I get few benefits from insomnia besides early mornings like this, almost exclusively for myself. As a friend mentioned when she saw this photo, it creates ambiance noir.

The copper sky and SF skyline reminds me of walking along the Bosphorus in Istanbul, but without any minarets on the horizon.

This is a pale representation of my vision, but I hope this GIF helps explain some of the complexities and experiences a person has after eye surgery.

https://www.matthewmansfield.com/assets/eye_status_revised.gif

I’m not a bird person, but I enjoy heron sightings, especially when they’re on their own.

My eyes have problems processing light. That often means spending a tremendous amount of time in the dark where I can allow my eyes to rest and see another side of the world without light.

I realise it’s gauche to post photos of oneself but being able to show myself at the GGB after struggling with complications with eye surgery is a milestone I wanted to share.

It never gets old.

While California is dealing with much-needed rain, I miss the sunny and bright skies.

Having grown up in the midwest, where an overcast day for 7-8 months was typical. Since moving to California, I’ve grown to appreciate how much sun we get here.

Four years ago, physicists announced that a quantum computer solved a bespoke problem faster than classical computers. A new proof shows that this type of “quantum supremacy” erodes when errors aren’t corrected. @benbenbrubaker reports: https://www.quantamagazine.org/new-algorithm-closes-quantum-supremacy-window-20230109/

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Our plans to celebrate Christmas Eve with family changed, but it afforded us this beautiful sunset.

May all be blessed this first night of Hanukkah. I would have photos of fried food and the first candle lit, but with family sick with the flu and M— away, I’ll take solace in past evenings with loved ones. 😎

As I mentioned, The Modern Jazz Quartet were masters of classic Jazz.

https://youtu.be/e2gL8Zs4e3c

I’m spending the night listening to the Modern Jazz Quartet with Milt Jackson on vibraphone, John Lewis on piano, Connie Kay on drums, with Percy Health on double bass. The vibraphone is an underappreciated musical instrument that is very calming and has a vibe in itself.

As I recover from surgery, one of the many things that provides me happiness is baking and giving to others to enjoy. In the new year, I plan on making more food and having more people over to break bread and share a meal with conversation. 😎

I like this line from Ed Yong’s latest book.

“Perhaps people who experience the world in ways considered atypical have an intuitive feeling for the limits of typicality.”