You know winter is over when Wally starts snoozing in the sun.
Status:
Nice weather today and I wanted to get out of the house so spent a couple of hours pottering in the garden, with plenty of breaks in the sun. Nothing too strenuous, just tidying up the detritus of the winter. Felt a little worn afterwards but hopefully won’t trigger a crash. If it does I’ll know not to do that much again. It’s all data.
Heard some news which I thought I’d be OK with but which threw me for a loop somewhat. Having that bastard thing where I have no idea what my emotions are going to do or how to manage them. I feel like in the past I would have processed it with a long conversation over beers, or by writing a long essay or email, or some other intellectual bloodletting, but I can’t do that now without hurting myself. Breathing exercises help a bit.
Overnight listening:
- Origin Story: Stephen Miller - American Fascist - The f-word can be used carelessly (I try to remember to say someone is doing fascism, rather than being an actual fascist) but in this case it’s hard not to be accurate. Trump’s deputy chief of staff is a fascist, and like fascists from history, it’s not because he’s clever or insightful. He’s just a pathetic “debate-me” goon who knows how to play his boss. A depressing but worthwhile listen.
Reading:
- My cultural awakening: a 60s folk band helped me find my place as a person of colour in Britain - The moment I saw this headline I thought “I bet this is by Zakia Sewell”, and it is. Her radio show helped me through a tough 2025 and I enjoyed her piece in Weird Walk, so I’m a fan and looking forward to her book.
- Gas Town and Bullet Hell - a collection of half-formed thoughts from Matt Jones, some of which I’m not interested in but I did enjoy the stuff about how technology and industry changes our perception and value of time.
- ‘We are a completely different political party’: inside the Greens’ membership boom - One should never put all of one’s hopes and dreams in a political party, but I’m encouraged by this comment, about new members bringing the bad habits of their previous affiliations. “Even if new members wanted to change party policy, it’s not easy. It isn’t a single motion, it’s an 18-month process. You do get some people going: ‘What have I just joined? This isn’t like the Labour party.’” Sounds a lot to me like joining a co-operative. Now, how do we get the co-operative party to switch…
Marking:
- International Long Covid Awareness Day is tomorrow, 15th March.
Watching:
- Ants Pants: Cutting Everything - The Firewood Movie (3:08:45)
- I restored almost rotten flowerstand from 1930 (24:32)