<div class="trix-content"> <p>When you’re new to doing cryptics, they can be incredibly intimidating. Even when you’ve been told all the clue types and a load of the tricks that setters use, it’s not uncommon to sit staring at a grid that’s barely started, unable to get anything further. It can be disheartening and feel like you’re maybe never going to get anywhere.</p> <p>I first came across cryptics maybe twenty-five years ago or so. My wife Rachel knew how to do them, and over time we started solving them together to pass the time. We didn’t have much money, and didn't a TV, so hobbies like crosswords were great.</p> <p>Anyway, fast forward to now and I’m a long-standing cryptic crossword streamer and the publisher/editor of a cryptic crossword magazine. I solve a puzzle every day or two, and on a weekly basis I do either the Listener or the Inquisitor or both. And those are chewy, sometimes. So in theory I’m a good solver.</p> <p>But I tell you what - I still have those times when I’m sat there with no idea what to write in there next. Probably half of the puzzles I do, I don’t actually finish - there will be one or two words I leave blank. I sometimes go back and check the answer to see what it was and how it works. Sometimes I don’t, and I just get on with my day. I have loads of half-done crossword books.</p> <p>Anyway I’m saying all this because I sometimes see people online talking about about a puzzle and kind of beating themselves up or feeling they’ve failed because they didn't fill in every single box.</p> <p>I want to tell all those people not to sweat it. Solving puzzles is a hobby, not a job. It’s like going out for a walk in the countryside - yes, you could make it your mission to complete a particular walk or get to the top of a specific hill or whatever. But however far you get you’ve left the house and got some fresh air and seen some trees. You’ve gone for a walk. You’ve had a nice time, got the sun on your face, and got home safely. Take the win.</p> <p>If you don’t finish a puzzle, put it down. Maybe come back to it later. Look up the answers and work out how they worked so you learn for next time. Try a different one. Go for a walk. </p> </div> <br><hr><br><p><a href="mailto:matt@wyrd.systems?subject=Re%3A%20It%E2%80%99s%20OK%20to%20not%20be%20OK%20%28at%20solving%20cryptic%20crosswords%29">Reply by email</a></p>

Just hooked my site up to pika.page. I was looking for a simple blogging platform as I want to write a bit more. So here we go! Nice way to start the day * * * Reply by email

I had a pretty good week, all in all. ## Puzzles & Wordplay * On Cryptic Sunday we did one by Gennaro and one by Ouroboros. * I only did one on my own - Cyclops 796 (Private Eye). * With Rachel we solved: * Guinevere 2254 * Liari's one in the Indy * Brummie 29608 * Eccles' one in the Indy. 11958 (5 Feb) * I came across a few new words in the puzzles, which I'll add to my Anki so hopefully I'll remember them next time: * New words: * **NEDDY** = ass (donkey) * **REREDOS** = screen ("a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church") * **LIANA** = a type of vine (long-stemmed & woody) * **BRIDGE ROLL** = a long soft white bread roll * **ROAN** = a colour pattern on a hors or other animal ("an even mixture of white and pigmented hairs that do not grey out or fade as the animal ages") * **ESPIAL** = the act or fact of being seen * George's site 'Manipulexity' has been updated with a very nice anagram finder. Also I found this video about anagraphs, which was a new one on me. * I'm looking forward to attending the 'Word ↔ Puzzles' conference next month in Oxford * * * ## Media * I finished reading _Meditations for Mortals_. It's designed to be read a little each day (chapters only four or five pages) - I might have another go round soon as it was a nice way to start the day. * I saw the trailer for the new _Fantastic Four_ film and I'm really looking forward to that. * _Severance_ was good again this week (S02E04). * I've been reading _How to ADHD_ on audiobook. * I've been spending some time on the https://social.lol Discord, as well as the new Signal group we set up. There are some good people there. * * * ## Bits and bobs * I bought some of these Loop Engage 2 Plus earplugs. They seem pretty good - I need to try them out in a coffee shop or something to see how well they work in the field. * tree.fm is a nice site for ambient forest sounds * keybr.com is where I'm practising my touch typing * I have spent a silly amount of time playing this comball game (h/t to Westley for linking on his blog . * thistothat.com is a good page for finding out how to stick one thing to another thing * * * ## Reflections and plans * I've ended up (yet again) with a huge pile of unread articles, and videos/podcasts starred in various apps waiting to be consumed. In the end I just declared bankruptcy and ditched pretty much all of them off. * **Intention** : Actually read my list in Instapaper. Delete and unstar things liberally. Get to next week with a non-ridiculous list on Instapaper/Pocketcasts/Play. * I just realised my Defaults page (linked by robb) isn't in the new site - I think I have a backup somewhere... * **Intention** : Get something back on `/defaults` * I hurt my back last weekend and haven't been to the gym since. Also my diet has been pretty (OK, very) bad. * **Intention** : Go to gym three times this week, get back onto my food plan. * I'll review my Intentions next week. * **Intention** : Review my Intentions next week (intentionception!) * I'm meeting up for a coffee with a guy I've known socially for a long time - we see each other at local events, sometimes me and Rachel meet up with him and his partner as couples - but I've never actually spent any one-to-one time with him. I think we get on pretty well - I really enjoy talking with him and he seems very nice to me. I ran into him in the street a while ago and asked if he'd like to go for a coffee. It was weirdly scary, like asking someone on a date! I was worried he might say no (or worse, say yes to be polite but look like he wasn't happy). Anyway all good and we're on for Monday after work. I need to get out of my comfort zone to make some more friends, I think. I have a few very close and lovely friends but not much of a social life since quitting drinking five years - and a pandemic - ago. * * * If you are reading this and have anything you'd like to say, please get in touch! My email is on the Contact page 😁

