Process Design

[thoughtkick]

“Nobody realizes that some people expend a tremendous energy trying to be normal.”

— Albert Camus

[22-designs]

Why “Normal” Is the Most Exhausting Hobby You’ll Ever Have

Albert Camus, the original king of philosophical side-eye, once said, “Nobody realizes that some people expend a tremendous energy trying to be normal.” And let’s be honest, he wasn’t wrong. Being normal is basically a full-time job with no pay, no benefits, and a boss you can’t standsociety.

Think about it: people wake up and instantly slip into Normal Mode™. The right outfit. The right smile. The correct polite laugh that doesn’t sound too unhinged but also not too cold. Even your coffee order ends up being a performanceheaven forbid you get a triple shot lavender oat milk latte without someone arching an eyebrow. To blend in is to audition, every day, for a role you didn’t even want.

Meanwhile, your real selfpossibly a charming, mildly unhinged wind-up toy of joy (see: that blue chomping toy up there)is trapped backstage, tapping its foot, waiting to come out and dance. But nooo, we’re busy pretending to enjoy office small talk about printer jams and the weather. It’s no wonder Camus compared the effort to tremendous energy. It’s like doing emotional CrossFit in business casual.

The rakish truth? “Normal” is a myth. A glittery mirage. Everyone you think is normal is just hiding their own deliciously messy chaos. That mom at school pickup? Secret death-metal fan. Your boss? Writes fanfiction about competitive bread baking. Even your neighbor with the perfect lawn probably practices karaoke in the garage. The world runs on little rebellions, and the sooner you embrace yours, the less exhausted you’ll be.

So what’s the alternative? Stop auditioning. Retire from the soul-draining theater of “normal” and give your inner eccentric a stage. Wear the neon socks. Laugh too loud at the joke. Post that weird poem. Adopt the life strategy of a wind-up chattering teeth toy: unapologetically make noise and move in your own direction.

Camus wasn’t just throwing shade at conformity; he was handing us a cosmic permission slip. Life is absurd, darling. Being normal is both boring and deeply tiring. Be your own charming chaos instead. It takes less energy, and trust methe view is far better from here.

[22-designs]

✍🏾20220115_0735 Having someone understand your silence and energy is a whole different kind of intimacy.

[crossfit-babes]

[22-designs]

How to Channel Your Inner Rebel Without Saying a Word

Look, we’ve all been there. You’re standing in front of your closet, staring down the endless sea of safe choices—shirts that actually cover things, jeans that politely say, “I pay my taxes and go to bed at 9.” But somewhere in your gut, a little voice whispers, “What if today, I just… didn’t?”

That’s the spirit we’re channeling here. The rakish, cheeky vibe that says, “I woke up like this—perfectly imperfect and maybe a little dangerous.”

First things first: the shirt. Forget the rules. A slightly-too-small, slightly-too-cropped tee doesn’t just show off the work you’ve put into your abs—it tells the world that you’re comfortable in your skin. And really, that’s the secret sauce. Confidence isn’t about wearing the most; it’s about wearing exactly what feels like you, even if it’s less than the neighborhood association would approve of.

Next stop: tattoos. Your body is your billboard, so make it a gallery. A colorful sleeve that practically yells louder than your playlist? Instant conversation starter. An inner-arm script that makes people tilt their heads to read it? Bonus points for mystery. Tattoos aren’t just ink; they’re invitations to curiosity. They say, “I’ve got stories, but you’ll have to earn them.”

And let’s not forget the hair. Messy, tousled, and full of attitude—like you ran your hands through it while laughing at your own private joke. That’s the energy. It’s effortless rebellion: a wink to the world that says you’re not trying too hard… even if you secretly spent twenty minutes perfecting the ‘just rolled out of bed’ masterpiece.

The charm of this whole look is that it’s equal parts confident and playful. It doesn’t scream for attention—it lets attention wander over naturally, then smirks when it does. It’s the fashion equivalent of a raised eyebrow across the room: subtle, daring, and fully aware of its effect.

So here’s the takeaway, dear reader: embrace the rakish energy. Whether it’s through a cheeky crop top, a flash of ink, or just the way you carry yourself, let the world see that you’re delightfully unbothered. Life’s too short for boring outfits or hiding your sparkle. Pop that shirt, strike that pose, and let your inner rebel do the talking.

