Interesting moment to the visit the doctor this week. A routine visit, fill out forms, take some blood, quiet typing and clicking, off you go. But ambient stress from a frustrated patient, at wit’s end, nearby at the reception desk seeped in for a few moments. It’s such a vulnerable space.
On Friday, we had friends over for coffee and breakfast and early morning chit-chat. And since we all have cushy tech-worker jobs, transitioned into a communal work-from-home session for an hour or so before parting ways. I’m patting myself on the back for the novelty. We (bozos with no children or other practical obstacles) should do this more often. It’s good to prioritize something wholesome and rewarding early in your day. (Having guests was also a helpful nudge to tidy up after moving a bunch of furniture around.)
Yesterday evening we spent some time doing some artwork, making collage masks from paper cutouts. It felt so refreshing to do something instinctual, following reflexes, running with the first idea that seemed good enough. Such a change from my usual day-to-day work, which usually requires thoughtful precision every single time. Safe spaces+++.
Books
War and Peace, cont.. Mildly regretting my choice to go with the completely-unabridged version. Humbling to be at page 640-something and only ~33% done. I enjoy the companionship of this book, though.
Running
A down week in mileage, but lucky to have two snowy trail runs in the mix. Tied my coldest run ever, out at 12° as today’s winter storm laid down its first couple inches. This week’s weights session was a good reminder that I should lift more often.
Around the Web
Playful children’s drawings become colorful handmade chairs. (via)
Moss and Mondrian, a nice snippet on mutual influence and how history gets simplified.
“If by any chance you are wondering how to make yourself smarter, learn how to appreciate almost everybody, and keep on cultivating that skill.”
“A much more reliable way to stay offline is just to be doing things so engaging that it wouldn’t occur to you to drift online in the first place.” (via)
Cover your 25 miles, then rest up.
The best way to read the internet. Amen. You’ll have to take my RSS feeds from my cold, dead hands.
“You’re building an anxiety management system that happens to look like productivity.”
The Etymology of English Colours and How ‘guacamole’ is related to ‘avocado’ and ‘mole’.
Now that my storehouse
has burned down, nothing
conceals the moon.
Don’t waste your back pressure.
“Design and planning becomes the bottleneck when agents write all the code“.
Music
The South Hill Experiment, MOONSHOTS. There’s some fuzzy psychedelic folk rock but also some groovy stuff. Had a lot of fun with this one. See “Gabo’s Last Resort“.
Weval, Weval. A theory: electronic duos are consistently better than solo acts. I like “Square People” and
“Days“.
Claudio Monteverdi – Madrigali e lamenti, Montserrat Figueras and La Capella Reial de Catalunya dir. Jordi Savall. “Lamento della ninfa” is a standout. Also realizing that I’ve gotten much more into “early music” in the last year or so. Mostly at random/opportunistically, but I think there’s room for a more serious, intentional dive.
(Usually a good sign when I keep albums around for another week, like these first three.)
Seun Kuti, Egypt 80, Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head). Afrobeat will never die.
Lee “Scratch” Perry, Bob Riddim, Destiny. Dub/ska/reggae. Such a beautiful voice! “Ring Pon My Finger” and “Infinity (Dub)“.
Brittney Carter, As I Am. Rap. Don’t lvoe it, don’t hate it. The interludes kill me, but I like the drum work in “Running“.
Charles LLoyd, Zakir Hussain, Eric Harland, Sangam. Indian/jazz fusion jam session meanderings. I couldn’t get into it.
Movies
The Da Vinci Code. Second view (the first). After a long day I needed some smooth-brain entertainment and it delivered. Two+ hours of non-stop conspiracy theory. I wonder if there’s any good writing about this movie/franchise paving the way for 21c social distrust.
The Mastermind. A dope robs a museum, reaps the consequences. Filed under Kelly Reichardt, one of the most consistently excellent directors today.
Finding ‘Ohana. Light family-forward adventure in the spirit of The Goonies. Owes a debt, mostly pays it.
TV
The X-Files, s5e16 “Mind’s Eye“. This season is getting confusing now. I’m not sure where anyone stands, and I’m not sure that’s intentional.
Law & Order: UK, s1e1. Everything instantly recognizable and slightly “off”. It delivers.
Dark, s1e1–2.
Line of Duty, s6e3–4. Is this my all-time favorite show?
Mark Larson 