I've added a new page listing out the records I own. Here it is: Vinyl. I scanned in all my records to Discogs and then pulled the data in from their API. It was pretty easy though the data's not all I'd like. I'll probably add some extra bits at some point. * * * Anything you'd like to say to me? Same music taste? Please drop me a line!

After a _lot_ of false starts I've finally updated my site to beyond one page. I've used the resources at 'Learn Eleventy' and they've been really helpful. There are lots more things I want to do on there but this is a good start! * * * > "I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time." > > ~ from _The Tao of Wu_ by Rza

After a _lot_ of false starts I've finally updated my site to beyond one page. I've used the resources at 'Learn Eleventy' and they've been really helpful. There are lots more things I want to do on there but this is a good start! * * * > "I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time." > > ~ from _The Tao of Wu_ by Rza

I've added a new page listing out the records I own. Here it is: Vinyl. I scanned in all my records to Discogs and then pulled the data in from their API. It was pretty easy though the data's not all I'd like. I'll probably add some extra bits at some point. * * * Anything you'd like to say to me? Same music taste? Please drop me a line!

I had a pretty good week, all in all. ## Puzzles & Wordplay * On Cryptic Sunday we did one by Gennaro and one by Ouroboros. * I only did one on my own - Cyclops 796 (Private Eye). * With Rachel we solved: * Guinevere 2254 * Liari's one in the Indy * Brummie 29608 * Eccles' one in the Indy. 11958 (5 Feb) * I came across a few new words in the puzzles, which I'll add to my Anki so hopefully I'll remember them next time: * New words: * **NEDDY** = ass (donkey) * **REREDOS** = screen ("a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church") * **LIANA** = a type of vine (long-stemmed & woody) * **BRIDGE ROLL** = a long soft white bread roll * **ROAN** = a colour pattern on a hors or other animal ("an even mixture of white and pigmented hairs that do not grey out or fade as the animal ages") * **ESPIAL** = the act or fact of being seen * George's site 'Manipulexity' has been updated with a very nice anagram finder. Also I found this video about anagraphs, which was a new one on me. * I'm looking forward to attending the 'Word ↔ Puzzles' conference next month in Oxford * * * ## Media * I finished reading _Meditations for Mortals_. It's designed to be read a little each day (chapters only four or five pages) - I might have another go round soon as it was a nice way to start the day. * I saw the trailer for the new _Fantastic Four_ film and I'm really looking forward to that. * _Severance_ was good again this week (S02E04). * I've been reading _How to ADHD_ on audiobook. * I've been spending some time on the https://social.lol Discord, as well as the new Signal group we set up. There are some good people there. * * * ## Bits and bobs * I bought some of these Loop Engage 2 Plus earplugs. They seem pretty good - I need to try them out in a coffee shop or something to see how well they work in the field. * tree.fm is a nice site for ambient forest sounds * keybr.com is where I'm practising my touch typing * I have spent a silly amount of time playing this comball game (h/t to Westley for linking on his blog . * thistothat.com is a good page for finding out how to stick one thing to another thing * * * ## Reflections and plans * I've ended up (yet again) with a huge pile of unread articles, and videos/podcasts starred in various apps waiting to be consumed. In the end I just declared bankruptcy and ditched pretty much all of them off. * **Intention** : Actually read my list in Instapaper. Delete and unstar things liberally. Get to next week with a non-ridiculous list on Instapaper/Pocketcasts/Play. * I just realised my Defaults page (linked by robb) isn't in the new site - I think I have a backup somewhere... * **Intention** : Get something back on `/defaults` * I hurt my back last weekend and haven't been to the gym since. Also my diet has been pretty (OK, very) bad. * **Intention** : Go to gym three times this week, get back onto my food plan. * I'll review my Intentions next week. * **Intention** : Review my Intentions next week (intentionception!) * I'm meeting up for a coffee with a guy I've known socially for a long time - we see each other at local events, sometimes me and Rachel meet up with him and his partner as couples - but I've never actually spent any one-to-one time with him. I think we get on pretty well - I really enjoy talking with him and he seems very nice to me. I ran into him in the street a while ago and asked if he'd like to go for a coffee. It was weirdly scary, like asking someone on a date! I was worried he might say no (or worse, say yes to be polite but look like he wasn't happy). Anyway all good and we're on for Monday after work. I need to get out of my comfort zone to make some more friends, I think. I have a few very close and lovely friends but not much of a social life since quitting drinking five years - and a pandemic - ago. * * * If you are reading this and have anything you'd like to say, please get in touch! My email is on the Contact page 😁

