March 2025 Newsletter

From Dan, Your Friend and Hermit

Dear Friends,

March has been a month of personal projects and creative expression. From 3d printing to sewing projects, this month has been all about diving deep into my interests.

One highlight was playing Catan with family and friends. Not only the good company was a treat, but also the custom board: laser-cut and stained wood for the resources and ocean tiles. I contributed some 3D-printed pieces for some custom color choices beyond the original pallet, pink and purple pieces seen in Figure 6.1.

I also had help rudy experimenting with a different kind of 3D printing, "HueForge." We created a framed, embossed photo of Daisy and Annie (Figure 6.2). This piece now hangs in my sewing room, and I am happy to see the room fill up with my art.

Speaking of sewing, I also completed a tiny dress for my OC Annie, as a Nendoroid doll (Figure 6.3). The pattern was designed by k_shujin, and I enjoyed bringing it to life with light green floral fabric. It’s a small project, but working with miniature garments presents its own unique challenges and rewards!

Beyond creative projects, I’ve been keeping my research skills sharp by exploring narrative structures, using cartoons and anime I’ve watched as a basis. Stories shape our perspectives, and analyzing them in depth has been a fulfilling exercise.

April has arrived quickly, and with it, I’m embracing a new challenge: unplugging. From today until Saturday, I’ll be taking a break from communication and digital noise. If I find it beneficial, I may schedule more extended periods of silence in the future.

I look forward to these breaks as a practice of spirituality and self-control. I have experienced many positive benefits from cutting social media out of my life, and it was a slow road but I widdled the apps down to a manageable level. However, there is a lot of noise in the news and society right now, so I found it neccessary to try one step further with bringing on a vow of silence to my spiritual journey, which will be expressed in periods of planned non-communication.

You know I take an intentional approach to many things—whether it’s my projects, my research, or, for those who see me in person, my ever-growing hair length! I find meaning in these choices, and I hope you, too, are able to carve out intentional time for the things that bring you joy.

March has been a month of focus and fulfillment, and I’m grateful to share these moments with you. I know my newsletters highlight select parts of my life, but I share what inspires me in the hope that it spreads positivity.

Wishing you all a reflective and meaningful April ahead!

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