Ended Subscriptions Over the last three days, it was easy to end the unnecessary digital subscriptions that were sapping my bank account. Consequently, I am now spending \$60 less per month. ​My Xbox subscription was due to renew for \$30, but I caught it in time. I discovered that it is not enough to simply remove the bank card; there is an additional required step of turning off recurring billing. It made me a bit angry to realize I could have been billed for another month if I hadn't nav...

Kitchen Conflict So, my housemate’s friend is staying next door, and I’m currently bracing for impact. I need to send out a "polite warning" to make sure they don't just wander into our place unannounced, though I’m not entirely sure how well that’s going to go over. Here’s the thing: we live in this friend’s ancestral home. Because of that history, they feel perfectly entitled to stroll in and make themselves right at home in our kitchen. It’s one of those classic "shared living" headaches ...

Snapshot: SERVICE DO I USE THIS 3 TIMES WEEKLY IS THERE A SINGLE PAY OPTION COST OF SUBSCRIPTION MONTHLY, USD. MY VERDICT Amzn Prime y y $ 15 KEEP Walmart Plus n y $ 13 AXE Xbox Ultimate n n $ 30 AXE creativebug n n $ 5 AXE sidedeal.com n y $ 6 AXE Google Play y y $ 5 KEEP Youtube Premium Lite y n $ 8 KEEP Paramount plus n ? $ 9 AXE So, I sat down to write tonight and considering the metaphorical drain on my bank statement. Specifically, that is my subscriptions. Let’s be...

I often find myself gravitating toward my favorite local convenience store to write. It is a striking space, defined by a soaring wall of windows that invites the steady, soft glow of northern light. The atmosphere is intentionally austere: the furniture is unforgivingly hard, and the playlist is a rotation of the unusual and unpredictable. The clientele consists mostly of what passes for neighbors in this city—familiar faces who generally respect the unspoken rule of solitude. However, the expe...

aspect SMALL TOWN METROPOLIS Subject of greeting Anyone No one as a rule energy level exuberant half smile at most Social occasion stop and interact Don't stop trust level high low It’s always obvious when a friend from a small town comes to visit the big city. My friend from back home greets literally everyone he passes, which—as a city local—honestly makes me a little self-conscious. For instance, if he sees a dog he likes, he’ll stop the owner right on the sidewalk. He’ll blurt ...

Comparing Global News vs. Pet Content I’ve been bouncing between mainstream cable news and YouTube channels like Tousi TV and Decoding China lately. It’s a wild contrast: cable is obsessed with the abduction case in Tucson, while YouTube is diving deep into the crises in Iran and China. Independent Media: A Mixed Bag Both YouTube channels claim to be "independent," but they feel very different: Decoding China: To be honest, this one often feels like science fiction. Their funding and ori...

## The 110 Film Hustle I hit a bit of a snag with a film lab recently. I bought a roll along with a prepaid mailing label, only to discover the label has a one-month expiration date. Talk about a "big waste of money" if I don't use it! To beat the clock, I spent today shooting the rest of a roll of 110 film just to make sure I had something to send in within the timeframe. The gear choice was... ambitious, to say the least. I was using a tiny, keychain-sized 110 camera with no flash. In this...

## How to properly maintain and maximize the life of your candles: • Choose Pillars for Value: Beeswax pillars are a better investment than tapers because they are less delicate and sustain much longer burn intervals.  • Establish a Memory Ring: Proper care prevents "tunneling," where the flame burns a hole straight down the center.  • "Hug" the Edges: To ensure an even burn, you should manually press the warm wax edges toward the center of the candle.  • Practice Wick Discipline: It is esse...

I've been revisiting the structure of the novel Moby Dick and thinking about the "shadow" of Captain Ahab. There is a point where a man himself perishes, yet Ahab persists in his mad pursuit. To my sense, it isn't just a hunt; it is the persistence of a "grasping mind"—a demonic awareness and a demonic idea that outlives the flesh. In my own life, I feel the weight of a "Great Mess" that threatens to doom me someday, and so I struggle. But there is a lesson in Ahab’s ruin. Knowing that my own "d...

I’ve been worried about my health lately and wishing for more real social contact—more talking, more sharing, more steady voices. Caring for an autistic elder is a daily struggle, especially while managing my own chronic condition. I’m grateful that I speak with a counselor often; her voice of reason cuts through my delusions and poor judgment. The meditation service helps too, giving my mind a little breathing room. Still, I can’t shake this feeling of impending misfortune waiting outside the h...

Pencil is an easy, forgiving, and reliable medium. It is erasable, though it smudges and sometimes needs sharpening. What is good about drawing in pencil? Graphite can feel almost as rich as paint, especially when it smudges across white paper. The line variation and shading of pencil ,though different from those of liquid ink, give it a valued place in one’s complement of mark makers. Even a 70 gsm sheet is sufficient. The graphite will smudge on the page, but the shading and variation of lin...

Refilling the ink in the Pilot Varsity fountain pen requires only several supplies—a silicone gripping mat, a paper towel, and an eyedropper. It does take a strong grip and sometimes a pair of pliers, and I always use sanitary gloves. By contrast, sealing a converted eyedropper pen demands much more preparation: beeswax, gloves, an ink dropper, paper towels, and a hair dryer. Wax sealing involves more steps and is less reliable over time, since beeswax eventually hardens. Although eyedropper c...

I stayed in all weekend and caught up with some friends over the phone. I actually totally blanked on a group video call I wanted to join! I did tune into an online worship service with H.P., which was really uplifting, though I hopped off once the presentation got a bit too detailed. Overall, I’m feeling okay and not too stressed. I think ditching my smartwatch for the weekend helped me unplug. My cooking was pretty low-effort—mostly just reheating leftovers, making hummus sandwiches, and grab...

Overview After experiencing a hack and a frustrating customer-service interaction on eBay, the writer moved to Mercari as an alternative marketplace. Despite higher prices and rising fees, Mercari online has become an enjoyable place to browse, and occasionally purchase collectibles. Buying Experience Pros: Fun to browse and interesting items. Occasional genuine bargains (e.g., a 1970s compact camera with flash for $16). Many sellers communicate well and act with integrity. Japanese-origi...

Reflections on a Desert Memory I recently bought an "Emotional Support Dumpster Fire" amigurumi figure. In a stroke of accidental genius, the sign is misspelled to read "Dumpster Emotional Fire." It was originally designed as a tongue-in-heart parody of Pokémon, and though it traveled a long way from an overseas workshop to get to me, its mangled message feels oddly appropriate. My dear friend is currently facing a devastating illness. We can’t make plans to see each other in person; the logist...

Bad Cars on My Mind Recently I watched a video stream of Touched by an Angel—where the chariot of the angels is an arrest‑me‑red, 1970s Cadillac Eldorado convertible. What is it about an Eldorado that makes it a “bad car”? Why do car people promote them on YouTube? Today I saw a video about the ten most quickly depreciating cars. “Mainline” cars are the subjects of that depreciating‑cars list, so the most exotic models are left out. What strikes me is how many of the cars I actually want sh...

