vol. 2, no. 41 | Footrace
After Glint last Tuesday, once we finished probably our third or fourth round of parting hugs at the bottom of the stairs, Madeleine and Andrew, both on crutches, found themselves heading in the same direction and decided to race.
They flailed their crutches at each other. Andrew threw one of his at Madeleine, intending to trip or confuse her. She attempted to pull ahead while he retrieved it. They were both laughing and having what seemed to be one of the better times people on crutches could have.
It was mildly concerning, incredibly funny, and, to me, so very sweet. What luck, to have company even in your misery!
As I teared up (I’m tearing up about everything these days), I said as much to those of us watching, and someone said what will surely become another one of our Company taglines: misery loves us.
—Ivan
Happenings
This week:
Mary Ann’s Book Club: The Anxious Generation, Monday, February 23
(I wrote the following while I still had some hope that I’d send this out before this happened)
By ranked-choice vote, this month’s book is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, which is at least partially about how smartphones have been ruining the Gen Z kids.
As I’m getting further in (it’s tonight!) I’m increasingly excited to hear this particular crowd discuss it. Because, if you don’t know already: José is kind of an authority on dumbphones; Case became famous for giving talks about smartphones and runs the Calm Tech Institute; Alex has been developing a Chrome browser extension for more intentional browsing and also runs the Alex Prinsen Media Theory Library for Anti-Technopolistic thought.
Whether or not any of our esteemed thinkers and anti-social media influencers are coming tonight, so many of us have had so many good conversations over the months with them that have helped shape and reinforce our own relationship to technology.
Free
See what all the kids are into →
(Reporting back from the present, José and Alex were both there, along with successful YouTuber Jacob O’Neill. It was so good.)
Weekly Wednesday Worknight, Wednesday, February 25
The Company is about combining creative work with good friendships. Make an appointment with your side project this (or any) Wednesday at a Worknight, where we oscillate between enforced, focused, quiet time and optional chatty social time.
$5, free for Company and Moonlight members
In the Making, Thursday, February 26
A show and tell for original, amateur, creative works in progress. Each presenter has 10 minutes to spend however they choose (any mix of presenting, Q&A, workshopping, getting feedback).
Come hear from Lauren T., Gabby, Dan, me, Gus, Lizzie, Jim, and Michelle.
$10, or free for members and presenters
The Annual Performance Review, Saturday, February 28
Alex, Lizzie, and Madeleine are organizing the Company’s first Annual Performance Review—a winter talent showcase featuring short performances from the community.
Join us and help the organizing committee review Mary Ann Bennett, Gus Becker, me, Lizzie Haener & Felicity Peckman, Jessica Schneider, Allyson Amanda & Madison Kuebler, Olivia Ruiz-Knott, and Alex Prinsen & Jessica Prinsen
Future Weeks:
Creative Writing Workshop: Witness, Monday, March 2
Once again: 90 minutes of lightly directed writing around a theme. For the third workshop, the theme is Witness.
The theme will be explored through a series of prompts, and we’ll have progressively more time to respond to each. At the end of the night, we’ll have the chance (though not the requirement) to share.
Note that this workshop is not for feedback or editing—the purpose is to generate new writing.
Bring yourself and something to write with.
$10, free for members
PowerPoint Party No. 36, Saturday, March 7
Twelve people giving 7-minute presentations about whatever they’re currently into. At past parties, people have presented about journaling, skydiving, the inside of Dan’s brain, and fasteners. It’s a wide mix.
It’s a nerdy and sincere crowd that cares a lot, and we’ve met some of our favorite people at these.
Want to present? We’ve got a waiting list (and your chances are awful!). Want to just show up and meet interesting people and learn about what’s fascinating them lately? That’s great too. Bring a friend, or come alone and make a friend.
$10, free for members and presenters
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Also coming up: Glint: Spill (March 17), Cuppa’s 1-Year Anniversary Party! (March 28)
Nostalgia
Do you remember our post-weekend catchup? How Jessica S. reminded us to consider her? How Jim came in and we traded secrets? How that was the day of the meal train, and how excited and moved we were to see the slots fill up so quickly?
Or the day with the visit from John? The walk to coffee? The setup for Glint? Did you see the crutch handshake between Madeleine and Andrew, or meet any of the newcomers? And do you remember the stories and reflections about relationships and vehicles and the passage of time? Did you see the matching sweaters? And were you there to see Madeleine and Andrew race away? Was it you that said that misery loves us?
