Matthew Lang

There's no excuse for the lack of blog posts around here recently. I've tried to kickstart my daily posts a number of times in the last couple of months but each time ends up in failure.

At first I had problem with ideas for writing. My ideas list had run dry and I struggled to fill it again.

Then when I had an idea for a post, I would quickly dismiss it on the grounds that it isn't worth publishing. I didn't have confidence in the idea to write about it to begin with, let alone actually get to the step of deciding whether it is publishable or not.

Now I'm so focused on other work that I am struggling to fit writing back into my schedule. I'm stretching myself in too many different directions.

None of these are valid reasons for not writing. They're excuses. I aim to do better in the future with regards to my writing.

The Art of Manliness uncovers everything about the humble pocket.

This is because the original pockets weren’t like the sewn-in pockets we know today, but rather separate bags detached from clothing. From the 15th until the mid-16th century, men and women carried essential items and currency in a pouch that was typically tied around the waist or hung from a belt. As thieves and “cutpurses” became more of a problem in the 17th century, people began to cut slits in their shirts, skirts, and pants, and tuck their pouches inside their clothing for safekeeping. This practice necessitated making the bags flatter and easier to reach into, so they would be more accessible and not create a significant bulge.

— A Man's Pockets
by The Art of Manliness