2026-05-10 08:49:36
Recently, a reader of the blog emailed me asking about my RSS workflow, specifically my use of both Feedbin and Readwise. I assume this question relates to a blogpost I published in September 2024:
MereCivilian
Anyway, the following is my response, noting my workflow is remained the same:
Hello XX
Trust you are well.
I have been using Feedbin forever. Its fast and I like its straight forward approach, to the extent that I only use the feedbin web app on all platforms. I do not use any third party RSS apps for Feedbin.
Readwise Reader came into the picture because I was already subscribed to Readwise so reader was included with that subscription. The way I use Readwise Reader is for when I have long blogposts to read, I star it on Feedbin and it shows up on Readwise which allows me read it and my highlights are saved in Readwise.
I have over 700 feeds on Feedbin which I think will just be too much for readwise.
So in summary, Feedbin for triage and Readwise Reader for reading.
Can I move everything in Readwise? Probably but I like using both which have their respective strengths.
Hope that helps.
Wishing you a great day. Today its expected to be sunny in Melbourne so I looking forward to getting out of the house.
Another reason, I am posting my response on my blog is because it is my way of documenting the interactions that come about only because I have this blog. I enjoy communicating with people, and it is great that people reach out. Please continue doing so..
It is mothers day in Australia today... Wishing well to all mothers on this beautiful planet of ours 😸
written and edited on my Macbook M1 Max 16 inch using the Ghost editor on Arc Browser.
2026-05-06 19:09:19
Since my one bag travel adventure, I have been more aware of the weight of things that I carry.
That led me to explore the weight of each and every watch that I own and also the ones that my wife owns:
| Device | Watch Only (g) | Band (g) | Watch + Band (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pebble Round | 21.8 | 17.8 (silicon) / 10.7 (leather) | 33.8 |
| Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm Aluminium) | 36.5 | 30.1 (sport band) | 66.4 |
| Pixel Watch 4 (Cellular) | 37.3 | 28 (silicon) | 65.2 |
| Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm Stainless Steel) | 47.3 | 28.2 (sport band) | 75.5 |
| Apple Watch Ultra | 54.8 | 28.2 (sport band) | 74 |
Looking at the weight of the watch without the watch band paints quite the picture.
As evident from the above table, my beloved Pebble Round is the lightest and on my wrist, I definitely can feel it. Not only its the lightest, its also the thinnest of the lot.
The next one on the list is the Apple Watch series 10 which is roughly the same weight as the current generation Apple watch 11. I also found it surprising that the titanium version of the Apple Watch is heavier than the aluminium one. For some reason, I thought it would be the other way around.
The other observation is the weight of the watch band it self. In most cases, the watch band adds at least 50% additional weight on top of the watch itself.
The point from my perspective is that I no longer enjoying wearing the Apple Watch Ultra. Yes its heavy but it is also so very thick. If I am being honest, the Ultra never really suited my lifestyle. At the time, my thinking was that its the Apple Watch with the biggest and brightest screen with the longest lasting battery. That is still the case today but with my current smart watch usage, those are no longer the priorities.
For that reason, lately, I am finding I wear the Pebble Round watch a lot more. I am really looking forward to the Pebble Round 2, hopefully arriving in a couple of months. I initially preordered the Pebble Time 2 but as soon as the Pebble Round 2 was annouced, I switch my preorder. A round watch just feels right.
MereCivilian
2026-05-05 19:28:18
firstly, the spider man image has nothing to do with this post other than I like spider-man and he is reading is just amusing.
Anyway, I am trying to read more. I feel calm, at peace and not thinking about anything else when I am reading. I like that space. that feels like home. Unfortunately, I have not read as many as I would like. This list does not include books that I started but didn’t finish.
These are the books I have read thus far in 2026:
I added the review today but read this book in April
2026-03-10 17:29:10
Watched: 9 March 2026 (labour day public holiday in Australia)
Honestly, the ending of Game of Thrones left a sour taste in my mouth and despite being a huge fan, I only watched a couple of episodes of the House of Dragons, realising it was pretty much similar story line to Game of Thrones, which it is because I have read the book. Unlike the Game of Thrones books, George R R Martin has finished the House of Dragon story. Rant over.
However, this one is different. Yes it is set in the Game of Thrones Universe but it has a different authentic vibe to it with a bit of comedy spread over its pretty serious settings. The comic elements come up in the most serious of settings in the show and that makes it even more funny.
The connection between the two main characters is so beautifully crafted and executed that I was not ready for the twist when it eventually came.