My Inward Smile: The Feather and the Balloon At 580 Internet beats (just before the world truly woke up), I sat with today’s journal prompt: “What made you smile today?” Since the day had barely begun, I looked inward. My "smile" wasn't a physical grin, but a deep sense of positive energy sparked by a meditation titled "The Wake-Up." The guide shared a perfect metaphor for releasing intrusive thoughts: Imagine your thought is a bright balloon floating in the sky. Your awareness is a light fe...

Caffeine cessation Since cutting back on caffeine, my motivation’s bounced right back to its baseline. I’m feeling better, sleeping better… and whenever I crave that coffee kick, I just pop in a decaf pod for my N.presso—easy. Mark making in a book Started doodling again for fun in my “legendary” notebook (that’s the stationery company’s fancy marketing term). It’s such a rewarding way to start the morning—way better than scrolling the flea‑market site and wondering what to write down each da...

Stationery Reflections I recently ran out of loose leaf notebook paper, so I’ve retreated to online shopping. Truthfully, I have a real fondness for hardcover notebooks from France and China—in fact, I already have quite a hoard of them. While browsing online, I discovered a few manufacturers that produce heavier paper specifically designed for liquid ink. I’ve added those to my cart, along with some disc-bound ring binders. I also need to rummage through my lifetime supply of writing ink to fi...

Distinguishing between the act of doodling and the creation of fine art reveals fundamental differences in training, intent, and the resulting aesthetic product. Traditionally, the formal training of an artist culminates in the production of works with recognized cultural or economic value; these works often prioritize the generation of provocative ideas over mere aesthetic appeal. In contrast, doodling is typically characterized as a private endeavor—an exercise in self-amusement or cognitive p...

I’m honestly feeling unusual low-low‑motivation right now. I’ve was using caffeine as a stand‑in with my typical low motivation, so now it is a slump. I don’t want to keep wailing and moaning online. I haven’t smiled much today—maybe twice at most. On the bright side, thinking about a new dog, which is a small hope. In reality, a big change isn’t possible right now. So I’m thinking about getting a super‑thin, high‑end smartphone. It might give me a short‑term “consumer high,” but I’ll probably ...

I’ve realized I could use a bit more social interaction—more real conversations and shared laughter. I received some tough news regarding a close friend’s health recently, which has been heavy. However, I’m keeping my outlook positive. I make a conscious effort to smile several times a day, and I’ve found that it genuinely lifts my mood. ​The Home Front The house is definitely due for a deep clean! At our current pace, it doesn't look like it'll happen overnight, but it’s on the radar. ​The B...

Journey to Balanced Energy I’ve realized that my relationship with caffeine has reached a tipping point. While my smartwatch shows I’m getting enough hours of sleep, my deep sleep—the restorative kind—is consistently low. To fix this, I am beginning a "titration" process: a gradual, disciplined reduction of my daily intake until I reach a sustainable limit of just two cups. As my counselor encouraged me, "You’ve done it before," and that reminder gives me the confidence to succeed again. The S...

I’ve been curious about the ikko "mind phone" that recently swept the internet through various articles and videos. At the same time, I’ve noticed Apple enthusiasts heralding the rumored iPhone Air as a pure expression of the Apple philosophy. As a writer, this still intrigues me, especially as I search for a device that offers faster performance than my Samsung Galaxy S22. On the hardware side, I recently rediscovered my Instax LiPlay camera. While it’s still functional, the firmware is outdate...

The "Emotional Support Dumpster Fire" I recently saw a clever kit to crochet called an "Emotional Support Dumpster Fire" featuring a sign that reads, "Everything is just fine." The irony of the sign is what really gives it meaning; it reminds me of the coffee mug at the pharmacist station used during the pandemic that said, "I’m fine. It’s all fine. Everything is just fine." I’m considering heading back to the discount site where I saw it to see if it’s still available. A Break from the Appl...

Predawn and writing at home. Typing the blog entry rather than using handwriting. The best way to accomplish handwriting recognition, that one found, is to run it through the AI chatbot engine. It is good and accurate often. So that replaced my Moleskine smartpen for a lot of reasons. The main one is that one doesn't like to write with ink‑paste ballpoint on paper with that smartpen. Rather, one prefers liquid ink to write and one of the 100 fountain pens. Yesterday one took a journey to the edg...

Enjoying Sedley, a men’s fragrance from Perfumes de Marly, I decided to compare it with another citrus‑green opening scent for men—Salvatore Ferragamo Pour Homme. In Sedley, the green character comes from a menthol note, whereas Salvatore Ferragamo Pour Homme introduces green‑fig leaf. From that point onward the two diverge: Sedley feels richer and heavier, thanks to its resinous undertones. Perfumes de Marley is renowned for “sillage monsters” that dominate a room. In my case, the effect was ...

Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Toaster Oven – \$200 USD. (discount purchase) I’m really enjoying this appliance—it’s a great deal. Out of the ten preset functions, I usually stick to four: Toast, Air Fry, Rapid Bake, and Griddle. I’ve used it for toast, vegetables, steak, and seafood. I’ve nearly ruined it twice: once by overheating it while trying to broil a thick steak, and another time by slamming the door shut too hard. In both cases the unit recovered after I unplugged it and let it cool down. R...

I received a vintage keychain 110 film camera today. The engineering looks incredible! So far, the shutter works well with a disposable film cartridge. If I can successfully get photos out of it, I may later try a Lomography brand 110 camera, which costs about $100 USD. ​I wanted to test the shutter, but I was afraid of damaging the plastic, keychain-sized camera by firing it without a cartridge inside. This camera is quite primitive in its concept, with no shutter or lens adjustments, but I thi...

Amazingreen Perfume I bought this perfume a long time ago on the gray market. The bottle is beautiful—true to the CdG style and made of mirrored, green glass. To my nose, the scent is pure genius: woods, some aromatics, and then… a green pepper note. It has that signature CdG touch where they create a note that "busts through." The pepper carries like a head note but acts like a base note. It truly is one of the best perfumes in my book. Switching Back to Android I’m heading back to Android. I...

Nasomatto’s Absinthe fragrance left a lasting impression, and so when browsing online at a gray‑market outlet I encountered Pardon, a highly regarded scent from the same house. I decided to purchase Pardon as a holiday self‑gift. In character it resembles Gucci Pour Homme v. 1, yet diverges markedly: where that Gucci scent leans toward sweet, spicy accords, Pardon introduces a nuanced chocolate‑tar facet. The opening is strikingly potent since Pardon is concentrated parfum, though the dry‑down ...

_Gratitude list:_ 🟢 Wise elders – Their guidance keeps me grounded, especially when my brain health challenges threaten to overwhelm me. 🟢 Secure home in a genteel neighborhood – It may not always feel completely comfortable, but it offers the safety I need. 🟢 Writing outlets – I publish on my blog and contribute to health‑focused sites that provide the information I rely on. 🟢 Overall health – I’m able to move, sleep, eat, and take care of all the essentials for a good, fulfilling life. ...

It is a strange and lovely phenomenon that several of us analog writers—those of us who still prefer handwriting on paper with ink—share this space. Here at my favorite haunt, we huddle, both alone and together, in the rare and diffuse winter sunlight. The spot is a store with a stunning two-story glass wall. On this Saturday morning, being studious writers, we don’t acknowledge one another. I seem to be the only curious person wanting to observe my compatriots at the bar: two women and a man. ...

