NOT THE NEWSPAPER • BIG CONTENT ENERGY

Not the Newspaper — Volume 1, Edition 3 — February 1, 2026

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Volume 1, Edition 3 — February 1, 2026

Image in original edition: "AI Cake" — cake.jpg

FUN WITH WORDS

"Epoché"

Epoché (in Pyrrhonian skepticism) is the deliberate suspension of judgment — choosing neither to affirm nor to deny a claim when the reasons or appearances on both sides are equally balanced.

Use it in a sentence: Emily applied this tactic until she missed a deadline by taking over 30 hours to finally choose the word for the week.

Image in original edition: "CasiNO" — magic.jpg

UNSOLICITED ADVICE

Withhold judgement until you have all the information. Unless it's absurd to.

FUN WITH BOOKS AND BOOK COVERS

Image in original edition: "Time Enough For Fake Ads" — clothing-optional.jpg

What's a book that's waiting for you to read it?

Next up is Heinlein's Time Enough For Love. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was entertaining. Stranger in a Strange Land was too. Other than that, probably more science fiction in general.

BAD AT JOKES

What's the difference between me at 41 and Xena: Warrior Princess? Xena actually finishes her fight scenes without saying "ow my neck" every ten seconds

IT IS MY BIRTHDAY

It snowed! A good one finally. My kiddos are with their dad this weekend though, so it's not as special to me knowing that I won't get to get out there and build a snowman or play in the snow with them. Maybe the snow will still be here tomorrow when I see them.

41 isn't a special birthday, but it does feel like an achievement to have survived another year.

I'm giving myself the gift of a known and past used diet for getting thin and fit again. Everyone else can figure out what works for them. This is not advice on what others should do or not do. Just me recording that today feels like a good day to start a new habit (or rather pick up an old habit.)

It felt good to sleep in and enjoy the quiet on a Sunday. It's super peaceful.

When I was in undergrad I remember this dream I had of being alone in my apartment on a cool spring day, with the windows open. Wearing a pretty sundress. Just enjoying my own company. Today feels like that dream, but the ground is covered in three or four inches of snow and the sun is absolutely blasting down melting it. My house is warm and I finally bought a hat since I've been chilly as fuck lately.

It was very bright last night. I like that too. Feels exciting when it's still light out when it should be dark (like a summer day in Amsterdam) or dark when it should be light (like in Oklahoma when a bad storm is approaching and the sky turns dark gray and green.)

Today I'm grateful for another trip around the sun, lessons I learned in the past, and for the peace and quiet of a Sunday and complete control of my day's agenda or lack thereof.

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

Image in original edition: "LLP handz" — solo-hanz.jpg

WORKOUT & HEALTH

Mental Fitness

If I show up without the right shoes, I work out anyway. If my headphones are drained and I left the dongle for my backup headphones, I work out anyway. The work out is never as good. I really like complete focus at the gym. You can be prepared all you want, but sometimes things just don't work out how you planned. Good fitness is mental in a lot of ways. My "it's fucking cold and I don't want to work out" voice is especially loud now that it's so cold. I'm still going though. I even went when it was snowing this week, which was lovely because hardly anyone was there. Having the gym to yourself is a real treat.

But being able to put your headphones on and tune others out when they are constantly invading your space and mental tranquility is the real treat.

"I don't have to listen to you."

Social Media Break & Rearranging the Physical Space

I took social media apps off my phone for a few days to "unplug."

My bedroom is my work office, my gym, my library, and my writing space. It's actually kind of wild how much time I spend in this room. I don't need a lot of space but the space I'm in does need to be fit for purpose.

I also moved a chair I had in my room that I really only sat in if I was browsing social media. Upgrade to change your physical environment to encourage other habits. On that topic (heard while listening to podcast with the writer of Atomic Habits good book worth revisiting…) I also moved my TRX and dumbbells into my bedroom. They were just outside my bedroom in a hallway space for a "gym" area which I very rarely used. Now it's in my face and five feet closer. Doesn't seem like much, but I've used it more in the past few days than the past few months. Also added a rug for yoga and stretching since the floors are so cold.

Finding the Type of Cardio You Fucking LOVE

I used to go for trail runs in the summer when I needed to get out of the house or even a run around my neighborhood. I don't know how I got out of that habit but breaking back into it is difficult. I have zero desire to run. Running or walking on the treadmill is very boring. I like to be outside in nature. I missing running on the trail. Granted, it's more about not falling on the way down. Technically it's still running though. Looking forward to summer weather for a run.

Image in original edition: "Xena Ad" — xena-ad.png

AFFIRMATION OF THE WEEK

"I don't have to listen to you"

But if I choose to, make it worth my time.

WORDS, WORDS, WORDS

Can't remember where I read this, but it stuck with me: "…like a good book that crawls into bed with you."

Image in original edition: "Birthday Workout" — workout.jpg