On My Mind: I Finally Caved and Bricked My Phone

I’ve tried many differentdistraction-free phonesas alternatives to my iPhone, but nothing’s stuck because I rely on too many apps for testing gadgets at work. I finally caved and bought the StrategistfavoriteBrick, which blocks out your most distracting apps whenever you tap your phone to it. Because it requires a physical interaction, rather than a software toggle, to reenable those apps, the Brick introduces enough friction to make me think twice before I open TikTok from the couch, allowing me to opt instead to read an interesting article or spend some time with my dogs. I’m always better for it.

Part of disconnecting from my phone has been finding new ways to take notes since I rely on theDrafts appto log all my thoughts beforemy ADHDsends them right back into the ether. I’m working on going all in on paper notebooks, but I’m still a techie at heart and I’m lovingreMarkable’snewest tiny e-ink tablet. It can fit in a small bag, its battery lasts for days, and I can create a nearly unlimited number of notebooks for every topic and project. Most important, though, writing on it feels more like writing on paper than any other tablet I’ve tried.

I’ve long missed hardware keyboards. TheClicks Keyboardhas been the only thing to scratch that nostalgic itch and bring some new functionality to my phone. My main grievance with this case is howlongit makes your phone; it’s hard to keep in your pocket as you go about your day. The new Power Keyboard seems to solve that problem while adding even more features than the case had. It’s apower bankwith a slide-out keyboard that tucks away when not in use so it doesn’t permanently elongate your phone. And since it pairs over Bluetooth, you can use it with other devices too — I’m excited to use mine as an easier way to type on my Apple TV.

Since I started kickboxing last year, my Apple Watch has been a bit less useful as a fitness-tracking device. Whenever I tried to wear it underneath my gloves, it made getting the gloves on tightly difficult and uncomfortable. I haven’t had that problem with the Oura Ring. It fits right on my index finger, I can pop it on before my workout, and I hardly notice it as I’m throwing punches.

Kickboxing has also forced me to rethink my bag situation. My gloves don’t fit in the gym backpack I used to use, and the only bag I have at the moment thatwillcomfortably hold them is an oversize tote. It works, but I feel like I’m coming from the farmers’ market every time I stroll into the gym. My parents ordered me this bag for Christmas, but it still hasn’t arrived. Still, I’m excited to be able to stuff my gloves, a change of clothes, and some non-workout shoes into a bag that looks more at home in the gym than my tote.

I went toMeow Wolf’s “Omega Mart”installation in Las Vegas over the holidays; a night there is far more fun than a night on the Strip. In between attempts at solving the mystery of that trippy shop, my friend and I stopped at a bar inside the exhibit. Every drink on the menu had something funky going on. Mine had vapor-filled bubbles on top made with a gun similar to this one; when you pop them, your drink temporarily looks like a third-grader’s dream experiment. I know I’d only use it once every six months so I’m avoiding the impulse to buy it, but I haven’t stopped thinking about it since popping those bubbles.

After we uncovered all the information we could out of “Omega Mart”without paying for the magnetic card that revealed more of the mystery, we went over toArea 15’sJohn Wickexperience, which is somewhere between an escape room and interactive theater. When you “check in” to the Continental Hotel, you do so with a tiny golden pen that I wish was sold in the gift shop. There are plenty of cheap options on Amazon, but if I’m going to buy a tiny golden pen, I want it to be as fancy as what you’d find in the actual Continental. So far, this pen comes the closest.

In an ongoing effort to prove to an old friend that my love for the color orange isn’t a bit, I take any opportunity to buy a nice-looking, good product that celebrates the color. During my hunt for the tiny golden pen, this came up in my Google search results. While it wasn’t exactly what I started my search looking for, it’ll fit nicely into my collection of orange items.

A few weeks ago, I thought my go-to cannabis gadget had finally given up the ghost after five years. I’ve seen people online talk about having theirs for over ten years, so I was willing to take a shot on getting another one despite the high price tag. My eyes immediately jumped to this forest-green 25th-anniversary edition that’s way more fun to look at than my model’s plain silver finish. It turned out I just needed to reset my circuit breaker, so I’m still relying on my trusty silver model, but if you’re in the market for a Volcano, I’d urge you to get this color.

My vocal coach has helped me make huge strides in improving my range since I started lessons eight months ago, but I’m still struggling with the upper limits of my voice. My brother-in-law got me this for Christmas after seeing some posts online saying it has helped other people. After a few minutes with this thing, the high notes are as easy to reach as they are in the shower or after a solid cardio workout.