Favorite Things of 2017

This is now the 

–My Favorite Things I Bought

• Sweet Bloom Coffee

• Manly Indulgence Candles

• Canon 6D Mark II

• Mavic Pro

• Rockies hat

• iPhone X

• Tesla Model 3 Reservation

• Peak Design Sling

• Allbirds Shoes

• Apple Magic Numeric Keyboard

• Ember Mug

–Favorite Apps I Discovered

I still remember the first couple years I owned an iPhone it was a regular exercise to go out and find what new apps had come out. It seemed that useful and fun things would show up almost daily. Now, ten years into its existance its much more like a computer. Sure I hit up the app store now and then just to browse but its nothing like before. 

That said I don't have a lot of new favorite apps for this year, but these are the best ones I discovered this past year.

Myfitness Pal

A fairly recent entry but I made the decision to get into shape late in the year and this app has been invaluable in that process. Probably the biggest component to getting in shape is to make better choices eating. Like my friend and personal trainer Joe Tewell says, "You'll never outrun your fork." Myfitness Pal gives you a quick and easy way to search and input what you're eating to make sure not only that you're staying within a set caloric limit, but that you're getting the proper balance of macro nutrients like protein.

It also allows you to have friends view what you input to help keep you accountable. 

One of my favorite features that I just discovered is that it automatically inputs the workout and steps data from my Apple Watch.

Filmic Pro

If you've ever seen any fancy car commercials that say they're exclusively filmed on the iPhone chances are good that the app used to do it was  FilmicPro. It taps into all the power of this handheld computer and lets you adjust things like your frame rate, resolution and every other aspect of the included camera. Maybe the most impressive thing to me is that I can shoot 120 frames per second and get buttery smooth slow motion in HD that on a commercial video camera would cost thousands of dollars.

DarkSky (photos)

I started to shoot astrophotography for the first time this year and to do it well you need really dark skies and as little light polution as possible. The DarkSky app lets you find where its darkest to get the best photos.

Ballz

An absurdly simple but really addicting game.

Desert Golfing

In terms of graphics and tech, this game is really lo-fi, but its got that great quality of always being challenging and a game you can play for thirty seconds or 10 minutes. 

Dominator '17

If you play fantasy football, you know that the draft is one of the best parts. I've never been a mock draft guy but this app is a lot of fun to play with. It also takes the stress out of your picks. Using complex algorrythms, your specific team needs and everyone else's pick, it automatically selects the best player for you. So, how did it do for me this year? Hard to tell because I was bit by the injury bug. It did have me draft DeShawn Watson though which has theoretically set me up with a killer keeper for a few years.

Favorite New Podcasts

• How I Built This

How I Built This chronicles the struggles and succeses of normal entrpenours who have made it big. Almost every episode inspires me to keep creating and to keep building.  

• The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

Mars Patel is a podcast for your kids that you'll like too. It incorporates elements of Stranger Things, Goonies, and Spy Kids with fantastic production and an entertaining story.

• Cultivated

Another very inspirational podcast, Cultivated, by Mike Cosper interviews creative people in the Christian sphere showing how they live our their faith in their work. 

• 30 for 30

Facinating sports stories that are perfect in the podcast format.

• Only the Good Stuff

With so much negativity in the world Steven Altrogge only talks to people about the things they are really enjoying right now. Lots and lots of fun.

• Adventures in Design

If you're a creative doing your own thing there is so much that is good here. Great interviews, advice and lots of inspiration. (I utilize the fast-forward button as it gets a little frat-house at times with language and subject matter)

• The Pitch

Its Shark Tank in podcast form. Great stuff for people wanting to learn about starting and running a business.

• Internet History Podcast

I haven't even come close to listening to all of these episodes, but this podcast details the events, products, and people that made the internet and everything that came with it.

–Favorite Films

• The Defiant Ones 4 1/2

• Dunkirk 5

• Blade Runner 2049 4 1/2

• Coco 5

• Thor Ragnarok 4 1/2

• Otherlife 4 1/2

–Favorite Books

• Playing Through the Whistle

• Evangellyfish

• Time Travel a History

–Favorite TV Series

• Halt & Catch Fire (Final Season)

• The Americans

• The Last Man on Earth

• Grand Designs

–Favorite Music

• Mutemath

• Andy Mineo / Magic & Bird

• Beautiful Eulogy

• Gray Havens

• 80's Hits

• Earthsuit

–Favorite Photos
–Favorite Moments

• Arsenal FA Cup Win

• Angel Tree Delivery

• Starting to work out

• Riding in a Tesla Model S

• Coffee Tour In Denver

• Den vs KC with family

• Watching kids play soccer

• Amtrak Ride

• Winning Rook Tournament

• 20th High School Reunion

• Japanese Exchange Students

• Filming Black's adoption story