Then: 9.1.24
Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.
I had an up and down week. Some good days, but I also had one of those days that was terrible from start to finish. Really thankful for the long Labor Day weekend. I’m going to start updating the Now page on Sunday.
Feels
- We had cooler weather last week, but then it’s hot again. Really, really reading for the cooler weather to return.
- Busy. We are starting to balance all of the family commitments with Liz and I both taking classes, Jill and Ryan handling homework, new pick up routines… It’s tough to get back into a rhythm.
- Thankful for the long weekend. I need the time to recharge.
Health
- This week was challenging, but I did a decent job sticking to healthier food choices.
Projects
- My contract type design consulting job is going well, but taking more time than I expected. Very happy with the results so far.
- Grad school reading and projects are going well. Getting back in the rhythm of class and school.
Entertainment
- Continuing to read Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse. Going slow. It’s picking up pace, but I have less time to read.
- Just watched the Italian Grand Prix. Disappointed that McLaren didn’t win the race, but LeClerc had a great race for Ferrari.
Today was terrible. Start to finish. Just rough. Tomorrow is a new day, but today’s going to stick with me.
Trying to troubleshoot cross posting to Threads from Micro.Blog. Was working fine… and then it wasn’t.
Because of an accident on the interstate, took the LONG way to work this morning, all back roads through the country. Including several roads that I never knew connected to each other. I made it to work eventually.
Hey @manton. FYI: Something is broken with Threads crossposting. I’m getting a “Threads: Error creating media container.” error in the logs when something tries to crosspost. (And Bluesky is working fine, so I don’t think it’s an issue with the post.) Happened a couple of times.
The For-Profit City That Might Come Crashing Down:
“We’re not crooks,” he told me. “We’re just guys trying to get something good done.” He said he was inspired to help found Próspera after reading Machiavelli’s writings on the impossibility of reforming a system from within.
A movement inspired by renowned do-gooder, Machiavelli. What could go wrong?
The Red Lobster near me has closed, and I’m kinda sad.
Red Lobster has been struggling through financial troubles for a while and the chain is the process of being sold. Today, they announced that the location closest to me in Cayce, South Carolina has closed. I’ve eaten at that Red Lobster once in the last five years and it was an unmitigated disaster. We waited forever for a table and the food wasn’t great.
But my grandparents and parents loved Red Lobster. There is a Red Lobster in Aiken that my grandparents always took us to. While I was in college, we had many family dinners at the Cayce Red Lobster. I think we went there after I graduated from college. When Liz and I got married, we lived in Cayce, and sometimes, you want some fried shrimp and Cheddar Bay Biscuits after church.
Alas, I won’t miss my local Red Lobster, but I am sad to see it go.
Bob Wertz is a creative director, type designer, Ph.D. student and researcher living in Columbia, South Carolina. He’s been blogging since 2008.
Papaya ≠ Orange?
My daughter has gotten us all into F1. Jill’s become a hard core McLaren fan. My wife seems to have settled into cheering for George Russell and Mercedes. Ryan is a Max Verstappen fan.
As for me, I tend to be pulling for McLaren. Which causes a problem. Their color is papaya… which is orange.
I don’t do orange. As a South Carolina Gamecocks fan, orange is the color of all of our rivals… from in-state Clemson to SEC foes Florida and Tennessee. (And I’m not just a SC fan, I’m also manage the schools visual branding.)
Jill’s convinced herself that papaya and Clemson orange are different colors. She’s decked out in papaya right now celebrating Lando’s Dutch Grand Prix victory. She’s right – the colors are different – but it’s still tough for me. We’ll see if I come around to McLaren papaya, or if I continue my orange ban.
Looking forward to seeing how Lando and Oscar do in the Italy Grand Prix next weekend.
Bob Wertz is a creative director, type designer, Ph.D. student and researcher living in Columbia, South Carolina. He’s been blogging since 2008.
Then: 8.24.24
Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.
The start to the school year continues. I had my first grad school class of the semester this week. Looking forward to learning more about qualitative methods. Liz starts her Ph.D. class this week and the kids' school is in full swing.
Feels
- Tired. After the summer, getting back into a routine has been tough. Waking up earlier. Going to bed earlier. Longer drive and more traffic. It’s exhausting, but I know it will get better.
- Grateful for some cooler weather. Most summers in Columbia, South Carolina are hot, but this summer has been brutal. I’m looking forward to being able to comfortably hang out on our back deck and enjoy some cooler weather.
- I’m pumped up about the Harris/Walz ticket. Let’s go.
Health
- Did a great job eating healthier this week. Really proud of myself for planning ahead and bringing my lunch to work.
Projects
- SbB Diskette was approved by MyFonts.
- My academic article is still officially under peer review.
- I’ve got a contract type design consulting job that’s going to take a bunch of time over the next few weeks. I’m excited to continue working on it.
- Lots of grad school reading is going to eat into my project time.
Entertainment
- Made progress on Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse.
- I found a Spades iOS app on Apple Arcade. I’m addicted.