Core Attributes * Ease of Use: Handy and easy to operate. * Creative Value: Offers unique features for creative photography. * Software: The app interface is conspicuous and distinct. * Form Factor: Compact and portable, though it lacks a traditional zoom. User Experience I purchased an open-box Instax Pal digital camera at a great price and I’m having a lot of fun with it. Given the "cute" graphics and the sense of animism in its design, it seems marketed toward a younger or more femi...

Picked up a Chinese fountain pen where its shipping cost exceeded that of the plastic pen. I used beeswax from burnt candles to seal the pen, allowing it to hold 10 mg of liquid ink—a surprisingly large amount. Another, similar Chinese fountain pen I converted in a like manner fell apart, but an AI service revealed the technique for applying beeswax to the seal of this more recent one. My next pen project might be of an even sturdier acrylic model from China. Because my cheaper pen holds so muc...

I used an AI‑powered search engine and put in it a list of what I had in the fridge, and it returned a recipe. Fortunately, I had already bought several aromatics—carrots, onions, and celery—which the AI refers to as the flavor base. The recipe specified the order in which to cook the ingredients, along with a pound of pinto beans that I purchased at the store. The beans have been simmering on the stove for a while now. Meanwhile, the potatoes are diced and waiting, and I’ve sautéed the aromati...

People often say that once you’re retired and well into your golden years, it’s a good thing to stay home. After all, at 80 years old, venturing out can increase the risk of catching a virus or encountering other mishaps, so it’s understandable why many seniors prefer the comfort of their own homes. But if you still have plenty of energy—and perhaps a touch of the younger‑generation spirit—getting out becomes essential. My favorite spot outside the house is the local convenience store, which d...

Over  100 days consecutively, writing on my blog has been a soothing outlet for my odd thoughts during the writing challenge. I’ve discovered several new writers on Listed.to, and I’m planning to shift to another #30days writing challenge there. I’ve also been using “offloading” to jot down irrational fears before bedtime. While many of these fears are implausible or inconsequential, the practice helps clear my mind. Today I attended an online art‑video session hosted by a local arts‑education...

1/1/26: Milestone Reached Today marks the end of my 100-day blogging challenge. While the goal was to write and to publish on each of 100 days continually, the habit itself felt natural and rewarding. The Positives: Consistency: I successfully developed a daily "writing for publication" habit. Creative Momentum: This challenge jump-started my process for generating new ideas moving forward. Community: I enjoyed reading fellow emerging writers on Listed.to. Gratitude: The blog served as a me...

Today was pretty good, even though I didn't sleep very well last night. I had plans to go across town to meet with my counselor, and I'm glad I did. The meeting went really well because I think highly of my counselor, and she seems to think the same of me. We had a lot of laughs and enjoyed her adorable therapy dog, who kept us entertained. Overall, it was a great day! With the holiday shopping in full swing, my porch has been busy with delivery guys dropping off packages. Luckily, all the packa...

I overheard a coffee‑shop employee mutter, “I’m traumatized by retail,” after a customer asked whether he celebrated the holidays. That comment made me think about how my own childhood, spoiled with presents, still fuels a longing for the wonder—and the chaos—of the season. Perhaps that’s why I bought countless little gifts for myself this year, losing track of them as I went. What began with practical items soon turned into a splurge on expensive sneakers that I’ll probably end up returning. I...

The best part of my week was a weekday morning—Monday, to be exact. I slept exceptionally well and set out for the neighborhood café‑convenience store. The coffee was strong and delicious, and the barista played obscure, artistic tunes that filled the space with a sonorous vibe. The music sparked my creativity, and I felt energized by the caffeine. Even though the weather was frigid, the rain wouldn't arrive for a few more days; it was cold and clear. With my mind buzzing, I began doodling befo...

Forgot my online meeting for my brain‑illness support group today. Maybe the day was still good. I wrote a lot, but my process is too time‑consuming—though I enjoy it. It’s time‑consuming because I like doing my morning pages the old‑fashioned way: handwriting with ink on paper. Then I feel bad if they don’t get uploaded to the Journal app. I stayed home most of the day with my housemate, who rested. We watched cat videos and ate a big steak for dinner, so it was a peaceful time. I still want a...

What I’m curious about is how talented artists achieve success—their methods, habits, and pathways. While working in corporations, I observed what it takes to grow a business and witnessed both clear signs of success and the subtle steps that enable it. Living with a chronic brain illness is a major handicap for me. My insight is limited, my motivation often wanes, and I lack the originality that M. Pelosi displays in her drawings. Discipline is another area where I fall short. Consequently, I’...

I’m still enjoying Moby‑Dick. I love the asides of the narrator. The action was good and compelling. This writer thinks that the novel is not psychological in its plot, but it is the virtuoso performance of the narrator that matters. The splendid feat of language by Melville is the main takeaway for this reader of Moby‑Dick. Of course, the novel is also a monument to the sperm‑whale species. Secondary to that, the novel records the culture of the whalemen who hunted the sperm whale. Moby‑Dick ...

My inspiration was Marilena Pelosi, an artist. I wanted to understand her mind and emulate her meaning‑creation process, so I drew for a month in her style. She goes into a trance and generates otherworldly, tense settings—by her disciplined lines and flat colors. She is possibly a brilliant thinker, based on the cubist awareness I have tried to grasp regarding her motivation and history. Trying to understand her work, I drew every day for thirty days. Looking back on that book in which I drew ...

What are my favorite activities to accomplish on a day off? Why are they favorites of mine? Our town is full of wonderful coffee shops, so I decided to go "cafe hopping." It felt so liberating to move from place to place. I visited three different shops, using the time to work on my "morning pages." I hit my daily goal of 750 words, pouring my thoughts onto the page while soaking in the atmosphere of cafe society. ​I’ll admit, it wasn’t the healthiest morning—I treated myself to an expensive ...

I’m “jonesing” for a new smartphone—yes, that’s the word, even though I don’t usually such slang. After getting through the worst of the holiday resentment, it feels like the right moment for another self‑presie ritual. Before indulging in a new purchase, I wanted to write. My housemate has been sleeping most of the day and night, which looks like depression. I talked with a psychologist today, and it was helpful. We compared the situation to John the Baptist, noting that he shared some traits...

Recognizing a benefit and then cultivating gratitude for it can be especially helpful during difficult times. When you focus on gratitude for a single item, it can shift your mindset toward positivity, and each subsequent gratitude item builds on the previous one. See a broken‑down car? Instead of dwelling on the waste, recall a reliable vehicle you own. Feeling unsupported? Think of the Path with Art charity, which offers art education to those in need. Neglected during the holidays? Remember...

I’m juggling a few tech upgrades and can’t decide what to pick. On one hand there’s the sleek iPhone Air versus the flashy Galaxy S25 Edge, and then there’s the Apple Watch—should it be the 5G model or a simpler version? I’m also wondering whether to jump onto a post‑paid phone plan that bundles a smartwatch service. Honestly, it feels a bit like watching moss grow—interesting, but not exactly necessary. I’m hanging out at home with my housemate, and the internet is full of tempting gadgets tha...

