Ernest Ortiz Writes Now

I’ve reached the end of my first red notebook, all 48 pages. Finally, a notebook I actually finished and it’s a great feeling. Does this mean I’ve written everything I needed for my blog?

Not a chance. I never run out of ideas. Got plenty up the wazoo. But ideas are a dime a dozen and there are two problems with it. The first one is trying to write them on paper. Plenty of people have that problem right before it disappears from their memories.

The second problem is implementing the ideas to see if they work. Another variant of the second problem is wanting to maintain the implementation even when it’s not working. People put in so much time, money, and effort into an idea it’s easy to stick with it rather than being wrong and trying something else.

When it comes to this website I don’t have a problem with generating ideas, writing them down, and implementing them. My primary goal with this blog is an online space I can talk about anything. It’s written on paper first, then gets typed up, edited, and published.

Finding readers and subscribers, or getting compensated for my work isn’t my first, second, or third priority. This blog was an idea that took a life of its own. And so far it’s been a success. So I will continue to have ideas, big or small, and write until I can’t do so anymore.

As I retire this first notebook, transfer to another red one, and prepare to retire my first and only red pencil, I look forward to more writing opportunities and blog posts. To everyone keeping up with me, thank you for your support.

#writing #blog #ideas #notebook

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It’s nice to know that some of my readers have Kobo devices. In addition to my Kindle Paperwhite Gen 7, I also have a Kobo Clara HD. I love my Clara because it’s so easy to upload EPUBs on it.

I’m currently reading The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly. After watching the entire seasons of Bosch, Bosch Legacy, and Ballard, I started reading the books from the beginning. I know Connelly also has the Lincoln Lawyer series and some standalone stories, maybe I’ll read them.

But I do want to read all the Bosch and Ballard ones. I’m quite surprised how different the books are compared to the TV shows. Still, I’m entertained and I can’t stop reading them.

So, what books are you reading right now? Let me know and I might check them out.

#books #Ballard #Bosch #Kindle #Kobo #reading

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My family and I recently got sick again. Not as bad as before when I wrote the article Being Sick Sucks!, but it still sucks. I’ll be back soon and post next Tuesday on the 10th. Thanks for your patience.

#family #sick #sucks #off

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Your writing is priceless and a work of art. It should be treated with the highest care and respect. However, there’s the belief that mistakes and blemishes ruin the enjoyment of writing.

When you write in wooden pencil on paper, the older pages smear and fade. And when you write on the left page of a notebook or journal, the graphite transfers to the previous left page. It makes your paper look dirty and unsophisticated.

It’s understandable. After all, would you write in charcoal, chalk, or ink pads? Of course not. So you write in pen like a respectable adult, not a kid trying to learn their ABCs. But I don’t like the pressure of no-mistakes writing and bleed through from a pen. Nothing loses my interest more.

If the pencil transfers bother me that much I can erase them or use archival spray. Not so much with pen. But why do I like graphite smears and transfers from a wooden pencil more than pen?

Not only do I love the scratches of pencil to paper, I love the way it leaves a mark when you smear the graphite with your hands. And how it transfers to the other side of the page. It’s like a shadow. It’s there but doesn’t intrude on you as much as the loops and dots from pen. You might as well be writing in your own blood.

You may think the graphite makes the paper dirty and unsophisticated, but I see a beautiful legacy. It reminds you of your pencil’s lifespan. How it starts off new and whittles down until its usefulness ends. You come back to your notebooks and can see all that hard work with the help of your pencil’s essence. Just one of the more beautiful things in this life.

#writing #graphite #pencil #smear #transfer

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After using Ubuntu for several years, I still consider myself a Linux amateur. I’ve used Windows since middle school so I had to start over. But learning something new is a challenge when your memory isn’t as sharp as it once was. I’ve saved many bookmarks of Terminal commands to refresh my mind.

I bought a Lenovo Thinkpad X-1 Carbon back in 2017. Still find it funny that my Intel i7 quad core processor wasn’t enough to upgrade to Windows 11. That’s when I finally stopped using Windows for good. When my Thinkpad finally died last year (thank you for your service) I had to use my spare 2012 MacBook Pro 13.

I’ve gotten used to the MacOS format and in some ways love it more than my Lenovo. When I couldn’t update the Brave Browser on my MacBook anymore I decided to change the OS.

I researched the best Linux distro for my MacBook and it came down to two choices: Elemental OS or PopOS!. The first one looked promising, very similar to MacOS. But I didn’t want to pay only to not like it. So I chose the latter.

