Journal

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 →

The kids are obsessed with the Pikmin Bloom app. We’ve cycled 16 km each day and walked around the local lake four times today! Got us up to 18.5k steps. Not sure how long it’ll last once we’re back home but certainly can’t complain about them not being active.

The weather is lovely here, but it’s also lovely back home and I can’t help think about all the summits I want to do. However, I tell myself that there are always more sunny days and the hills will still be there. Hoping to do a couple next week when we’re back and I go visit my sister. Just hope it’s not pouring with rain.

The more I think about the server the more I think I can delete stuff. Got a lot of tv and movies from over the years but all I need to keep are kids things, as they actually watch them again, whereas we never do. If it’s that good - like Lord of the Rings - then I should get the bluray. I also bet I could slim down the photos folder. So many raws I’ll never go back and edit, so many pictures taken of events that I really only need 10 of to remember it. We’ve made photo books every year, so I don’t need to worry about deleting the “wrong” photos. Although how I’ll actually go about doing this will be challenging and extremely time consuming.

I do have some home videos. The ones I’ve made into proper clips, I’ll just keep the final product but there are some I never did. Am I going to make those now? (no) but I don’t need 10GB of clips when a 2-minute video will suffice.

I came across 85GB of DnD related pdfs and helpers on my computer. Completely forgot about them and, surprise surprise, I’ve never used them or even opened a fraction of them. I keep them as “maybe the kids will play dnd” but if they do, they don’t want 85GB of pdfs. They want to learn and find out themselves. That needs deleting when I get home.

Would be great if everything would comfortably fit on a single 4 TB drive, and key items: photos, videos and documents are well under 1TB so I can use the Hetzner Nextcloud backup for everything.

I’d also like to have all the keeper photos on iCloud via Photos.app without having to pay the 2TB tier. Mostly so nice stuff pops up on the AppleTV or I can find nice photos on my phone.

Not sure what I’m going to do about Home Assistant. I don’t do any automation, and at most I look at the dashboard I made every so often. The most I do is upgrade the components and restart the service. It’s basically a glorified logger…of data which I never look at. It’s always “I could do so many cool things”, but I don’t. I like using Apple HomeKit as stuff just works and I can do it from my phone with no bother. It seems a shame not to keep using HASS but meh. I don’t want to install proxmox just for it. Perhaps I can setup a VM…I’m sure someone has a script for it. I can run it in docker but it doesn’t get all the features and that makes it annoying. Really, I should just not bother with it as it’s another thing that needs looking after.

I’m either going to install Debian or Arch Linux on the server and just use docker for services. I want it to be arch linux as I like the OS but installing Debian takes 10 minutes and zero thought.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 →

I discovered Pikmin Bloom, which is like Pokemon Go, but based on step count. First day of the holidays and the boys and I walked around the lake twice planting flowers and are going cycling this afternoon to find some mushrooms to attack! 🍄

It’s been around about four years but I only just found it via reddit suggested subreddits the other day. Same waypoint system as PG and Niantic games of the past. No waypoints near where we’re staying, which is slightly unfortunate, but means we have to go cycling. I think you can request new locations in other games but not sure exactly how you do that. Perhaps some research for another time.

Saturday, October 11, 2025 →

Yesterday was world mental health day. 🟡

Getting out in the great outdoors, fresh air, physical exertion, always makes me feel better. It can even be pouring with rain, but with some waterproofs on it’s still enjoyable. Mostly when you get back home and have a nice cup of tea. ☕️

I’m still half heartedly trying to fix the server but I think it’s gone. Maybe someone who’s a zfs wizzard could bring it back but I suspect me exporting the pool ruined any chances of that. It does present an opportunity to start again. But what should that be? Nothing? A wee Linux box? I do need to just DNS at home again as I’m going to hit the limit of NextDNS free tier. Too many stupid devices calling home endlessly.