Creative Bug remains after Joann Craft Stores closed, filling a gap for people who seek crafting instruction of which most of their instruction is by women and for women. I’ve managed to locate several gender‑neutral projects, though. Creative Bug was a subsidiary of Joann Stores, if my memory serves. For me, Creative Bug has become a valuable source of at‑home crafting instruction, replacing the art‑education charity for unhoused individuals that supported me for over ten years. The Creative ...

I discovered the Markor app for Android because I needed an alternative to a web‑based editor. It’s an excellent choice for writers who want a dedicated Markdown tool—Markdown support is built right into the app. In addition to rich Markdown editing, Markor includes a handy task manager, making it useful for organizing writing projects on Android. Beyond Markdown, Markor can open and edit plain‑text files and export them to various formats. Earlier versions of the app were available directly fr...

The writer was fixated on Montblanc pens for a long time. Before locating a legitimate source, the search focused on an online flea market. A common mistake among new collectors is paying too little and buying from unreliable sellers. In this case, the pen was purchased from an Asian source and turned out to be counterfeit when it arrived. In hindsight, the writer would have benefited from someone warning, “Don’t buy from a Asian source for a low price.” Nevertheless, the writer learned the less...

Wednesday Today wasn’t bad. I convinced my housemate to leave the house for a few errands, so we headed to lunch at a long‑standing Thai restaurant downtown. It’s been about fifteen years since i dined there, but the place still feels familiar. I brought along my Lomography camera, which I’d bought from an online flea market. After a few false starts and some wasted film, I finally captured a good portrait of my housemate. I’ve recovered from a cold virus—thankfully after about ten days, which...

It isn’t easy to be apolitical. If people knew how much the problems bothering me right now affect me, they might understand why I choose to keep politics out of the range of topics I discuss. I would much rather have idle, polite conversations about anything other than sex or politics. Religion is okay, but in my town religion is usually a topic people can’t handle. If I hint that I grew up in a Republican bubble, the conversation shuts down, in my experience. I can almost hear their thoughts:...

I’m typing this morning with a mechanical keyboard, and it’s a pleasure to feel the tactile keys and see the immediate response on my tablet’s screen. The best part of a mechanical keyboard is its ability to let me type quickly and accurately, thanks to the longer key travel. Although it wasn’t expensive, the clicky sound can be annoying to a housemate in the next room. To me, the audible “click‑click” is comforting, but it would be unsuitable for a coffee shop or library where the noise would b...

Today, at the communist‑themed café, I sensed that I was not the patron they had envisioned. The baristo—who crafts an excellent espresso—snapped at me before handing over my four‑dollar brew, “Why are you up so early?” I could not ascertain whether his rebuke stemmed from my heightened alertness, a result of a potent cold‑brew caffeine ritual performed at home, or from a latent bias against my non‑industrial attire. It might also have been the aftermath of a nocturnal revelry, leaving him hu...

I became acquainted with a man who lived in the park near a nice little convenience store by the lake. We first crossed paths at the community recovery center, where I was going because of my brain condition and the loneliness I felt at the time. He was a recovering alcoholic, and while saying that “knowing” him might be a stretch, we certainly recognized each other—something that doesn't often happen with anyone beyond my family these days. He told me he’d gone to beauty school and gave haircu...

I was sitting in the nicest corporate‑style convenience store in the upscale part of town. The shop opens at 460 internet beats (well before sunrise), and because I suffer from a circadian‑sleep disorder I’m awake at night and sleep during the day. So “morning” for me is actually the wee hours of darkness, and I enjoy sipping coffee while doing my Morning Pages. While I was writing, a ragged, bearded man stumbled in, clearly struggling to function. He immediately demanded a pastry, raising his v...

Factor Lamy 2000 Montblanc 146 notes value + Lamy 2000 excels since it is about 66% less expensive than the Montblanc 146. presentation + The shiny Montblanc star and the historic, gold trim impress people. operation + This one is close. For taking notes, the snap-shut cap of the Lamy 2000 makes it a winner. nib + The Montblanc nib is stiff on my 146 pen, and drier than that of the Lamy pen. The Lamy 2000 is a study in subtle luxury. Its matte finish and sleek steel trim give i...

I’m feeling about 90 percent healthy again after a bad cold and respiratory virus, and I’m grateful for the improvement—breathing feels wonderful. I’m still staying at home because my housemate needs support, which isn’t ideal. My spiritual counselor reminded me, “This is what we have.” Tomorrow I might walk around a nearby neighborhood to look at people’s holiday decorations, or I could visit the large shopping center for the same purpose. On Friday is Guadalupe Day, and I plan to celebrate wi...

Enjoying Laurel’s singing while finishing the green‑cat figure I’d crafted. Today was a bit of a downer, and I’m still coughing from a nasty cold, but I’m trying to take it easy. Writing with a gold pen on inexpensive yet nicely weighted paper felt surprisingly satisfying. The computer is running smoothly, too. I plan to lay low for the next month or so. One friend wants to meet up after the holidays. The green‑cat figure looks cozy despite its sad expression, and the arms are a little crooked—...

A character—referred to as One—looks out the window and recalls the stories of a building that was demolished twice, a place that has since become a popular spot for real‑book lovers in a nearby neighborhood. Not far from there, a Jack‑in‑the‑Box once stood in the previous century. Tyreno, a towering, gender‑nonconforming longtime resident of this urban district, bursts into the shop brandishing a see‑through umbrella. Raindrops spin around the umbrella as if caught in a car’s revolving wheel. ...

I’m interested in 110‑format analog photography. The 110 format is a sub‑compact roll film that yields grainy images with a flat, warm colour palette reminiscent of the 1970s, when the format was at its peak. Many 110 cameras still survive, but the major film manufacturers no longer produce 110 film. Today, Lomography is the only company that still manufactures new 110 film. While I’m still researching 110 cameras and haven’t bought one yet, I recently purchased a Lomography instant Automat lin...

Ai. Generated an easy crochet pattern of a coin purse for me Moby Dick audio book entertains me at night while I craft. Free from the library... recovering with okay probability of quick return to health after getting a cold enjoyed wearing my mechanical wristwatch today, and that gave me a break from continual buzzes and chimes of the smartwatch ...

What happened At Christmas I received a complete ceramics set from a close friend—an elderly woman I deeply respect. At the time, I hesitated and didn’t express the gratitude the gift deserved. Her intention was sincere, and the present carried a valuable lesson. Looking back, I regret my lack of thanks and the respect I failed to show. Who was involved My friend: the elderly woman who gave the ceramics set. Family: my parents and brothers, who were also at the Christmas gathering. Summary...

I’ve just got to a mid-point on my new crochet project: a green‑cat figure made from super‑bulky yarn. It’s an oversized amigurumi—far from perfect, but entirely my own creation. The model is the neighbor’s cat who kept me company throughout the pandemic. Even though that cat is now gone, this plush version offers me comfort. The neighbors are unfriendly and a bit jealous of the attention I gave to their cat, which is almost feral. My crocheted version matches its size, but it reflects my own f...

