Adrian’s Microblog

“Festina Lente” // “Make Haste Slowly”

An old Latin phrase I heard on a podcast at some point last year* - it keeps coming back to me.

Part is that, it’s good to remember that the end is not as far off as it may seem. Part is that, good things take time, they happen bit by bit, there’s a cumulative effect. Some things that count cannot be done in a ‘sitting’, or even a decade. If you do not string together, you’ll not have accomplished anything of length.

And so there’s an immediacy, a pressure to do something now. While there’s also a patience and a plodding, one step, then the next. But most of all, there’s a need to be moving in the same direction, lest, after countless steps, one has not yet left the room.

(*”OptimalWork” podcast)

Apparently ChatGPT added a “Projects” feature, a way to house and interact with related data and even define constraints for that Project.

Continuing to explore this brave new world.

Baltimore Sun 48-year columnist submitted his final column yesterday, Sunday, January 12.

I’ve always appreciated his take on things, even if I didn’t always arrive at the same conclusions. You can tell he loves his town, tells the story of the everyman, and was always looking for ways to help encourage the positive.

Although I’ve only been a follower for the last 6-7 years, thank you for your unique personality and perspective that you brought into the paper each day - You’ll be missed.

(The Editor-in-Chief’s salute.)

There’s just something about a winterscape - it’s stark and bleak, but somehow also pregnant with a life of its own.

Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal

The best oatmeal you ever will have - Gentle on the stomach, smooth taste, pairs well with a cold morning (and honey stirred in). 🍯👍🏼

It seems we’re at that special time of year: the baseball solstice ⚾️☀️ —> Half-way between the last pitch of the Fall Classic and the first pitch of Spring Training.*

(*Note: I have not verified the math, but seems about right.) ;)

From this year’s Christmas haul:

  • “The Good, the Dad, & the Punny” by Logan Lisle of Dock Tok fame

  • A Teflon “bone folder” from the folks at Dry.Inc

  • MLB.tv subscription for next year ⚾️

😀

Merry Christmastide to all! - Let’s keep the celebration going all 12 Days! 👶🏽🌟🎄

“Who are you when you do not exist?

“… When the question presents itself as an alien chill, it is saying something important: it is an accusation. It is telling me I am too concerned with trivialities. That life is losing itself in trifles which cannot bear inspection in the face of death. That I am evading my chief responsibility. That I must begin to face the deepest of all decisions — the “answer of death” — the acceptance of the death sentence – and with joy, because of the victory of Christ.

—Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander

Not the news wanted for this area:

Landlord drop investment in Montgomery and Prince Georges County as new rent control laws take effect

‘An 80% drop in multifamily transactions in these counties, while investment in northern Virginia up 155%’ … Remains to be seen how permanent or temporary, but clearly a shift.

Insurance and Taxes Now Cost More Than Mortgages for Many Homeowners

In September, 32% of the average single-family mortgage payment went to property taxes and home insurance,

Kirby Ferguson’s (of Everything is a Remix fame) list of apps he uses, a.k.a. “Tools of the Trade 2025”

Includes things like free video editors, notation app, affordable image editors, favorite niche browser, YouTube video downloader, and more.

If you’re looking to do something you can’t do now, this can be a good place to check. :)