{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Micro.blog - Jeff Watkins","home_page_url":"https://micro.blog","feed_url":"https://micro.blog/posts/jeffwatkins","_microblog":{"about":"https://micro.blog/about/api","id":"1734","username":"jeffwatkins","bio":"","pronouns":"","is_following":false,"is_you":false,"following_count":58,"discover_count":0},"author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2Fimages%2Fblank_avatar.png"},"items":[{"id":"93404739","content_html":"

Coming clean: metrocat.org

","summary":"I’ve been a nerd for as long as I can remember. When I was ten years old, my parents bought me my first computer — a Commodore Vic20 — but I started playing Dungeons and Dragons with my neighbour around the same time. That was also around the","url":"https://metrocat.org/coming-clean/","date_published":"2026-07-03T08:10:36+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-03 08:10","date_timestamp":1783066236,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"93404738","content_html":"

Old Town Edinburgh \"Old\"Old\"Old : metrocat.org

","summary":"Although today it has as many tourists as rats, Old Town caught my attention the moment I started researching Edinburgh. As you explore Old Town — or in my case, get lost — it’s not uncommon to walk past what appear to be four-story buildings built in","url":"https://metrocat.org/old-town-edinburgh/","date_published":"2026-07-03T07:16:10+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-03 07:16","date_timestamp":1783062970,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"93035595","content_html":"

An Iconic Foe: metrocat.org

","summary":"There are few more iconic foes in roleplaying than an undying wizard possessing remarkable cunning, access to a vast library of forbidden lore, and control over a web of allies the likes of which you’ve never seen. Of course, we’re talking about the Lich.\n\nBelow is","url":"https://metrocat.org/an-iconic-foe/","date_published":"2026-06-27T17:50:03+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-27 17:50","date_timestamp":1782582603,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"92951547","content_html":"

Assessing an opponent: metrocat.org

","summary":"I recently started a new campaign using the Legend in the Mist system. This system is completely new for my players. I've run one campaign using it before, but if I'm honest, I don't feel the experience was super successful because none of us","url":"https://metrocat.org/assessing-an-opponent/","date_published":"2026-06-26T10:17:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-26 10:17","date_timestamp":1782469027,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"92679491","content_html":"

How it began \"\"\"\" : metrocat.org

","summary":"We moved to Edinburgh from Seattle in September 2024 and settled into a lovely Georgian townhouse on Danube Street in Stockbridge. Eventually, a forty-foot long shipping container would arrive with everything we owned. But for a short while, Caitlin, I, and our five cats spread out over three storie...","url":"https://metrocat.org/how-it-began/","date_published":"2026-06-19T12:23:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-19 12:23","date_timestamp":1781871780,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"92679490","content_html":"

Mining the broadsides: metrocat.org

","summary":"Until the middle of the nineteenth century, the lucky literate few got their news, gossip, and entertainment from broadsides. Publishers printed these large, single sheets of cheap paper on only one side, perfect for spreading flat or tacking up in public places, and then throwing away. Just as the ...","url":"https://metrocat.org/mining-the-broadsides/","date_published":"2026-06-05T06:55:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-05 06:55","date_timestamp":1780642500,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"43331312","content_html":"

A Grand Adventure: metrocat.org

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/2024/08/a-grand-adventure","date_published":"2024-08-11T21:35:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2024-08-11 21:35","date_timestamp":1723412120,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"18965147","content_html":"

@muncman I’d be thrilled if someone got up there and said, “we’ve all been living with Xcode on 14 inch laptop screens for the last year and we’ve made some design changes to adapt to smaller screens.”

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/18965147","date_published":"2023-05-09T03:00:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2023-05-09 03:00","date_timestamp":1683601245,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"6247332","content_html":"

Learning Swift: metrocat.org

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/2019/10/learning-swift","date_published":"2019-10-28T07:00:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-10-28 07:00","date_timestamp":1572246000,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"2952662","content_html":"

@kimahlberg I’m so glad you came. A Bee’s Knees is one of my favourite summer cocktails.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2952662","date_published":"2019-03-31T23:25:17+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-03-31 23:25","date_timestamp":1554074717,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2828113","content_html":"

@jimcorreia I open the door so the cats can go out on the balcony and enjoy the sunshine, but they sit just inside the door. Stupid bridges species.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2828113","date_published":"2019-03-22T21:37:58+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-03-22 21:37","date_timestamp":1553290678,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2697894","content_html":"

