The random link on my blog is the best. My own little time machine.
đ With YNAB leaning into a ⊠| Canion dot Blog
With YNAB leaning into a new branding of Yet Another Price Increase or YAPIâą, Iâm trialing Actual Budget running on PikaPods. Early in my testing, but this could be good enough.
A little over a year later, and the Actual Budget trial must be deemed a success. I love the software and hardly miss YNAB (except for the mobile app, which is well advanced compared with Actual).
How ChatGPT interprets my blog
I supplied ChatGPT with the following prompt:
Can you review the articles on canion.blog and tell me what the key themes emerging are?
It provided a response that I’ve included in its entirely below. It does indeed, offer an effective summary of the type of person I am and the things I write about. Why did it surface my review of Nightbitch, of all things, though? đ€Ł
1. Recurring Personal Monthly (and Annual) Reviews
- Andrew regularly posts Monthly Reviewsâdetailing what went well at home, at work, personal highlights, media consumption, and passion projects.
- These posts often extend into annual retrospectives, reflecting on health, work, family, hobbies, and personal growth.
2. Deep Engagement with Tools & Productivity Systems
- Frequent reviews of productivity software (e.g., NotePlan, Agenda, The Archive, MOS for macOS) spotlight his interest in knowledge management, note-taking, and tool workflows.
- Posts include long-form analyses, pros/cons, integrations, and usage patternsâshowing a strong focus on increasing work and life efficiency.
3. Reflections on Personal Life & Family
- The monthly and yearly summaries often track family moments (swimming, time off, events) and personal routines (cooking, deck maintenance).
- He openly discusses health challenges (e.g., hip dysplasia, gym commitment) and managing a childâs autism care.
4. Media Consumption & Reviews
- Regularly logs books, podcasts, movies, and TV showsâwith starred reviews and reading lists visible in posts like âBookshelfâ.
- Often shares short-form thoughts and ratings on media, e.g., âNightbitch, 2024 â â â Âœâ or series bingeâwatches.
5. Nostalgia & Personal History
- Posts like âOnce a NerdâŠâ dive into his childhood interestsâold computers, financial ledgersâillustrating how past passions have shaped his present.
- Annual reflection posts frequently explore nostalgic themes, discussing shifts in life priorities and technology.
6. Indie Web Ethos & Platform Preferences
- A strong preference for the âopen webââvia RSS, micropublishingâavoiding mainstream social platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
- He values control, privacy, and thoughtful connection over algorithmâdriven platforms.
7. Local Involvement & Regional Identity
- Posts reflect his life in Perth, Australiaâmentioning local events (e.g., Perth Observatory), climate (heatwaves), and professional roles (youth centre manager, NBL commentator).
đ Summary Table
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Monthly/Annual Reviews | Structured reflections on personal and family life |
| Productivity Tools | Deep reviews and workflows involving apps and systems |
| Family & Health | Open sharing about family routines and health |
| Media & Reviews | Personal ratings and media consumption logs |
| Nostalgia & History | Connecting childhood interests to current identity |
| Indie Web Philosophy | Emphasis on open platforms and thoughtful online presence |
| Local Perth Focus | Posts tied to local events, weather, and community roles |
đŻ Overall Impression
canion.blog is a personal, reflective space where Andrew weaves together:
- Structured retrospectives,
- Thoughtful tool-based productivity reviews,
- Media consumption logs,
- Deep ties to local culture,
- And a consistent preference for open, independent web presence.
The tone is thoughtful, measured, and growth-orientedâbalancing family life, mental frameworks, and technological exploration.
Completed my personal Annual Financial Report for the 2024-25 year. I produce this document each year using OmniOutliner as the document editor. This year data was sourced from Actual Budget as a result of my successful transition away from YNAB.
I finished watching Invincible tonight. What a great show. đș
Iâm so sick of Trump. Heâs a buffoon ruining the USA. I honestly donât understand how he has achieved a grip on so many. Itâs like an Idiocracy version of the Steve Jobs reality distortion field.
A ride with no destination in mind.
Currently reading: Practice of Project Management by Enzo Frigenti đBecause who doesnât read about project management for fun?
Crucial Track for July 15, 2025
"Change In Mood" by Kids In the Kitchen
I remember being a kid and this song would be played as a filler on ABC TV in the mornings, but the vision would be of lots of different trains. Iâve searched but canât find that clip. Even this song took my mind a while to dredge up, and I donât actually know how I pulled the artist name out of nowhere. My brain is weird.
Thanks friendly and efficient Perth Apple Store Genius who fixed my MacBook Pro which had suffered a screen misalignment from the base. No charge service was welcomed, like Apple of old. đ
I’m streaming music from my ancient Plex music library. Talk about throwback music! Most of it was populated more than 20 years ago. đ¶
Crucial Track for July 14, 2025
"Sun in an Empty Room" by The Weakerthans
What I first heard as a theme song for a podcast (Heavyweight) has morphed into a song I love to hear regularly. The tune is great and the lyrics capture my own early memories of moving house.
Croque Monsieur and an almond flat white.
Thanks PCYC!
Today my employment with Police & Community Youth Centres comes to a close. I’ve got an opportunity to build on my career with a new employer, applying much of what I’ve learned over the past two years.
I am thankful and appreciative of the team at PCYC. I’m proud to have been a part of the organisation’s story. Working in the “for purpose” sector is rewarding and enjoyable and I’m happy to be able to continue working in this industry.
Today I learnt that Australia imposes a tariff on imported handkerchiefs. This is one of many ânuisance tariffsâ our Productivity Commission recommends be abolished. Seems reasonable to me.
Iâve re-embraced Day One in a significant way. Iâve never actually stopped using it, but at the moment Iâm using the heck out of it. It has to be in my pantheon of great apps, alongside OmniFocus at this point. Iâve got 2,864 entries dating back to November 2011. Thatâs 14 years of app usage!
Finished reading: Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal đ A fascinating look at how to best structure modern workforces with engaging battlefieldâand otherâexamples. I would have liked a bit more detail on how to actually implement these ideas, though.
Trump has determined the US to enter a war without Congressional approval. Irrespective of the decision itself, it’s another rule not followed, another step closer to dictatorship.