After a _lot_ of false starts I've finally updated my site to beyond one page. I've used the resources at 'Learn Eleventy' and they've been really helpful. There are lots more things I want to do on there but this is a good start! * * * > "I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time." > > ~ from _The Tao of Wu_ by Rza

I had a pretty good week, all in all. ## Puzzles & Wordplay * On Cryptic Sunday we did one by Gennaro and one by Ouroboros. * I only did one on my own - Cyclops 796 (Private Eye). * With Rachel we solved: * Guinevere 2254 * Liari's one in the Indy * Brummie 29608 * Eccles' one in the Indy. 11958 (5 Feb) * I came across a few new words in the puzzles, which I'll add to my Anki so hopefully I'll remember them next time: * New words: * **NEDDY** = ass (donkey) * **REREDOS** = screen ("a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church") * **LIANA** = a type of vine (long-stemmed & woody) * **BRIDGE ROLL** = a long soft white bread roll * **ROAN** = a colour pattern on a hors or other animal ("an even mixture of white and pigmented hairs that do not grey out or fade as the animal ages") * **ESPIAL** = the act or fact of being seen * George's site 'Manipulexity' has been updated with a very nice anagram finder. Also I found this video about anagraphs, which was a new one on me. * I'm looking forward to attending the 'Word ↔ Puzzles' conference next month in Oxford * * * ## Media * I finished reading _Meditations for Mortals_. It's designed to be read a little each day (chapters only four or five pages) - I might have another go round soon as it was a nice way to start the day. * I saw the trailer for the new _Fantastic Four_ film and I'm really looking forward to that. * _Severance_ was good again this week (S02E04). * I've been reading _How to ADHD_ on audiobook. * I've been spending some time on the https://social.lol Discord, as well as the new Signal group we set up. There are some good people there. * * * ## Bits and bobs * I bought some of these Loop Engage 2 Plus earplugs. They seem pretty good - I need to try them out in a coffee shop or something to see how well they work in the field. * tree.fm is a nice site for ambient forest sounds * keybr.com is where I'm practising my touch typing * I have spent a silly amount of time playing this comball game (h/t to Westley for linking on his blog . * thistothat.com is a good page for finding out how to stick one thing to another thing * * * ## Reflections and plans * I've ended up (yet again) with a huge pile of unread articles, and videos/podcasts starred in various apps waiting to be consumed. In the end I just declared bankruptcy and ditched pretty much all of them off. * **Intention** : Actually read my list in Instapaper. Delete and unstar things liberally. Get to next week with a non-ridiculous list on Instapaper/Pocketcasts/Play. * I just realised my Defaults page (linked by robb) isn't in the new site - I think I have a backup somewhere... * **Intention** : Get something back on `/defaults` * I hurt my back last weekend and haven't been to the gym since. Also my diet has been pretty (OK, very) bad. * **Intention** : Go to gym three times this week, get back onto my food plan. * I'll review my Intentions next week. * **Intention** : Review my Intentions next week (intentionception!) * I'm meeting up for a coffee with a guy I've known socially for a long time - we see each other at local events, sometimes me and Rachel meet up with him and his partner as couples - but I've never actually spent any one-to-one time with him. I think we get on pretty well - I really enjoy talking with him and he seems very nice to me. I ran into him in the street a while ago and asked if he'd like to go for a coffee. It was weirdly scary, like asking someone on a date! I was worried he might say no (or worse, say yes to be polite but look like he wasn't happy). Anyway all good and we're on for Monday after work. I need to get out of my comfort zone to make some more friends, I think. I have a few very close and lovely friends but not much of a social life since quitting drinking five years - and a pandemic - ago. * * * If you are reading this and have anything you'd like to say, please get in touch! My email is on the Contact page 😁

