# week 50 of 2025 **December 8-14** ![[lipnickas.png]] [James Lipnickas](https://www.instagram.com/jameslipnickasart/) creates these wonderfully surreal scenes using only graphite pencils. I dig this kind of dark and haunting imagery that feels like a monochrome version of the [Monument Valley](https://www.monumentvalleygame.com/mv3) games. Somehow this feels like an appropriate style for the end to the year. --- [Open Source Anxiety Toolkit](https://anxietyaidtools.com) is full of online tools to help deal with anxiety and panic attacks. There are guided breathing and relaxation techniques, stress balls, and visualization tools. [Narrative String Theory](https://www.vaultofculture.com/nst) from The Vault of Culture shows all the instances of chaotic string conspiracy boards in film, animation, and video games. ![[fb1.jpg|wild faced guy in front of conspiracy board meme]] I'm intrigued by [Writebook](https://once.com/writebook) for creating free online books. Runs quickly and efficiently. There are some great examples on the site. Need to install to your own server for it to work so not a hosted app. > [!card-left] > > ![[toaster.png|flying toaster]] > > This crazy guy Bryan Braun built [classic screensavers](https://www.bryanbraun.com/after-dark-css/) in CSS so you can enjoy them whenever you want. He has a bunch of other cool projects on his site worth exploring, including a list of [creative distractions](https://letsgetcreative.today). The importance of [critique](https://www.doc.cc/syntax/critique) in the creative process because critical thinking is necessary. Want to share this with my design students to help them understand the purpose behind why we present our work and open it up for review. --- [Merlin’s Wisdom Project](https://github.com/merlinmann/wisdom/blob/master/wisdom.md) is a long collection of notes, ideas, and thoughts by Merlin Mann ([inbox zero](https://www.inc.com/betsy-mikel/the-guy-who-invented-inbox-zero-says-were-all-doing-it-wrong.html), [43 folders](https://www.43folders.com/howto)). Lots of fun to scroll through to find random nuggets like: > You are not obligated to have a strong opinion about everything. and > Buy supplies before you need them and gadgets _after_ you need them.