mcclellangg.com

Update May 2026

May 30, 2026

Another month. Ouch but calm

Overview

I opened last month's update with:

"The world is speeding up, and all I want is to slow down"

I broke my foot midway through this month. So things slowed down, just like I asked. Life is funny like that. The Alan Watts story about the old farmer has been on my mind this month.

Was breaking my foot bad? ... "Maybe"

Aside from that I did a lot of fun things:

  • Fan Art Walk
  • Shut Up and Art
  • Volunteer for DCR
  • COMPLETED our raised beds project, just BARELY!

Drawabox basics completed

I took a break from programming, in order to focus on drawing. I was DETERMINED to finish the core Drawabox lessons. After 10 years, I finally did it! The completion of Lesson 2 marks the end of the 'basics' section.

I ought to revisit and do an in-depth write up on that journey, since there is a minor story there.

Programming

It's a challenge to improve multiple interests simultaneously (and perhaps not realistic or advisable). Daring to commit, is fantastic advice. In the coming month I'm going to commit to programming.

I've been exploring neovim and experiencing the joys of modal editing! I LOVE it! It's allowed me to reconnect with my passion for programming. In previous months programming, code, and "tech" have brought me more anguish than joy. So I'm glad to start something fun and reclaim it!

ShadowDark

Speaking of committing, part of choosing some things means letting others go.

I haven't said it out loud but I think my ShadowDark campaign is at an end for now. Fuck I love DMing but running a game is a lot of work. It also makes me a bit sad that to my players it's likely just "another game". I suspect they would be happy to show up and just hang and play any old board game. Which is fine.

I would just really love to meet other people, or play with people who are Interested. I love my current players, and am grateful to have them at my table and in my life. I just can't help but wonder what else is out there.

Few things in life make me happier than an AWESOME session. It would be incredible to play with people who are capable of experiencing that level of joy for the game.

One day we will return, but until then, a break is due. To paraphrase Matt Colville "Once you get into TTRPGS you have a hobby for life".

Perhaps I'll open source my campaign notes.

Pacing

I also acknowledge that I have a problem with pacing myself. I've always known this, and it has been a lifelong battle of sorts.

After I broke my foot, 2 unexpected emotions invaded me. Calm and Relief. I genuinely can't recall the last time I felt so at ease. Which seems weird, but this tells me something important.

Even though my life is "easier" right now (My gig is part time, which gives me unusual control over my time, for which I am grateful), I STILL over book myself, and get into overwhelm. Mostly without even realizing it.

I need to figure out how to live at a pace that works for me.

Like REALLY slow down, and focus on myself.

A good start is doing periodic check-ins throughout the day. I've had a long standing practice of meditating daily, but I think that habit needs to take a different form more suited to my mode of being.

What if I changed my blurb to "A life of Practice, Projects, and Play"? Maybe you can tell that I have a thing for alliteration.

Anyways, happy end of May, and here comes June!

Content

Movies

  • Aliens (fuck I love this movie)
  • The Killer (GREAT recommendation from my friend)
  • Dirty Grandpa
  • Caught Stealing
  • Bugonia (Zeitgeist)
  • The Thing

Books

  • Unmasking Autism
  • Animorphs n33, n34
  • Maus I: My Father Bleeds History
  • Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began
  • House of Chains
  • Sensory: Life on the Spectrum (AWESOME comic Anthology)
  • Wizzywig: Portrait of a Serial Hacker

Blogs

TV

  • Watching ... Euphoria S3 (Why do I watch this show? I can't stand it ...)
  • Skins S1 E1 to E4

Gaming

  • Portal
  • Project Zomboid

Music

  • Mitch Murder, Anti Gravity Tournament

Articles

Blog Updates

  • Removed Posthog tracker script (I never use this and don't know if I care to, so why collect and enable it)
  • Added some quotes

Stats

  • Ran 14 miles (Goodbye for now my friend)