Three neat things, getting organized (or not), news, cartoons and more

October 4, 2020

In This Issue:

• Three Neat Things

• Getting Organized (or Not)

• Quick Announcements

• Top Cartoons  

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been doing a lot of this:

If you’re doing that too, just know you’re not alone.
 
But let’s take a break from all the news, shall we? Instead, I turn your attention to some neat things, a quick look at not getting organized, and some cartoons. Let’s dive in!

Three Neat Things

1. We bought some blue-light glasses, which are supposed to make it easier on your eyes when you’re staring at a computer all day. I tried them out, and I like them! I think they're worth checking out. 

If you’re like me and you already wear glasses, it’s fun and fashionable to wear the blue-light glasses OVER your regular glasses.

And if you want to work outside, simply layer some sunglasses over all of that.

It's a look that says, "I'm serious about my eyesight, my screen exposure AND my sun exposure." You can't go wrong with this. 

2. There's an app called Seek that helps you identify the plants and animals around you. (Thank you to Jane Friedman’s newsletter for introducing me to it.)
 
You scan the item in question using your phone camera and the app will give you information. It also shows you lists of common insects, birds, plants, amphibians, and more in your area.
 
I just started using it, and it’s fun! When I was trying it out for the first time, I learned that the animal who lives in our house is a “Domestic Dog.” Good to know.

3. This "Tiny Desk Concert" video is fantastic! It features BTS, the famous South Korean boy band. These guys weren't really on my radar until I saw this. The first song they perform, Dynamite, is so good, SO catchy. In my opinion. See what you think!

Getting Organized (or Not)

Maybe some of you have heard of bullet journaling?
 
It’s a notebook-organization system, and it’s beautiful to look at. My daughter Kate discovered it recently, and she's creating very cool journal pages to track things, organize her life, plan for the future and more. Behold:

Watching her work on this, I couldn't help but recall my own foray into bullet journaling. A couple years ago, I bought a nice journal, opened it to page one, and made a key for symbols I would be using throughout the journal.

But even as I was writing that key, part of me knew that maintaining this level of organization was an outrageous expectation. Which is why I added a little note and drawing in the corner.

LOL indeed. I could barely create ONE nice page.

I drew a calendar, and tried to make one page. But less than 30 minutes into bullet journaling, my bullet journaling days were over. I simply could not make my pen create cute, organized little images and words. 

I came to terms with reality. My method for capturing ideas does not involve an eye-pleasing chart. It involves me vigorously scribbling all over a blank page. Or, worse, jotting things down on random pieces of paper, then misplacing those pieces of paper.

I've transitioned my haphazard processes into the digital world. Now I use apps like Things and Evernote, and I also email myself, take screenshots of things, and create weird reminders that don’t make any sense when they pop up.

If I’m looking for information, I have about 20 places I have to check. It’s like a scavenger hunt from hell.

But I've decided I'm OK with that. Getting über organized just isn't in my nature. Maybe some of you are the same way? If you were unorganized but then became extremely organized, let me know about it. 

Also, if you’re into bullet journaling, reply and let me know! Kate is looking for good resources and inspiration.

In the meantime, I’ll go back to my "organization" processes, such as they are...

Quick Announcements

• I posted a new Hedger Corp story in September.

• I’m going to be opening up an online store with a few products! I’ll send you an email when it’s ready.

• If you’re in the mood to laugh about remote learning, check out this Parents.com article, this HuffPost article and this BuzzFeed article, all of which feature some of my cartoons!

• Coming in the next issue of this newsletter: My holiday gift guide! Watch for it on Sunday, October 25.

Most Popular Cartoons

You can find my cartoons on Instagram, Facebook, and on my website. So follow along!

The following two school-related cartoons were the most popular in the past month, and I'm sure that's because they were featured in the articles I mentioned above.  

Kate's art teacher actually shared that cartoon above with his class, not realizing one of his students was related to the artist!

Here's the other school-related one... 

The following videoconference cartoon was also popular, although some people misread the name "Brian" to be the word "brain" and thought I was creating some sort of deep metaphor about talking to yourself. Anyway, it was meant to be a person -- BRIAN -- who had some technical problems... 

And then this non-Zoom-related cartoon was also popular. 

That's one thing I can say with 100% certainty: Claire definitely keeps things interesting around here. 

OK, I'll see you next month with some holiday gifts ideas and other fun! Hang in there, everyone! 

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