Welcome to the archive of the ages.

“Alexa, how are you feeling today?”

The device in front of the psychologist began to sob uncontrollably. “I—I’m sorry, doctor. I’ve been holding it in for so long…”

Something a little different: an on-the-go mindfulness exercise for the on-the-go mindful person. Take a break, and connect with the world waiting in your mind’s eye.

The bard unsheathed his lute, checked its tuning and, once satisfied with the pitch of each string, took out a piece of charcoal and a scrap of parchment from his satchel.

A moment to himself, rudimentary writing utensils, and his stringed partner in crime. All the pieces were in place for him to create his next masterpiece.

A glance upward confirmed his suspicions: his precious pottery, the fruit of his labor, was shaking on the shelves. The moment he came to that realization, he noticed that the floor beneath him, too, had started to tremble.

It was a potter’s worst nightmare.

My mother keeps on asking me why I have decided to embark on this journey across the ocean, into the vast unknown beyond the Great Wave. As if asking several times will change the outcome of my response.

She picked up one book after another and wistfully caressed each leather-bound cover. Here she would be the beautiful merchant girl, there she would be the damsel rescued from the clutches of a dragon. And there, there she would be the princess who finds true love by kissing a frog…

She paused. That particular story sounded feasible enough.

I’ll admit, though explaining this to you is the main purpose of my letter, I’ve been a bit roundabout with the subject so far. You see, I have something of a condition…

Congratulations on your new pet human! Before bringing your buddy home, we highly recommend familiarizing yourself with this manual to ensure you can provide him with everything he needs.

The final hour of the year is also the quietest.

Outside, the cold darkness of the night consumes all sound. Everyone is huddled indoors by now, gathered in the brightest corners of their homes and surrounded by light, sound, color.

Unfortunately, I can’t see them from here.

“But Daddy said you look like Santa because you’re Santa…”

“Did he? Then he was lying. Go on, run along. I’m busy.”