So I’m re-reading The Well of Ascension, slowly but surely, and I came across a funny tidbit somewhere in the early chapters in a conversation between Vin and Elend where she says Kelsier was ancient. Elend says 38 is not ancient, but Elend is only a couple of years older than Vin herself. Vin turned 17 in book 1.
And it struck me that I didn’t even think about this line when I read this book for the first time over ten years ago. But now I’m reading it at… 38. In fact, I turn 39 next month.
As I age and re-read books from my younger years, I realize that books are good or bad to the person I am while reading them. And that person is changing.
Vin would say this is ancient people's thoughts, and I own that. So let’s prove to her that even an ancient like me can still get shit done.
I Went to the Gym Despite My Millennial Aches
I spent this entire week with aches in my right foot. It’s like a pulled muscle right in the middle of my heel. So I skipped the gym most of the week. I assumed that doing deadlifts and squats while my foot hurts would just make it worse.
Today my foot felt better, so I figured it’s time to go. I also didn’t do my usual weights, so I didn't advance my PRs, but at least I’m not regressing.
In the same way I didn’t give up on my body, I also didn’t give up on my environment.
I Can See My Floor for the First Time in Months
For the longest time, I had a plastic box and some bags on my floor. Like constantly. These are items I procrastinated sorting. It was kind of embarrassing when, on one WFH day, I was double-checking that my Teams settings blurred my background. It was a genuine mess.
This week I cleared it all. I even got rid of a stack of drawers that I cleaned up months ago and had only a few items remaining. Now there’s only a small desk where my laptop rests. I may turn this into a writing desk or use it to film shorts.
And if we’re already talking about writing, let’s talk about some blog news.
I Gave the Blog a New Face and a Lead Magnet
One of the things I wanted to do for a while was to change how the blog looks. I know it’s probably the least useful investment of time because what brings people to my doorstep is the content, not how it looks. But it didn’t take much time to upload a new theme.
In addition, I finished writing a list of 10 foundational Science Fiction and Fantasy books that shaped my taste and will do the same for you. This will be given as a gift to anyone subscribing to my blog, and I’m also attaching it here for you. Enjoy and let me know what you think about it!
Thank You for Reading
This is all I have for you this Friday. Thanks for being with me on this journey and listening to me prove to Vin that old people are still useful. What have you been up to this week? Hit reply and let me know.
Thanks,
Oren
Here's the PDF:
