I run two newsletters. One is my personal one, which I hope you’re subscribing to if you enjoy these journal entries. It’s in English and very irregular. I’ve got an issue queued up though, if you’re interested. The other newsletter is in Swedish, and all about WordPress. It’s called WPSE, and today I’m sending the 79th issue.

WPSE is a weekly newsletter, and barring the occasional break over holidays and a sick day or two, it’s been chugging along steadily. There’s something to the narrative that a weekly newsletter builds up. I like it, it’s nice to know I’m sending a missive to hundreds of people each week, a majority will read at least some of it, and that’s a connection we have, those readers and I. It’s not that far from what blogs used to be, which – of course – is why we’ve seen such a resurgence in personal newsletters these days. Not that blogs are dead, that’s utter nonsense, but social media has messed up people’s idea of what goes where. Social media has, in many ways, become not only asocial, but impersonal, whereas a newsletter is almost as personal as a dedicated email. And email is of course the ultimate social network, thus we’ve come full circle.

We’re doing something really cool at Divide & Conquer, I can’t wait to show you. The project, or projects really, took a big step forward last night, so we’re getting there. Now we all just have to stay healthy, which isn’t going so well because it’s apparently Emma’s turn to be down with a fever. We’re not alone, suffering from flus and the like, all of Stockholm seems to be hit pretty hard this winter.

Very much related: Ginger tea.

Stay healthy out there.

All the snow that’s been blanketing Stockholm, and screwing with everybody’s inner city travel plans, is now turning into a brown and gray slush. It’s the worst part of winter, this muddy existence, and it would be the main reason for me to go live somewhere else during these dark months. The whole city looks sick to me, like it’s having a nasty cold, which is fitting since that’s the flavor of the month thus far.

I published an old short story last night, because someone asked me to on Twitter. While looking for the story, I found a handful of others that might interest some of you. I think I’ll put one in the next issue of my newsletter – how’s that for an incentive to subscribe, or quite possibly cancel your subscription if That Thing gave you nightmares?

I’ve been productive this morning, which is the first time in over a week I can claim such a thing. There are a lot of tangles to unravel after being sick for such an extended period of time, including – obviously – quite a few emails to answer. I’m happy to have such a great team at Divide & Conquer, stepping in for the urgent stuff during the past week, while doing their own work on top of that. I think that exemplifies a good workplace: You help each other out when needed. That is something we’ll have to do this February, it’s quite packed with work, especially the coming weeks. I’m not worried, assuming we get to be healthy.

Speaking of which, I’m not entirely well just yet. Going to take it somewhat easy today, probably working from home, I haven’t decided yet. Health above all else, right?

Okay, enough of this. Bring it, Monday!

Yesterday did a number on me, there’s no other way to put it. I couldn’t sleep, just so many thoughts and things to consider. In the end, I managed to immense myself in reading, and that’s what I did until sleep claimed me in the early hours. It’s hard to find balance in life sometimes, and now clearly is such a time. Thinking things over, and trying to remember – or perhaps figure out – what’s important is the only way forward, if you don’t want to be caught in dark thoughts. I foresee tough decisions ahead.

What a week. It hasn’t been kind to me, not one bit. I want a do-over, a refund, another chance at this. But hey, I finished this mammoth of a book, so there’s that.

It’s muddy and wet outside, slushed brown snow on the streets. I do not look forward to going for a walk with Paazu, but that I must since we have a bit of a logistic situation this weekend. The timing couldn’t have been worse, because I’m not nearly well enough to give him a proper walk. Shibas need exercise, and in my current condition a shower is taxing. Not much to do about it, and at least I’ll get some fresh air. Maybe that can help beat away this infernal cough.

I’m struggling to stay positive at the moment. It’s dangerous thing, that.

Well, my fever finally broke, so there’s that. Now, if all the other rubbish this illness is doing to me would sod off, I’d be a lot happier. Anyway, it’s a step in the right direction. At least my mind is susceptible to something resembling a string of thoughts now, which means I can at least read, headache permitting of course.

It could be worse, I could be outside. It’s snowing horisontally in Stockholm today. Come to think of it, I might prefer that, since I haven’t left my apartment in a week. Patience, it’s a virtue, right?

Yep, still sick. But hey, more pills to battle the fever – that’s something!

Watched the Ted Bundy Tapes documentary series (four episodes) on Netflix, since I’m still sick, and it’s not a documentary I recommend.

First of all, it’s that American documentary format where something that takes twenty minutes to say is drawn out to an hour. Second, there’s not that many tapes in there, the majority of the episodes are stock footage and interviews with the usual suspects, although it does tie up in the end – with other tapes. Third, if you want to see the trial, watch the trial (and skip episode 3). Fourth and finally, the way this documentary is wrapped up, in all its drawn out death penalty glory is disgusting, no matter the crime.

This is not entertainment, nor is it educational. This is a reason to cancel your Netflix subscription, which was my initial reaction after seeing this. They dropped the ball a bit with Making a Murderer, but this is beyond that. I hate the fact that my subscription fees are helping to fund this.

I’m still sick, with fever spikes. Those are all the words I’ve got for you today. You’ll have to come up with your own joke about how much a picture is worth, because at least I managed one of those.

I went to sleep with a light cough, but that escalated to fever and a shitty night overall. It’s the flu, pneumonia, or a particularly nasty cold, and I hate it. Seems like I was sick just recently, which – for me – is alarming, since I rarely get sick, and never for long. But today is a sick day, and so is tomorrow. Then we’ll see. I hope this week is treating you better, wherever you are.

I’ve been spending my morning reading, as I usually do on Sundays. Catching up on newspapers, saved articles (I use Pocket for this, usually reading on my iPhone XS Max, in case you were wondering), and the like. It’s a nice thing to look forward to, this reading session. Relaxing, rewarding, and less stressful in terms of fear of missing out. I recommend it, if not on Sunday mornings so at least a set weekly time for some quality catching up.

I’m already enjoying taking my camera everywhere. There’s nothing wrong with the camera in my iPhone XS Max – on the contrary, it’s great! – but my Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II is quite a different beast. The next iteration of this very site will definitely give room for my photography.

Good news and fun gigs for Divide & Conquer reached me last night. We’ve spent some time planning it this morning. Besides that, it’s an admin day, which I don’t mind. It’s good to clear things up, and get a proper grasp on things, especially after a week like this one. Lots on our plate in the studio, and then some if you add my writing engagements. It’s going to be a busy weekend.

A late night, and shitty sleep, that’s a recipe for a slow day if I ever saw one. I’ve mostly read and planned today, pushing more demanding things to this evening (that’s now, as I’m writing this), and to tomorrow. I did manage to pick up the last piece of crucial gear for my revamped daily setup, so there’ll be a post on that, and photos, in the coming weeks.

Here’s a photo of a spirit I sampled the other night, with a message any sound person can get behind.