Coming back from a run and heading toward the dawn, as mediated through a mess of human progress.

Morning, dear fellow rotters!

Finished a book this morning that was such a treat, and in a *good way* left me feeling like my writing isn't good enough. It's not an envy thing. It's the glow from reading someone tell their story so well, it stirs a desire to do better oneself. I can't wait 'til my next fiction-writing window.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfCoSo

@stueytheround

(This morning, I'm finishing another book on my list for a paid review. Reading without a full mug on hand feels odd, somehow, though. 🤔)

@stueytheround kindly let me keep my #CaffeineClub membership card despite the fact that I'm off the stuff, so I can live vicariously through your cuppas. ☕

What's everyone else slurping today? 👀

🙃 I used to have this disease.

Now I have the disease where I try to present appropriate data and POVs, knowing full well that most people are in no emotional position to accept anything that threatens a pre-existing worldview--but also that there are other people despairing over how little facts seem to matter to most; and that they seem to despair a bit less when they know they're not alone.

So, I present arguments for them.

I call it "pragmatic futility", & I'm definitely in a late stage.

Early bird gets to see the sleepy horsies. (And one donkey.)

Too much middle-of-the-night swing time, methinks. #Colombia #Nature

The joy of a blissfully empty park in the pre-dawn. :)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could...

😅 I've already been up and working for two hours, and am now headed out for a predawn run in the light rain. SO WIRED.

This will either work out magnificently for workflow and catch-up tasks today, or I will flat-out pass out by noon. 50/50!

I rewrote Wednesday's piece because the first version was very grumpy. This one is less so!

Today, we talk about other animals' violence, and how poorly we tell stories about it.

But just because we keep getting in our own way, when trying to describe the rest of the natural world, doesn't mean we can't still learn something from the stories we tell about it.

#ScienceLiteracy #Humanism #Nature #Culture #MediaLiteracy

https://open.substack.com/pub/mlclark/p/when-humans-narrate-for-other-animals

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfCoSo

This is an excellent reflection on the state of the mainstream publishing industry, looking at the highly exclusive cultures in which key actors move.

It might prove to be a thoughtful read for any writers who wonder why they struggle so much to get “in”--and serve as a gentle reminder that, while frustration with the system is valid, it should also be used constructively, to give us a better sense of our next steps.

#Essays #Publishing
https://open.substack.com/pub/emptyrailroadgulch/p/literary-world

Also, after looking over the draft I left for myself last night, I am so glad I chose not to post it before bed. Two bleak newsletters in one day? Eesh. No thanks.

Well! Back to the word mines with me.

TTFN, you wonderful weirdos, you.

Cutting out caffeine and shifting to ridiculously clean eating have done wonders for resetting my daily routine.

I'm still adjusting to how it affects my end of day, but I got up naturally an hour before my alarm today, so I'm knocking out some admin tasks before the run and feeling great.

Bodies are so weird, but it's nice to figure out the lifestyle that works best for one's own.

Morning, all you strange and wonderful vehicles of change! Hope you're feeling nurtured by what fuels you, too.

I got a good quality used phone from a friend today (mine has been in HAL singing Daisy, Daisy... mode for the last month), and ooo boy, I can't wait to creep on nature with the "new" camera.

Watch out #BugFriends, #BirbFriends, and merry little #MooCows!

I am going to capture all your weird 'n' wonderful features soon!

All right. Off for an adventure across town, and working in an office for a few hours.

Rewind Wednesday later tonight.

Something lighter, methinks, than talking about the usual nightmares of our world. 🤞🏻