Notices by Mordecai Martin (mordecaimartin@rage.love), page 5

Being very good at video games or even just more interested in them would have precluded my ability to live the life I currently love, but I'm sure it would also have been nice.

Pediatrician visit went well, but apparently the kids these days are into fussing and pretending to be constipated all night. Can’t say I approve of this trend. I blame Tik Tok

Newborns are like an intricate puzzle box. Actually, the puzzle box is pretty basic and easy to solve, but it does keep screaming, so.

@ljwrites intense!

I’m gonna shoot straight with you all: I had an extra large 3 pm Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee with a ton of cream and like, 6 Equals, and then I danced with my infant child until the oxytocin started flowing, so I am feeling large, in charge and exactly no pain.

Every day is a big adventure

I have more time off than I thought I'd have, and it makes me feel vaguely guilty.

Roasting a chicken to feed my family after building a table all day, reaching peak dad pretty quickly over here.

@ljwrites yes! We were very taken aback to find they can breastfeed without issue!

My child was born with a cleft lip and is so gorgeous and adorable that it's good we're getting them the operation to close it, or else their famously beautiful face will start a weird cleft lip trend.

A friend points out that the gig is physically demanding but not particularly intellectually stimulating .

1) I do not need to focus on Publishing. Publishing will come. There will always be ways to pursue the dissemination of the work. Instead, I will focus on what the work can achieve, and what I can achieve in the work.
2) When you are full of envy for others’ publications, stop, read something perfect and refocus on your heart, the work’s heart, what needs to happen next, what could happen next.
3) Done is good.
4) Did you wake up early? Good. Drink coffee. Sit down. Open the page and write on it.
Did you wake up late? Okay. Wake up. Putter. Sit down. Open the page and write on it.
5) Doing the work feels better than submitting the work. Just keep doing the work.
6) Many steps are in darkness. Sit down with the work and be free.
7) Every story I write makes the world more possible, more visible for me and my readers. Every publication amplifies and increases this effect, but it is the story, not the publication that creates possibilities. Write the story.
8) “It’s the miserable daily effort that is everything.” - Vivian Gornick
9) Atenea believes in me. You’d be a fool to give up, when a woman like that believes in you.

Mighty fine Sunday

Sometimes my goals and hopes for my writing feel very far away. Usually I read on those days.

A lovely walk in the park together this morning

Finding it easier to get things done as a dad than as a private citizen

@ljwrites Exactly

Waiting around for my child to wake up as one waits for a king. I know this total awe of them as a being beyond me, a being of the future, can only last so long. But I intend to cherish it

Another morning holding this kid. Another golden morning.

This cat is being so good about the baby. He’s being SO GOOD! Always maintaining a respectful and curious distance, just asking for attention when he needs it, generally not causing trouble. We’re so proud of what a good big brother he’s being