A student from my Software Engineering course sent me an email just to say how much she liked the course.
9 Likes
This is a neutral thing, probably. I started a new medical treatment today and it’s going to make life a bit more complicated in various ways. But it might improve the issue, which would make it a positive thing. Crossing fingers.
An undoubtedly positive thing was going for a run along a new-to-me route. I’ve downloaded an app for new route suggestions and have been pleasantly surprised so far, especially now the outdoors is finally getting warmer and prettier here.
13 Likes
Got an (emotionally) difficult administrative task done, and calmed down by showering and scrubbing the microwave to a shine. Cleaning always helps to soothe the edge off. Time for coffee and a shrimp cracker.
6 Likes
Went for a mini weekend in the middle of the week out of town. Came back with a belly full of nice food, muscles hurting from all the walk, arms full of new books (sorry wallet), and lovely snippets of the town in my mind. Was really lovely 
6 Likes
That’s great, isn’t it! Coming back from a vacation with more books than you left with.
3 Likes
I love it! I found 3 books from Becky Chambers + 1 from Octavia Butler in a second hand store (+ a few pulpy ones for fun!)
We’ve also realised that every time we are going on a weekend/outing/holiday, we always go to a bookstore and almost always come back with one book 
2 Likes
I like buying books by authors from the country I’m vacationing in.
Whenever we go to France (about two times a year; it’s right next door to Belgium), I pick up a new novel by Guillaume Musso. He won’t appear in my top-ten authors list, but I do enjoy his books.
It takes me double the time to read a book in French than it does in English or Dutch, but it’s worth it.
Last vacation I bought Le Signal by Maxime Chattam, a King-esque horror-thriller.
4 Likes
I didn’t realize how rough I was having it, trying to write underwater science fiction.
Now that I’m poking at an idea that’s based somewhere outside the ocean, I suddenly have so much data to access.
I can find graphs of atmosphere composition, cloud layers, and wind speeds for Saturn.
If I tried finding similar kinds of information for oceanic zones on Earth, I’d come up short. It’s a real breath of fresh air (but not on Saturn)!
Because the air on Saturn is full of ammonia!
9 Likes
I don’t think people realize how much number-crunching I do when I write stories.
I’m currently calculating what altitude a turbofan engine will choke out on Saturn.
And I’m having the time of my life! (Not sarcasm; the math is getting interesting)
Also have a few life things coming up very shortly that will hopefully save my future. Here’s hoping!
10 Likes
Made chicken piccata today, thought about dyeing my hair purple, and got some thoughts in order for some upcoming jams. And then I sat out in the sun and watched the sky melt into evening. Very pleased.
9 Likes
I had the best week I’ve had in a long time; passed a certification test that is required for promotion, celebrated 33 years of marriage, flew to St. Louis to be with my mom and her twin sister on their 80th birthday, came home to attend my son’s swearing in ceremony with Public Safety. I wish every week could be sooooo good.
10 Likes
Lots of good things:
- still thinking about the chaos that are our Saturday sessions with the Gonch girlies (so fun!)
- the Anti-Romance Jam started today
- got quite a bit of writing and coding done today
- the French IF peeps started streaming the Jam’s entries, next session on Tuesday for the rest (yay for comments and live bug reports lol)
I got a pretty medal for completing all conditions for the Egg Game too:
6 Likes
I’m re-painting rooms in order to put my house up for sale.
I have managed to get (marginally) more paint on the ceilings and walls than the floor and myself, which is a huge win for me.
6 Likes
Whenever I paint, I’m reminded of Mr. Bean.
The clip’s first minute and a half mirrors my typical painting experience. The rest of the clip…let’s just say I’ve been tempted.
5 Likes
Despite everything happening, I am determined to have a good day today.
12 Likes
Finally, finally done. Iced water with black out curtains and the fan running on high, in a room all of my own with a lock on the door and my most needed items set out for the morning. Fresh PJs, a full belly, brand new sheets, and sipping my little night potions while anticipating delicious hot coffee from my gorgeous French press. The dark outside of the city is true midnight- not the gummy half sliding grey of downtown. It feels like I’m in a subterranean cave. No roar of traffic. All my things close by.
I’m sore and aching and will more tomorrow from all of that hauling, but the bed is so comfortable and I’m absolutely over the moon as an introvert to finally have my own space to retreat and nestle into. And all of my other stuffed animals are here! And iced water after a day of physical work is the most treasured special baby kitten potion.
10 Likes
Had a lot of trouble sleeping last night (new location) but decided to take advantage of the early morning (I got up around 8 or so) with unpacking my old diaries (from freshman year of highschool to fourth of university) and my mini library collection.
My diaries (arranged in chronological order):
And my books (in no particular order):
Some of the hardcovers have lost their suit jackets over the years, and most of the softies have been read half to death and thrashed. Some are new, and some I grew up with.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m well overdue for my delicious, delicious coffee straight from my French press.
7 Likes
Oh my gosh, you have some gorgeous looking ones! (that navy with gold accents on the third row 
)
How to you pick your diary designs?
Also props to sticking to it! I don’t think I’ve ever passed 3 months of keeping one…
3 Likes
The navy with gold accents is from Peter Pauper press! I highly suggest them: buttery smooth, soft paper with crisp edges, cooperative with all the fountain pens I’ve ever used (though, I mostly write in an EF nib) and beautiful designs for a fraction of the price of their direct comparable competitor of Paperblanks. They don’t have as many designs as the latter (and less geometric sort of posh looking ones) but they are really beautiful and for almost half the price, you can’t turn your nose up at that. Their flat lay binding is perfect.
I normally just choose whatever calls to me. Some of the diaries were thrifted (like the wedding journal and the pink pleather one,) and at the beginning I bought cheapies just to see if I liked the habit and would decorate with dollar store stickers (the plain grey one and the polka dots one came from a Costco multipack.)
Over the years I upgraded according to my tastes, and I’ve learned a lot with each book what I enjoy. I tend to prefer sewn, narrow ruled, (or dotted) cream, smooth/slippery paper, in about 80-100gsm weighting (I don’t mind ghosting but I don’t want bleed through, and I prefer thinner paper), about A6 or larger, thicker, ribbon bookmark(s), an insert pocket, hardcover, and either an elaborate gorgeous design or a plain solid colour I like so I can decorate with stickers.
I’m really particular about my stationery. These days, the A6 leuchtturm notebooks meet most of my finicky requirements, and I like to decorate them with vinyl waterbottle or skate stickers, or just leave them plain. Pair that with my Lamy Safari in an EF and maybe the odd pink gel pen (Muji click pens are excellent, but I love Sarasa pens for their jewel tones, and the glittery Sakura Gelly Rolls are the only sparkly gel pens I’ll use) and I’m ready to write. Most days it’s just my cream Lamy Safari (soon to be joined by a rose of the same model) and the sage green leuchtturm.
3 Likes
Have you seen the Tv-adaptation of Good Omens with Michael Sheen and David Tennant?
Whow!
Or just Michael Sheen doing this:
4 Likes