Journal
Monday, September 29, 2025 →
Someone emailed me today to thank me for my blog post on my radio site about getting a custom amateur radio licence in the UK. It was nice to recieve it, and the guy wanted to get his late wife’s name in his callsign, so it made it feel extra good that I had helped him achieve that. Even though I have posted to that blog in a while - got overwhelmed with writing up trip reports - it’s nice to just leave the content up for others to find. I have tinylytics on that site and each week there’s a small and steady stream of people reading posts.
I’m enjoying the new office layout. I like the corner computer setup, there seems to be more space for it and I like resting my forearms on the desk when typing. But I really like the clean and tidy nature of it. I’ve still not brought anything back in. I’ve probably got space under the desk on the small shelving unit to have a few boxes of things, and that won’t make it look messy. Probably have the camera and lenses in one, and maybe some select items in the other. Otherwise the aim is to keep it clear as possible.
With the new setup, I’ve plugged my headphones into the back of the computer, directly into the sound card. This makes cable management nicer as it comes out from under the monitor and I can leave the headphones on the desk. I’m sure they sound better plugged into the sound card (well it’s onboard the motherboard) directly vs. the header on top of the case. It is one less cable that travels across the computer and potentially picks up interference, or I’m just telling myself that.
I wrote a catch up post on my radio blog about all the SOTA summits I’ve done since I last made a blog post in April this year. It took me a while to do, mostly picking the photos, compressing them, then adding their markdown. It’s a lot easier on this site! Was nice to write up a little summary, plus links to the reflector where the SOTA chat is. Not sure what I’m going to do going forward. It’s much easier to make a little post on here with some photos, but I do quite like keeping them on the radio blog too. Or just add them to the reflector and leave it at that. Adding them there is more useful to others, who might look up routes or even photos of the location to help them plan. Maybe doing the catch up posts, perhaps once every 3 months on my radio blog is a good way of doing it. I suppose I should include more radio details, as mostly it’s just photos and the walk! I was trying to make a template that would load my radio log and plot a map of all the contacts automatically, but it required too many things to work out. Probably easier just to use a mapping site, like this one, and take a screenshot.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 →
The office is finished but yet to put the furniture back in it. I can tell you that I do not like using a laptop as my only computer, specifically using a laptop as it is - no keyboard, no monitor (I did use a mouse). I like a big monitor. Using the laptop every so often on the sofa or in the kitchen is fine, but only for short periods or one offs. I can’t do anything on the laptop, at least I feel that way. The screen is only enough for one app at a time, maybe two, but not lego train designer and images/videos to look at. It is possible, I just don’t like it, and feel like I’ve not made any progress with what I wanted to do. Although maybe I wouldn’t have made any progress regardless!
This has helped me realise that I should not buy a laptop - macbook, framework, whatever. Aside from already having three thinkpads, it is not worth me getting one. That’s a good thing. Still occasionally think about an iMac 🙈. Also, probably just going to put the office back how it was, may move the main computer from the edge of the corner of the L to being across the diagonal. Have to see how the space works out, but hope it’ll be more efficient with the desk.
I’m also trying to optimise the Lego setup too much. Think I’m going to go for a somewhat arbitrary big square “with a tail” that’s in front of one window. That way we can still keep the other stuff in there. It could be made bigger later but it’ll be fine for now. Plus the fun part is building, and so I don’t want it perfect for one build, I want it open enough to accommodate different ideas. Just need to see if it’s multiple IKEA tables or if I’m doing the self build option. Still like tables better for the future rearrangement options. I’ll price it out and see.
All the parts to make the super big TGV have arrived. Still having second thoughts about it, but extra Lego parts isn’t really a big deal. So we’ll build them both and see.
Monday, September 22, 2025 →
I found Mattzo Brick’s website, and realised the huge number of options if I get into 3rd party tracks, specifically from Trixbrix. I like that they’ve added all the custom tracks to Bluebrick but now I have no idea what to make. I did start collecting images from online of various layouts for inspiration. What I should probably do is figure out the tables and layout arrangement and then see what I can fit on it. I like that the Trixbrix makes it seem possible to fit more on a narrower table, so should be able to get in two loops, plus stations or sidings. Trixbrix also sell bridges, whicch are probably cheaper than building a technic bridge myself - although not as Lego-satisfying.
Also found that Mattzo Brick;s website includes custom controllers, firmware, software and signals and all sorts. Basically, like a real model train set has. This is a lot, but I’m glad it exists. I suspect once I build a layout, I’ll get a bit bored of it - as it’s never going to be a full room size with so many routes. However, with signals and control systems, then you can do more with it. Part of me is hesitant though - it’s not “real Lego” but real lego doesn’t offer a great deal - colour detection, for moving/stopping/reversing trains when they see a certain coloured block (which is quite neat, and could be useful for a back and forth train), and maybe motorising switch points, so you can build a control console but I don’t think there’s much else that can be done with stock stuff.