@pgor Cats. So weird.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2697894","date_published":"2019-03-13T19:40:11+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-03-13 19:40","date_timestamp":1552506011,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2696409","content_html":"

@pgor It’s definitely a thing. Madeline, before she passed, loved to play in the shower before I would get in. She was a nut.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2696409","date_published":"2019-03-13T15:13:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-03-13 15:13","date_timestamp":1552490000,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2681586","content_html":"

@jsorge Congratulations. Syncing is hard.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2681586","date_published":"2019-03-12T14:39:29+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-03-12 14:39","date_timestamp":1552401569,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2495540","content_html":"

@pgor @dazeend I don’t remember seeing the lawn from December until maybe late February growing up in NY.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2495540","date_published":"2019-02-27T18:26:33+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-27 18:26","date_timestamp":1551291993,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2440655","content_html":"

@jsorge Damn. Hope you feel better soon. Backs are nothing to trifle with.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2440655","date_published":"2019-02-23T19:46:54+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-23 19:46","date_timestamp":1550951214,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2440652","content_html":"

@pgor Wait. People actually call you? Real people and not telemarketers?

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2440652","date_published":"2019-02-23T19:45:08+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-23 19:45","date_timestamp":1550951108,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2425422","content_html":"

@DazeEnd Congratulations. That’s a big milestone.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2425422","date_published":"2019-02-22T15:33:22+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-22 15:33","date_timestamp":1550849602,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2398661","content_html":"

@collin The same people who feel we’re socialists for wanting to provide free education through university would like to take away all public education if they could.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2398661","date_published":"2019-02-21T00:28:03+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-21 00:28","date_timestamp":1550708883,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2396416","content_html":"

@liz All weekends should be long weekends.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2396416","date_published":"2019-02-20T18:13:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-20 18:13","date_timestamp":1550686400,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2388125","content_html":"

The 2019 Spring Party: metrocat.org

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/2019/02/spring-party","date_published":"2019-02-19T08:00:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-19 08:00","date_timestamp":1550563200,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"18581595","content_html":"

The 2019 Spring Party: metrocat.org

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/2019/02/the-2019-spring-party","date_published":"2019-02-19T08:00:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-19 08:00","date_timestamp":1550563200,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"2361165","content_html":"

@pgor Wouldn’t that be nice? And get Websites in on the act too.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2361165","date_published":"2019-02-18T06:42:35+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-18 06:42","date_timestamp":1550472155,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2197987","content_html":"

@pgor Of course it should be “Find in Finder”.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2197987","date_published":"2019-02-06T23:03:36+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-06 23:03","date_timestamp":1549494216,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2137297","content_html":"

@liz Maybe it just needed some alone time to go shopping.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2137297","date_published":"2019-02-02T16:05:13+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-02-02 16:05","date_timestamp":1549123513,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"2094530","content_html":"

@brentsimmons I blame the raccoons.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/2094530","date_published":"2019-01-30T22:34:17+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-30 22:34","date_timestamp":1548887657,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1989252","content_html":"

Any suggestions on how to host a password protected podcast on Amazon S3?

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/2073","date_published":"2019-01-23T00:34:33+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-23 00:34","date_timestamp":1548203673,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"1960553","content_html":"

I skip podcast adverts if they’re not read by the hosts.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/54582","date_published":"2019-01-21T15:09:42+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-21 15:09","date_timestamp":1548083382,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"1940482","content_html":"

@liz Aw. Poor kitty. And she eats all the food if left unattended?

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1940482","date_published":"2019-01-19T21:19:26+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-19 21:19","date_timestamp":1547932766,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1940197","content_html":"

@liz Have you considered teaching your cats how to operate light switches? :)

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1940197","date_published":"2019-01-19T21:13:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-19 21:13","date_timestamp":1547932439,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1928810","content_html":"

@jsorge I’ve been enjoying doing development via UI tests lately. It’s a bit slower than I’d like, but I’m more confident in the result.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1928810","date_published":"2019-01-18T21:16:46+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-18 21:16","date_timestamp":1547846206,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1844126","content_html":"

@ronguest May those people burn in Hell.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1844126","date_published":"2019-01-13T00:41:31+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-13 00:41","date_timestamp":1547340091,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1838085","content_html":"

@pgor @liz And since when is “hot-desking” a fucking perk.

\n\n

“One of the perks of working at Slave-o-tron 2000 is we don’t assign anyone their own desk. You get to carry your personal possessions around in this burlap sack. Welcome Slave™.”

