What’s up, Hive? It’s been too long. My feed is telling me it’s been five months since my last post. In some ways, it’s felt longer. I’ve mentioned in many past blogs that when I have the space in my life to write for Hive, it typically means I’m in a stable place, mentally, emotionally and financially. The last four months or so have been a test. I’m sure most of you saw the news about the ICE surge here in the Twin Cities. Most of us here are still pretty traumatized but the military occupation that followed the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis; the ICE raids were worse! I’ve got a lot more to say […and post here on the subject] but to feel that I’m back on my feet already, it gives me confidence in my resilience. One more additional note, I’m making this return post at @caffetto!☕️
I’m off of all social media. That was a decision that was a long time coming. @customnature and I were talking about the addiction, the doomscrolling, the censorship, rage algorithm and amount of time we waste on apps run by the worst people on this planet. We went into a pact to deactivate our accounts then share our screen time usage at the end of each week. I’m so much happier. I feel like I’ve reclaimed a big part of my life and with that, so much time that was being lost each day. As a result, I’ve entered something of a creative renaissance finding my way back to 3D sculpting in ZBrush on the iPad. Zine and film creation with my friend Christine. We’re currently working on a documentary spanning the last two years of Palestine protest footage I’ve shot, not to mention everything I’ve covered during the Metro Surge ICE raids. One particularly deep rabbit hole I’m falling down is porting my own footage to a vintage black and white TV that will be filmed as part of the documentary. I just managed to do this with about four adapters I’ve accumulated over the past few weeks — but it looks great!
There are a lot of side- quests happening. I was recently called out for being ADHD […not arguing this but as of now, undiagnosed] because of my serial hobbies and special interests [too many to count]. I feel like I’m evolving in the things I’m already enthusiastic about. Foraging is something I’ve loved for years but lately, I’m learning how to cultivate and clone mushrooms. I’m attempting to inoculate bags of grain spawn and colonizing soaked cardboard in my own grow bags […this is yet to prove out but I’m becoming obsessed with the idea of growing oyster mushrooms from cardboard and coffee ground waste]. I’ve bought plug spawn and grow kits from NorthSpore that can be buried in a raise garden bed and was able to grow my first pink oyster and popular mushrooms. Above is a fermented shoyu sauce made from phaseant back mushrooms!
Sourdough has been another run away endeavor. I kind of think it’s a right of passage for guys in their forties, like an inevitability. I recently discovered that I have a mulberry tree growing in my backyard […not sure how it took me 15 years to figure this out, especially as a guy that forages in the woods on weekends]. I’ve been doing mulberry and lemon inclusions the last few loaves and it’s dreamy. I also baked two mulberry pies. All of these ventures have been filling the void of the wasted time on social media, but even more so, I’m retuning to a place where I enjoyed life and enjoyed getting lost in projects, hobbies and obsessions. I’d like to think of this return to Hive as an affirmation that I’ve stabilized. Hopefully returning to good habits, and just in time for a new version of Hive!
It's always good to see you here. I get it about social media, but Hive can be more focused as we don't have some algorithm pushing 'content' at us.
My early TV watching was on a little B&W set. You just don't see them much now.
Have fun with the foraging. We're getting a great raspberry crop in the garden this year so I am enjoying those. I pick blackberries when I find them.
I hope things can improve in the US. I wouldn't go there right now even though I have a lot of friends there and there are places I want to go. It's bad for a society to pick on minorities and blame them for everything.
Thanks, @steevc! Hive isn't included in my social media ban. The censorship and algorithms are what make me so deeply appreciative of Hive as the timeline becomes longer and longer. I'm obsessed with this TV! I love it so much!
I'm glad to hear you are doing well. I was just thinking of you the other day. I know what you mean about the older hobbies. I saw a shirt one time that said something about guys in their 40's really getting into world war II and smoking meat. I definitely fit the bill on the second part of that. I've actually been reading a lot more lately which I think is a good thing and it keeps me off traditional and social media more.
