Winter Blues

Time to recharge

Hi Warpers, the real Aric here.

It’s been a long minute since I last posted anything, and I figured it was time to check in properly. I’m currently taking a well-earned winter break from creating the Pawd-cast. Episode 8 is the next one up, and that mysterious Episode 0 I mentioned before is still very much a thing too. The script for Episode 8 is about half done. I know what’s happening, I know where it’s going… I just haven’t quite put fingers to keyboard yet.

Truth is, I think I’ve caught a case of the winter blues. I suspect I’m not alone there. Maybe the news is finally getting to me, maybe it’s the sense that the world feels like it’s being run by self-centred morons, or maybe it’s just one of those winters. Ironically, I actually enjoy winter. The dark evenings, the cold air, the climate, even sitting watching the rain do its thing. All very atmospheric. Great vibes. Terrible motivation.

Normally I can fire up the creative furnace without too much effort, but right now it’s stubbornly refusing to spark. Sure, I could slap a podcast together, but that’s never been my way. When you’re retired, as I am, you start living by one very important rule: if it’s not fun, why do it? I spent most of my working life doing things I wasn’t particularly interested in, like most people do, and I made myself a vow not to go back to that place.

That said, I haven’t lost interest in our crew of misfits. Quite the opposite. I’m constantly thinking up new ideas, plot twists, and future chaos. I’m just lacking the energy to pull it all together right now. Everything feels a bit heavy at the moment, and like everyone else, I’ve been battling flu bugs for months. If the choice is between writing or snoozing in bed… well, I think we all know which one’s winning 😴

I haven’t been totally lazy though. I’ve been learning some new tools and I’m in the process of moving my podcast workflow from Mac to PC. I usually use Logic Pro to cut and edit the show, but I’m now getting back to grips with Cubase, a tool I used many moons ago. It’s different enough that I’m having to re-learn things that used to take seconds through muscle memory in Logic. That’s not because Cubase is less capable, just… different.

I’ve always been quietly pleased with how the shows sound, so I want to make sure whatever I use keeps that standard. As for why I’m switching, it’s partly a future-proofing thing. I’m not convinced Logic will always remain the way it is on macOS, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually leans harder into a subscription model. Apple hasn’t said that outright, but the direction feels familiar. And honestly, I already pay for enough subscriptions. The idea of never actually owning anything is starting to wear a bit thin, even though I’ll admit subscriptions can be great in the right context.

So for now, I’m learning an alternative DAW, as they’re called, digital audio workstations. Change is generally a good thing. I never like letting things get stale, and changing software keeps my brain engaged. The ultimate aim is to produce the entire Pawd-cast on my PC without relying on subscription tools at all. Total creative freedom. We’re not quite there yet, local software still hasn’t fully caught up with some cloud-based systems, but it’s getting closer.

Anyway, that’s about it for now. I wish everyone well, and thank you sincerely for the support. My digital self will soon be vibrating your ear holes again, along with the rest of the gang.

Until then, stay warm 🧣✨