- F1 is back. Watched qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix this morning. Looking forward to the race tomorrow.
See previous “Now” pages in the “Then” category.
Harris Walz supporters should add the US Flag emoji to their social media bios. 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Partially to show support for freedom, but also to point out that there aren’t emoji for the Confederate flag, the Gadsden flag, the Trump flag or any of the other flags the far right prefers.
This week has been strangely draining. Not sure why…
Tucked in that Obama speech last night at the Democratic National Convention was a critique of social media culture. Just after the 26:00 mark. “We chase the approval of strangers on our phones.” He argues that social media divides us and makes us feel alone. Amazing speech, and worth a listen.
Businesses are trying to make their offices more like hotels, resorts or spas in an effort to lure people back to the office. I’m all for a nice office experience, but I don’t think that’s going to motivate people who simply prefer to work from home.
Found my wife’s old 11-inch MacBook Air and compared it to her new 13-inch MacBook Air. She used the 11 for a very long time and loved it, but when she started grad school, she upgraded. That 11-inch still feels impossibly light and tiny.
I’ve seen a 1990 Acura NSX around town lately. One of my favorite cars from when I was younger. So I’m kind of excited that Acura might release an “NSX-type” electric sportscar.
Then: 8.17.24
Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.
Liz and the kids are back in school. We moved our oldest into an off-campus apartment. Starting to figure out everyone’s schedules. It’s been a busy week.
Feels
- Our oldest, Norah, moved into her own apartment this week. And while she lived in the residence hall last year, she’s now really out on her own. Proud of her, but it’s always a little bittersweet to watch the kids grow up.
- Back to heading to the coffee shop to work every weekend with my daughter. She has so much AP work to do, that she likes to go to Starbucks to study. I usually have work to do, too. So we go together. I don’t love the stress that comes with the work, but I adore having the time with Jill.
- Continue to be both nervous and excited about the future of this country. I think the wild swings in the news cycle affect me more than I’d like to admit.
- First day of class for me on Wednesday this week. Looking forward to taking something a little different.
Health
- Did a decent job trying to eat better this week. Need to plan ahead a little bit better when we have a busy schedule.
- Didn’t really work out this week, but did move my daughter into a second floor apartment with no elevator. (And most of it was moved up from the lower parking level.) Lots of stair flights.
Projects
- I’ve got one font submitted to Monotype for approval to sell on their marketplace.
- My academic article is officially under peer review.
- I need to set up a new web site for my merchandise. Might work on that today.
Entertainment
- Paused on Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse. I just haven’t had much time to read.
- F1 is still on summer break, but will be back next weekend.
Survived going to both Trader Joe’s and Target in a college town on move-in weekend.
Got my oldest about 2/3 moved into her off-campus apartment today for her sophomore year. Apartment is unfurnished so we had to move in a bed, dresser, desk, etc. We’ll move the rest in the morning. Thankfully, she’s on the second floor, because there is no elevator.
Seth Godin on “The paradox of lottery thinking:"
What could we do if we spent the next four years on it?
Shadows.
Our twelve-year-old son made dinner for the family tonight. He was very proud of himself, but after dinner, he asked each of us if we had any feedback on his cooking. 🤣
Then: 8.10.24
Posts in the “Then” category were originally shared on my “Now” page.
Reasonably good week. We’re getting our oldest ready to go back to college. I’ve started my plan to be healthier at 50 than I was a 40 — working out a little bit and eating better. Lifestyle change is hard.
Feels
- Had someone be incredibly rude to me at work this week. And it really bothered me for a day or two.
- Tim Walz. My goodness. I didn’t know politicians like this get elected. What a breath of fresh air. I’m all in on bringing joy back. I’m tired of the doom and gloom.
- Work on the Ph.D. will continue soon. A couple of weeks left until classes start. I’m taking one class this semester — a qualitative research class in the College of Education. Will be a bit of a change from my normal comms classwork.
Health
- Started this week trying to make better food choices. Was mostly successful. I do feel better when I eat better.
- Rediscovered some old fitness apps that I’ve tried in the past. Dusted them off and trying to build a workout rhythm.
Projects
- I’ve decided to rename one of my new fonts because of a very minor possibility that the name infringes on an existing trademark. Naming fonts is harder than naming children.
- I’ve got a few other fonts in the works, but I don’t know how much progress I’ll make when classes start back.
Entertainment
- More Olympics. Volleyball. Water Polo. Basketball. Some track and field.
- Still reading Mirrored Heavens by Rebecca Roanhorse. I didn’t actually pick it up this week, but it’s still the book beside my bed.
- F1 is still on summer break. ☹️
First day of school postponed because of the storm. Thankfully, just a lot of rain here in Columbia, SC. I know a lot of people are upset about the cancelation, but the last time schools ignored a scary weather forecast, my wife’s car was impaled by a tree on her way to teach. So I’m okay with it.
Watched part of the Harris/Walz event… And now I understand why Harris picked Walz.