Khaled Abou Alfa

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 20:50:18 -0500

Logo Rhythm by Jamie Ellul. Haven’t backed a Kickstarter in years. This might get me out of retirement.

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:08:47 -0500

Astropad have released version 2 of their Rock Paper Pencil iPad Screen Protector and Apple Pencil Tips.

Was looking to buy this a couple of weeks ago, glad I waited.

The BIRD Brewer

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 20:57:00 -0500

The BIRD¹ brewer costs a cool $360 (US) and introduces the world to a unique brewing mechanism. It is a cross between a French press and an AeroPress, made from premium materials and looks to bridge a brewing gap between pour overs and espressos.

This review from Lance Hedrick pits it against a whole bunch of alternative brewers trying to replicate the outcome (some using a similar-ish method, but none as elegant, or quite the same). The quick take is that while the profile can be replicated with other techniques/brewers, none as elegant as the BIRD.

It is currently out of stock- which does not come as a surprise. Smaller businesses, whether they are micro-brand watches, stationary, iPhone accessories or in this case coffee brewers typically have this issue if they have anything remotely successful.

BIRD stands for Brew In Reverse Direction and is a non-bypass brewer. ↩︎

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 07:54:23 -0500

Even the birds are confused by the weather. It’s the middle of February and I can hear a bunch of birds chirping away in the background. It’s spring already? Nope. Not yet.

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 20:57:11 -0500

Apparently Sprudge is one of the big websites surrounding coffee. It’s not the best put together web experience, but it does have a few interesting elements. Firstly, they are the Apple Maps guide to coffee (already bookmarked a few places in Toronto), and there is a book, The New Rules of Coffee, that I’ve just ordered as well (breaking my no new books until I’ve finished reading other books on my list self imposed rule of 2024).

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 09:27:31 -0500

Spent a little time this morning exploring the coffee industry websites. Fascinating to me that there is a ton of industry information out there, but I wasn’t really able to find the Daring Fireball of this industry…

Sat, 17 Feb 2024 10:54:17 -0500

Always leave the house, no matter what the weather is like and try and clear my mind.

Got outside when I don’t know what I want to do.
When I don’t know what project I want to work on.
When I don’t know what book I want to read.
What show I want to watch.
What food I want to cook.
What podcast I want to listen to.
What post I want to write.
What picture I want to take.

Just go outside and let the fresh air do its thing and clear the fog.

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 06:39:40 -0500

Hover bill just got paid and I was reminded that this site is 7 years old, which is pretty wild to me that I’ve totally stuck through it all and the site has become and important outlet for me. It’s all life related posts but I guess that is the whole point of a personal site, capture what’s important to you at the time and pass it on to your future self.

Definite bonus being some others might be up for joining you a little along the way.

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:38:31 -0500

Signs of my age I’m sure, but while I’ve heard of Taylor Swift, and keep hearing how she’s ruining the NFL (or whatever), I could not name you or hum a single song by her.

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 22:28:06 -0500

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 13:51:53 -0500

Moon Racket! February 2024.

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 10:03:16 -0500

Not sure when this happened, but the addition of page assist to Procreate is such a natural way to creating comics. Just an incredible application that continuously removes friction from the creation process.

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 12:53:30 -0500

Working on the February strip. I am looking to add some backgrounds, so will try a few options to see what some regular elements might be.

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 23:11:46 -0500

Have heard a lot of great things about Mr.Robot, so checking out the first few episodes and it hasn’t disappointed. I like the fact that it appears to be pretty self contained 4 season series.

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 18:23:22 -0500

Toni Cornell Performs Stunning Rendition of Peal Jam’s “Black”. That is a hard song.

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 21:31:48 -0500

Every year in February I watch Groundhog Day. And every year Yasmine asks me why. Its such a great movie.

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 20:07:49 -0500

It took a while but finally got the kids Nintendo Switch repaired (the HDMI output was not working on the Switch itself). They can now play on the main screen (which itself is definitely due an upgrade).

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 15:20:29 -0500

On further consideration the Fjorden Pro actually might be a better call because it works like a normal camera (half press to focus etc). My only gripe is the disc battery which is not the most elegant solution but I guess the functionality that you get is worth it?

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 12:30:59 -0500

Seriously eyeing the SnapGrip. What I like about it is that it has about three functions (battery, stand and shutter button).

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 11:39:54 -0500

Year of Health

Although not written about this, until now, 2024 is my year of health. I’m in my 40s so it’s important that I give this aspect of my life the care and attention it deserves. Health includes mental and physical health, but for the moment there is a little bit of a focus on the physical side of things. I am looking to introduce key products that can slowly help me in this direction.

The first was a smart digital scale. What’s fascinating to me about this technology is that it’s able to record my BMI, water content and a slew of other data points.

The one data point that has really stuck with me is my metabolic age data point. Needless to say my body is indicated as older than I actually am. This single data point is enough motivation for me to really take my health super seriously.

The other data point is my water levels. Not a surprise I have less water than is within the ‘normal’ zone. So I’ve gone and bought a YETI bottle (the large one) so that I can keep guzzling water throughout the day.

For both of these things I’m going to concentrate on tracking trends. Don’t care how much, just as long as everything is trending in the right direction.

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 22:13:59 -0500

Vitesse Brief by WaterField Designs has jumped up on my list of briefcases I must get in 2024. I am such a sucker for great bags and the navy one is on point.

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:34:31 -0500

Listening to Toni Cornell’s Far Away Places. The girl gets soo much rope from me, but legitimately she does not need it. She’s inherited her dad’s pipes.

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:12:42 -0500

Testing LinkedIn Crossposting. Failed.

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 18:43:26 -0500

🎨 Just chilling out with Zane on the couch watching Bob Ross doing his thing.

Sat, 27 Jan 2024 16:45:44 -0500

The first casualty when war comes is truth.
— Hiram W Johnson