Stuff I Use

This is stuff I want to share because I like it. Some of it may be affiliate based but I genuinely like what it is and think you will too. Enjoy.

  • Amazon - If you are going to buy something on Amazon, please consider clicking this link first. I get a small percentage of the sale and it doesn’t cost you anything. It helps keep me working on these fun new projects. 
  • Capital One 360 (formerly ING Direct) - I’ve been a customer for years and highly recommend it. Sign up through my link and get $25 when you open a savings account and $50 when you open a checking account. No minimums and no fees.
  • Dropbox - Get 500MB extra space free if you sign up through my link.
  • Droplr - Quick and easy way of sharing just about anything. Get $10 credit if you sign up through my link.
  • Evernote - I don’t know how I stay organized without it.
  • GORUCK - I have some gear of theirs and have done a few events. It’s good stuff.
  • Hover - Looking to buy a domain name? Use these guys. Easy, clean, and simple.
  • Huckberry - Sign up for free and get $10 credit for your first purchase (through this link only).
  • REI - Been a member for years and buy almost all of my outdoor gear from them. Great customer service and return policy too.
  • SPOT Gen3 Messenger - I didn't think I'd like this as much as I do but it gives tremendous peace of mind to friends and family when in the backcountry. Get up to 20% off your service plan by mentioning me as your referrer. 

A lot of people ask what I carry on a daily basis. It changes but this is roughly it.

See the evolution of my EDC here.




Stuff I Use


While not every single item, below is a list that highlights some of the stuff I use on a daily basis. I got this idea from Paul Stamatiou.

Services

Google Apps (Mail, Calendar, Drive, etc.)
Amazon Prime (Music, Photo Storage, etc.)

Desktop & Web Apps

TweetDeck
Google Chrome
Google Drive
1Password
Evernote Pro
Caffeine
Pocket
iA Writer
Amazon Music
Mint
Buffer

iPhone Apps

Evernote
Path
Google Calendar
Wunderlist
1 Second Everyday
Squarespace Note
Droplr
Pocket
RunKeeper
YouVersion Bible
Mint
Google Photos

Gadgets & Gizmos

13" MacBook Pro
iPhone 6 Plus
Intocircuit 11200mAh battery pack
3G Amazon Kindle Touch
Suunto Vector

Outdoors

GORUCK GR1 or GR2
ENO Single Nest Hammock
Benchmade Mini Griptilian
Revision Vipertail or Randolph Engineering Aviators



page updated 2015-09-11

Give Some Photos Away, Get Invited To Speak at The Apple Store


I've been using Unsplash for various work projects since they launched and a few months ago decided to "give back" in my own way. I selected some photos I shot that I considered to be my favorites (and ones that I thought might just be good enough for the Unsplash crowd) and uploaded them to my account. Turns out, some of them were well received.

Back in August, a photo that I took with my iPhone was featured at the Apple Store in Montreal during an Unsplash event. It was blown up to something like 40”x56” which is awesome and something I wish I could’ve seen in person.

Well recently, Unsplash invited me to two more events. One was an event at the SoHo Apple Store and the other was a very casual get together where I was their featured photographer. Both in New York City, which I love visiting whenever I can.





Why am I telling you this? Because while I don't consider myself a professional photographer, I think it's kind of amazing that Unsplash opened some doors that I'm sure many would be jealous of. If photography is your business, wouldn't you want to show off your work like this?

What I'm recommending is that you give something away (Jeff Goins gets this idea). In my case it was photos, in yours it may be consulting time.

I feel confident in saying that if I didn't give my photos away on Unsplash, I wouldn't have been asked to be on a three person panel in front of 70 people at the SoHo Apple Store. While I don't know what's going to come from my [limited] involvement with Unsplash, I'm proud to have been given the opportunities they've extended.

Consider loosening your grip and you may be amazed at what possibilities present themselves.

Items of Want 036

Anyone that knows me knows I'm a big fan of pocket notebooks. But I'm also a sucker for anything that has a topographic design element to it. These new notebooks check both of those boxes and the only difficult question is which color notebook to go with.

"From the highest peaks to the deepest valleys, the world has plenty in store for the adventurous at heart. It’s this sense of exploration, along with the unexplainable beauty of a topographic map, that’s inspired the latest series of Word. Notebooks."

Pack Config Recon Patch

A well designed and thought out morale patch worth adding to the collection. Not sure what morale patches are? Check out the history of them here. "Reconnaissance, in it’s simplest form, is about exploring an unknown territory to gain information. This Recon patch represents our willingness to explore and report back on our findings. For many this takes the form of photographs that remind us of our own experiences and inspire others to discover for themselves. For others it serves as a reminder of the boldness it takes to travel to unknown and dangerous places.

Using vintage Navy Photographic Reconnaissance Squad patches as inspiration, the elements have been designed to allow the user to interpret for themselves. The aperture opening of a camera with a compass dial, or the barrel of a gun surrounded by crosshair markings? Whatever they mean for you, the focus is on the great outdoors."

Grivel Mont Blanc REI Limited-Edition Ice Axe

I don't have any kind of use for something like this, and I haven't even been an REI member for that long (5 years?) but this is cool. Cool enough for me to want it which makes it good enough for this list.

"Individually numbered, each hot-forged Grivel Mont Blanc REI Limited-Edition Ice Axe rests in a commemorative wooden display box with green felt lining, and a special REI co-op message printed inside. Grivel now uses only solar energy in their production process, and has been perfecting the art of hot-forging since 1818."

El Purista Smokers Armchair

I certainly don't need this for smoking but it's such an interesting design and looks so darn comfortable that I'm adding it to my wish list.

"Created by Rodrigo Gonzalez and Alexander Sauer, the chair's design recalls the iconic Eames lounger, but with a more square form and hidden slide-out storage in the arms that doubles as a place to set an ashtray and your drink of choice. The inner layer of the chair is made from beech while the top is a walnut veneer, both using trees from sustainable German forests. It's finished with eco-friendly aniline leather, barrel-dyed to preserve natural features like thorns, cracks, and bites, and is made by hand in Germany."

Bexar Goods Co. Apple Watch Strap (Tan)

I just recently picked up a used Apple Watch (for a killer price) and it's making me miss my "real" watches. To stave off the feeling that I'm neglecting my other timepieces, I think a leather band will ease the transition. And this custom leather strap is even cheaper than Apple's version. "All straps are precisely cut from 4 ounce American Bridle Leather. This includes the proper Apple Watch hardware lugs and a leather strap. We have 3 different hardware finishes (lugs and buckle) to match your Apple Watch model and all come with rounded hardware."

— Check out past Items of Want â€”