Today – or, correctly, tomorrow – a magazine that I’d been working on with some others goes live. Admittedly, with only one story as the plan is to publish a story every few weeks and for 4 or 5 to comprise an issue. I think it’s a really interesting idea if we can keep it on track – stories of the every day that in some way envisage or explore the envisaging of an alternative to what is. It’s the brain child of someone I’ve worked with for many years now; started as a doctoral student recommended by one of his classmates whom I had known since childhood, then editing his articles, monograph, various applications, etc, and finally meeting him only a couple of years ago between Malaysia and embarking on our world travels. I’ve edited the work of several of the others on the editorial board, and all of them are academics, most in the UK. A pleasant and interesting bunch, though it’s odd to be back in academic circles after several years away.
This afternoon I was summoned again for matters unknown, this time to go to the municipality office for something or other. At one point I was told to write something on a piece of paper, so I wrote down my number. Eventually I realised I was supposed to sign an application for something. It was accepted, stamped and I was told (in mime) to take a photo of it. Then I was told to wait and then I was told it was done. No idea what.
It felt less fraught than yesterday, though, or perhaps I was more resigned.
I bought a thermometer. In these COVID times etc.