After all, charm is best served with a wink… and maybe a little less fabric than expected.

[thebarsofhisplight]

[ladyoftheharbour]

His Girl Friday (1940)

[lord-mitchell]

When people are talking about me behind my back…

[22-designs]

On a Saturday no less

[22-designs]

Reach out. Sometimes the people you’re waiting for are already reaching back. 👇 #ConnectDeeply #SusaneColasanti

[22-designs]

Breaking Barriers in Leadership: What General Langley’s Four-Star Promotion Demands of You

I know what you think: milestones like General Michael E. Langley becoming the first Black four-star Marine Corps general are simply symbolic victories, worthy of applause but irrelevant to your daily challenges.

You are wrong.

Believing that this moment is “just history” is an unrealistic assumption that actively costs you influence, opportunity, and growth. You are surrounded by ceilings, some visible, some invisible, and your comfort with the status quo is the very thing preventing you from breaking them. This story is not about the Marine Corps. It’s about how you respond to barriers in your own field and whether you will rise to meet them.

This text is not a biography; it is a structural tool to expose how you can leverage barrier-breaking moments into immediate action for your career, team, or organization.

The Common Bad Habit: Celebrating Without Adopting

Most professionals consume historic achievements like entertainment. They like the post, share the headline, and move on. That focus is inward and process-driven; you’re thinking about the story in terms of someone else’s journey, not your measurable outcomes.

This is a trap.

If your reaction to Langley’s promotion is limited to admiration, you’ve missed the high-value shift: leadership breakthroughs are a tactical blueprint for you. They show you where you are hesitating, settling, or deferring action in your own sphere.

The High-Value Shift: Turn Inspiration Into Execution

The subject of your focus must become your barrier and your leverage. Ask yourself:

1. What ceiling am I tolerating right now?

2. Who benefits if I break it, and what measurable gain occurs?

3. What single, high-stakes action can I take in the next 30 days to advance past it?

For Langley, the ceiling was 247 years of history. For you, it might be a promotion you’ve delayed pursuing, a market you’ve avoided entering, or a conversation you’ve been afraid to start.

Your Guardrail: Outcome-Driven Action

Conciseness is not about word count; it’s about how quickly your mind translates recognition into movement. The only test of this story’s success is if, by the end of today, you take a concrete step toward breaking your own barrier.

Here’s your final challenge: Identify one ceiling. Name it. Break it. Document the result.

If General Langley’s promotion is a mirror, what will your reflection look like when the next opportunity for history arrives?

251202_0622

[nick-nellson]

Heathers (1988) dir. Michael Lehmann

[22-designs]

Heathers: The High School Hierarchy with Explosions and Sass

Ah, Heathers (1988). The cinematic cocktail of bubblegum and cyanide that dared to ask: “What if high school cliques were as lethal as they felt?” Directed by Michael Lehmann and dripping with razor-sharp satire, this cult classic remains a wickedly perfect snapshot of teen angst gone nuclear. Literally.

Let’s set the scene: Westerburg High, where popularity is currency and the Heathers three pastel-clad apex predators rule the cafeteria like it’s their personal Versailles. Enter Veronica Sawyer, a smart, sardonic misfit who’s just self-aware enough to know she’s sold out. She’s in the club, she’s wearing the scrunchies, but her soul is basically screaming “I’d rather be writing in my diary.”

Then comes J.D., the leather-jacketed wildcard with a smirk that whispers, “I’ve read Nietzsche, and also, I might blow up your school.” Their meet-cute? A cafeteria showdown that quickly spirals into a murder spree disguised as ironic justice. Nothing says romance like spiking your frenemy’s morning OJ with drain cleaner!

What makes Heathers endure isn’t just the body count it’s the tone. It’s that rakish, cheeky, “I can’t believe they said that” vibe that makes you cackle even as things get wildly inappropriate. The film skewers the absurdity of high school social politics with croquet mallets, literal bombs, and dialogue so sharp it could cut glass. Lines like “What’s your damage?” and “I love my dead gay son!” have become immortal in the pantheon of dark comedy.