I've added a new page listing out the records I own. Here it is: Vinyl. I scanned in all my records to Discogs and then pulled the data in from their API. It was pretty easy though the data's not all I'd like. I'll probably add some extra bits at some point. * * * Anything you'd like to say to me? Same music taste? Please drop me a line!

After a _lot_ of false starts I've finally updated my site to beyond one page. I've used the resources at 'Learn Eleventy' and they've been really helpful. There are lots more things I want to do on there but this is a good start! * * * > "I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time." > > ~ from _The Tao of Wu_ by Rza

I had a pretty good week, all in all. ## Puzzles & Wordplay * On Cryptic Sunday we did one by Gennaro and one by Ouroboros. * I only did one on my own - Cyclops 796 (Private Eye). * With Rachel we solved: * Guinevere 2254 * Liari's one in the Indy * Brummie 29608 * Eccles' one in the Indy. 11958 (5 Feb) * I came across a few new words in the puzzles, which I'll add to my Anki so hopefully I'll remember them next time: * New words: * **NEDDY** = ass (donkey) * **REREDOS** = screen ("a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church") * **LIANA** = a type of vine (long-stemmed & woody) * **BRIDGE ROLL** = a long soft white bread roll * **ROAN** = a colour pattern on a hors or other animal ("an even mixture of white and pigmented hairs that do not grey out or fade as the animal ages") * **ESPIAL** = the act or fact of being seen * George's site 'Manipulexity' has been updated with a very nice anagram finder. Also I found this video about anagraphs, which was a new one on me. * I'm looking forward to attending the 'Word ↔ Puzzles' conference next month in Oxford * * * ## Media * I finished reading _Meditations for Mortals_. It's designed to be read a little each day (chapters only four or five pages) - I might have another go round soon as it was a nice way to start the day. * I saw the trailer for the new _Fantastic Four_ film and I'm really looking forward to that. * _Severance_ was good again this week (S02E04). * I've been reading _How to ADHD_ on audiobook. * I've been spending some time on the https://social.lol Discord, as well as the new Signal group we set up. There are some good people there. * * * ## Bits and bobs * I bought some of these Loop Engage 2 Plus earplugs. They seem pretty good - I need to try them out in a coffee shop or something to see how well they work in the field. * tree.fm is a nice site for ambient forest sounds * keybr.com is where I'm practising my touch typing * I have spent a silly amount of time playing this comball game (h/t to Westley for linking on his blog . * thistothat.com is a good page for finding out how to stick one thing to another thing * * * ## Reflections and plans * I've ended up (yet again) with a huge pile of unread articles, and videos/podcasts starred in various apps waiting to be consumed. In the end I just declared bankruptcy and ditched pretty much all of them off. * **Intention** : Actually read my list in Instapaper. Delete and unstar things liberally. Get to next week with a non-ridiculous list on Instapaper/Pocketcasts/Play. * I just realised my Defaults page (linked by robb) isn't in the new site - I think I have a backup somewhere... * **Intention** : Get something back on `/defaults` * I hurt my back last weekend and haven't been to the gym since. Also my diet has been pretty (OK, very) bad. * **Intention** : Go to gym three times this week, get back onto my food plan. * I'll review my Intentions next week. * **Intention** : Review my Intentions next week (intentionception!) * I'm meeting up for a coffee with a guy I've known socially for a long time - we see each other at local events, sometimes me and Rachel meet up with him and his partner as couples - but I've never actually spent any one-to-one time with him. I think we get on pretty well - I really enjoy talking with him and he seems very nice to me. I ran into him in the street a while ago and asked if he'd like to go for a coffee. It was weirdly scary, like asking someone on a date! I was worried he might say no (or worse, say yes to be polite but look like he wasn't happy). Anyway all good and we're on for Monday after work. I need to get out of my comfort zone to make some more friends, I think. I have a few very close and lovely friends but not much of a social life since quitting drinking five years - and a pandemic - ago. * * * If you are reading this and have anything you'd like to say, please get in touch! My email is on the Contact page 😁

