Updated October 1, 2025 at Endor Studios

(Want to see what I was doing then?)

Projects

The Apple Productivity Suite Field Guide

Apple has been slowly improving Notes, Reminders, Calendar, and Freeform. To the point that it’s now a perfectly acceptable productivity suite for many people. For the last nine months, I’ve been diving deep with the apps, and I’ve created a new Field Guide for them. The recording is now done and the videos are in post-production. I expect to release it soon.

AI, MCP, and Donkey Work

I’m experimenting with AI a lot lately and Model Context Protocol. Specifically, I’m trying to get it to do more donkey work, so I can focus on more human work. Results are mixed, but every positive result is a win. I’ll be covering this more deeply in the MacSparky Labs.

In the Woodshop

I’m working on a little project right now. It’s a stand for my Ugmonk cards. I’ve got a few in testing phase. I just cut slight cove into them using (of course) a cove plane for my pencil. I’m still deciding if I want to laser engrave onto them or leave them plain. I’ve got a few days work left on them with some shaping and finishing.

In the Garden

The weather is cooling off enough that I can take the bonsai trees out of permanent shade. Now they are spread throughout the yard again. That makes me happy. Here’s a bonsai sequoia that needs a trim.

Reading

I’m reading the Meditations again. This will be the third time. I read it when I was 20. Then I read it when I was 40. Now I’m reading it when I’m 57. It hits different every time. (I prefer the Gregory Hays translation.)

State of the Sparky

Things are going pretty good for me right now. I’m happy to have finished the heavy lift on the Apple Productivity Suite Field Guide and am looking forward to its launch (and catching my breath).

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Hat tip to Derek Sivers for the idea of this “Now” page. I’m terrible at social media, but this page gives me a place to check in with the world and update you, as Derek recommends, like I would when catching up with an old friend.