We’re off for a week for the school hols so I’ll have plenty of time to think about it and still not decide.

Thursday, October 9, 2025 →

I know AI generated images are old hat now, but this package looks nice for making super specific images - something I’ve found tricky before (although I’ve not really played with anything recently). A while back I wanted to have some very specific images for a web app but struggled to get it just right and then gave up.

Wrote up my last SOTA trip report on the forum. I always enjoy the conversations that follow - typically they’re completely non secateur, and this time is no exception.

The replacement hard drive arrived for the server. Plugged it in, still can’t import zfs pool. Now various things to try and figure it out. smartctl says one drive has had a communications error, which could be a cable but I think it’s only had one error. Then we get into wild commands like sudo zdb -lu /dev/disk/by-id/wwn-0x50014ee2b8f30293 | nawk '/txg =/{txg=$NF}/timestamp =/{printf "txg %d\t%s\n",txg,$0}' | sort -n -k 2n,2n | uniq | tail -10 to find historical transaction ids of … transactions… to revert back to but nothing happens. I don’t know how long to keep trying.

I have my photos, as they were backed up elsewhere, and maybe there were other things I wanted. Think I had some audiobooks from the library I’d saved, but suppose I can just borrow them again. Maybe other stuff too but I can’t even remember it so do I really need it? I now have Nextcloud on Hetzner backing up photos and docs. Do I even need a server?

I like having an always on linux box for tinkering with… I do have a VPS, so maybe that’s enough? But occasions when I want a minecraft server or some fun new thing on github to play with for a day or two, then a local - and considerably more powerful - server is probably best. However, what should I use?

Monday, October 6, 2025 →

I very much underestimated how long it would take to sort out files on the computer. So many folders of similar but different things, so many subject/docs and docs/subject folders. Plus ebooks and calibre libraries all over the place.

Tried to consolidate as much as possible and delete even more. My Dropbox is nearly sorted out now. I’m now tempted just to use that - although it’s not quite as flexible as Nextcloud. Biggest decision is if I want to backup photos to it as well.

It has been good that I backed up my photos to my friend’s server as my internal backups had missed some files.

Probably I’ll get bored and just delete large swathes of files anyway.

Saturday, October 4, 2025 →

I signed up to the Hetzner 1TB Nextcloud offering. It’s nice, I can pick and chose what folders get sync’d, and these can be all over my computer. Also want to tidy up all my documents across various cloud providers, ideally I’d have one system and sync it everywhere, but for now, it’s my hard drive and Nextcloud. I did look at Johnny Decimal, but that’s too much work for me. I just need a bunch of folders, and I have an existing structure that I’ve used for 15 years which I already know the strengths and weaknesses of it.

Just found a folder on my Dropbox from June 2015 where I was clearly researching ham radio licence exams. Trying to tidy up my Dropbox, which is not even starting on sorting out my key documents, it’s just a bunch of stuff I’ve collected. Mostly things can be deleted and then rearranged somewhat. Probably I don’t need Nextcloud, other than photo backups, as I’m sure all my docs would fit in the ~20GB or so Dropbox gives me. However, I do like the Nextcloud client more…

Friday, October 3, 2025 →

The server had some issue last night, and this morning I see that it’s a problem with the zfs pool. Probably one of the hard drives has failed. I’m probably best turning the computer off.

I don’t really want to buy another hard drive to fix it, in fact I don’t really want to look after a server.

Well I bought another hard drive, but it won’t arrive until Tuesday. Seems good hard drives have long lead times even on Amazon. I’m trying to mount the pool as read only and copy off some things that I want. Most of the stuff on there could be lost and not cause issues. I have photos backed up elsewhere. Might be a few docs that haven’t been sync’d somewhere else though. It’s just going super slow, haven’t even managed to export the pool yet.

