In the last few years , I have found a new community in Burning Man, which is vibrant, full of artists, nearly the same number of techies, and a focus on community-secured hedonism that I think is amazing. That probably sounds bonkers, and it feels like something that would be great to talk about in-person! Generally, the community sets and regulates its own rules, because distrust of institutional authority in this set is HIGH, all the while upholding internal structures of safety and community self-management. The art and commentary and work that folks make and do for each other and the world is inestimable! This may not be what you expect to hear about burners!

it feels cool to be strong

I’ve been doing triathlons for 18mo and I continue to increase the intensity of the training, which enables the longer races, the surface “impressive” part. And it is! But the point of it all is the regular training and physical work, which will just keep me a little healthier for a little longer, for the more “preventable” stuff. Maybe. The races are the reward! The work, like so many things, is practically unrelated to the visible effect of the training.

And it becomes a true pleasure! Every day but Thursday I get a workout in (usually) before I begin my day, and the energy ya get, ironically, from expending a LOT, is now something I mentally and emotionally depend on for my workday.

A field of dahlias under a beautiful morning sky, cloudy enough to catch a lot of golden rays

Instead of writing about tech on Saturdays, I’ll post one picture a week. This was from the Dahlia Fest in Canby, OR, where I did a 5k as a kind of run test, and I exceeded my hopes and I’m very proud of myself. And god aren’t these gorgeous!!!!!

I recently started up a new game of Hollow Knight. I’ve got hundreds of hours in this game so I don’t expect to be surprised, and yet! it is still a genuine surprise at how good the movement feels, and knowing (mostly) the story, seeing the breadcrumbs laid down at various points has a really different tone and meaning. Truly I think it is the best of its genre.

I have heard some complaints, some save points are too far away from bosses, but I can only think of one where it’s more than a couple rooms away, which imo serves as a good refresher for your motions and actions, as well as a way to slurp up some more juice for later actions. The complaints I do think are valid are related to needing to use charms to auto pick up money.. that should just be in the game, I agree.