Today is the 98th anniversary of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine disappearing into the clouds and writing a giant question mark into the history books. I’ve been reading a lot about Everest, as I mentioned in my last letter - and today was no different. I watched “The Epic of Everest”, a film that was shot during the 1924 expedition. Then I spent some time reading The Wildest Dream and a bit of Fearless on Everest. I also ripped through the book I mentioned the other day (The Third Pole) and I have some thoughts. For now, I want to let them sit so I can process them.
For the record - yeah, I think they could have made it. Why not?
In the same boat as “I need to process that” is the lab coaltion work, which is effectively distracting me with phone calls that puncture my concentration - but it doesn’t pay. I had a great conversation with a person at The Nelac Institute - they are the ones that create the standards (they’re often abbreviated TNI).
Well, someone had told me that ‘maybe Oregon’s accredidation for certification of labs could be taken’ and after talking to Paul I know that idea is utter nonsense. I did get to make a rather esoteric joke, and Paul even had to ‘give it to me, there was no argument.’ It ends up the TNI standard doesn’t have a way of being protective against ‘bad actors,’ so I likened it to the US Government.
Over the next couple of days on my Medium account I’m going to publish some in-depth reviews of vaporizers, and at some point I’ll talk about the High Priestess card. It’s high time (ha) I talk about one of the most influential tarot cards in my life. I’m also going to write an article about How Labs Cheat. That should be a fun one. I’ve listed out the eight ways I know to the labs - and have asked them to put their black hats on and help me.
To make my brain happy, I’ve been digging through Victorian magazines (mainly the Delineator) again, partially looking for some design ideas for a couple of things I want to make for myself.
I’ve been really craving one of these since I mainly stand around in my house all day.
Wrapper
I really want a wrapper, and seeing this line drawing really helped me to suss out some of the things I hadn’t QUITE figured out. I’m looking to make something a bit more dramatic.
Like this.
If you’re looking at that thinking ‘how do you even get into that thing, well…here.
But with less of a train because I am a clumsy sort.
So more realisitcally, this, shape-wise?
I might have to get some cheap-o velvet, or keep my eye peeled and hope for something great to roll up at the thrift store. I’ll figure it out. I’m sure I’ll end up wearing the hell out of the mock-up.
The Corselet Princess Costume
I’ve actually already made the skirt (somewhat) out of purple velvet with pretty much that exact burnout pattern. I found the velvet at a goodwill for $12. I love that skirt, and I often wear it with a corselet. Best part? Positively enormous pockets. It was from my ‘sew an outfit in a weekend’ outfit.
Proof.
I do want another corselet, as I find they help with my back (I sometimes wear them without a corset as well, so they can support me without all the corset of a corset).
I’m also really thinking about that solarpunk story and trying to flesh out characters in that world, because I could see it being episodic and long.
I’ve started to fiddle with words a bit more outside of my working day, which is nice. This includes reading a ton more - which is how I found out my Kindle broke. It never rains but it pours. Though I hate Amazon and I don’t have a regular Prime membership, the Kindle is a spectacular piece of technology. My last one lasted 9 years, so this time I ordered the Paperwhite for Kids — which got me a case, no ads, and the Kindle for a reasonable price.
I’ve also invested in a Brooklyn Public Library Card and have immediately started to devour books again. I also see they have a course on entrepreneurship and other business type things, which I badly need right now.
That’s my world.
How’s yours?