Day 1 of year 2
First, a quick heads-up: tomorrow is Fujifilm’s X Summit PRIME 2021, and I’m part of the post-show event with Fuji Guys Billy Luong and Francis Bellefeuille. You can tune-in live here if you’re interested (CORRECTION: that’s the Summit link. This is the post-show link and it’s at 10:15 am EDT)
Also: Capture One has been updated and it fixes the (insane) manual export bug. I breathe again. Now, back to our usual programming…
“One last burst of organized mayhem—breakfast, lunches, backpacks. Then the door closes. ”
I had to think about it. Imagine that. I had to backtrack and remember when, exactly, it had all gone to hell—which is uncomfortably revelatory about my current state of mind. It turns out that yes, we are indeed living through our second “back to school” event of The Pandemic.
Day one, of year two.
Vaccination in our country is going well, which helps, despite the variant making inroads and cases creeping back up. Authorities are bracing for a fourth wave. Our kids have now all received a second jab, however, so we’re definitely looking at a somewhat more normal state of affairs. Fingers crossed it’ll hold. But as a parent, let me tell you I feel pretty fortunate our youngest turned twelve over the summer. My stress level would be up a few notches otherwise.
In the “before times”, September was a marker—a chance at new beginnings, at refreshing workflows and habits. Not as focused as January, but close. The house would suddenly empty, the distant echoes of summer receding, a renewed silence falling upon the world. Something like a long exhale.
But it’s different now. We’ve grown accustomed to the proximity of our bubble, for one. And with the virus, schools aren’t quite the safe haven they used to be. You don’t focus on it, you don’t dwell, but letting go is harder; and that silence, slightly heavier.
…
Still, I did streamline and organize these last few weeks. Old habits die hard. After a few additions, my workspace is getting awfully close to…well, I won’t say perfect, so let’s go with pleasant. I’m still thrilled about the M1 Air, the external monitor is now on a riser, the USB-C hub mostly hidden (along with cables). I’ve added a small, external SSD for film projects, which allows me to power down all of my spinning drives when they’re not needed, bringing the noise level considerably lower. As in non-existent. I’ve been aiming for minimal(ish) and I’m definitely closing-in.
I need a better chair, though. It’s too low and my back is killing me.
I’ve become somewhat maniacal about avoiding friction, as much as possible. It’s been the one genuinely positive element of these past whatever-months: a clear reassessment of what works, what doesn’t, and actively fixing issues—from software choices, to gear and spaces and furniture.
The psychology is ridiculously obvious: a reaction to uncertainty, a need to regain control over…something. But we do what we do and we find peace where we can.
It’s day one, of year two.
Steady as she goes.
