Fitzroy Falls East Rim Trail

One of the many spectacular viewpoints on the East Rim Trail at the NSW Southern Highlands’ Fitzroy Falls. A spectacular trail that takes you through a variety of terrains and environments.

On my BalancedLight blog.

Seen in the window of the Australian National University bookstore last night, presumably the 18st of March!

Currently reading: War Stories from the Future by August Cole, Atlantic Council 📚

I’ve been looking forward to reading this for a while, since I heard it mentioned on a podcast. Big fan of the useful fiction concept.

Finished reading: Toll by Matt Gemmell 📚

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Finished reading: Plato’s Fear by Ajit Maan Ph.D. 📚

“The sender’s message is less important than the audience’s interpretation.” (Ajit Maan, Plato’s Fear)

Finished reading: Changer by Matt Gemmell 📚

A second read of this great story by @mattgemmell. A great read and I can’t wait for the next in the series.

Finished reading: The Information Officer by Mark Mills 📚

An interesting wander through a war time mystery set in Malta.

📗📗📗

Finished reading: Tom Clancy Red Winter by Marc Cameron 📚

Finished reading: The Sentinel by Lee Child 📚

Finished reading: How to Navigate by Caro Ryan 📚

A fabulous book that introduces the essence of off-trail navigation for hikers and other outdoor adventurers, in an approachable, easy-to-understand way.

Finished reading: The Farthest Shore by Alex Roddie 📚

If you climb a mountain but don’t Instagram the view from the summit, have you even climbed it? (Alex Roddie)

I really enjoyed following writer Alex Roddie (@alex_roddie@mastodon.scot) on his winter hike on Scotland’s Cape Wrath Trail, a journey of both exploration and introspection. Along the way Roddie talks about his battles with loss and anxiety, and explores his relationship with technology, connectivity (and connection) and the environment.

This is a great book for hikers (hill walkers) and those that contemplate connection and connectivity.

Finished reading: War Transformed by Mick Ryan 📚 A very thought provoking read by retired Australian Army Major General Mick Ryan.

Canberra has some amazing sunsets, and the view of Telstra Tower with golden rays was no exception.

View of DesParoz.com.

Finished reading: The Kill Chain by Christian Brose 📚

Thought provoking book that outlines the challenges and opportunities facing militaries.

Jeff Carlson asks Can You Have Photography without AI?

…we soon won’t make a distinction about whether AI is involved in our photography.

Whether it be autofocus, film simulations in camera, and auto exposure, every photo already has some level of AI/ML in capture and editing.

Currently reading: The Kill Chain by Christian Brose 📚

It is estimated that 90% of the data in the world today did not exist two years ago.

Interesting read on issues with popular hiking apps used by many outdoor enthusiasts that have recently leads to rescues being required.

We use one of the apps mentioned when hiking—regularly—and this article reinforces the need to plan your hikes beyond just relying on an app.

Photo Ephemeris Web 3.3: new maps, Skyfire forecasts

Alaska, Hawaii and Australia all now enjoy Skyfire coverage.

Will be looking forward to using the Skyfire feature in TPE here ‘downunder’.

Absolutely delighted to see @photoEphemeris now supports Skyfire in Australia and NZ. Will be looking forward to trying this feature out soon!

Currently reading: The Propagandists’ Playbook by Francesca Bolla Tripodi 📚

Finished reading: Tom Clancy Red Winter by Marc Cameron 📚

With a name like Red Winter and Jack Ryan jetting off from London to DC after a midnight phone call, I was worried that this book would be very derivative. However, Red Winter proved to be a great read in the Tom Clancy legacy of espionage, miltech, political intrigue, action and human interest. Set in Cold War East Germany, Red Winter was a gripping read. It was great to get back to an era where Ryan was at the start of his career. Worth a read.

Currently reading: Tom Clancy Red Winter by Marc Cameron 📚

Finished reading: Amok by Barry Eisler 📚

I have really enjoyed Barry Eisler’s series of books, starting from Rain Fall (renamed A Clean Kill in Tokyo), and covering the stories—and backstories—of the characters found across the series.

Amok is the origin story of character Carl “Dox” Williams, and is a compelling read set during the Indonesian occupation of Timor Leste. Eisler winds in historical aspects into the story, and provides an insight Dox’s early beginnings.

As with all Eisler’s books it is well researched (read the end notes), and is violent and sometimes confronting. But so is history!

A great read.

Playing around with the Mona Beta (@monaapp@mastodon.social). Quite feature complete based on the Spring app for Twitter.

One great thing is that Mona prioritises Spring customers for the initial beta. Great way of rewarding customers. Did I mention it seems feature complete?