john z newsletter january 2024

happy new year!

since last time / this past year:

• i finished my section hike of the pacific crest trail. all i had left was oregon to finish my third complete pct hike and after some late-summer plans fell through, i went out to hike the state and it was an enjoyable experience. other than several wasp stings it was pretty smooth sailing. (video) i think i’ve had my fill of well-established trails for a while and am now dreaming of and planning for some prouder hikes for this year.

• i ended this past year with an obsession with claude debussy. i got a thick book of his work from 1888-1995 and have been very focused on learning as much as i can, currently suite bergamasque. i did not expect piano to be such a big focus this year, but it really has been and i expect that it will be looking forward. every time i start learning a new piece it seems impossible but i just keep at it and with time it somehow becomes easier and easier. it gives me more courage to persevere through hard things. or to be more at ease with a struggle. here’s a take from my current progress of the famous third movement of suite bergamasque (clair de lune), cut off early from my sd card running out of space…

• speaking of struggle: cleveland browns football. after getting hooked in the tail end of last season by my mom, she had me listening to podcasts during the entire offseason and this season has been a wild ride, punctuated by alex, my mom, and i going to cleveland for a game. the browns have a history of disappointment, and two games in i thought this would be just another sad season, but there’s something special about this team, and we are all in. see you in the super bowl.

  

• a lot of my time this past year was dedicated to making and selling outdoor gear again. the past couple years i spent a lot of time experimenting with ideas and improving my craftsmanship, and this year i learned a lot in getting more things made. towards the end of the year i started actively seeking a manufacturer, so far unsuccessfully.

overall, my first year back in cincinnati has felt really well balanced. i have a simple day-to-day life: riding my bicycle to and from work, having a lot of freedom in what i do each day, playing piano, cooking breakfast and dinner, spending quality time with a loving partner, going on an evening walk... i can't say that i ticked off any bucket list items, but that wasn't the point.

and i guess that's about it. thanks for being interested in what i have going on. i hope you are well and have a great year ahead of you.

- john z