from Circe by Madeline Miller

Loved this writing, so I made this meme:

“If my childhood had given me anything, it was endurance. Little by little I began to listen better: to the sap moving in the plants, the blood in my veins. I learned to understand my own intention, to prune and to add, to feel where the power gathered and speak the right words to draw it to its height. That was the moment I lived for, when it all came clear at last and the spell could sing with its pure note, for me and me alone.” 

Ansell condoms still suck

Made the mistake of buying Lifestyle brand condoms

Some time ago I posted about buying a bad batch, which mostly seemed to break.

A few weeks ago I missed the detail that these "fun" condoms "might" be flavoured.

Seems the whole pack is flavoured and my partner is not willing to consider having that within her.

You'd think they could print it on the front of the packaging, rather than use some sort of semiotic code in the colours.

Surprise!

High Coup

For my exhibition I'm thinking about self-publishing poetry

Sometimes there's a snobbish attitude about self-publishing poetry but I've got an idea that needs to be realised.

While reading back over more than 1000 haiku, I found myself annoyed at the opportunities that had passed each day.

I'm looking for 60 or so poems for the book and there's a lot to choose from.

However, while considering my challenge to write a haiku each day, I found myself remembering the observation that it'll often take a second poem to feel like I've warmed up.

Usually if I spend the time writing a second draft, I'll get a much better result.

So, while looking back over the results of around three years of daily haiku, I started wondering about missed opportunities.

Wet weather

It's been raining today, which stirs a satisfying feeling

Rainfall has been below average in recent years, so I feel there's a deep longing for it.

The smell is an improvement but I think the sound of it conveys much of the pleasure too.

I commented "Good rain" to my partner today and reflected on how it's an expression I've learned since living in the country.

Country people like agreeing on the weather, whether it's good or bad.

Would watch Rob the robotanker

Twitter redesign

I've been dipping into Twitter for about 10 years but in recent years I began to consider closing my account

I almost stopped using it, then started again when I began a role that used that service.

Now the Twitter redesign has left me feeling I can stop tweeting.

It brings to mind the confected outrage when Facebook would change features.

I'd guess that FB learned to make only small cosmetic changes and it's a lesson that Twitter could heed.

The redesign of Twitter is drastic, with a new dark colour and changes to the content of a user's timeline.

Part of me knows I can adjust, but another part welcomes the feeling of alienation as a way to kick the habit.

It was good for a while.

I've enjoyed the opportunity to converse with people who I don't know and meet some too.

And, when my kids wanted to join social media, Twitter was a good option as it'd send me an email when certain things happened with their accounts.

Now my kids have ditched Twitter and I feel the news and entertainment it offers are distractions that I no longer need too.

Revamped swear jar