Whilst this is going on, I have been thinking about not having a server. Well not having one store stuff or have services that I don’t mind about losing (like Silverbullet or the minecraft server [that no-one plays on]). I came across this, Nextcloud hosting by Hetzner. ~$5/month for 1 TB of Nextcloud. Can even use your own domain. Nextcloud has loads of features too, and apps for every OS. Before I considered iCloud but iCloud not on a mac is horrible. All my photos are 600GB, so I could keep them all on there, as a backup. Probably many of those 600GB are junk photos I don’t need and could be culled. That is going to take forever so unlikely to happen. Nextcloud can also do client side encryption on devices, if you’re worried about things. You can’t see those files on the web of course, but you can set it per folder.

Other things I use the server for are applications. Self-hosted stuff, but do I really need them? (also I’ve thought having a mini-pc on all the time with some apps could be useful). Most of them don’t really matter. Probably AdGuard, Actual Budget (as I’ve been using that) and Plex are the main ones. I’ve since switched to NextDNS, so the interest keeps working even whilst the server doesn’t, and I quite like it, so I might just stick with it. Seems to do what I need. Once I get my data off, I should move ActualBudget to my private apps VPS. Plex (and I have tried JellyFin but I have lifetime plexpass so seems a waste not to use it) is good for stuff I’ve collected over the years, plus a few favourites saved. Admittedly much of it is never watched and could probably go.

I’m talking myself into returning to the server I had about 1-2 years ago, which was a small box with two SSDs in it.

It’s difficult, as pros and cons to it all. Whilst I had the server, I might as well use it, but if the hard drives are going to fail, do I want to buy replacements? They’re all 9 years old, and if one has gone then is it soon until the others? I’ve bought one with the hopes of fixing and then giving myself time to decide. I’ll probably keep it in my main computer as a backup drive if I retire the server.

I used to love selfhosting stuff, but these days I have no interest. As I get older, I want more time, not more chores, and so I’d rather go without or perhaps pay a small amount for something. I used to host Nextcloud, but found it overkill for what I wanted and didn’t like the potential maintenance of it, but if someone else is doing that… It also has a whole app store. Probably not use many of them, but things like the music app is quite nice, as it also uses the subsonic backend so other apps can access it. There’s also the photo management app, Memories. Perhaps I’ll buy a month and test it out. Or just play with the demo.

I thought about using it as an excuse to reorganise all our documents. Perhaps with the Johnny.Decimal system. Nextcloud has a notes app, so I could keep the index there too… Although the JD is maybe too much, and all I really need is to see someone else’s folder categorisation and copy that a little. Nextcloud also has tagging for files, so that adds more dimensions, although I like the idea of leaving it plain to make it useful in a simple file structure as well.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 →

I went to find a photo to add to today and then 30 minutes later I was in folders 20 years ago. This one is literally 20 years ago in 2005, when I went to Greece on some dolphin conservation volunteering thing. It was me, a young couple and an old aussie. We’d go out on a boat each morning and count various things to do with dolphins swimming in the sea. I remember we mostly just wanted to take photos but were meant to be recording stuff. Then we’d come in, have lunch and then do whatever you wanted in the afternoon. This was some tiny island and so there wasn’t much to do. Don’t really remember what I did. We took it in turns to make dinner each night. Think my night was a disaster. I was trying to do dauphinoise potatoes but forgot it was milk and used water…it was interesting. I then got a taxi across to Athens and took the high speed Catamaran to Crete where I met my parents for their holiday. I was sharing tehe taxi with the young couple and they got off on the way. The driver took out all the bags from the boot and drove off. The lady then started shouting at him and he turned around and went back. Turns out he’d taken my bag out as well and left it on the side of the road. In Athens I had to get the bus to Piraeus to get the ferry. Except I couldn’t remember the name of it exactly, and so when buying a ticket I kept saying all sorts of other Greek sounding P words. I managed, and then found the ferry, and met my parents at the other side. I don’t remember what phone I had, but it sure wasn’t a modern iPhone with Maps and 5G.

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.

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.