Most days, going to and from work – I’m in a rush. I’m rushing to get to work; I’m rushing to get back home.
Every once in a while, if I get lucky, I’ll see something that slows me down. Or I’ll remember that I should slow down a little.
It’s been a long while since I’ve carried a camera around. But with a camera in your hand, that weight is what serves as a reminder. That weight says: “Wait a minute, just… wait a minute. Did you see that over there?”
Spotted this on the way to work, at a Hyde Park Metra station. It was… disconcerting, to say the least.
I take some small comfort that the design (and message) seems to have been written in ketchup (I saw a lot of empty packets around). But still – jarring, nonetheless.
In 2016, Ed Brims spent a lot of time reading Beatrix Potter books to his 2-year old. From there, he started to map out all the recurring characters, to determine if they all lived in the same “universe,” so to speak.
He mapped things out, and then began drawing a diagram that ultimately looks remarkably like Jemima Puddle-Duck.
I think I’ve told this story a few times by now: my initial understanding of a “Driver’s Dram” was completely incorrect – and idiotic. When going to distilleries and attending tastings, for those participants who are drivers… the distilleries bottle up their whisky into take-away bottles, named “Driver’s drams.”
It didn’t quite click in my brain that this process was designed for the driver to consume them later, after everyone had gotten home and… you know… no longer driving.
To me, a “Driver’s Dram” meant that anyone who was a driver would just get smaller portions during the tasting. Because… they were driving.
I don’t know why we didn’t think to do this, but we never turned over that surprise bug we found, many months ago.
Today, as we were walking out, Liz picked up the stone bug and found something interesting.
“Why do people always choose saturdays
to wig out
I mean the ones who scream leave me alone
i hate your guts”
“And so, Sally can wait
She knows it’s too late as she’s walking on by
My soul slides away
But ‘Don’t look back in anger,’ I heard you say”
Browsing around, I’m realizing that I no longer have a sense of what a good (or modern) site looks like. Responsiveness, sure. But just in terms of style or feel, I don’t think I’ve got a clue.
Browsing around, a lot of the themes I’m coming across seem incredibly dated. And for me to think that, that’s saying something.
So I guess this is where I’m at: an ache for something new, and in inability to determine what new looks like.
I’m happy to say, I was able to go back over that time period, and got a lot of updates added. If you want to take a peek, the posts start at the end of March, and go through mid-June. Lots of great stuff to browse through, if I do say so myself.
We’re spending a low-key, relaxed night at home for New Year’s eve. Had the chance to grab this photo of the bunnies, and decided it would be good to share.
Hoppy New Year, everyone!
Liz, holding up one of the boards while I went running to get some screws.
For a late Christmas get-together, Liz and I headed over to Merrillville, for a lovely evening/dinner at Katie and Tim’s house.
These horses are slightly better, but still not what I think of as quality work. For as many as I’ve made, you’d think I’d have this down by now. They function, but they feel sloppy. If I make any more, I think I need to revisit my whole approach.
Nothing super glamorous, but still exciting. Today, Liz and I put some time into the front office. With a lot of insulation down in the floor joists, we got to screwing down a first layer of plywood.
So this year, a bonus that neither Liz nor I got sick. Last year, we had the chance to make some rounds, but things got cut short due to Covid.
While I’m glad we got some extra time with my sister’s family this year, it was nice to have our own little Christmas, back home in Chicago.