Bird Mail 033
Hello from the scorching heat of a Texas summer. It seems that we have gone from what felt like the first real spring I've lived through in Texas to the hundreds rather quickly. Hopefully it's cooler where some of you are. This week's issue is mostly about a weird skill I've honed over time, plus some fun science to explore.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by these messages in your inbox, you can fly away at any time. The collection of internet ephemera that is Bird Mail will continue to grow here, and you can always return. I will welcome you back to the club with open wings...er...arms.
Something Sketchy
I have been taking school and work notes in the form of sketchnotes for years. Meeting became more dynamic and memorable—and it was much easier to stay awake and engaged in the longer ones—when I turned the words and slides into icons, calligraphy, and sketches. Recently, my job has allowed me to take this skill that has been largely private, and confined to the notebooks on my lap and shelves, and turn it into something more. I've been able to expand beyond the bounds of my Sales Engineering role to work with the marketing team on some fun videos that use Clari's new approach to events from quarantine to share tips in a visual way. It has been a ton of fun turning the living room into a studio and breaking out the paint pens and marker paper. Navy Bean has even been roped into the project, but don't tell her that she's a star!
If you want to try some sketchnoting, incorporating some sketches into a journal entry can be a great start. Itsuo Kobayashi has drawn and described every single one of his meals in beautiful, collaged detail for more than 32 years. I love the way the dishes are pasted over the descriptions so his full descriptions can be read without blocking any of the sketches of the food. This style of [[visual journaling]] is a beautiful way to remember not just meals but any experience you might want to apply it to.
You may have heard of the late Jason Polan's fantastical pursuit of journaling the lives of other people, __Every Person in New York__ , which attempted to capture the brief, often mundane, moments of people in NYC who rarely knew they were being drawn. I hope this project to turn his work into a book of postage stamps comes to fruition.
Speaking of postage...I have been writing more letters during the past two months. Early on in quarantine I burned out on scheduling and having Zoom happy hours after a full day of Zoom work meetings, so it should come as no surprise that I switched to a more analog form of communication. I have been writing letters and postcards to my friends near and far. If you'd like a message from me in your inbox IRL, reply to this digital message with your address and I will drop something in the mail for you.
Something Scientific
There is something rather visceral about the thud of this very heavy cube being dropped from three stories up. You can skip to about 1:28 into the video to skip the add. If you, too, want your own very heavy cube, the crew at Midwest Tungsten Service will sell you one with Prime shipping!
If after that, you're looking for some slightly more serious science, check out these trash can springtails.
Be active. Be safe. Be well.
Your friend,
Bruce
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