A Personal Computer

This may seem silly.

I spent $300 on a personal laptop. I have a work laptop I've also used for home, but I've found myself avoiding it so as to get away from work. That's kept me from personal correspondence and writing, two big losses.

There's a Framework laptop I love, but it costs $1,500. I can't get behind that.

I watched this Becca Farsace video in which she suggests buying refurbished, a good frugal idea. I found a ThinkPad T14 on Back Market, a writing machine with a great keyboard. So far, I'm with Becca.

I wiped Windows and installed Linux, so the machine can go on pretty much indefinitely. Linux is more fun and is a small barrier to doing office work on it. I could do office work, but Linux is a good reminder not to. It makes it inconvenient.

Running Linux when almost everyone is running Windows or Mac OS is the definition of inconvenience. It's choosing not to go with the current. And that, my friends, is a good way to go.

So too is getting back to writing and being frugal about it.

How To Start Running

I opened the browser and navigated to Runner's World for running inspiration. Yesterday, I did a few treadmill miles and felt good. To keep that going, I wanted a bit of inspiration, but the headlines didn't do much for me. I know this stuff. So, why not write it myself? I stole a title: "How to Start Running." Now I can talk to myself, and maybe you, about it.

Start running by going for a run. We know how. I've run and so have you. As children, we ran to explore ourselves and the world. As adults, we've run to catch a train or elevator, to keep a child from danger, and a hundred other things. We know how to run.

I'm dressed in shorts and t-shirt. My socks are on the desk, shoes are downstairs. In half an hour, my wife, daughters, and I will go to the gym. I'll climb on a treadmill and push start. Dress for running and take the first step. Easy.

An advertisement from years ago showed a comfy couch over which hung the word "DEATH." Start running by getting off the couch which may be a couch, the television, phone, computer, work, alcohol, snacks, or our whole culture of convenience. Get up to start running.

Don't start running to lose weight, look sexy, because a doctor says so, or to get faster. Start running because it is joyous.

Start running by saying, "I've never regretted having gone for a run."

Start running by saying, "I'm just going outside or to the gym, no obligation, no expectations."

Start running by feeling your feet carrying you, your lungs powering you, your brain telling you to stop but you saying, "nah, I'll run one more step."

That's how to start running. Let's go.

Bookstores, Not Amazon

I haven't bought a book from Amazon in a couple years. Long ago, I was so excited that Amazon had pretty much any book I might want. My excitement gave way as bookstores closed. Turns out, hunting for books is more enjoyable than having them all at my fingertips.

I don't buy much of anything from Amazon. Its founder is repugnant, its business model is odious, and its part of a poisonous tech culture. In 2025, I made three Amazon purchases. I plan on never going back.

Last month, we switched from a decades-old Amazon credit card to one unaffiliated with Amazon that provides better benefits.

Amazon's cool Rivian trucks still deliver daily in our neighborhood, but not at our house.

The last book I bought was used. I buy new books by authors I love, getting them locally at independent shops and Barnes & Noble.

Long ago, Amazon was focused on being the best bookstore. Now, they're concerned more with licking the fascist dictator's boots, producing puff pieces about the dicatator's third wife.

I don't want to associate with that. I'll shop elsewhere.

Redemption

I read a New York Times piece about Marjorie Taylor Greene. Robert Draper's' thoughtful piece about her comes after months of coverage, coming to know her, earning her trust, and going beyond headlines and bombast.

The piece moved me.

I may be naive thinking MTG has changed her tune. Even if she has, she still says hateful things. Her history is a strong indictment. I don't typically get past my impressions of someone who has done so much harm.

But Draper's piece has me rethinking MTG and my reactions to such people.

It helps that she has turned away from the orange maggot. She's now facing his wrath and that of his minions. She has received death threats against herself and her family. There's no place for that. The maggot could put stop these things, but he enjoys his vendettas.

He's tougher to forgive, but I find myself pitying someone incapable of feeling love or joy.

None of which excuses a fascist destruction of our fundamental beliefs.

And here's where MTG and I agree. She knows the maggot has no care or love for those who voted for him, hates and fears those who voted against him, and will do anything to stay in power after this second term.

She sees the threat to democracy. And if she's coming late to that party, should I really lock the door and tell her to go away?

Not when I've been hoping for the maggot minions to come to their senses. If I don't accept MTG and those who have come to know better, how do things get better?

Lines from Chris Thile's "I Made this for You" applies:

As we leave the front pages in bed With the war raging on in our heads I could write a swath of humanity off 'cause of something that I just read But I don't want to fight fire with fire And I don't want to preach to the choir Giving just as much hell as I get To people I'd probably like if I met

So whether these days leave you laughing or crying If you're doing your best to be kind This land is as much yours as mine As god is my witness

Draper has helped me to be less likely to write MTG off. I'm grateful. He has provided me with grace. Nothing less than grace. And for my money, there's no more powerful force than grace, the light of which chases away darkness, fear, and even hate.