I posted a new video this week: The most important lesson I’ve learned from 20 years of journaling

Sitting in a room alone talking to a camera is new for me, but enjoying the process enough that the awkwardness of that is quickly going away.


Where is the AI agent that can bypass website challenges to prove I’m a human?


Regardless of your interest level in watching that big sporting event on Sunday, you should at least be making plans to have all the proper ingredients for chili.


I made another video: Three simple values to shape your life in 2025

Based on the title, you might infer that I hoped to post this a few weeks ago. You might be right. But I think there’s still helpful stuff in here, if I may say so myself.


That thing where you let an old unused domain expire, forgetting that you had used it for linking to the audio files server for your retired podcast.


Currently experiencing a V60 renaissance


Pleasantly surprised by how well an iPad works now plugged into an external USB-C monitor. I have a great little focused work set up that I look forward to using for a little while every morning.

Simple set up of an iPad connected to an external monitor and Bluetooth keyboard.

I made a video: How to Plan a Personal Retreat Day

I’m starting to explore YouTube as an outlet to share some of the things I’m learning and thinking about. I’d be glad for any feedback you are willing to share. I’d also be glad for likes and subscribers and such.


Salieri was driven to madness by his envy of the musical talents of another.

For me, it will be cable management.


Finished reading: An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong 📚

Very interesting! Listened as an audiobook. I often miss too much with audio, but this one felt just about right. I think reading it would have felt like too much detail to maintain my focus.


NYT: The Disappearance of Literary Men Should Worry Everyone

I resonate so so much with everything written in this.


I’ve switched from Goodnotes to the Apple notes app for handwritten note-taking on my iPad. The way it cleans up my scrawls is actually really helpful.


After almost 15 years, MacSparky posted a sequel today to my original iPad home screen post.


I fancy myself a bit of a planner, but I find myself heading into Election Day without any salsa in the house to calm my concerns.


Finished reading: How to Know a Person by David Brooks 📚

I’ve found value in each of Brooks' books, but this one is a stand out. No question it will be one of my top books read this year, and will often be recommended to others.


I would dress up as the Grinch for Halloween, but I’m kind of a grinch about Halloween.


First play of Twilight Struggle with my son.

A Twilight Struggle board game card is placed in the foreground with the game board and pieces visible in the background.

Relaunched my personal site this week to serve as a simple marketing page for my freelance WordPress work: byjohnchandler.com. The previous one was woefully neglected and didn’t help me look very competent.

Be glad to hear from you if you need some WordPress work, or might know someone looking.


Finished reading: Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson 📚

Really enjoyed the audiobook – a good survey of how we got the current political landscape in the US.


I’m enjoying re-reading Sacred Fire, by Ronald Rolheiser, to prepare for an online book club I’m hosting next month. If the subtitle catches your interest, I’d be glad to have you join the discussion. Details are available here.

Cover shot of the book Sacred Fire