Thursday, September 18, 2025 →
Came across this guy’s website which is thousands of photos of UK trains from mid-70s to today. I don’t take trains much these days, but used to take them fairly often growing up, so the 90s ones bring back memories. I’ve thought about making some of these trains in lego, which isn’t a new thing as others have done that. Most of them aren’t that recognisable, except maybe the intercity 125 or 90.
I didn’t really think about it before ordering, but I had to pay import duties on the lego trains I bought from a German bricklink store. It made them go from reasonably priced to not, so that was disappointing. Especially as it would’ve bought a vintage 9V set that I was thinking of starting to build up a collection for. Also I’m worried the custom design is going to be too big. I can just make it the normal train but I’ve bought all these other pieces! I’ll make it and see.
Trying to research some layout and build ideas for the Lego table. Most of the content is in YouTube videos, so I’ve been screenshotting them and using kinopio to keep a montage. I should make some layouts to see what might fit. Lego stock track has quite a large radius, so circles and loops take up a lot of space.
Monday, September 15, 2025 →
This VS Code plugin for micro.blog looks very interesting. It would mean there’s finally an app for Windows, and the ability to manage files locally as well as online, and with the apps. Admittedly, I don’t really mind using the web app or the iOS ones to add content. Using the web app means I have two tabs, one for uploads (to add photos and get the html) and one for writing the post. Or my phone to upload some photos, and then the browser to edit.
I’m now thinking about the possibility of building a lego table at home. Something custom to fit in the space, ideally with a couple of layers, and, if I can, a little opening on the other side so you can climb under the table and then pop up on the other side for access. I think the kids will like that, and if there’s an “underground” section. If the train can access multiple layers that would be good too, but don’t think they can manage too much gradient and so that could end up being too big. Probably just have upper and lower loops. Going to measure out the space and then collect some ideas from others setups. I’d previously thought about buying a few ikea tables and putting them together but they limit the size and shape.
I’m also worried this TGV train is going to be way too big 😅
Sunday, September 14, 2025 →
I’m back in deep with Lego trains again. I blame myself. Last time I left it, I’d decided I’d spent enough on them and to leave it be. Well now that it’s been a while, it seems okay to start spending again. This time it’s two discontinued sets plus another 1,300 pieces from bricklink to build a huge TGV… I still have my models and designs for the Maersk train in another colour. I might relook at those to validate I’ve got the right pieces in that. In the meantime, I’ll watch videos of Youtubers showing off their ridiculous collection of trains. That will in no way whatsoever make me want to get more…
I also remember wanting more switch junctions, but I forget which way. Might design some track layouts and then see what I need for that.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 →
Watches. Smart watches in particular. I really like my Garmin Epix when going on hikes for the maps and tracking my route. But I’d like to wear a normal watch most of the time, but feel bad about not wearing my Garmin.
For a while I liked the sleep tracking stuff but tbh I don’t need it and for me it’s as simple as “go to bed at 10 - feel fine”; “go to bed late - feel bad”. I do track myself cycling to work but I’m not sure why. My cycle to work is a commute, it’s boring but nice to do some exercise before I get into the office. I think I keep tracking it so I can get badges and points on Garmin connect. 🙄
I should just wear it for my hikes and then enjoy other watches. No one cares about my Connect level, so why should I.
Plus now I won’t feel bad about buying a new watch 😅
Not sure about this featured post/intro bit at the top of the page. Also seems you can get micro.blog in a twist if you make posts and edit their dates. My admin page shows one post but the web shows two. Anyway, a lot of time faffing with a tiny item.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 →
Swapped around DNS, so now micro.blog is my main blog on fondoftea.com. The tiddlywiki I was using is now on wiki.alexjj.com and the previous tiddlywiki (that wasn’t really updated) is idling on github somewhere. Plan is to use this site for all content, and try and make use of categories better.
Quite like this theme, just going to play with some of the settings to see what I like, and maybe make a few pages. Debating if I add in older posts or just leave it. Would like to import my read book list so I can use the nice icons from the shelves.
I’m on the micro.one subscription, which mostly means I can’t edit the theme as much as a regular subscriber. So far I think that’s okay, as luckily there are a nice selection of quality themes and I still get to do custom CSS.
I thought about importing all my read books into the book shelves, so I get a nice grid of book covers for the ones I’ve read. But it’s a lot of work and I quite like my existing book list by year that I’ve been maintaining since 2015.