---
title: "Dispatch #16 (June 2024)"
date: 2024-06-11T16:35:03-04:00
draft: false
tags:
- dispatch
references:
- title: "2024 Beaver Queen Pageant"
  url: https://beaverqueen.swell.gives/event
  date: 2024-06-11T20:13:48Z
  file: beaverqueen-swell-gives-thjtbq.txt
- title: "May 2024 - Tim Hårek"
  url: https://timharek.no/blog/2024-may-recently
  date: 2024-06-11T20:29:37Z
  file: timharek-no-oq72ef.txt
---

TOMORROW IS THE DAY we welcome baby brother to the world, and I wanted to get this out before everything changes. I'm excited, for sure, but bringing a baby into the world is a major thing and I'm anxious for Claire. The joy can come after, once everyone's emerged healthy.

<!--more-->

{{<dither IMG_0804.jpeg "782x782">}}Family fun run selfie with peace signs up top and stroller snacks up front.{{</dither>}}
{{<dither IMG_5088.jpeg "782x782">}}Early morning runners fill a tree-lined city street during a busy race.{{</dither>}}

{{<dither IMG_1161.jpeg "782x782">}}Three giggly toddlers relax in a red Radio Flyer wagon, sharing a beach ball and a bag of grapes at a sunny park gathering.{{</dither>}}
{{<dither IMG_1109.jpeg "782x782">}}Dad guides an orange kayak while a child lounges up front, gliding along a tree-lined lake shoreline.{{</dither>}}

We had a great month with Nev. Highlights included a trip to the lake, the [Running of the Bulls 8K][1], and the [Beaver Queen Pagent][2]. I want to say it was our best month so far, though that might just be preemptive nostalgia, since this is the last month she gets 100% of our attention. But she's just such a fun little person. I couldn't been more proud of her.

[1]: https://bullcityrunning.com/our-races/running-of-the-bulls-8k/
[2]: https://beaverqueen.swell.gives/event

Here's some new music:

<audio controls src="/journal/dispatch-16-june-2024/Asperitas.mp3"></audio>

This was fun to make -- a couple iPad synths connected to my Circuit Tracks, running into the SP-404 for effects, with my MIDI keyboard to add some wobble to the main synth line. I recorded this all in one take, which is not how most people make music like this, but it has a fun, performative aspect to it. I've also spent time trying to learn the SP-404 in earnest -- it is a neat, complex machine.

### This Month

* Adventure: BABY BRO
* Project: building stuff for our house during paternity leave (art table, indoor treehouse)
* Skill: SP-404, baby swaddling

### Reading

* Fiction: [_Enchanter's End Game_][3], David Eddings
* Non-fiction: [_The 12 Week Year_][4], Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington (I like the concept but it's pretty fluffy)

[3]: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44687.Enchanters_End_Game
[4]: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10009377-the-12-week-year

### Links

I don't have anything great this month but I recommend [Baldur Bjarnason][5], [Tim Hårek][6] and [Installer][7] on the Verge for interesting links -- they always seem to find good stuff.

[5]: https://softwarecrisis.dev/
[6]: https://timharek.no/blog/2024-may-recently
[7]: https://www.theverge.com/installer-newsletter