Hey, @bozz! Yeah, I'm doing pretty good. My brother fits that description perfectly. He does both. I went more the sourdough route but being vegan probably has a lot to do with that. What are you reading?
I just finished a book called Nightfall and then another one called The Dark Library. Now I am reading a book about Bourbon called Bottom Shelf and the fourth book in the Harry Bosch series. I figured with the whole Vegan thing...
Welcome back! It’s great to see you active on Hive again. I completely agree with your take on writing here; it truly is a powerful indicator of mental and emotional stability. I'm sorry to hear the last few months were so intense and traumatic in the Twin Cities, but it's inspiring to see how you've channeled your resilience into such amazing projects.
Leaving traditional social media and breaking free from the doomscrolling loop seems to have been the best decision ever. That "creative renaissance" you mentioned is clearly visible in your post!
As someone who loves the creative process, I find your "serial hobbies" absolutely fascinating. The 3D sculpting on the iPad and the documentary sound great, but your mushroom cultivation and sourdough experiments look incredible! That pink oyster harvest looks beautiful, and discovering a mulberry tree in your own backyard after 15 years is the ultimate foraging jackpot. Mixing those berries into a sourdough loaf sounds like a dream.
It's clear that replacing empty screen time with tangible, rewarding crafts has been a game-changer for you. Looking forward to reading more about that documentary and your upcoming grow kits. Cheers to being back and well!
Quick question on the mushrooms: how has the cardboard and coffee ground experiment been holding up? Have you noticed a big difference compared to standard grain spawn?
Thanks, @erickmaurice! Yeah, all these side quests are taking up all that time I was wasting on social media. It's funny how I seem incapable of just relaxing. Probably says a lot about my pathology. I've been spiraling trying to fix these slow tracking lines on the little TV but I just solved it this morning. I realized it takes C cell batteries so I packed it with 9 of them and it fixed it, so it's definitely an AC power issue. I just ordered a new one. The mushrooms in the cardboard and coffee grounds, let me get back to you on that in about three weeks. I just moved everything into the grow bags and took them to the basement so we'll see if they colonize.
Haha, I totally get you! Replacing social media time with those kinds of 'side quests' is honestly the best trade-off. Who needs to 'just relax' when you can have your brain fully engaged in solving random technical mysteries or growing stuff?
Man, finding out it was just an AC power issue after experimenting with 9 C-cell batteries is a classic! There’s nothing more satisfying than that 'Aha!' moment when the tracking lines finally clean up on an old TV. Good call on ordering the new power supply.
And about the mushrooms, that sounds awesome! Growing them in cardboard and coffee grounds is a top-tier project. Take your time, I'll definitely be waiting for that update in three weeks to see how they colonize those grow bags in the basement.
Good luck with both projects, man! Keep staying busy!
Welcome back! It's really great that you're dedicating your time to such creative and meaningful pursuits instead of social media. I think mushroom cultivation and sourdough bread making are among your favorite hobbies. I buy sourdough bread regularly; it's healthier. Your return to Hive seems like it will save you a lot of time and opportunities for new hobbies. 😊
Thanks, @passenger777. I'm much happier with how I'm spending my time lately. Sourdough is kind of a cult once you get into making it so I think you're better off buying it, lol.
I wish I could do a digital detox soon as well, will be a nice change of pace. Currently diving deep into utilizing AI for some of my projects here.
Your hobbies sound quite unique and interesting!
Nice to see you here again & hope to see more!
Thanks, brother! Yeah, the doomscrolling was a big factor. I'm in my forties now so I'm becoming increasingly aware of what serves me and what saps my time and energy. The censorship and surveillance was the other deal breaker. What a relief, though. It feels like an 80lb weight has been lifted off of my chest. What kind of AI utilities are you getting in to? Is the code capabilities as legit as I keep hearing? My brother and I are both doing a lot of 3D sculpting on iPads. He's been using Meshy to create 3D meshes from 2D images and it's astounding how good it's gotten.