This time I’m writing at home from my phone and the portable keyboard I bought for my walks, and which I never used because it was too heavy. It works well for typing on my phone. I leave my laptop at work because carrying your laptop to and from work will increase the likelihood of theft, loss or damage. Also because I’m lazy.
I complain about not having enough time to register and reflect upon experience, yet I sit down not knowing what to write. When I come back to read what I have written, I sometimes appreciate little hints about what I did, even if it’s not as a journal entry. So this is what I will do.
On Friday I went to two consecutive yoga classes. The first one was an intense pilates session, the second a really intense rocket yoga session. In the final session I really gave it all. I enjoy taking my body to the limit. I’ve let my body hair grow out like a wild man and I’m gaining weight at an alarming rate. I think having a girlfriend now make me less concerned about my appearance. It should be the other way around.
After yoga I came back home and did my chores (prepare myself dinner and did the laundry).
On Saturday I went to Sam’s country house. Sam is the CTO of the start-up I work for, and he’s also a friend. Sam’s wife took me there. On our way there we talked about the perceived rudeness of Spaniards (she’s also Mexican), the difficulties getting a driver’s license here, and the difficulties of relationships.
I met Sam’s brother, Dave. He’s a really chill guy who is also a yoga practitioner. Sam prepared a really tasty BBQ (as always), his brother lentils and mushrooms (also delicious), I prepared a guacamole (decent enough). We had a great feast and I ate like a madman.
After lunch we dismounted the pool between the three guys. It wasn’t a trivial task, especially after such a feast.
At 7pm I asked to be taken to the bus stop so that I could meet with my girlfriend back in Madrid. I texted her that I was on my way, and she texted back kinda dryly. I wondered if she was mad.
We’re just starting to go out, so I don’t know how to read some of our interactions. When I arrived I was welcomed not only with affection, but a generous portion of salmon, veggies and wine. I understood she can be dry over text messages and not to make any assumptions over it.
On Sunday we woke up late. She wanted to prepare Peruvian ceviche, so we spent most of the day cooking. I read her some of h0p3’s writing prompts to get to know her better. From the top of my mind I remember I asked her:
- What is the first vacation that you remember?
- If you had to write a book, would it be fiction or non-fiction?
- Did you consider any other career than what you are doing now?
- Have you improved the life of anybody around you? [she said “I don’t think I’ve improved anybody’s life”—I countered “you’re nuts, what about me?”, she’s the kind of person who gives without taking notice].
At night we attended a presentation by Christina, a friend that we have in common. He’s an economist (of the libertarian school, by the book though he vehemently claims not to be an ideologue). The presentation was about Bayesian reasoning. He’s a really smart guy and I was surprised this was something new to him, though seeing him explain it made it clear that I only had the vaguest idea of how it worked. He’s the kind of guy who—like Feynman, likes to understand things from the ground up and explaining things to others is his own way of learning. God bless his soul (though he would balk at these words).
At work I’m gaining speed and understanding. I’m starting to concentrate longer, and liking Figma a bit more. I wish I were more opinionated, I see I want to please my superiors instead of pushing for what is right. My superiors also want this from me, and often say out loud that “I can and should push back”. As I understand the problem better, I feel more confident asking good questions and eventually I’ll push for a vision which delivers the best product possible given our constraints (we are a tiny team looking to solve a big problem).
No relapses with weed or great desires for smoking. Still, I feel I should finish the 12 steps. I’ll get back to it soon. Now that I don’t smoke I drink more. Nothing worrying, just noting the fact. Whereas in Barcelona I would rarely drink, now I’m drinking every day. Whatever. Alcohol is the working man’s drug. So be it.