I've added a new page listing out the records I own. Here it is: Vinyl. I scanned in all my records to Discogs and then pulled the data in from their API. It was pretty easy though the data's not all I'd like. I'll probably add some extra bits at some point. * * * Anything you'd like to say to me? Same music taste? Please drop me a line!

After a _lot_ of false starts I've finally updated my site to beyond one page. I've used the resources at 'Learn Eleventy' and they've been really helpful. There are lots more things I want to do on there but this is a good start! * * * > "I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time." > > ~ from _The Tao of Wu_ by Rza

I had a pretty good week, all in all. ## Puzzles & Wordplay * On Cryptic Sunday we did one by Gennaro and one by Ouroboros. * I only did one on my own - Cyclops 796 (Private Eye). * With Rachel we solved: * Guinevere 2254 * Liari's one in the Indy * Brummie 29608 * Eccles' one in the Indy. 11958 (5 Feb) * I came across a few new words in the puzzles, which I'll add to my Anki so hopefully I'll remember them next time: * New words: * **NEDDY** = ass (donkey) * **REREDOS** = screen ("a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church") * **LIANA** = a type of vine (long-stemmed & woody) * **BRIDGE ROLL** = a long soft white bread roll * **ROAN** = a colour pattern on a hors or other animal ("an even mixture of white and pigmented hairs that do not grey out or fade as the animal ages") * **ESPIAL** = the act or fact of being seen * George's site 'Manipulexity' has been updated with a very nice anagram finder. Also I found this video about anagraphs, which was a new one on me. * I'm looking forward to attending the 'Word ↔ Puzzles' conference next month in Oxford * * * ## Media * I finished reading _Meditations for Mortals_. It's designed to be read a little each day (chapters only four or five pages) - I might have another go round soon as it was a nice way to start the day. * I saw the trailer for the new _Fantastic Four_ film and I'm really looking forward to that. * _Severance_ was good again this week (S02E04). * I've been reading _How to ADHD_ on audiobook. * I've been spending some time on the https://social.lol Discord, as well as the new Signal group we set up. There are some good people there. * * * ## Bits and bobs * I bought some of these Loop Engage 2 Plus earplugs. They seem pretty good - I need to try them out in a coffee shop or something to see how well they work in the field. * tree.fm is a nice site for ambient forest sounds * keybr.com is where I'm practising my touch typing * I have spent a silly amount of time playing this comball game (h/t to Westley for linking on his blog . * thistothat.com is a good page for finding out how to stick one thing to another thing * * * ## Reflections and plans * I've ended up (yet again) with a huge pile of unread articles, and videos/podcasts starred in various apps waiting to be consumed. In the end I just declared bankruptcy and ditched pretty much all of them off. * **Intention** : Actually read my list in Instapaper. Delete and unstar things liberally. Get to next week with a non-ridiculous list on Instapaper/Pocketcasts/Play. * I just realised my Defaults page (linked by robb) isn't in the new site - I think I have a backup somewhere... * **Intention** : Get something back on `/defaults` * I hurt my back last weekend and haven't been to the gym since. Also my diet has been pretty (OK, very) bad. * **Intention** : Go to gym three times this week, get back onto my food plan. * I'll review my Intentions next week. * **Intention** : Review my Intentions next week (intentionception!) * I'm meeting up for a coffee with a guy I've known socially for a long time - we see each other at local events, sometimes me and Rachel meet up with him and his partner as couples - but I've never actually spent any one-to-one time with him. I think we get on pretty well - I really enjoy talking with him and he seems very nice to me. I ran into him in the street a while ago and asked if he'd like to go for a coffee. It was weirdly scary, like asking someone on a date! I was worried he might say no (or worse, say yes to be polite but look like he wasn't happy). Anyway all good and we're on for Monday after work. I need to get out of my comfort zone to make some more friends, I think. I have a few very close and lovely friends but not much of a social life since quitting drinking five years - and a pandemic - ago. * * * If you are reading this and have anything you'd like to say, please get in touch! My email is on the Contact page 😁