PopOS! doesn’t look like MacOS, but I read good things about it. I also wanted to try something different. After installing it the WiFi card wasn’t working. For some reason the OS doesn’t recognize Apple WiFi cards. The only solution was buying a USB WiFi card from eBay and it works.

I like the OS. It works faster than Ubuntu and it’s easy to navigate. I don’t care much for the Workspaces feature. As long as I can use Terminal and install and use the programs I need that’s all it counts.

The company who makes PopOS! also sells their own laptops, but they’re pricey. They allow donations so I’ll give back whenever I can for their good work. So if you want to try PopOS!, give it a shot and let me know if you like it or not.

#computer #laptop #linux #popos

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It’s been over two months since introducing my younger son to baby food. On the first week, he wasn’t able to poop. My wife was worried so I had to call the pediatrician. Of course after the call, my son lets out a small one.

Still, I didn’t think that was all of it. Couple days later, my son was on his bouncy chair and he pooped pass the floodgates. Stained the bouncy chair and his body suit. To save your appetite I won’t describe the mess in detail.

I don’t mind the mess. You get used to it. You changed one diaper you changed them all. Besides, I’ve gotten my hands dirty on nastier things. I do look forward the day when I change my last diaper and my sons are well potty trained.

#blowout #diapers #parenting #stayathomedad

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There are two cardinal rules of writing. First, you never say I’m trying to write a book, novel, short story, etc. Second, you never talk about what you’re writing in detail. Break these rules and you’ll never get anything done.

I don’t like talking about my upcoming projects because I always jinx myself. However, eventually I’m going to have to talk about them. And since I’ve been mostly consistent on posting on this blog, the momentum helped me bring back unfinished short stories out of the back burner.

I’ve stopped writing short stories for several years because I’ve been so busy. Now, I’m back in the game. I have a chance to finish my short story trilogy before the year is done.

Why now? I hate leaving anything unfinished. At this point in my life I don’t care if my works succeed or not. It’s all about just finishing. Best to be last in the finish line than to drop out completely. At least I can say to myself in the mirror that I did it.

Do you have any writing projects in your back burner? Do you want to finish them regardless if you succeed or not? Take advantage of 2026 before 2027 creeps up on you.

#writing #project #shortstory

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When it comes to my writing schedule I have it set in stone (for the most part). One week I’ll post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The next week I’ll post on Tuesday and Thursday. The weeks will cycle.

Sometimes, I’ll post a prayer related article on a Sunday. If a holiday falls on a posting day or if I’m sick, I’ll take the day off. Finally, I’ll let you know if I need a hiatus.

Thanks for your support and patience.

#writing #rest #schedule

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Sometimes I go on Apple Maps to check random businesses in different cities. Doesn’t everybody? Several months ago, I found a small arts supply store called A Work of Heart in San Jose. Turns out, it was already going out of business and had to sell their entire inventory.

On their website, they were selling a few 12-pack boxes of Blackwing pencils. If you’re familiar with them, they’re great pencils but expensive ($30 for a 12-pack). The red Blackwing 746 pencil I’m using, I only bought one cause a 12-pack is even more expensive ($55 for a 12-pack).

Anyway, I bought a 12-pack of 602s for $20 before tax. What a deal! While it’s sad another mom and pop store had to close down at least I got a chance to help them out a tiny bit. I’ll make sure those Blackwing 602s are used well.

#pencil #artstore #Blackwing

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Thought I change things up a little bit. Why not? For a couple of months, my wife and I have been feeding our younger son baby food. It’s been a challenge.

Normally, I would write about this on my other blog, but it’s down for maintenance and revamping. Truthfully, I don’t know when I’ll bring it online again. All I know is that it will be used again in the unforeseen future in the off chance I go back to the workplace.

I discussed this new blog with family and friends so updating them isn’t a problem. But since my other blog is offline I’m wondering if I should write about being a stay-at-home dad, private investigator, and other topics. I don’t want to limit myself, but I don’t want to do the extra work of copying an article on this blog and pasting it to my other blog.

My best solution is to let the topics come out naturally on paper, type them on the WriteFreely app, and decide whether to publish or not. We’ll see.

Finally, my red Blackwing 746 pencil is about two more inches useable before I throw it into my tiny pencil collection. It’s been a great pencil, but I don’t plan on buying another one soon. And buying a box is out of the question. So what pencil should I use next?

Maybe I’ll use a Blackwing 602 from a box I bought at a discount. More on that later.

#writing #article #babyfood #pencil #privateinvestigator #stayathomedad

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