Our airport offers a visitor‑pass program, which lets me meet relatives when they arrive. Before I could use the program, I had to figure out which gate I needed to go through for TSA screening. On one occasion I ended up at the wrong gate. At the time, I assumed any gate would work for getting through the TSA checkpoint, so I insisted to the agent that I had the necessary paperwork. The line‑working agent checked the system and said I wasn’t listed. Fortunately, a kind but firm manager stepped...

What was a good experience in the midst of difficulty? During a tough moment, I had a surprisingly pleasant encounter with a young man. Like me, he was upset because his flight had been canceled in Las Vegas. While we were both waiting in line for the ticket‑counter agent—about two hours later—we struck up a conversation. He told me he was serving in the Army, having enlisted because many of his friends had done the same. I thanked him for his years of service, and he wished me “good luck” as...

1. Poney, My friends fledge by a spewer of the mast. Of today's incident? More doyennes ... What, Poney? croissants to throat. 2. My free peeps of shapes, This happening , tiny for sewing Rehashing commodified panic . . .Rehashing the Before scatter profanity frost before today Muting of Poney - Started with my Morning Pages - Automatically generated verses - scratch out processing - human fine tuning ...

The prompt asked for “a song that captures your experience at a crossroads in life.” My mind instantly jumped to the Eurythmics—classic ‘80s vibes. But the song that really stuck with me was the one from the 1984 movie, even though the film itself made no sense to me. Around that time I left home and my family behind. My friends tossed out everything I’d collected over my childhood—stuff they’d been holding onto for me. Losing all that felt exactly like the bleak, oppressive world of 1984. It s...

One day, I joined a day‑center for people with disabilities, viewing it as a form of care management. I appreciated the sense of community and the peers there, even though most of them had profound cognitive and physical impairments. In contrast, I was still able to manage my own personal care. Nevertheless, the other participants—often referred to as “customers” or “clients”—deserved attention and quality health care, and I valued them deeply. Long ago, I worked at a state‑sponsored nonprofit ...

My nearby friends didn't invite me to Thanksgiving dinner, so my housemate and I decided to buy a Thanksgiving pizza last night and snack on it all day today! The best part was when a neighbor, who is just like us, needed help with a fuse at her house. After the minor repair, we gave her some of the pizza from our fridge. She seemed so grateful since she didn't have anywhere to go for a traditional dinner. Besides that, I hit an awesome sale! The online store blackbird.black—the one with the goo...

Festive Vibes and Holiday Dress‑Up Unlike Halloween—where adults can dive into all things gruesome and gory—Thanksgiving feels warm and uplifting. The images are all about abundance, great food, and gathering together to support each other. In its purest form, it’s about showing up for friends and looking our best, which is a beautiful idea. Gillian Welch – “Everything Is Free” The Andrew Bird channel highlighted Gillian Welch’s song Everything Is Free. Is it any good? Absolutely. It hits an ...

accomplishments; errands update minutes on cell phone plan visit with psychologist produce lunch and breakfast write morning pages stay active--not sedentary-- watch news shows advise friends for their future visit positive things: good working situation with psychologist housemate accepts my poor offerings from the kitchen rudimentary computer gives me more than enough options friends invited me to their planned holiday festivity good amount of energy and motivation capable peer leader ...

Feeling good about the practice of writing down three fears or negative thoughts that bother me before going to bed. The items are strange and unrealistic, springing from my radiant mind at night, and then I forget about them. Honestly, I can’t recall what any of them were while I’m writing this entry. They’re stored in notebooks and in a brainstorming app online, so I can review them later. Putting them on paper neutralizes them for my mind; they no longer take up so much space up there. Some ...

I'm worried now... what if my Powerbeats Pro aren't actually Powerbeats 2? I just did a quick little search—about five minutes—and it turns out they are the latest version of Beats Powerbeats 2. Feeling kinda silly for not putting off the check and doing some research since it really wasn't that important. Honestly, writing and just enjoying the moment is more meaningful than stressing over embarrasment or worrying about getting scammed by some online store. Why do I always want the latest and g...

What am I into these days? My main focus is on taking care of myself and my housemate since we spend almost all our time together. I try to act in a peaceful way, aiming to make each place better just by being there—whether that's straightening some papers at the bank or putting a chair back in its spot at the store. For me, acting peacefully means not hurting anyone with my actions. What pushed me to commit to this was my past. When I was sick, I acted pretty dishonorably and didn’t really resp...

Learning how to burn a beeswax candle so I can actually enjoy it. First thing—trim the wick to about ¼ inch before you light it. Let the candle burn for a couple of hours the first time you light it; that creates a “memory ring” and helps stop tunneling. Tunneling is when the heat of flame doesn’t reach the edge of the candle. Instead, you get a hot wax pool in the middle, the wick burns down quickly, and the wax keeps melting only in the center. I love using search engines and AI tools to t...

This morning went great because I trained my brain, just like the psychologist suggested in today’s “Wake Up” video on the meditation app. “Give the brain a break,” she said. Earlier, I’d been scrolling through flea‑market listings online—it felt like munching on a huge bag of potato chips. The browsing never stopped, and the caffeine plus the pre‑dawn darkness drove me straight into tunnel vision. So, this morning, I decided to refocus on gratitude for the Higher Power and ask Him for help. T...

What is fun? Scri.ch digital ink service is fun; after making a drawing or not, it is possible to look back and see others' anonymous drawings. What is useful? Scri.ch service is useful for doodling; with an internet connection, it works wonderfully on a smartphone with a browser or on a tablet with a stylus and a browser. I can share the image online using Scri.ch. What is interesting? Scri.ch makes it interesting because it is free and open source. You can alter the string in the U...

of your recent moments, what was a time of joy? Write on that. Is joy one of those rare, fleeting moments? Getting a new computer was pretty fun. I told my housemate, "I'm happy" with the new device. I spent time typing blogs and writing lots of pages with it. So, what's the difference between happiness and joy? Happiness kind of sits somewhere between feeling content and pure joy. That’s how I see joy—like when you hear about a baby being born and it finally gets welcomed into the family. T...

Prompt: When was last time I did something nice for friends or family, and what spurred me to do it? My old friend asked me to make some crocheted squares in her hint for something she wanted. I was happy to help and gave to her about ten squares. My friend is someone who likes to give away blankets to help people experiencing homelessness. After I gave her the squares, she assembled them into a blanket. A close acquaintance of hers, who also runs a charitable service in her city, helped by g...

Maybe the calming medicine has started to take effect by now. I felt a bit out of sorts today after a friend was a little abrupt yesterday, which is pretty typical for her. The clutter around the house felt a little overwhelming at times. Going into town for church really helped brighten my day. People there recognized me, and that made a big difference—it's always nice to have some warm, personal interaction, especially since things can feel a bit distant at home with my housemate who is on the...

The urge to create meaning ebbs and flows, but it is not predictable for this writer. Starting the #100days writing challenge, some good ideas came to the writer. But now, it is a slog. One is also reminded of the infamous wall of the marathon runner. The writing of peers at Listed.to site inspires this writer. One feels that imagination has grown tired now. Thoughts come of accomplishing free writing sessions. But where does one do it? Before, coffee shops were the usual places. But now, they a...

