Free Talk Friday - April 17th, 2026

The YouTube algorithm introduced me to this really incredible Artemis II rocket launch compilation. I've watched it 3 or 4 times now and it continues to impress me. The power put out by this rocket is incredible. You can see the sound waves moving through the exhaust cloud right after lift off, and later in the video you can see shock waves in the rocket exhaust. Simply amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv0d8GP0dM

I don't have any stone between my 3k and 8k. On my Koraat the bigger scratches never come out. On my other razor they do, I think it is the softer steel that helps in that regard. I have a Coticule that doesn't finish well and it is a bit small for mid range work. I saw JPO honing on the glass part on the back of a Shapton glass stone with JNAT nagura. It worked very well. The idea is it's like honing on a very hard JNAT base stone, but even harder.

So I flipped my 3k around, grabbed my Coticule, slurried it on the glass and started honing... And it worked for me as well. The slurry started turning dark. I did two rounds, second round diluting. It really did seem to override the 3k scratches. Then I tried my Coticule bout and it was waaay harder. I couldn't slurry it on the glass. I used a diamond plate to slurry it and drip it on the glass. This is explains as well why the base stone doesn't finish, it is very soft. And when I used the bout as a nagura on the base stone in the past, it must have been just base stone slurry since the nagura is way harder.

Then I went on to 8k and 0.85 micron stones. In the end not all big scratches came out but it was way better than previously. Next time a few more rounds on the Coticule should work the last scratches out. One annoyance I have is that I can never seem to be able to do the hanging hair test fresh off the stones. But then a few strokes on the paste and it starts doing it. And stropping helps as well.

Since Easter Monday, I've been sick again. For the third time already this year, ugh. I suppose it's all stress-related and unfortunately, my nutrition isn't the best either. Unfortunately, taking sick leave wasn't an option. I now only have very minor symptoms, but working through illness for the third time already wasn't easy this time around. Seems like whatever I caught wss rather stubborn...

I now really want to take up something to improve my physical and mental health again, namely calisthenics and yoga. As for the bodyweight exercises, even though I have done powerlifting in the past I'll approach everything like a novice so I won't wreck my joints or spine. I'll also incorporate resistance bands into my training routine for a more well-rounded approach. Now that I am over 30, I don't need the newest fitness fad or trendy gear. I just want something that works and allows me to gain more control over my body, get stronger, as well as move better. That's all.

As for the yoga stuff, I am a bit lost on how I will approach that. Most yoga advice is targeted towards women, since the majority of practitioners are female. I basically just want something that combines flexibility/mobility work with basic meditation and mindfulness, without any esoteric mumbo jumbo.

The benefit is that both calisthenics and yoga are scalable from absolute beginner to masterful athlete, so I will probably find something that works for me somehow. I still draw regularly though, haven't given up that hobby! Unfortunately wetshaving is neglected atm, but I plan to get back to it once I'm feeling better. One fact that I fear is that I am severely lacking some much needed self-care and my body is protesting that neglect with sickness.