of badass about putting on a nice apron before getting to work? Ever since doing workshop in college I’ve missed the need for protective aprons while working. Being creative with your hands is so rewarding and those memories always start with walking into the shop and tossing on an apron. I probably won’t have a workshop or paint studio in my apartment anytime soon, but the second that I have an empty garage I’m getting the Essential Apron from Hedley & Bennett just because. 

I’m not an apron expert so I’m not sure if there are any benefits to this apron over any other kind of apron, but this one stood out to me for two reasons. The first is that it has pockets. Never underestimate a good set of pockets. The second is that it comes in a ton of different colors and they have a bunch of interesting collabs as well. Now that I got my apron picked out I guess I just need a hobby.

🧘‍♂️ Walden Meditation Cushion Set

You know how sometimes you see those people that meditate with a perfectly straight back and never have any issues with lower back pain? That’s not me. Every time I’ve tried to “properly” meditate I end up squirming in discomfort at best and pain at worst. I don’t know whether I have a bad back or am just a little bitch (more likely a combination of the two), but I always end up just sitting on the bed with a pillow pinned between myself and the wall. It helps, but still isn’t ideal. 

I’ve been taking mental notes of nice meditation cushions as I come across them, but this one really got me. My friend David Imel pulled up the website to his friend’s studio in Brooklyn to show me something entirely different, but the meditation cushion is what stuck out to me. Not only does it look gorgeous but it can double as seating when people come over. I’m a sucker for multiple use cases.

Anytype Impressions

So in the last issue I mentioned that I was going to be using a new note-taking app called Anytype. It basically looks and feels like if Notion and Obsidian had a baby. So you get all of the features of Notion (blocks, formulas, pages, etc.) with all of the security of Obsidian. Practically, it’s almost exactly like Notion. Functionally, it is very different. 

Anytype is open-source so you can just grab the code from the Github which I love and the data is stored and encrypted locally on device. Two big checks in my book. But is it worth the effort of migrating my entire Notion over? (The automatic import feature didn’t work). While I do love Notion and the community of people making creative templates for it, one big downside for me is that it’s a cloud first app. So it’s basically impossible to use if you’re offline. I take the subway to work most days so this is really frustrating when you’re trying to jot down notes and service keeps going in and out.

Long story less long: meh. I like what Anytype has to offer security-wise, but I haven’t decided yet if it’s actually worth me taking the time to switch over my entire Notion just yet. 

What’s Next? Day One

A few months ago Apple announced its own digital journaling app. It seems like a cool idea except that:

1. It’s an Apple product. I try not to lock myself into apps that I can only access by buying expensive devices.
2. It looks like a straight up spiritual clone of this popular journaling app called Day One.

So I figured I’d give Day One a try. I’ve never been able to keep a consistent journaling habit so maybe going digital-first will work? Who knows. I’ll let you know next time what I think.

Answer to last week: an echo!

This week's AI riddle: 
I'm not alive, but I can grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?

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