I watched all six episodes in one afternoon.
2026-03-09 18:25:49
Background and context:
MereCivilian
It has been a week since I got back from Bali; it would be an understatement to say that it has been an eventful week. It often puzzles me that the world works in such mysterious way that after every vacation, the amount of work I have often doubles the amount of work I left behind.
7KG does not sound like a lot but this trip has proved that it's more than enough. There is a special sense of comfort carrying around everything one needs and having the assurance of permanently removing the risk of losing the luggage. I remember, I took a trip to Fiji prior to COVID and the airline lost my luggage. I still recall going to a store in Fiji to buy new underwear because a man needs underwear. From that day, its always at the back of my mind that my luggage might not be traveling with me. AirTags provide some comfort, but it is not a sure thing.
At the airport, the process was seamless because no physical check-in is required. Two nights before, I checked in online and added my boarding pass to my Google Wallet (this also tracks my flight, how cool).
So, when I got to the airport, I went straight through security and passport control, quickly walked past duty-free and grabbed a coffee. Since I had time to kill, I thought I would keep myself busy playing around with my only electronic device, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Unfortunately, while propping it up on the MagSafe stand, I accidentally hit my coffee mug and spilled it over the table. Thankfully, none on me or my things. Not the best of starts and didn't feel good spilling coffee that I paid over AUD8 moments ago.
Anyway, after hanging around the gate aimlessly, in no time, I boarded and was on my way to Bali. I have travelled a lot and over the years; I have found airports to be more stressful, but this time around, things were a lot calmer, a lot easier. Perhaps because I was travelling by myself, perhaps because I had everything I needed close to me, or perhaps I just got lucky. It is probably a combination of all of the above.
Coming back was equally easy. Same process: checked in online, downloaded boarding pass to Google Wallet, and went straight through passport control and security. Meanwhile, on both occasions, I noticed a huge line of people checking in and dropping off their luggage. Bali airport had better food options compared to Melbourne. I enjoyed a very well-made kaya toast. Oh boy, I love a good kaya toast. So even at 7pm, I had toast. That was my dinner. By 8pm, I was boarded and ready to take off.
Despite my many attempts, I probably got an hour's sleep in the 5.5 hour flight from Bali to Melbourne. I landed at 5am Melbourne time, 2am in Bali. I was tired and sleepy and, admittedly, a little cranky. While others waited for their bags, I walked out like a king, grabbed an Uber, and was on my way home. That feeling boosted me for the rest of the day.
When I weighed the bag at Melbourne Airport, I couldn't believe that it was exactly 7Kg. It turned out I was worried needlessly because, other than myself, no one else weighed my bag.
In that bag, I packed:
Looking back, I would have been fine with 2 less t-shirts and shorts. I did laundry once, and that is all I needed.
This bag comes in two versions; I bought the smaller 30l one (paid AUD 200) and I think I made the right choice.
There is a balance to be struck here because other than carrying the bare essentials, anything extra is basically dead weight on my shoulders, and these shoulders are not getting any younger.
I am going away for a week in April but that is a road trip so the benefits of 1 bag are limited, but I still intend to only take one bag on that trip. However, we have a family holiday coming up in June to go New Zealand and I am currently in deep negotiations with my wife encouraging her we should be a one-bag family on that trip. We will have three carry - on bags between myself, my wife, and my son, equating to 21kg, which is more than sufficient. She has not given in yet, but I am persistent. The bad news for me is that my wife is the most persistent person I know. She is unlikely to give in.
2026-02-26 12:13:48
I only started travelling in my 20s, prior to that, I didn't have the money nor the motivation to travel. This is because I lived in a remote part of this wonderful planet and going anywhere was costly and extremely time consuming.
Since then, I have travelled a lot. And in the last twenty years, my taste has changed significantly. Gone a days where I seek out loud experiences like going clubbing in the best club etc etc. I crave a much calmer environment where I can soak in th vibe and enjoy a wonderful conversation with my fellow travelers.
Last night, I went to the best beach club in Bali and I felt out of place. It was too loud and the human behaviour on display was not to my liking. I did not enjoy that the club was first and foremost designed to give men a great time by showcasing women in a way that I found disturbing. Perhaps this is what the clubbing scene is like now, admittedly, it has been a long time since I went to a club.
I suppose, in this decade of my age, clubbing is out of the question.
On the other hand, going to a nice jazz bar is now my jam 🎷🎷🎷
Written and editted on Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
