We just got done teaching our February workshop, and it was incredible. What a thoughtful, engaged bunch of learners. Here’s a group photo of everyone at the end.

Our warm-up activity on day one involves participants sharing one of their favorite words. Thomas, who joined us from New Zealand, shared “cromulent,” which it turns out was made up on and episode of The Simpsons. We hadn’t heard that one before, and we all had a good laugh.

It was an incredible, thoughtful crew, and we’re grateful for the chance to spend three days with them. Afterward one of them said this: “A lot of workshops feel more like entertainment. This was hands-on learning.” That’s exactly what we were hoping for, and we’re so glad it’s the experience folks are having.

Want to join us for one of these? There are still openings for our March workshop and you can still get $100 off with the code SAVE100.

Other than that, we’re spending a lot of time at home. Michael has almost 2ft (61cm) of snow piled up outside his Chicago home, and Andy has been playing the new Super Mario game where you get to dress up as a cat. Actually, who are we kidding? Michael has been playing that game a lot too, with his kids.

What we’re doing

Both of us: 

March 2021 Writing is Designing workshop →

Get $100 off with the promo code SAVE100! Feel free to share that code far and wide with anyone who might be interested. Any questions? Feel free to reply and ask.

What we’re reading

Michael: 

Good Services by Lou Downe →

I’m sure there’s something wrong with me, but I’ve honestly found a lot of the books out there on service design hard to understand and apply. I’m left wondering how to tell whether a service is good and how to fix it. This book from Lou Downe is easily the best I’ve ever read on that subject. It’s clear, helpful, and downright smart.

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas →

Last year I read Thomas’ The Hate U Give, and it was a favorite. A powerful, moving story told incredibly well. When I heard that Concrete Rose was coming out, I pre-ordered it right away. Thomas’ storytelling is as strong as ever — I finished it in a few days. If you’re looking for your next page-turner, this is a great one. 

Andy: 

Culture Warlords by Talia Lavin →

This book was somehow both shocking and not at all surprising — journalist Talia Lavin infiltrates several white supremacy communities on the internet, including anti-Semitists, mysogynist “incels”, and even a whites-only dating site. She lays out the history and the roots of these movements, and paints a vivid picture of how young white men are so often radicalized by these communities. Come for the cultural history, and stay for her expert catfishing of fascists.

Pencil of the month

General’s Cedar Pointe #333-1 →

This gorgeous pencil is not only natural in color, unlike most natural pencils, it has no finish on it whatsoever: just a raw, sanded cedar barrel that smells AMAZING (we sniff our pencils, and we’re proud to say it!). Over time, the wood develops a slight patina from the oils in your hand. 

General Pencil Company is one of the few remaining pencil factories in the US, headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey(you may have seen the amazing photos inside their factory by New York Times photographer Christopher Payne in 2018).

This pencil not only smells great, it’s dark, smooth, yet holds a point, which is the sign of a great pencil. And it has an understates aesthetic, with a black eraser, black ferrule, and black imprint. This particular varietal bears the model number #333-1, which means it’s a #1 pencil, which means it’s a tiny bit darker and smoother than its more popular counterpart, the #333-2.

Pick up a pack at Pencils.com for $9, or read a review of it at Lead Fast.