Oasis

One might accuse me of contradicting last week’s screed by trying to distract from the appalling events in Europe currently underway.

No. Be aware of it. But take a break. Here’s a guy talking about rockets and space and stuff in an entertaining way, with toys surrounding him.

Right. Be kind to each other, folks. Kindness is the substance the world cries out for most.

Today’s pen: Moonman M2
Today’s ink: Diamine Writer’s Blood

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Day	What	How Much	Pen	Ink
21 February 22 February 23 February 24 February	First draft of “Golden Hour”. Buying some groceries and mentally preparing for second draft.	Five manuscript pages. About $24 worth.	Parker 45 Sheaffer Sovereign II Pelikan P1 PenBBS 487	Montblanc Royal Blue Herbin Lie de Thè Pelikan blue-black TWSBI Royal Purple

Ignorance is Bliss for Dummies

I’m somewhat repeating a tweet I committed recently, but the situation which prompted it is still in effect.

The eponymous phrase above comes from the summation of “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College“, a poem written by Thomas Grey in the middle of the 18th century. Unlike the modern handwaving about “a few bad apples” (a phrase which is being rehabilitated, hoorah) or the general view of the story of foolish King Canute (which I explain the non-general view in an old post on the writing outlet), the common understanding of the phrase really does follow the source: remain unaware, and remain happy.

I object to this. There is something to it– when I was pursuing therapy for depression, the therapist wondered why I burdened myself with the daily news– but as a rule for living, in the world as it currently is ignorance leads to… well, the world as it currently is. People who shout about deadly surgical masks. The persistent unwillingness to address climate change with vigor. Crocs as quotidian footwear.

To underline my stance, let me offer a sterling example of how ignorance brings the opposite of bliss– painful death!

If you watched that through, I imagine you’ve somewhat less bliss in you than before, and I’m sorry. I’ll offer this as a counter-measure; when you’re aware and attending, the small joys that life offers are substantially sweeter, standing out more clearly from the background of daily worry.

Today’s pen: Parker 45
Today’s ink: Montblanc Royal Blue

Day	What	How Much	Pen	Ink
14 February 15 February 16 February 17 February	First draft of “Golden Hour”.	Seven and a half manuscript pages.	Pelikan P1 Moonman M2 PenBBS 487 Sheaffer Sovereign II	Pelikan blue-black Diamine Writer’s Blood TWSBI Royal Purple Herbin Lie de Thè

Day	What	How Much	Pen	Ink
7 February 8 February 9 February 10 February	First draft of “Golden Hour”.	Seven manuscript pages.	PenBBS 487 Parker 45 Moonman M2 Pelikan P1	TWSBI Royal Purple Montblanc Royal Blue Diamine Writer’s Blood Pelikan blue-black

Water Tiger

I was looking as someone’s lunar astrology prognostication for the upcoming year, and in explaining the cycle of elements the signs pass through, they mentioned that putting “water” and “cat” together strikes some as unlikely.

Nope.

Today’s pen: Parker 45
Today’s ink: Montblanc Royal Blue

Day	What	How Much	Pen	Ink
31 January 1 February 2 February 3 February	First draft of “Golden Hour”. Some New Year arting. Buying yet more bird food. See Monday	Three manuscript pages. Below… 20 kg. The same	Pelikan P1 TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR Lamy 2000 Moonman M2	Pelikan blue-black Herbin Rouge Hematite Edelstein Topaz Diamine Writer’s Blood

On the subject of bird seed– it’s been below -25 the past three days (normal February stuff, here), and birds eat a lot to avoid turning to feathery lumps of ice. That bag may last a week.

The progress on the story seems slight, but compared to the whole of last year, I’m pretty happy about it. The deadline is not frightening me yet.

And finally– Merry Water Tiger, all. Tuesday’s pen and even more the ink was chosen specifically for the day, and I was taken with an urge to do a bit of art with them. I share, with the proviso that I make no claims to skill in graphic arts (that’s my brother’s department).

I am not a cat (a statement which is true in at least three separate ways)