Feeling okay today. I received a large order from an online store—mostly sub‑grade food and second‑hand goods. I’ve become attached to finding cheap items, and when the Black Friday sales started, there was an extra discount on them. The food items will be reported for a refund. I’m not complaining; there’s something good about it, and I feel blessed. Friends from out of state will arrive in two weeks. I talked with one of them about our holiday plans, and I’m looking forward to everything. The...

I played The Sims 4 on a PS4 and really enjoyed it. I took a bit of a gamble because I wasn’t sure the game would run smoothly on a next‑gen console like the PS5 or Xbox series X. Then I got some cash over the holidays and splurged on an Xbox Series X. The game ran wonderfully—load times were practically gone on the newer hardware, which made it feel a lot more fun. My main draw to Sims 4 was the Pets expansion. I’ve always wanted a dog, and having a virtual pet in the game was a blast. I loved...

Today's Wins and Positives The weather decided to cooperate! We had pleasant temperatures with some welcome sunshine—a perfect day for a break. Mission Accomplished (Almost): I got my outdoor walk in and nearly hit the day's step goal, officially earning a top "Active" rating for the day. Take that, couch. Lunch was a success: The steak prepared in the air fryer/toaster oven turned out perfectly. I feel satisfied and clear-headed regarding my current situation as a family caregiver. A good ass...

I'm looking forward to seeing some friends who will arrive from out of state. That trip will involve going to the airport and getting them situated at their city hotel. Later, more friends will arrive, and the whole event will become a reunion. I'm primarily focused on visiting with the initial arrivals. A separate occasion will be, for me, visiting friends in another state. Weather permitting, I will travel 1,000 miles across the country to see them at their holiday party. My caregiving role d...

The new computer finally arrived. It's... fine. The keyboard, the screen, the weight—all just okay. Nothing to write home about, certainly not "over the moon," but it will absolutely get the job done. Specifically, the job of banging out my often poorly written blogs and online posts. It reminds me of a conversation I had a long time ago with an Internet moderator where I confessed my geekiest purchase: the Sony Ultra Mobile PC. That thing cost over a thousand bucks and, frankly, didn't work. It...

Worked on the cat plush figure today. It is pretty spooky-looking, as it turned out to be about the size of a real cat. One used super bulky yarn, so the figure is about three times the size of the original pattern's suggested size. At about three feet tall, it is not cute. But the chenille yarn feels wonderful, and the color recalls the cat who adopted me many years ago. I guess that is weird, to have an effigy of one's former cat. A lot of these projects go straight to storage, but maybe I'll ...

Yesterday, I made and cooked up about 10 cups of chicken soup on the stove. It had onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, green pepper, and chicken. Turned out pretty good, and we’ve been eating it for a few meals since then.\ Then, I was craving ice cream but didn’t have any, so it hit me I could make rice pudding with eggs and custard. So I grabbed what I had in the kitchen, and it tasted pretty good, though the egg flavor was pretty strong and different from the usual store-bought rice pudding.\ F...

The Big Dark is the season of Fall and winter combined in the Pacific northwest. We don't have a well defined fall or winter since rain is the primary weather condition of those seasons. Near to the northern border of the USA., the number of daylight hours in a day seem to dwindle rapidly especially after the onset of Daylight Standard time. Wet and Dark are do not play well with moods and energy levels, in one's experience. It didn't hit one til about five years into one's living here. Depressi...

Journal Entry Good day. I completed all my fitness goals and will weigh myself tomorrow. I went into town to attend the worship center, but once there, it was too noisy to stay. I brought home Russian cookies and sushi for my housemate. The bus ride back from downtown was surprisingly quick and easy. Writing Morning Pages went smoothly in the pre-dawn hours. The household seems to benefit from adding extra vegetable protein daily—despite our usual poor meals and snacks. I had quite a bit of c...

Today, the counselor emphasized, “We are friends of God.” They did not say, “We are friends.” Yet one leapt to affirm, “We are friends,” and then walked back the comment. The mistake became clear: a paid counselor is not a friend. There can be agreement, even laughter, but the therapeutic relationship has safety rails around it. One realized that the counselor and the client are not friends. The paid nature of the service implies measured communication. The client may become wild or impertinent...

I hoard computers. I am going to get a second-hand computer by Friday. Do I want the device? The truth is, it has been the subject of my search for many months. If it is in good condition, which is possible given the selling individual's feedback history on the online flea market, it can provide me with what I need for my writing hobby. Computers do a lot, but this new-to-me computer will be unnecessary in my household. You need a computer to acquire a computer. So there is something primal abou...

Big dark is the time in the northern part of the USA between now, at the onset of Standard Time, and about April when mornings seem to get earlier. That is this writer's opinion, and an antidote to the cold and dark is a candle. The candle looks warm and captivates me, rooting me to my place while typing in the dark. The accessory of the candle, the white gas lighter, also gives amusement. The favored type of candle is the beeswax candle. These come from our local, hippy grocery store and are po...

Compared to a nearby competitor, Scrbl app on the Windows App Store, Inkodo is stable and has high ratings there. The handwriting character recognition feature is reliable, though it will scan and convert about three paragraphs of handwritten text to digital text at a time. It has a more complicated interface, but I was able to turn off some of the controls from the display. There is no focus mode with a clean display that I could see. It takes some initial effort to learn Inkodo's features thro...

What do I do? Feeling totally drained, no vibe to write... super tired. Slept badly last night. Keeping glasses on today instead of contacts didn’t help. Also eating way too much and cut down on caffeine. Maybe I had a little epiphany, but I can't remember. Went for a long walk, that was probably the best part of today—finally clear after the rain. Did some writing, then hung out with peeps on an online support group video. Shopping online now. I will settle for living like a peasant—my grandpar...

I really enjoy learning about luggage! It’s kind of like a little subculture of men who love bags and share their passion on fashion-focused websites. I’m usually a quiet observer on those sites because I’m not the best at chatting online, but I find them fascinating. People there often follow big brands like Gucci, LVMH, or Hermès, choosing them based on their personal style, taste, or budget. Instead of being into cars, sneakers, or watches, I’ve found my thing in luggage. And just like other ...

Postal service: They run deficits but we don't know what we would do without the mail arriving almost daily. Friends like to communicate by cards and letters. Phone conversation: My friend lives at 1000 miles distance. We are able to keep a good relationship going. That is wonderful with the technology of smartphones. Since I don't use main types of social media, a phone call seems awesome. Tikka Masala: This writer saw that the deli had prepared Tikka Masala sauce for us ...

Supporting an adult with undiagnosed autism can look different to most people, and ours is a quiet, gentle journey. We tend to communicate in questions, with him often asking for information and me asking for details from his experiences. Sometimes, we find ourselves simply looking at each other because we spend so much time at home together. We might go out for a meal occasionally, and even then, we enjoy peaceful moments in silence. Over time, his circle of friends has become smaller, mainly...

He doesn’t collect kawaii things, but he enjoys them in video games—so long as they aren’t overly girly. The latest Hello Kitty game by Sanrio felt too girly for his taste. It was like a bookshelf: one doesn’t need a bookshelf to prove they can read. In the same way, he doesn’t need to spend hours with a game like Resident Evil to affirm his masculinity. What relaxes him is the pleasure of eye candy or adorable effects in a game, paired with repetitive tasks like in-game farming. There’s a quie...