Do your remember the Worknight with Morgan’s friends, and Hayley, and the well-timed arrival of the folks from Creatives+Coffee? How we worked away at Jessica S.’s birthday cake, and successfully unraveled and reraveled the star?
Or Earl’s first workday? The return of Ellen? How you talked about movies, and TV shows, and about how some people couldn’t get into Severance? How Jessica S. had to go to recess so that Livvy could find the crew?
The slightly chaotic and very fun Friday morning? How we all cheered when Lizzie entered? That we shared news, and ate lunch, and some of you did helium, and took a pastry walk, and that you got stretching help from a licensed stretchy guy?
Bureaucratic Minutiae
Other taglines: We don’t mean business; Do you get it?; Where you come to find some; That’s us—we’re the company; A place for the faint of heart; The company is coming from inside The Company; It’s a double entendre because that’s the name of the company too.
Super apologies for mixing up Jessica P. and Jessica S. in last issue. I would like to share the blame with Livvy who proofread the whole issue within a very reasonable five-minute window she had in between other very urgent things.
At Glint: Laura helped us understand the second line, Ivan explained a fine prank, Anjali introduced us to her boyfriend, Allyson spoke wisely of a stupid voice, Trevr reflected on a run-in with the law, Lauren T. recited letters to herself, Beth took us backwards and around, and Madeleine remembered an old and enduring love.
The editor would like to acknowledge the receipt of the non-attributed message asking the editor to disregard the previous message. The editor would like it to be known that they are unaware of a previous message, and would like further clarification.
At Worknight: Alex read 30 pages; Jessica S. worked on sewing in ends to make 2 squares; Mark completed a NEEP application; Kayla finished 2 rows; Thea finished a cover letter; Morgan finished a book review, finished a chapter of CCW, and made a notecard; Hayley finished a hideous spelling bee trophy; Ryan created 3 Procreate templates, and drew 5 eyes and 3 faces; Marissa got through all of her taxes; Ivan (finally) sent Paperwork; Mary Ann readied Ridwell recycling; Lizzie completed an embroidery border; Gus finished a travel update blog post; Earl posted Nerd Nite; Livvy did Spanish homework; and Madeleine edited 1 story.
We have a time clock. Partially because, hey, we’re a Company! And mostly because we love having a physical record of (almost) everyone who’s been in the space. People punch in and out when they visit. At the end of each month, we stack up all the cards by visit count in the Fibonacci sequence. Here’s the data for January 2026:
1 visit: 71 people
2 visits: 16 people
3–4 visits: 7 people
5–7 visits: 7 people
8–12 visits: 5 people
13–20 visits: 4 people
21+ visits: 2 peopleTotal people: 112
People who came more than once: 41Other notes:
The fibonacci sequence column post-its have been labeled and laminated for future reuse, thanks to the help of the Prinsen family. (Also thanks to them for help with layout this month.)
Management apologizes for the tardiness of these January records. Management is also too sleepy to notice any interesting anomalies in the data. Do you see any?
Note: We don’t generally record visitors to Cuppa if they are only stopping in for Cuppa. Many people came through the space that are not represented here!
Inevitably: incomplete and messy data.
Finally, a reminder that The Company is a member-supported gathering place, and if you know any of us, you’re welcome to pop in any time for free (outside of events). If you know that one of us is here and you’d like to come by, reach out and we can let you in.
Photos
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This issue of Paperwork was written by Ivan with additional reporting from Jessica S., and was shot by Ivan and Madeleine. Photo selection and editing by Ivan and Jessica S. This issue, and The Company itself, was made possible by the support of our members, Halie, Drew J., Justin, Mason, José, Mary Ann, Trevr, Allyson, Lizzie, Elijah, Michelle, Jim, Jacob, Mark, Sabrina, Beth, Dani, Chris, Will, Marcia, Rebeca, Sarah, Alex, Jessica P., Jessica S., Ben, Sam Ad., Christof, Ryan, Lauren T., Madeleine, Simon, Adam B., Gus, and our newest members, Lauren S. and Earl.
Do you know anyone in the Denver area who might be looking for creative community? Feel free to forward this email along to them. Everyone loves Paperwork.
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