I've added a new page listing out the records I own. Here it is: Vinyl. I scanned in all my records to Discogs and then pulled the data in from their API. It was pretty easy though the data's not all I'd like. I'll probably add some extra bits at some point. * * * Anything you'd like to say to me? Same music taste? Please drop me a line!

After a _lot_ of false starts I've finally updated my site to beyond one page. I've used the resources at 'Learn Eleventy' and they've been really helpful. There are lots more things I want to do on there but this is a good start! * * * > "I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time." > > ~ from _The Tao of Wu_ by Rza

I had a pretty good week, all in all. ## Puzzles & Wordplay * On Cryptic Sunday we did one by Gennaro and one by Ouroboros. * I only did one on my own - Cyclops 796 (Private Eye). * With Rachel we solved: * Guinevere 2254 * Liari's one in the Indy * Brummie 29608 * Eccles' one in the Indy. 11958 (5 Feb) * I came across a few new words in the puzzles, which I'll add to my Anki so hopefully I'll remember them next time: * New words: * **NEDDY** = ass (donkey) * **REREDOS** = screen ("a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church") * **LIANA** = a type of vine (long-stemmed & woody) * **BRIDGE ROLL** = a long soft white bread roll * **ROAN** = a colour pattern on a hors or other animal ("an even mixture of white and pigmented hairs that do not grey out or fade as the animal ages") * **ESPIAL** = the act or fact of being seen * George's site 'Manipulexity' has been updated with a very nice anagram finder. Also I found this video about anagraphs, which was a new one on me. * I'm looking forward to attending the 'Word ↔ Puzzles' conference next month in Oxford * * * ## Media * I finished reading _Meditations for Mortals_. It's designed to be read a little each day (chapters only four or five pages) - I might have another go round soon as it was a nice way to start the day. * I saw the trailer for the new _Fantastic Four_ film and I'm really looking forward to that. * _Severance_ was good again this week (S02E04). * I've been reading _How to ADHD_ on audiobook. * I've been spending some time on the https://social.lol Discord, as well as the new Signal group we set up. There are some good people there. * * * ## Bits and bobs * I bought some of these Loop Engage 2 Plus earplugs. They seem pretty good - I need to try them out in a coffee shop or something to see how well they work in the field. * tree.fm is a nice site for ambient forest sounds * keybr.com is where I'm practising my touch typing * I have spent a silly amount of time playing this comball game (h/t to Westley for linking on his blog . * thistothat.com is a good page for finding out how to stick one thing to another thing * * * ## Reflections and plans * I've ended up (yet again) with a huge pile of unread articles, and videos/podcasts starred in various apps waiting to be consumed. In the end I just declared bankruptcy and ditched pretty much all of them off. * **Intention** : Actually read my list in Instapaper. Delete and unstar things liberally. Get to next week with a non-ridiculous list on Instapaper/Pocketcasts/Play. * I just realised my Defaults page (linked by robb) isn't in the new site - I think I have a backup somewhere... * **Intention** : Get something back on `/defaults` * I hurt my back last weekend and haven't been to the gym since. Also my diet has been pretty (OK, very) bad. * **Intention** : Go to gym three times this week, get back onto my food plan. * I'll review my Intentions next week. * **Intention** : Review my Intentions next week (intentionception!) * I'm meeting up for a coffee with a guy I've known socially for a long time - we see each other at local events, sometimes me and Rachel meet up with him and his partner as couples - but I've never actually spent any one-to-one time with him. I think we get on pretty well - I really enjoy talking with him and he seems very nice to me. I ran into him in the street a while ago and asked if he'd like to go for a coffee. It was weirdly scary, like asking someone on a date! I was worried he might say no (or worse, say yes to be polite but look like he wasn't happy). Anyway all good and we're on for Monday after work. I need to get out of my comfort zone to make some more friends, I think. I have a few very close and lovely friends but not much of a social life since quitting drinking five years - and a pandemic - ago. * * * If you are reading this and have anything you'd like to say, please get in touch! My email is on the Contact page 😁

I've added a new page listing out the records I own. Here it is: Vinyl. I scanned in all my records to Discogs and then pulled the data in from their API. It was pretty easy though the data's not all I'd like. I'll probably add some extra bits at some point. * * * Anything you'd like to say to me? Same music taste? Please drop me a line!

