Jots
This is just general observations, essays, scraps of stories, photos.
Billionaires vs Average American Family
February 8th, 2026 — An animated graph comparing the average American family's net worth to Billionaires. Rendered as a murmur of starlings.
WTF is up with the images, Bill?
May 16th, 2025 — Crap stock photos and Midjourney images devalue thoughtful use of editorial image. In protest, mine are utterly random.
Surrealism turns 100 today
October 14th, 2024 — Surrealism turns 100 today. Welcome to the Miasma.
A designer’s take on GenAI
September 7th, 2024 — I don't consider this art, and I don't consider this non-art, but more of a 'confection'.
On Calm Computing
February 18th, 2024 — More and more people want flow, they want control over their computing. They want calm computing.
Website publishing as external thought
January 13th, 2024 — I confused "I have valuable thoughts" with "I need to publish valuable thoughts for others".
On Quiet Productivity
January 2nd, 2024 — Quiet Productivity requires several things to be in place before it can succeed
Siri knows
September 9th, 2023 — Siri knows who to suck up to. Siri knows a badass when she sees one.
The bench, again
July 9th, 2023 — Ten years later, Teta Maria’s bench.
On bears and old designers
April 19th, 2023 — I can’t stop making pages like the Clarks Trained Bears can’t stop performing, even in winter.
Statement on Generative AI
September 20th, 2022
I’m thinking...
June 8th, 2022 — I'm thinking about the individual as a brand and how toxic it is to free thought and exploration.
Making walnut bitters
June 2nd, 2021 — I’m making walnut bitters
Making Tabasco barbecue rub
May 8th, 2021 — Today, I’m making barbecue rub.
I gave my mom her voice back
May 4th, 2021 — When my mom was dying, I used my design skills to help her communicate in her final days.
Drydocked boat, Iceland
May 1st, 2021 — Here’s a great old boat we found while walking to get groceries in Reykjavik.
On chocolate crystallization
April 13th, 2021 — Chocolatiering is all about learning to manipulate crystalization, liquids and fats.
Hepcat Willy’s Fave Rave!
February 15th, 2021 — Long time ago, I hosted a few music sites.
What is the web like without the web?
January 8th, 2021 — What is the web like without the web?
The Exakta VX1000
March 19th, 2020
Making Spruce Syrup
March 18th, 2020 — I'm making spruce syrup. I was foraging in our nearby Benedictine monastery gardens
Annual rituals: reflecting on a new year
January 9th, 2020 — Someone asked about my simplicity hacks. Here’s my advice.
Real eggs
May 9th, 2019 — Forget the frigid bland orbs scrubbed of all personality found in your grocery store. Here’s what eggs are supposed to look like.
So long, Wendel
May 4th, 2019 — Terry’s Eulogy
Restoring an advocate briefcase
March 9th, 2019 — All this really needed was a good cleaning, buffing and few new coats of conditioner and polish.
Ruthie writes a check
May 1st, 2018 — Ruthie somehow got ahold of Grandmama's checkbook and wrote checks to Mary and Frank.
Afternoon in Pesaro
May 22nd, 2017 — An afternoon in Pesaro
Restoring a burl attaché
May 16th, 2017 — A few years ago, I came across an Italian wood attaché case
Mr. Splashypants meets the Fiesta
May 9th, 2017 — That’s my boat.
A bench in the village
May 9th, 2013
A garage door in Kolín
July 2nd, 1992 — Photo of a garage door in Kolín CZ