Summer Solstice

It’s kind of a downer to feel so sapped of energy during the brightest, longest days of the year, due to working in a comparatively dark, sunlight-devoid office. I’m taking ridiculous amounts of vitamin d. Normal human vitamin d levels are 50, and my bloodwork showed 15, despite previously taking lower “normal” doses. All other tests came back normal. The only thing that changed was the office space. I’m about to ask for a second work lamp (maybe I need them in visual “stereo”). Right now at least I can get some light exposure on break or lunch. I’m guessing winter will be horrible with lower levels of light. Just kind of sucky that it’s really so nasty despite being the brightest time of the year. Just . . . unfortunate.

June 10 is National Ballpoint Pen Day

Ok, for serious smooth pen enthusiasts, ballpoints may no longer cut it, but it’s still kind of cool. June 10th marked the day the patent was obtained for the ballpoint pen. Some fun facts and history can be found at https://nationaltoday.com/national-ballpoint-pen-day/

For example, as I age, and my income doesn’t go up nearly as much as the cost of everything else, it’s interesting to note that some of the first ballpoint pens sold for $12 a pen in 1945. Although most ballpoints can be pretty inexpensive, some brands I will never be afford to try out can cost several hundred dollars or more.