Preparation and Rest

Slept in until around 9am, feel like I've caught up on my rest. Morning ritual combined with text conversation with Zelda about movies. Folded laundry, listened to Net Assessment podcast on US's relationship with China. Ate soup for breakfast, listened to Lex Friedman podcast with Michael Levin. Read the chainsaw manual, ordered chainsaw oil. Decided to wait on trying out the chainsaw until I have all necessary tools. Registered my chainsaw. Exercised. Filled out Gold Bay tour questionnaire. Walked to Suds—got my 30-minute walk in. Drank beer, ate wings, chatted with Aaron. Learned that the Coop is a really good place to buy coffee. Learned I should watch the movie The Menu. Walked home. Watched Ancient World—he discussed the Maya. Watched Hogan's Heroes. Had exchange with train company, need to call them to get it finalized. Today would have been my Mom's 86th birthday.

Sleep, Stretches, and Small Progress

December 28, 2025

These notes describe the events of Friday, 12/27/2025.

I slept in until around 9am. I feel like I've caught up on my rest a bit. The recovery from the late nights and early mornings, the body finally getting what it needed.

Random picture of my cat, Trouble

I began my morning ritual combined with a text conversation with Zelda about movies. The dual engagement, the meditation and the discussion running parallel. I folded some laundry and listened to the end of a Net Assessment podcast regarding the US's relationship with China. The domestic tasks and geopolitical analysis, the mundane and the intellectual intertwined. I ate some soup for breakfast. I listened to a Lex Friedman podcast with Michael Levin. The same interview Jim and I had discussed earlier in the week, now hearing it fully myself.

I read the chainsaw manual and ordered some chainsaw oil. The preparation for using the new tool, doing things properly before starting. I decided to wait on trying out the chainsaw until I have all the necessary tools. The patience to do it right rather than rushing in unprepared. I registered my chainsaw. The administrative details, making it official.

I did three 45-second planks, 15 bird-dogs, and 3 iterations of the world's greatest stretch. The fitness routine for New Zealand continuing, building core strength and maintaining mobility. I filled out the Gold Bay tour questionnaire. The New Zealand planning advancing, another piece falling into place for the trip. I had an exchange with the train company. I need to call them to get it finalized. The ongoing work of adding Joey to the New Zealand trip logistics, another task requiring follow-through.

I walked to Suds. This got my 30-minute walk in. While walking, I listened to Neil Stephenson's The Confusion. I finally lost patience with it and finished the walk listening to another portion of the Lex Friedman podcast. The dual purpose of social gathering and exercise, the familiar route across town. I drank beer, ate wings, and chatted with Aaron. The conversation ranging across topics. I learned that the Coop is a really good place to buy coffee. The local knowledge, the recommendations from people who know the area. I learned that I should watch the movie The Menu. The suggestion filed away for future viewing. I walked home from Suds. The return journey, the exercise bookending the social time.

I watched Ancient World. He discussed the Maya. The continuation of the Mesoamerican civilizations series, the pyramids and calendar systems and cultural achievements. I watched Hogan's Heroes. The familiar comfort show providing light entertainment.

Today would have been my Mom's 86th birthday. The recognition of the day, the marker of time passing, the absence noted even in the midst of ordinary activities.