About

My name is Bob Schulties.

Background

I graduated college with a degree in journalism and was an online editor for a fun startup that grew into a bigger one that nearly collapsed into nothingness (dot-com bubble) that somehow was reborn and came back to be a bigger entity and finally changed into a pretty damned big place. But along the way, it stopped being as fun, so, after working there on and off for 28 years, I left. No hard feelings, no animosity towards anyone. I guess if I am mad at anyone, it would be myself for not leaving sooner.

If I were to work again, I’d likely focus on a small company. I kind of shut down as the room grows bigger.

For those 28 years (on and off), I edited consumer technology content (among other duties). There was a 5-year break in there where I was absolutely privileged to be FullTimeDad™ for my children. Good god, that was a hard job. And my eternal thanks to my beloved for making it so that was possible. I’d be way better at it now than I was then, but I guess that’s how life goes. Sorry for any long-lasting problems I left rooted in you, kiddos. They both still talk to me (willingly) and I couldn’t be happier about that.

What I Like

I like coffee. I’m not a coffee snob, really. I just don’t like bad coffee. I like regular, plain ol’ drip coffee with good beans that’s brewed at pretty close to the right temperature. I’ve come to even making coffee to go along with my supper. This code has to be included on this page: provenf0c0a4. I really like using my Mac and my iPhone.

I like building clicky keyboards and have built about 16 of them that have now scattered themselves around the apartment (I’ve even foisted a few on friends).

I very easily find myself buying (and have bought) paper notebooks and pens (not fancy ones… I paid $28 for a pen once and I haven’t forgiven myself). Last year I spent a ton of money on a Plotter notebook that I like but haven’t managed to make a part of my daily routine. It’s small enough to carry in my bag, and yet I don’t (or if I do, I don’t write in it). I did buy a cheap, floppy Moleskine Cahier notebook over 11 years ago and I still use that to track bits and bobs. I find it’s the one I use the most (despite not using it up yet). I do number the pages and add an index in the back, but I will admit to not always keeping the index up to date like I should.

I love bags. I have bought messenger bags (Waterfield), slings (Chrome Industries and Orbitkey, and backpacks (Tom Bihn).

The one I’m using now is the Rework Toshi Sling V2. It feels like the right size and has a few fun features. I like I can keep my keys and iPhone apart but also accessible. It’s currently the closest to perfect I’ve found.

I absolutely love buying books I never read. Oh, man, do I love doing that. And speaking of books, I love libraries. I love everything about libraries, and my wish would be that every town had a library. I’m making a point of visiting all 62 branches of the Brooklyn Library system. They give you stickers and everything.

Social Media

I am 100% a proponent of POSSE (Post on Own Site, Syndicate Elsewhere). Just perfect. Back long ago, I enjoyed using Twitter and Instagram, but I just got so damned tired of seeing everyone’s highlight reels. I know (or I guess I should have known) that was the point of it all, but it was just too draining. Then social media really went downhill. While I have a Mastodon account, I don’t really use it. I do bop into some Discord servers that I’ve joined, but even then, it’s pretty rare.

People

I believe most people, when in small groups, are good and act appropriately. Folks that aren’t acting nicely are almost always having a moment they’ll soon regret. Thanks to the ubiquity of cameras we can all witness these moments. Don’t like, boost, or thumbs-up someone’s worst moment. Have pity and help when appropriate.