I’ve wandered away from the keyboard again. I’m currently working on in a sketchbook. There’s something wonderfully satisfying about being able to see the blank page and add pencil to that. The shading, the subtlety of different lead weights, watching the pattern of the paper as the pencil rubs off across it.

The blank page here isn’t the same as a blank typing page. The daunting task of filling a page with words is far different than the waiting paper, reaching out for linework and shading or stipples or even watercolors. Typing also doesn’t give the same visceral satisfaction of hand motion. The alternation of pressure on the keys makes no difference to anything except when I need to purchase a new keyboard because I’ve smashed a button too hard or cracked another support leg.

I don’t know if the “art” or any of the sketching I do right now will ever make it here. Sometimes there are things just for me. Sometimes I’ll share them with friends or around the game table – but the internet probably doesn’t get any of what I’m doing now and there’s a satisfaction to that.

I’m sure there will be more soon – until then, back to the pencils.