This week has been a lot, trying to balance my health restrictions due to my spinal surgery recovery with a ramping up work schedule and still also digesting as much WWDC content, both from Apple and from third parties, as I can. I’ve struggled with my energy level, but generally feel good. I go back for some x-rays and to see my surgeon this week, hoping for a good progress report, and some lifted restrictions.
This week, I finished Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu. Many of you will have heard this title because of the Netflix show. I will admit that I have not finished the Netflix show, but I had started it before deciding to read the book. The book holds much of the same plot arc, but largely occurs in China with Chinese characters. I really enjoyed the book, and will definitely now finish the show. I also plan on reading the second book.
I also finished The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant this week. I found this book via Ryan Holiday’s excellent Reading List email newsletter. I highly recommend that one, it’s helped me find some really incredible books. I adored this book, which is about a true story of a Siberian Tiger attack in 1997. The book is part history, part detective story, part biology, and all captivating. I learned so much about tigers, the Russian Far East, the relationship between primates and big cats, and the on-the-ground outcomes of perestroika. Add this one to your list. It also led me to this excellent YouTube documentary.
A reminder that you can find me on goodreads. I am trying to read a little less this year, with my goal being around 75 books by year’s end.
On to WWDC, I watched the Keynote and State of the Union live. I think Apple knocked it out of the (pardon the pun) park this year. My less technical friends and family seemed less excited about this keynote than others from years past, but I think the focus that Apple chose, and what they are releasing, are the perhaps the best possible options for the good of the company. Having said that, I want more foundational iPadOS improvements.
I, of course, had FOMO about not being able to attend, but my health comes first. I miss the in person format, especially with the sessions. I’ve watched about 15 sessions, and these pre-recorded ones just aren’t as effective for me. I have the iPadOS beta installed on my iPad mini, and haven’t found many rough edges so far. (The more interesting stuff that was announced isn’t in the betas yet.) I did play with the new Calculator app and Math Notes with my Apple Pencil. It’s really well done, but not something I can see myself using on a regular basis.
These Macintosh Wallpapers that Basic Apple Guy captured have a really nice retro touch for us old timers.
Some other stuff I watched and enjoyed this week:
I loved Marques Brownlee’s visit to the iPhone testing labs.
This NYT Cooking “A Day in the Life as a Candy Factory Worker” video about the Smarties factory in New Jersey was cute, as it’s part love story.
My wife and I started Mr. and Mrs. Smith this week. So far, two episodes in, I am hooked and really enjoying it.
Want to say, at the end here, R.I.P. Jerry West. A man who I looked up to.