Art met rock in nineties; servers gave pastries to the unhoused. Pastry revolt quelled—now part of a local food empire. Dark roast still holds depth, but lacks the wild shots of old days. Black walls, red neon glow—nineties fame, roastery hums again. Between two legends—rock venue left, tavern whispers to the right. Newcomers gather here, drawn to grit and grace in city’s heart. Unhoused man eats lunch; laptops glow in quiet congregation. Server, sweet and dark, plays new wave tunes—gender undef...

Good things: - cheap computer tablet w/ 3 gb RAM functions fine Writer bought a fire tablet that is out of date, but it is sufficient for me to pound out my little articles. A lot of places online talked about the Fire Toolbox utility for Windows allowing a person to supplant the stock launcher of the Fire tablet, maybe. But then the writer found that it is easier to simply side load apps from F. Droid marketplace. The writer's favorite text editor app is there to sideload, and it functions fi...

Think Divergent App for IOS-Apple I haven't tried any other body doubling apps. The concept of body doubling involves real-time interaction regarding our tasks. The "double," or the other person in the chat, ideally responds and supports our goals. An attractive feature of Think Divergent (TD) is the anonymous nature of the interaction. It is text-only, so there’s no concern about one's appearance or manners. There are other doubling apps, such as Focusmate and Dubbii. However, unlike those se...

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed because it's raining and the basement has flooded. I've got a plumber scheduled to help with that. It's interesting how sometimes it feels like life is always throwing challenges our way, but I try to remember that these moments are part of the journey and can help me grow. I'm grateful for my housemate’s support and for having a safe place to rest tonight. I'm also thankful for my creative projects—they provide comfort and purpose. Looking back, I remember a kind f...

Writing today was a good time. It was with the Moleskine smart pen which aids in digitizing cursive handwriting. So it streamlines the process of getting from the paper to the digital world. The setting was a prosaic convenience store that is by a busy road. Okay caffeine, but the clerks act friendly, and it feels offputting. Maybe the term is creepy. Maybe that is normal behavior for most watering holes. Then, of course, the writer is extra sensitive at all times. An acquaintance had a drama ...

Obsession... bothersome thoughts about a desire or a concern. The thoughts are difficult to banish from one's mind. But going with action to healthy routines is a start in a better direction. Also, one learned about doing the opposite action. Or redirecting by holding onto an ice cube for example. Going outside and exercising is a good rerouting of the thinking. Reportedly 15% or more of people have subclinical levels of obsession. This writer is on the obsessive spectrum. Current obsessions: ...

frequencies sleeping with the radio forgotten we know what he is beginning a new finding the start from an end still and everything one always arrives in the middle of it losing watching spills by a precipice '~~~~~ Day was fine. Upset due to wanting. So a trip twas to out to out of the house and then treats. Composing gives one an ache. Scratch out by Apple Freestyle app. language is a virus {dot} com gave some release after telegraphic style. Cleaned spelling by common AI to...

It didn’t feel light‑hearted when two acquaintances suddenly began living together. One, who was experiencing psychosis, needed an inexpensive place to stay. The other, who is autistic, had already endured a lot of turmoil in his relationships. The autistic roommate’s rigid routines clashed with the psychotic roommate’s erratic behavior. Neither realized they were embarking on a strange, almost mystical journey toward partnership. The older roommate, then in his prime years, could see the direct...

I really love incense and enjoy collecting different scents. The best incense often comes from Portland, OR. In my opinion, a small, independent company there produces the finest quality incense with poetic fragrance compositions. Another company that's closer to me has started copying their marketing style, but while their incense is more affordable and straightforward, it’s still pretty good. Today, I enjoyed a pine-scented incense cone. It was perfectly formed and lit easily, and the sharp, i...

Marilena Pelosi Who Is She? Marilena Pelosi is an elder artist who, in this writer’s view, escaped a traumatizing life in Brazil. What Did She Say? “It’s normal people who become insane. But because I’ve never been normal, I’m not at any risk.” Why Does the Writer Call Her a Superhero? Pelosi’s dedication to her art and her original imagination earn her that title. Her work evokes an inside-out sensation of thought, stirred by the intimate settings and figures she draws. Her body of work i...

Windows is turned off for outside apps, except those from the official store. This writer relies on a few of them. The apps are simple, and after thirty years of using Windows, the file system still feels straightforward. Surprisingly, some of the apps available there work well for this writer—and they’re free. The display on the Windows tab outperforms Apple’s base iPad; it appears more laminated, more refined. The non-dedicated AI tool in use is entirely sufficient. If there were a request fo...

One awakened at predawn, as always. Spouse sleeps in the next room. Lots of caffeine. Doing okay. Tempted to go out on the bus now. Would head to the convenience store next to the walk of shame—that breezeway by the Korean Market where unhoused people congregate along the Avenue. One saw Bella hanging out, someone known from the halfway house during walk-in service days. She is a good writer, familiar from classes at that facility back then. Bella has faced many reversals since writing class. ...

They are handsome and beautiful. The writer enjoys how they look cute and seek one's attention. When I confined myself in the house, they seemed to say, "Come outside and feed us," and broke my spell of inaction. My other friend, the house cat, relished the sight of the jaybirds and hid indoors to gaze at them through the garden window. From appearances, we were both captivated—the cat and I—by the sight of the birds flitting in the big cherry tree. Another writer shared of the "aloha spirit",...

A Change in Focus: This writer's devotion to X box has fallen away; the preference now is to instead craft fabric or browse flea markets. A Practical Choice: The poor resale value of the console led this writer to dust off a wired keyboard and power up the X box instead of selling it. Connectivity Issues: The console is somewhat hobbled because its built-in Bluetooth functionality is reserved for officially approved peripherals. The Browsing Solution: To improve the future experience, this wri...

Muji fountain pen For contrast, let's examine a pen with a similar price as the Muji fountain pen-- the Platinum Prefounte. The plastic, Platinum brand fountain pen offers several distinct characteristics. This model features a transparent nib section that allows you to easily monitor the ink level. It has a warmer feel almost instantly to the touch, unlike the cold grip section of the metal pen. The various color options are inviting and less bland than the metal pen's appearance. It is a...

Learned many things by Lurno AI today: How to cook a skillet bake of chicken, zucchini, and rice. Syndicate cryptocurrency as compared to Polygon. Four names of male macrame crafters and their brief biographies. NBK Syndicate online art market proposed to go online this year. Obscure references to Tyvek fabric on neocoties.org. ...

Scanning Handwriting with Samsung Bixby Vision One scanned the handwriting with Bixby Vision v 3.8.22 and from the Galaxy Store That was applied to handwriting done with a gold pen for handwriting recognition. The system is almost as good as the Moleskine Smart System for recognizing cursive handwriting. The liquid ink and the gold pen surpass the Moleskine setup for several reasons: * Gold pen: No battery, gold, biodegradable, and inexpensive options. * It is cursive first. * Aesthetic rea...

