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 entity that nearly collapsed into a non-entity that came back to be a bigger entity and finally changed into a pretty damned big entity. Along the way, it stopped being as fun, so I left. No hard feelings, no animosity towards anyone. I guess if I am mad at anyone, it would be myself for not leaving to find a smaller company.

If I were able to work for a small company again, I’d likely choose that. I kind of shut down as the room grows bigger.

For 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 honored to be the full-time raiser of my children. Good god, that was a hard job. And my eternal thanks to Jen 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 is. Sorry for any long-lasting problems I left rooted in you, kiddos.

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 backpacks (Tom Bihn). The one I’m using now is the Orbit Urban Sling (in Terracotta, natch). It’s good, but there are several parts I’d change about it now that I’ve had it for a bit. It was a Kickstarter that did fulfill on time. Thumbs up to Orbitkey for keeping everyone aware of what was going on while the whole process was underway. I still haven’t found the perfect bag, so I guess the next one I buy will be the one.

I absolutely love buying books I never read. Oh, man, do I love doing that. I just bought three that are sitting on the hassock. I can see the sunlit dust floating down to rest on them.

I love libraries. I love everything about libraries, and my wish would be that every town had a library.

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 know) that was the point of it all, but it was just too draining. Then social media really went downhill.

People

I believe most people are good when in small groups. Folks that aren’t acting nicely are almost having a regrettable moment that we can all relate to having but that we can all now witness thanks to the ubiquity of cameras. Don’t like, boost, or thumbs-up someone’s worst moment. Have pity and help when appropriate.

Philosophy on the Wealthy

Less talkin’, more loppin’!