After a _lot_ of false starts I've finally updated my site to beyond one page. I've used the resources at 'Learn Eleventy' and they've been really helpful. There are lots more things I want to do on there but this is a good start! * * * > "I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time." > > ~ from _The Tao of Wu_ by Rza

I had a pretty good week, all in all. ## Puzzles & Wordplay * On Cryptic Sunday we did one by Gennaro and one by Ouroboros. * I only did one on my own - Cyclops 796 (Private Eye). * With Rachel we solved: * Guinevere 2254 * Liari's one in the Indy * Brummie 29608 * Eccles' one in the Indy. 11958 (5 Feb) * I came across a few new words in the puzzles, which I'll add to my Anki so hopefully I'll remember them next time: * New words: * **NEDDY** = ass (donkey) * **REREDOS** = screen ("a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church") * **LIANA** = a type of vine (long-stemmed & woody) * **BRIDGE ROLL** = a long soft white bread roll * **ROAN** = a colour pattern on a hors or other animal ("an even mixture of white and pigmented hairs that do not grey out or fade as the animal ages") * **ESPIAL** = the act or fact of being seen * George's site 'Manipulexity' has been updated with a very nice anagram finder. Also I found this video about anagraphs, which was a new one on me. * I'm looking forward to attending the 'Word ↔ Puzzles' conference next month in Oxford * * * ## Media * I finished reading _Meditations for Mortals_. It's designed to be read a little each day (chapters only four or five pages) - I might have another go round soon as it was a nice way to start the day. * I saw the trailer for the new _Fantastic Four_ film and I'm really looking forward to that. * _Severance_ was good again this week (S02E04). * I've been reading _How to ADHD_ on audiobook. * I've been spending some time on the https://social.lol Discord, as well as the new Signal group we set up. There are some good people there. * * * ## Bits and bobs * I bought some of these Loop Engage 2 Plus earplugs. They seem pretty good - I need to try them out in a coffee shop or something to see how well they work in the field. * tree.fm is a nice site for ambient forest sounds * keybr.com is where I'm practising my touch typing * I have spent a silly amount of time playing this comball game (h/t to Westley for linking on his blog . * thistothat.com is a good page for finding out how to stick one thing to another thing * * * ## Reflections and plans * I've ended up (yet again) with a huge pile of unread articles, and videos/podcasts starred in various apps waiting to be consumed. In the end I just declared bankruptcy and ditched pretty much all of them off. * **Intention** : Actually read my list in Instapaper. Delete and unstar things liberally. Get to next week with a non-ridiculous list on Instapaper/Pocketcasts/Play. * I just realised my Defaults page (linked by robb) isn't in the new site - I think I have a backup somewhere... * **Intention** : Get something back on `/defaults` * I hurt my back last weekend and haven't been to the gym since. Also my diet has been pretty (OK, very) bad. * **Intention** : Go to gym three times this week, get back onto my food plan. * I'll review my Intentions next week. * **Intention** : Review my Intentions next week (intentionception!) * I'm meeting up for a coffee with a guy I've known socially for a long time - we see each other at local events, sometimes me and Rachel meet up with him and his partner as couples - but I've never actually spent any one-to-one time with him. I think we get on pretty well - I really enjoy talking with him and he seems very nice to me. I ran into him in the street a while ago and asked if he'd like to go for a coffee. It was weirdly scary, like asking someone on a date! I was worried he might say no (or worse, say yes to be polite but look like he wasn't happy). Anyway all good and we're on for Monday after work. I need to get out of my comfort zone to make some more friends, I think. I have a few very close and lovely friends but not much of a social life since quitting drinking five years - and a pandemic - ago. * * * If you are reading this and have anything you'd like to say, please get in touch! My email is on the Contact page 😁

I've added a new page listing out the records I own. Here it is: Vinyl. I scanned in all my records to Discogs and then pulled the data in from their API. It was pretty easy though the data's not all I'd like. I'll probably add some extra bits at some point. * * * Anything you'd like to say to me? Same music taste? Please drop me a line!

