Vincent Ritter

Mojo JoJo

It’s rare, yet I hope it lasts, that I’ve been able to just concentrate on coding the past 2 days. It feels like I managed to work 5 days worth in just under 48 hours.

Holding onto this feeling even if I am running on 2 hours of sleep today.

Holding off on posting what I’ve shipped today, but real happy with the way it has gone, let's see if a few folks figure it out. Also, yes, some bugs on the way, which I hope are fixed now as there were some big changes across different projects — I like to get stuff out the door and test in production after all (😅).

Will I be able to keep the mojo for at least a week? I hope so.

I bought a 2-in-1 charger...

... and I really hated it.

For years now I’ve been relying on a cheap Qi based charger from IKEA. Nothing fancy. Just place your phone, or whatever, on top and it’ll do its thing.

For many years now I’ve been contemplating on getting one of those fancy Qi2 chargers that are magnetic (MagSafe), but could never make my mind up, nor justify the cost for a “posh” one.

So finally, after that 2 year thought process I ordered one two weeks ago.

It’s an Anker 2-in-1 stand, it was around $20, that will happily charge the phone on the stalk (so I could rotate it for that fancy thing iOS does — which actually doesn’t work so well on my 12 Mini) and also a small pad below for the AirPods case. As a bonus you can angle the phone too, so I could potentially rotate it to use the camera when calling clients.

Fantastic! One thing I always wanted because I would like to charge both, so they are ready when I need them, and not worry about my AirPods case dying (had it many times).

Day one was getting used to it, sitting next to me on my desk... looking at me. The next day, the same... looking at me. Phone charging nicely, no drama. Sitting there. Screen is nice and clean, because I can’t stand smudges. AirPods charging as they should too.

But the problem for me was... that damn phone screen... the blackness... staring right at me. Even when I am walking around the room. LOOK AT ME! LOOK!

Day 4... 5 & 6. No, I can’t do it anymore. Just no. Complete dread over having to have this thing on my desk now.

If we had an entrance hallway with a power socket I would have moved it there so I could just grab the phone as I was heading out — but nope. But having that screen point into the room would put me off anyway.

Thankfully I had to move my desk the other day, so I looked for an optimal position and make it work.

It now sits behind me screen, slightly angled, so that I can quickly get to the AirPods case underneath the screen, and just have to reach behind and get the phone. Because it’s magnetic I don’t even worry about dropping the thing.

I vastly prefer this set up... and no polished screen reflecting back at me like some black abyss.

Signature

One thing that always gets me is my signature. It’s never the same. I’ve never really tried to create a unique style either.

When I got my new passport I decided to wait a little bit before signing it, until I got a little stressed for not having done it.

I got my nice pen ready, went and practiced in my notepad. It felt great. All trial runs looking the same. For once I was happy with what I created, and could recreate.

So I decided there and then, after 6 goes, to sign my passport.

I fucked it up at the first stroke. No resemblance to what I practiced.

Probably because I didn’t move my notebook during the trial run. Same context window.

Oh well. See you again in 10 years. Maybe one day I’ll get it right... although I kinda like that it’s always different depending on the day.

Waiting

It’s Monday, plans are plenty, sent some invoices out to start the day.

I opened my code editor, did a small change. Phone call, the security guys are coming to replace something on the alarm system.

Gotta move the desk, prepare things.

They’re here now, but there is a snag. Taking longer than expected.

My energy levels are good, but my motivation is out the window.

I’m waiting, fully knowing that in an hour I have to leave and pick up the kiddo at school.

What’s the point.

Will I return to work today?

Now I’m just waiting.

The Fantasy Tree

Today I was asked to "rewrite" a story for our kid. It was a combined effort with a friend when they were in school. They only wrote a few sentences and called it a day. Sigh. So based on that, I wrote them another based on theirs. I first wrote it out on my computer and when I was happy, wrote it on a piece of paper for her — my hand hurts from that exercise (which is a sign I should write more long form using my hand). My wife prefers pen and paper 100% of the time. My kid goes to a mostly English speaking school here in Poland so it was great to come up with a story for her. Even if it's basic.

Ultimately she didn't use the story except one sentence here and there after it became clear she wanted to keep the original text without too much change. Sigh. I helped with some grammar on others that she kept, so the sentences flowed a little more and got rid of some obvious small mistakes. She did actually already make it look nice with pictures of the tree and rainbows.

Later she came to me and told me she really liked the story I wrote and that she will put it in a little book to read again on days. I told her that maybe she can take a paragraph from the story and write more about it, make a little book. She had a fantastic smile on her face. Her mind in overdrive. Made my day.

They named the story "The Fantasy Tree" and this is what I wrote (and yes, I had to include some specific details like horses, names, locations and what-not 😅):

— — —

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Robin who lived in a magical land with his dad. One day his dad said “There is a myth of a magical tree, The Fantasy Tree. Bring it to me.”

Robin, without much thought, wanting to prove to his dad how much he’d grown said “ok” and gathered his things for the journey ahead.

It took many moons, following old trails and signs, with no clear path. On the way, Robin encountered a giant blue dragon that lay destruction across its path. With all his might he fought it but he was too weak and scared, so Robin ran away.

Robin was in dismay and fell asleep with his back to a tree.

The next morning he awoke, the sun in his eyes, a nice breeze. A flower fell onto his lap that seemed magical. Glowing, vibrant in colour, and full of life. He knew he found the Fantasy Tree.

The tree felt alive, swaying and humming in the wind. Robin could not bring himself to chop down the tree. It felt wrong. He carefully picked some flowers, and took them back to his dad, looking after them as best he could.

His dad was so happy to see Robin and hearing his story. His dad was a scientist and decided to make a potion from the flowers that he brought back. “Go and spray the potion into the air” he said. So Robin did.

The sky turned colourful, vibrant and brilliant. Bridges of rainbows lay across the land. Many beautiful horses and other animals as far and wide as the eye could see came flocking in. It was a pure magical sight to see.

Robin had all the powers of the world now, bringing joy and light everywhere he went.

The end.