I feel like something shifted this week.

There’s something different about the quality of these drawings compared to the earlier ones. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but they feel... better. More refined. More solid.

This isn’t me fishing for compliments or putting down my previous work. I’m just happy that something seems to be happening, something that’s making this little project of drawing every single day even more enjoyable.

I’m not even embarrassed to admit how often I go back through the sketchbooks from January and February and look at how shitty everything was. I love those old drawings. They’re great little fragments and a very tangible reminder that deliberate practice is real.

Monday

You might be wondering how to get my number so you can FaceTime me and book a tour for yourself. No worries, I got you. Here are the books I bought. Note: I haven’t read any of these yet, so don’t take this as a recommendation.

I’m going to be honest: I bought the first two mostly because they’re signed copies. The last two are completely in my wheelhouse, and I’m very much looking forward to reading them.

Tuesday

Anna’s new kitchen was installed on Monday, and I saw it for the first time on that evening. It’s beautiful!

Germany seems to have a reputation for apartments being rented without kitchens. A couple of people have told me that, though I can’t confirm it myself. I’ve never moved into an apartment that didn’t have a kitchen. Maybe I’ve just been lucky.

Wednesday

I’m not sure what’s going on. First skyr, now tofu, my shopping trips are more emotional than ever before. I finally managed to buy my favorite kind of tofu the other day after it had been sold out for the last couple of weeks. It’s a real thing. Here’s a German media report about it. We’re living in tough times.

Thursday

This is somehow not as shocking to anyone else as it is to me, but how was this cocktail only invented in 2008? We had smartphones then! How did nobody, in all those years before that, think to smash up a bit of basil and throw some random alcohol into it?! It’s absurd!

Friday

A couple of days have passed between this comic and my writing this, and I can give an update: I love it. I’m very generous with how much Sriracha I put on my food now, and even though it hurts, it gives my wraps just the right amount of kick. It’s exciting! My body doesn’t know whether I’m extending its lifespan by giving it nutrients or burning it to ash. You need to keep yourself on your toes!

Saturday

We quite badly underestimated how long it would take to assemble four PAX wardrobes for Anna’s hallway. The carcasses weren’t too much of an issue, but those damn doors took forever. It didn’t help that the cordless screwdriver gave up the ghost and we had to do the rest by hand. I’ve still got a blister on my palm from all the screwing.

I sound like someone who’s never had to do any physical work. Which is exactly who I am. Soy boy style.

Sunday

Cleaning my windows is one of my least favourite chores. At least in theory. In practice, it takes less than an hour, and the visual difference makes me happy for several days afterwards. I should remember that and clean them more often. Instead, I’ll most likely clean them again next year, and for months before that I’ll keep thinking that I really should get around to it soon. This is the way.

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That’s it for this week, friends. At least if you’re not a member. That reminds me: thank you so much to everyone who became a member last week. I really appreciate it. You can keep reading now. But first, let’s give a quick wave to those leaving us here! 👋

On not being precious

One thing us ✨artists✨ can always bond over is being afraid to use the materials we love buying: starting a drawing that might turn out bad in that fancy sketchbook we bought on our trip to London, or finally using that watercolor palette instead of keeping it pristine and full of perfect possibilities.