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1838085","date_published":"2019-01-12T17:16:46+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-12 17:16","date_timestamp":1547313406,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1803090","content_html":"

I’m sick to death of politicians decrying other politicians for “playing politics”. Of course they are; that’s their fucking job. Stop your whining and out play them you malformed mollusc.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/57522","date_published":"2019-01-10T15:58:42+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-10 15:58","date_timestamp":1547135922,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"1802275","content_html":"

@pgor Slacker.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1802275","date_published":"2019-01-10T14:55:31+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-10 14:55","date_timestamp":1547132131,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1785772","content_html":"

@zoe The only thing I can think of is MURDER!

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1785772","date_published":"2019-01-09T15:33:49+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-09 15:33","date_timestamp":1547048029,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1784758","content_html":"

@zoe The acceptable use circle should be vanishingly small.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1784758","date_published":"2019-01-09T14:18:28+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-09 14:18","date_timestamp":1547043508,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1729162","content_html":"

@Aleen Absolutely.

\n","url":"https://micro.blog/jeffwatkins/1729162","date_published":"2019-01-06T03:21:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-06 03:21","date_timestamp":1546744862,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"1707485","content_html":"

How can CNN’s mobile video streaming be so bad? This is literally their reason for existence and yet videos on their web site buffer endlessly, drop audio, and invert to a weird green colour all the time.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/64897","date_published":"2019-01-04T18:01:37+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2019-01-04 18:01","date_timestamp":1546624897,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"1587870","content_html":"

When working on a side project over the holidays I get to take advantage of all the lessons learnt while building our real App, but for which there’s never time.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/78225","date_published":"2018-12-27T21:43:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-12-27 21:43","date_timestamp":1545947025,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"1486678","content_html":"

Naturally, I did the refactoring any way. It makes the code cleaner and easier to understand. So when I’m finally hit by a bus and someone new is hired to take over the code, she’ll be less inclined to ask, “What the hell was he thinking?”

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/18883","date_published":"2018-12-20T05:14:43+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-12-20 05:14","date_timestamp":1545282883,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"1486677","content_html":"

Using UI Tests to develop new functionality for our App seems so obvious now. I thought I’d need to do a lot of refactoring to make the App testable, but it turns out using an embedded web server in the test bundle was the right answer.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/18720","date_published":"2018-12-20T05:12:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-12-20 05:12","date_timestamp":1545282720,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"1007438","content_html":"\n \n\n\n

Three years ago we were in a “castle” outside Edinburgh.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/71365","date_published":"2018-11-04T19:49:25+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-11-04 19:49","date_timestamp":1541360965,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"1005867","content_html":"

‘Tis the season for pissing down rain.

\n\n

Can I go back to the sunshine of Italy now?

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/76118","date_published":"2018-11-03T21:08:38+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-11-03 21:08","date_timestamp":1541279318,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"979263","content_html":"

It should be against the law to send an out-of-office auto reply unless you are a recipient in the to field. If you’re not even in the cc field the punishment should be death.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/928","date_published":"2018-10-22T00:15:28+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-10-22 00:15","date_timestamp":1540167328,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"976974","content_html":"

Bernie Sanders should step aside and not run for President in 2020. We have strong, vibrant, progressive candidates he should support instead.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/55643","date_published":"2018-10-20T15:27:23+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-10-20 15:27","date_timestamp":1540049243,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"974268","content_html":"\n \n\n\n

Commuting by ferry has its compensations.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/9865","date_published":"2018-10-19T02:44:25+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-10-19 02:44","date_timestamp":1539917065,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"965798","content_html":"

Once you design your app to use NSOperations you never want to use anything else.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/75435","date_published":"2018-10-14T20:57:15+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-10-14 20:57","date_timestamp":1539550635,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"965513","content_html":"

Finished half of the refactoring at 01:40 this morning. Getting ready to start on the good stuff now.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/64492","date_published":"2018-10-14T17:54:52+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-10-14 17:54","date_timestamp":1539539692,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"964157","content_html":"

Giving up my weekend to refactor the shit out of some code, because that’s the only way it’ll get done.

","summary":"","url":"https://metrocat.org/shorts/76592","date_published":"2018-10-13T21:16:32+00:00","author":{"name":"Jeff Watkins","url":"https://metrocat.org","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2F35165649f2c99f4cfad2149d7a3ec8cd%3Fs%3D96%26d%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmicro.blog%252Fimages%252Fblank_avatar.png","_microblog":{"username":"jeffwatkins"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2018-10-13 21:16","date_timestamp":1539465392,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}}]}