What Are Morning Pages? Morning Pages are 750 words of free writing, typically done each day. The blogger has made a habit of writing them daily, a process that usually takes about 40 minutes. This writing exercise is known as free writing, a practice rooted in stream-of-consciousness expression. Imagine a line running from the mind to the hand, through the pen, and onto the page—the words flow along that path, unfiltered and uninterrupted. How many years have you been writing them? At least th...

The writer pulled the trigger of a blind buy on a cheap keyboard case. Since flipping the case to a relative and keeping the keyboard, it is okay, and it was practically free. Cheap Keyboard One enjoys the multi-colored feature to select of backlit keys. One can easily change them to a backlighting color that is suitable, and there is a setting for disco flashing from color to color. The keys may be of scissors switches since the action is responsive. It takes a minute to get accustomed t...

Here it is at the end of the writer's day, and the blank screen resembles a black crow clacking its beak for some sustenance. The writer casts before it the morsels now. The bits are not good, but it is for a moment's peace, and the crow lives a short life in comparison to mine. The poet wannabe wants an audience. The best place of worship for the writer is at a halfway house facility in which there is a large church setting. The parishioners seem to be, a good portion of them anyway, well-meani...

This blogger bought selvedge jeans. Selvedge is a classification for special, elaborate denim manufacturing. It has fine texture and appearance. Demna inspired one to want "self-tailoring." To this blogger, that meant whacking off excess fabric with scissors and then allowing the edge to fray. Since this blogger is of advanced age, people indicated that such a one should not use such undignified adornment. Being enthused about learning hand sewing, one finished the hem of those selvedge jeans wi...

RNote for Windows is a free and open-source app that began its life on Linux and now has a Windows version available for download via GitHub. Rnote feels old-school and technical. Its chief claim to fame is its feature of annotating PDF documents. It has digital ink capacity for stylus input, and it can handle keyboard and computer mouse input, too. Besides other output formats, Rnote has SVG output. Rnote depends on the Windows file system for document organization. Microsoft Journal is a digi...

Terrible message... murder. But the vocal expression of Hendrix and the guitar work cause critics and listeners to listen to it. For the listener, the track came as an offering on the music service today. At the time, it was pre-dawn, and one awaited a bus on an avoided stretch of bus line in a genteel neighborhood. The plaintive and powerful message of Hendrix seemed like a beautiful contrast to the listener's jaded attitude at that time. There is no good time to hear a message of love gone wro...

The writer finds himself amazed by Melville’s Moby Dick, where each page delivers insights that send chills through the mind with waves of comprehension. He marvels at the audacity of the author for crafting a story of a relationship in which Queequeg finds comfort with Ishmael, the story’s main character. Preferring the audiobook version, the blogger listens closely, as the narration is voice acted with careful precision and clear enunciation—since the blogger has fleeting focus when it comes t...

A person needs the motivation support provided by the smartwatch, especially when working from home. Additionally, health data from the device is crucial due to the current poor state of personal health. Before the era of smartwatches, there was an obsession with time itself. This fascination led to a gravitation toward Swatch watches and the concept of Swatch Internet time, resulting in a sizable collection of those watches. The interest even extended to luxury timepieces from other brands unde...

The writer learned about AI-generated poetry and the concept of the "uncanny valley" in the expression of a gap in depth of poetry of AI and that of more meaningful poetry of human creators. AI models learn by analyzing literary texts, allowing them to mimic the nuances of human poetry. Some people use AI as a creative tool, raising questions about ownership: does the poetic work belong to the AI, the human director, or the literary texts that trained the AI? This remains uncertain. This unders...

Listening to Yppah, I find their melodic, mysterious lyrics rival those of the Cocteau Twins. A bumper sticker that reads, "Don't honk, I'm trying to understand the Cocteau Twins," perfectly captures a relatable sentiment. Cafe Chill helped shape my musical taste, and Yppah’s diverse sound continues to impress me. I’m grateful for affordable, quality earphones—modern technology, including streaming and smartphones, has greatly enhanced the music experience. My childhood memories include the Wa...

The pouch one assembles from yarn goes very well. It is an "easy" level of difficulty, and that is a step up from one's previous "beginner" level. The goal was the glorious Gucci B Bag emblazoned with the obnoxious yet desirable G-G signs. But this crochet project will replace that idle desire for the Gucci bag. It is called a hobo bag, which is amusing to the writer since that is what one would be if fate had been less kind. Bought some soft, cotton-blend yarn in bulky weight to go with the pat...

The writer observes that Inspire is an open platform requiring an account, though most posts are publicly accessible, much like a blogging site. While earlier concerns about teens posting with angst or suicidal ideation have lessened, the platform still feels like a vast mansion with countless rooms. This makes it difficult for users to find others to network or chat with meaningfully. Many use the "discussion" threads as personal blogs, replying repeatedly to their own posts. Occasionally, the ...

Writing ink offers limited colors and less thrill compared to digital ink. It’s difficult to share or edit ink drawings easily. In contrast, ink writing and a fountain pen is timeless, affordable, mechanical, repairable, biodegradable, and portable. Digital ink’s main advantage is its shareability, such as converting to NFTs or quick erasure, but these lack the tactile and enduring qualities of physical ink. Since the pandemic, digital media’s ability to bridge isolation may be a key benefit of ...

'Starbucks told me that there was "no status" for my drink 'The peer support network for mental health told me that the "connection was unstable." 'There was a setting in a popular graphics design program where my text would have "no style." 'A peer support manager said that he tells his auditory hallucinations to "leave a voice message. " Jokes about lacking style, status, or stability are few and far between for the blogger. Humor shared within a community facing chronic challenges lifts ...

Internet Time What is it? A one-time-zone scheme started by the Swatch Group in the 1990s. Unfortunately, the Swatch Group proudly made Biel, Switzerland, the dateline or primary reference place for that scheme. So it doesn’t have any bearing on today’s planning. To the blogger, Internet Time remains a quaint relic of pop culture. Each day in Internet Time is composed of 1,000 units called beats. A beat is equivalent to 1.44 minutes in standard time measurement. In 1998, the Swatch Group planned...

During meditation, the blogger unexpectedly shed tears, influenced by years of preserved pain, leading to a sense of gratitude. A guided session highlighted sadness as a common meditation companion, echoing the idea that tears signal true engagement. Earlier, while listening to Moby Dick’s prologue and crafting yarn, tears appeared again—seemingly random yet meaningful, aligning before the quote about tears marking the start of genuine meditation. ...

Even during his most difficult moments—especially a rough patch years ago—the writer’s friend never gave up on him. That kind of loyalty means everything. ▣ The writer has been living with a brain illness and working through recovery for the past thirty years. While many people close to him took more of a sink-or-swim approach, this friend stayed. His town is full of beautiful trees and flowers that bloom right through winter. The writer loves bundling up and heading out for walks in the cold, ...

In naming this blog, the blogger chose the name of a deceased punk rock drummer and haircutter from Arkansas named Bircho. One does not want to steal his thunder, so the blogger changed the name to its present one. Then, the blogger learned a little bit about parentheses. A remark or a citation can be enclosed in parentheses. But the two parenthesis marks are necessary, and the pair of marks are called parentheses. A citation or parenthesis can add information to the sentence or story. Bircho, t...