Tag: orchids

Another dry spell on the blog, but not in my mind or my intentions. I figured I’d try and challenge myself to do something a little different in terms of format: a list of stuff that’s jostling about in my head, in no particular order, without much explanation, a couple of sentences max for each. Just some stuff. Feels like it should be bullet points, but I’ll try without.

Caved in and bought AirPods, given how much I spent these last years replacing the EarPods I keep breaking because they catch on stuff or I drop my phone. Unintended side-effect: I’m watching more videos on my phone.

Julius has been regressing a little lately, more scared of me and people, scared of coming upstairs. Maybe it’s because I spent a few weeks putting medications in him.

I’m finally figuring out the point of hierarchical keywords in Lightroom. And toying with AnyVision to finally get my 150k+ photos more or less organised (motivation: tagging my cats and my orchids).

I now I have 41 orchids and an outbreak of thrips. Treat every 5-7 days, repeat, repeat, repeat (they lay eggs and start developing inside the leaves).

Something is definitely off since my accident between eyes and inner ear, investigation on track, and moving around less (like being ill for a week) definitely has a positive impact.

The solution to bedtime procrastination should also be searched for in the morning, just like the solution to difficulties in picking up an interrupted task or project should also be addressed at the “stopping” stage.

I love my Multi Counter app. I use it to track symptoms, adherence to habits I’m trying to get into or stick to, life balance, daily energy use or recuperation.

Understanding that when habits or routines are interrupted, they’re not as easy to resume as “pick up where you left off”. You have to approach it as “rebuilding” (though it can of course be accelerated). Assume nothing. Unintended interruptions result in a shift in context. Context is key. Routines evolve.

Try out habits or routines first, start tracking later.

A light antihistamine treatment all year around is definitely doing wonders regarding how often I fall ill. Oh, and when ill, paying very close attention to my nose is the key to less coughing (rincing + nasal spray + anti-inflammatories: remaining decongested has other benefits than just comfort!)

Phalaenopsis leaf width can tell you if they’re getting enough light or not. Also, make sure decorative pots are wide enough that air can circulate freely.

I’ve finally figured out how to prevent my clean laundry from sitting in the basket until the next laundry day two weeks later: book an hour in the calendar on Thursday night to not only pick up the laundry but put it away.

Death by Powerpoint is still a thing. But I’m starting to love the exercise of extracting a key nugget people absolutely need to get and synthesising it into a very clear, easily understandable slide. Understanding a point in the context of a deep, intense conversation does not mean it will stick with you afterwards.

Purging suspended folders containing 20-year-old documents goes much faster and is much more satisfying than I expected.

Trying to figure out how to adapt making a fruit tart in the air fryer. Not quite there yet, though finishing off the last one in the pan to get the pastry nice and cooked was a good move.

I gave my orchids names and stuck them in a Google Sheet. Started tagging them by name in Lightroom and trying to track down individuals to figure out who is who and what their history is (none of them are in bloom right now, and what looks more like a Phalaenopsis than 20 other Phalaenopsis?)

I still haven’t scattered Oscar’s ashes. Or Erica’s for that matter. I feel bad about it, particularly Erica. He should be resting in his garden, not in a little box in my bookcase.

If you need a proper “blackout” eye mask where you can keep your eyes open as an alternative to palming, if your eyes need that kind of rest, check out the “BDSM accessories” section 🫣

Light Meter app allows you to measure luminosity (useful for plants). Probably not great for absolute measures, but useful to compare relative luminosity of different windows, and to see how it changes dramatically as soon as you back away from the window a little.

I’ve left PAI/LifeOS on the backburner and am back to “just using” normal Claude, and being much less ambitious in what I ask of it.

Water is the number one enemy of skin and nails, said my dermatologist. Washing my hands less (hello, disinfectant gel and nitrile gloves) has done wonders for my breaking nails.

Realising how key the Zeigarnik Effect is in so many aspect of my life that I struggle with. Looking at things through the lens of “open loops” is really changing how I manage certain issues. Amongst other things, I’m working on a “Loop Card” format (in Google Keep) that helps me stop and restart things.

The more time I spend doing a certain activity (caring for my orchids, watching a TV series, tidying, working, whatever) the more difficult it is to stop.

Invisible injury/disability is a bitch. People keep expecting you to do the “brain equivalent” of hobbling another 500m on crutches to the bench over there when the problem is you can’t walk another step and need a place to sit down “here”. Being accepting and actively supporting are not the same thing.

Discourse Workflows are a dream come true for an online community.

Yes Wil, let’s keep blogging. We can reboot the blogosphere, one post at a time.

Reading “Moral Luck” by Thomas Nagel when I was young had a strong impact on me. I’m reluctant to pass moral judgment on others and find the current propensity to label people as “bad” or “toxic” or whatever essentialising qualifier one favours abhorrent. I however don’t seem to be able to get rid of the nasty habit of judging others for “doing it wrong” or “being wrong”, particularly when they double down on it.

I haven’t been doing a good job of eating my veggies these last two weeks.

Books: making my way through the Ruth Galloway series. TV: Grey’s Anatomy, season 20. Podcasts: so many, but check out Cautionary Tales. Music: James Blunt, Robbie Williams, Suzane, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, Asaf Avidan, Myles Smith, Mika, Pomme. Recently discovered Control (Zoe Wees). YouTube musical reaction stuff: The Charismatic Voice, Wings of Pegasus, Justin Hawkins Rides Again. Puzzles: Rosina Wachtmeister and Demelsa Haughton (yikes, just realised I’ve been spelling her name wrong for years, “Damelsa” when it is “Demelsa” 😰 – no wonder I always had trouble looking her up). Guilty pleasure: Graham Norton Show shorts…