After a _lot_ of false starts I've finally updated my site to beyond one page. I've used the resources at 'Learn Eleventy' and they've been really helpful. There are lots more things I want to do on there but this is a good start! * * * > "I advise everyone to find an island in this life. Find a place where this culture can’t take energy from you, sap your will and originality. Since anything physical can be mental, that island can be your home. Turn off the electromagnetic waves being forced upon you, the countless invisible forces coming at you all the time." > > ~ from _The Tao of Wu_ by Rza

I had a pretty good week, all in all. ## Puzzles & Wordplay * On Cryptic Sunday we did one by Gennaro and one by Ouroboros. * I only did one on my own - Cyclops 796 (Private Eye). * With Rachel we solved: * Guinevere 2254 * Liari's one in the Indy * Brummie 29608 * Eccles' one in the Indy. 11958 (5 Feb) * I came across a few new words in the puzzles, which I'll add to my Anki so hopefully I'll remember them next time: * New words: * **NEDDY** = ass (donkey) * **REREDOS** = screen ("a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church") * **LIANA** = a type of vine (long-stemmed & woody) * **BRIDGE ROLL** = a long soft white bread roll * **ROAN** = a colour pattern on a hors or other animal ("an even mixture of white and pigmented hairs that do not grey out or fade as the animal ages") * **ESPIAL** = the act or fact of being seen * George's site 'Manipulexity' has been updated with a very nice anagram finder. Also I found this video about anagraphs, which was a new one on me. * I'm looking forward to attending the 'Word ↔ Puzzles' conference next month in Oxford * * * ## Media * I finished reading _Meditations for Mortals_. It's designed to be read a little each day (chapters only four or five pages) - I might have another go round soon as it was a nice way to start the day. * I saw the trailer for the new _Fantastic Four_ film and I'm really looking forward to that. * _Severance_ was good again this week (S02E04). * I've been reading _How to ADHD_ on audiobook. * I've been spending some time on the https://social.lol Discord, as well as the new Signal group we set up. There are some good people there. * * * ## Bits and bobs * I bought some of these Loop Engage 2 Plus earplugs. They seem pretty good - I need to try them out in a coffee shop or something to see how well they work in the field. * tree.fm is a nice site for ambient forest sounds * keybr.com is where I'm practising my touch typing * I have spent a silly amount of time playing this comball game (h/t to Westley for linking on his blog . * thistothat.com is a good page for finding out how to stick one thing to another thing * * * ## Reflections and plans * I've ended up (yet again) with a huge pile of unread articles, and videos/podcasts starred in various apps waiting to be consumed. In the end I just declared bankruptcy and ditched pretty much all of them off. * **Intention** : Actually read my list in Instapaper. Delete and unstar things liberally. Get to next week with a non-ridiculous list on Instapaper/Pocketcasts/Play. * I just realised my Defaults page (linked by robb) isn't in the new site - I think I have a backup somewhere... * **Intention** : Get something back on `/defaults` * I hurt my back last weekend and haven't been to the gym since. Also my diet has been pretty (OK, very) bad. * **Intention** : Go to gym three times this week, get back onto my food plan. * I'll review my Intentions next week. * **Intention** : Review my Intentions next week (intentionception!) * I'm meeting up for a coffee with a guy I've known socially for a long time - we see each other at local events, sometimes me and Rachel meet up with him and his partner as couples - but I've never actually spent any one-to-one time with him. I think we get on pretty well - I really enjoy talking with him and he seems very nice to me. I ran into him in the street a while ago and asked if he'd like to go for a coffee. It was weirdly scary, like asking someone on a date! I was worried he might say no (or worse, say yes to be polite but look like he wasn't happy). Anyway all good and we're on for Monday after work. I need to get out of my comfort zone to make some more friends, I think. I have a few very close and lovely friends but not much of a social life since quitting drinking five years - and a pandemic - ago. * * * If you are reading this and have anything you'd like to say, please get in touch! My email is on the Contact page 😁