Nalin Ratnayake @quantumcowboy@wandering.shop

I’m so grateful for #friends who push me to go beyond my previous limits. Yes that’s two runs you see there. Not only was the first run about double what I’ve ever run before in one contiguous segment, but they were like, hey what’s one more mile? Oh yeah, and it was all on trail terrain, never done that before. (I’m going to hurt tomorrow.) #ragnar #running #training

I’m wearing this hoodie on a Sunday morning, and a woman asks me if it’s my church. I said no ma’am, it’s the brewery I regularly attend, similar concept and results you see. She was not amused. I lightly apologized, but the conversation went no further. Ah well.

The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) with Timeless | Meditation 
https://appsto.re/us/61cHgb.i

Actual politics in my state right now.

This struck a chord with me: https://bittersoutherner.com/from-the-southern-perspective/something-moves-chuck-reece

"I also find it in moments with brand-new acquaintances, when I discover I’ve met someone who takes joy in things that bring me joy, too. And those evenings on the couch with your family, munching popcorn and watching the tube, that something is swirling all around you.

You can’t see it, but you know it’s there."

Just passed 10,000 words on the novel in progress! Sláinte. Onward. #amwriting

Currently 3,755 words behind target on the novel in progress.... Work week over, laundry done, belly full, and Cab Sauv opened. Let's get this done, Friday night. #amwriting

This might be crazy but I think I'm actually going to do the Ragnar Carolinas Trail run. https://www.runragnar.com/event-detail/trail/carolinas_sc#overview | A friend of mine is putting a team together... I looked at the training plan and it feels like it's in that sweet spot of definitely well beyond anything I've done before, but not so much that I might die.

So my friend has a very long table in a large but cozy room next to a fireplace in his house. Somehow, it has taken us this long to insist that he host a Viking themed party in his Great Hall. Here was my contribution to the “Balla in Valhalla”. Smoked trout, roasted vegetables, and Scandinavian mead!

I just discovered the Bitter Southerner today and find this really intriguing.

"For five years, The Bitter Southerner has covered the culture of the South — outside the lines of Southern stereotypes.

Now, The Bitter Southerner Podcast brings you these stories for your ears and not just your eyes: stories about people and organizations that who don’t fit the stereotypes, who are pushing the South into a forward-looking and better direction."

https://bittersoutherner.com/we-are-bitter/

The Absolute works with nothing.
The workshop, the materials
are what does not exist.

Try and be a sheet of paper with nothing on it.
Be a spot of ground where nothing is growing,
where something might be planted,
a seed, possibly, from the Absolute.

—Rumi, from The Fragile Vial

#poetry #philosophy

I made it into my first fiction studio! Blog post here: https://www.naratnayake.com/2019/01/writing-studio/

Work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger to the seasons, and to step out of life's procession, that marches in majesty and proud submission toward the infinite. (Kahlil Gibran) with Timeless | Meditation 
https://appsto.re/us/61cHgb.i

I really do love living here. But sometimes...

“a report from NASA’s Johnson Space Center that custodial services have been canceled for employees working without pay to keep the International Space Station running, and they’ve been asked to volunteer to clean bathrooms themselves.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/competing-plans-to-reopen-government-fall-short-in-senate/2019/01/24/76eb80b4-1fef-11e9-a759-2b8541bbbe20_story.html?utm_term=.bdf89183950a

So, the other nice thing about the Ubuntu Studio desktop that I recently set up in my den is that the internet is easily and physically removeable. Sure, I can just plug it back in, but going to another room and physically reattaching some hardware is a lot higher bar than sneaking a browser window or "just checking" a toot or email. Catch you later this evening, Shop. #amwriting

NASA Day of Remembrance postponed: http://spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=52173

"Unfortunately, most of our NASA family are on furlough and we recognize your participation in many of the Day of Remembrance activities would be a challenge. As a result, we have decided to delay our observance until we are all able to come together as a family to remember our fallen astronauts and those who have given their life in pursuit of exploration."