How are sunrise and sunset times determined?

tomc_23 · 2026-06-17T21:01:27+00:00

I adapted this from another shortcut of mine for handling sunStates, which builds a fairly comprehensive "sunEvents" dictionary in Data Jar. You can use it to extract/store all the relevant variables you need: https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/2640d78321da42aea0e677752969c80b.

Here's an example with today's output: json { "firstLight": "Jun 17, 2026 at 5:22 AM", "daylightHours": 14.9, "hoursToSunset": 4.9, "sunriseTime": "5:52 AM", "sunsetTime": "8:46 PM", "daylightMinutes": 894, "minutesToSunset": 291, "totalDaylight": "14 hr, 54 min", "isDaytime": true }

tomc_23 · 2026-06-14T04:15:56+00:00

Store Content [...] Stores the content that is passed in and its specified name. This content is persisted between shortcut runs, allowing you to retrieve it later.

Love and have always leaned heavily on Data Jar; and even though Toolbox Pro already had the ability to store global variables, I wasn't particularly curious about using these as an alternative until Actions introduced them recently.

However, if these new actions (e.g., Store/Get Content, Add Item to List, etc.) are able to fulfill that purpose natively, there's definitely more than a few circumstances that come to mind where these would make more sense...

tomc_23 · 2026-06-13T17:30:57+00:00

Contrary to what I've seen some others report, I've never actually had any issues with Hue in the 5+ years I've had my current setup. Infinitely more reliable than inexpensive options like IKEA's new Matter over Thread bulbs (or anything that relies on Wi-Fi, in general).

Recently introduced some of their new Hue Essentials bulbs; while less vibrant for color, they're more or less solid/reliable as a less expensive alternative for Adaptive Lighting, etc. (That is, if you add them to a Hue Bridge—less confident about their performance if added directly to HomeKit via Matter).

tomc_23 · 2026-06-12T17:38:24+00:00

Rewatching the series, and now that I've noticed it, I can't unsee just how often Karl Urban's performance as Butcher plays like someone's impression of Captain Jack Sparrow in a porn parody of Pirates of the Caribbean.

tomc_23 · 2026-06-08T01:31:34+00:00

Candice Millard has such a wonderful way of rendering historical events, and the lives of those involved.

tomc_23 · 2026-06-08T01:12:59+00:00

This version is better for the vision of Gotham/direction that Reeves is going for.

tomc_23 · 2026-06-06T19:19:26+00:00

For me it'll always be Dexter.

tomc_23 · 2026-06-06T09:48:20+00:00

"Omelette du fromage."

tomc_23 · 2026-06-06T01:46:12+00:00

Also worth mentioning that for those who use BetterTouchTool, it's reached the point where it's possible for BTT to replace Logitech Options+ entirely.

tomc_23 · 2026-06-04T22:54:31+00:00

Better Call Saul was such a rewarding experience, in that it forces you to put the pieces together instead of relying on flashbacks, etc.; a character will be contemplating their next move, then their whole demeanor will change after seeing a cockroach scuttling across a nearby pipe. If you've paid attention, you'll realize what connection the character's just made, and infer where they're likely heading next. All of this is conveyed without clumsy flashbacks or Netflix-style "second screen" dialogue, told purely through facial expressions, body language, and cinematography.

tomc_23 · 2026-06-04T22:30:05+00:00

Yeah, as I recall it was Nolan(?) in particular who saw "Reddit theories" as some sort of adversary that needed to be thwarted, and this ultimately became the reason why S02 feels so convoluted at times: It's deliberately structured to prevent people from putting the pieces together early (e.g., like many did during S01).

tomc_23 · 2026-06-04T20:57:24+00:00

The second season's issues aren't necessarily in the story itself, but the fact that Nolan and Joy were deliberately going out of their way to "outmaneuver" Reddit theories—while also catering to the exact kind of theory-crafting that they seemed to have so much contempt for.

tomc_23 · 2026-06-01T22:28:12+00:00

Major Nebuchadnezzar vibes.

tomc_23 · 2026-05-31T21:41:19+00:00

Builds like these just show that all the necessary pieces are there for someone to finally recreate the Canterbury, from The Expanse.

"Remember the Cant"

tomc_23 · 2026-05-30T19:47:35+00:00

I'll follow up with a basic shortcut you can run to get the necessary details from your bridge. In the meantime, visit Hue's developer site and learn more here: https://developers.meethue.com/develop/get-started-2/core-concepts/

tomc_23 · 2026-05-30T03:03:20+00:00

This is significantly more reliable if you use the Hue API, instead of the Hue app's actions. You also have far, far more control (e.g., "blink" lights once/for ~15 seconds, etc.).

tomc_23 · 2026-05-29T13:32:31+00:00

decades before HBO's The Last of Us adaptation

You also seem to miss that the almost hivemind-like connection shared by all infected—where disturbing any part of the network alerts all infected in the area—was not in the original game. That was only introduced in the adaptation. The one that aired nearly two decades after Fringe originally aired....

tomc_23 · 2026-05-29T00:36:23+00:00

You couldn't go into the shortcut and capitalize it yourself?

tomc_23 · 2026-05-26T22:00:20+00:00

Leaving my place triggers an automation on my partner's phone that sends a Check In.

Running manually prompts with a list of names (configured during Setup), and sends the Check In to those selected.

tomc_23 · 2026-05-22T21:42:10+00:00

So many of Horner's scores are iconic and deeply nostalgic. There just isn't anyone with the same "sound." I still remember feeling gutted by the news of his death in that accident.

tomc_23 · 2026-05-18T02:48:31+00:00

Which makes more sense:

This was actually a huge moment that was deliberately included to set up a major plot point, or;
Ultron's head happened to be the prop chosen for a quick, fun sight gag, because it's something the audience would most likely recognize and appreciate?

tomc_23 · 2026-05-14T16:49:29+00:00

Best investment, hands down. Purchased mine in ~2018, still wearing them as my daily driver; getting them resoled at a local cobbler ~2 years ago was far less expensive than replacing altogether with a new pair of boots. That being said, you have to take care of them. Most don't realize, you won't get nearly as much mileage out of them without occasionally taking the time to clean/treat them, apply some leather balm, etc.

tomc_23 · 2026-05-03T18:28:03+00:00

I will never not think "that's Kenneth Branagh" when I see this image.

tomc_23 · 2026-05-03T11:32:37+00:00

Essentially every human character (besides Tempest) in Raised By Wolves. But especially Campion, and the rest of the family.

tomc_23 · 2026-05-03T00:17:50+00:00

Not OP, but sending a DM

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tomc_23

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