After @bapsi mentioned Jillian Hess' “Re-Noted: 6 Ways to Use a Diary”, I got completely stuck on Lynda Barry’s basic quick diary format. I grabbed my copy of “Syllabus: Notes from an Accidental Professor” and I’m adapting this format in my Hobonichi Weeks.

Another interesting, thoughtful, and fun Micro.blog Analog Tools meetup this morning! πŸ–‹οΈπŸ““πŸ—‚οΈ We talked about hybrid analog/digital tools and processes, how friction can help slow thoughts down, and much more.

Saturday nosh on yesterday’s baking project. 🍞 FunkyPlaid served the soda bread with two excellent condiments: maple orange cranberry spread and ube (purple yam) spread, both from Trader Joe’s, the ultimate snackiverse.

top-down view of a grey plate with a piece of fig and caramelized onion soda bread and two white square containers with red and purple spreads

Today’s baking project: Fig and Caramelized Onion Soda Bread from Cannelle et Vanille Bakes Simple by Aran Goyoaga πŸ“š I don’t recall making soda bread before today, but this turned out great! 🍞 I appreciate how it’s basically a giant scone.

close-up of a lumpy loaf of bread on parchment paper

Four years ago today, I made the difficult and necessary call to shut the library. I had been the director for just over eight months. I went home, drained yet resolved, and had no idea what would happen next. And then everything else happened.

Currently reading: Molly by Blake Butler πŸ“š I’m used to being upset by what I read; I prefer it to indifference. But this … I can’t decide if I’m feeling the “good” upset or the upset I felt when I watched “Funny Games”, complicit in witnessing a horrible inevitable.

Recently I backslid into my hyperfocused “quantified self” ways and started tracking various metrics with apps again. As a result, my anxiety has ramped up considerably, and I feel like I’m doing more tracking than living. πŸ˜” Time to delete some apps.

The real question on everyone’s minds after watching “Death and Other Details”: Was Rufus Cotesworth writing in a brown passport-size Traveler’s Notebook with an extra-wide elastic? (Yes, I am super-fun to watch TV shows with.)

After eight years in Portland, I finally made it onto the Portland Spirit for a river cruise.

view of the Portland Spirit and the Willamette River from the dock

The reminder for the next Micro.blog Analog Tools Meetup has been emailed. πŸ–‹οΈπŸ““πŸ—‚οΈ If you’re not on this list and would like to join us, let me know!

While walking to dinner tonight, a friend and I were screamed at repeatedly by someone walking behind us. Before I started working in public libraries, this would have thrown me. Tonight it wasn’t even a footnote (aside from this, of course).

πŸ† Victory! I gave blood tonight with no issues. I hydrated all day, ate leafy greens, and took an iron supplement.

πŸŽ™ From the Chasing Fifty podcast: “You define what has molded you. Let’s not allow others to dictate how we heal and share our stories.” Wise words from my friend Shawn.

Tenet, 2020 - β˜…β˜…β˜…

Loud, but I blame that on IMAX. Unnecessarily confusing, but I blame that on Nolan. The action scenes were absolutely worth my irritation at Nolan's refusal to write characters of any depth. Also, the casting of Robert Pattinson was inspired!

One last mug of Campfire S’mores tea, which we found at Crimson Cove in Poulsbo, WA. β˜•οΈ This tea is no longer made. Enjoying it was a contemplative start to my birthday weekend.

a black mug filled with milky tea on a pale green placemat

Finished reading: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin πŸ“š It was the heartwarming, heartbreaking story about friendship and video games I needed. I highly recommend it.

Lunar New Year lantern viewing at Lan Su Chinese Garden. We enjoyed the tea tasting in the newly reopened teahouse.

diagonal shot of red lanterns against a deep blue dusk sky

Artsy photo of Criminy. I don’t post enough photos of our adorable cats!

black and white and blurry photo of brown and white tabby cat walking toward the camera

Another Micro.blog Analog Tools meetup in the books (pun intended)! πŸ–‹οΈπŸ““πŸ—‚οΈ Thanks to the attendees who participated in our lively, meandering chat about analog tools, journaling, language, first drafts, and Journalception.

The reminder for the next Micro.blog Analog Tools Meetup has been emailed. πŸ–‹οΈπŸ““πŸ—‚οΈ If you’re not on this list and would like to join us, let me know!