It’s also a love letter to misfits. Underneath the murder, mayhem, and Big Fun concerts, Heathers is a story about rejecting the tyranny of fitting in. Veronica has to wade through fire, explosions, and multiple fake suicides to realize that maybe the only way to survive teenagehood is to torch the hierarchy preferably without actual explosives.

Watching it now is a time warp into the big-haired, shoulder-padded 80s, but the satire hasn’t aged a day. High school is still a jungle; the predators just carry smartphones instead of croquet mallets. The charm of Heathers lies in its audacity: it’s a film that winks at you, flirts with disaster, and then hands you the dynamite.

In conclusion: if you’ve never experienced the joy of laughing at something wildly inappropriate while questioning your entire teenage experience, Heathers is waiting. And if you have? Well, you already know that chaos looks best in candy-colored blazers.

[oh-good]

this is a Christmas post for you to like and unlike over and over to see the little snowy animation they have rn

[inky-curves]

Peter Driben

[22-designs]

The Playful Power of Beauty Parade: A Peek into Pin-Up History

If Instagram had a glamorous great-grandmother, her name would be Beauty Parade. For just 25 cents, this mid-century magazine promised “The World’s Loveliest Girls,” wrapped in sass, red lipstick, and just the right amount of leg. One such cover, painted by the legendary Peter Driben, is a masterclass in cheeky charm and cultural nostalgia.

Here she is: a radiant blonde in red lingerie, one hand on the floor, the other holding a mysterious green mask, as if she’s inviting us to a masquerade we can only imagine. A flower crown tops her golden curls, and strappy scarlet heels complete the look. The cover proudly lists its wares: Showgirls. Models. Pin-Ups. Pure vintage delight.

But these covers weren’t just pretty pictures. In the 1940s and 50s, illustrated pin-up art shaped perceptions of beauty and style. Before glossy photo shoots dominated magazines, artists like Driben created idealized visions of the “modern” woman: playful, independent, and always camera-ready—even without a camera. These images were aspirational and a little risqué, but never crude. They hinted at glamour while staying just shy of scandal, which is exactly why they were so adored.

The cultural role of covers like Beauty Parade was huge. During wartime, pin-ups became morale boosters, decorating lockers and barracks, offering a dose of charm and hope. In peacetime, they influenced fashion, from high-waisted shorts to bold lipstick shades. The illustrated covers also gave artists the freedom to exaggerate elegance, elongate a leg here, perfect a curl there—ideal beauty through a painter’s daydream.

There’s also a certain joy in their hand-painted quality. Today, we scroll past thousands of filtered selfies, but something about the warm, saturated brushstrokes of a Driben cover feels more intimate. It’s not just a picture; it’s a wink in your direction, a playful invitation into a world where glamour is effortless and always within reach.

So next time you stumble across one of these covers, take a moment to appreciate the art, the charm, and the cultural footprint it left behind. Beauty Parade wasn’t just selling magazines—it was selling the fantasy of beauty, confidence, and fun, all for the price of a quarter.

[inky-curves]

Felix Andrews

[22-designs]

Vintage Office Humor: When Filing Cabinets Were Risqué

Ah, the golden age of office humor—where cubicles didn’t exist, typewriters clacked in rhythmic harmony, and filing a report could somehow turn into a slapstick routine. Enter Felix Andrews, the cartoonist behind this cheeky little gem currently making ripples on Tumblr. With 483 likes, 73 shares, and one brave soul leaving a comment, this single-panel cartoon has tapped into our collective fascination with vintage humor—and our modern skepticism about it.

The cartoon in question? A black-and-white drawing featuring a woman bent over a filing cabinet, a man leering from behind, and the caption: “Well, well, Miss Voltz, I can see you’re not a company girl!!” The workplace, identified as the “Panty Company,” is clearly the setup for a gag that balances on the edge between playful and, by modern standards, wildly inappropriate.

Back in the mid-20th century, this kind of humor was standard fare. Workplace cartoons often ran in men’s magazines, newspapers, and even office bulletin boards, reveling in a world where the secretary trope was both a comedic device and a cultural norm. Felix Andrews excelled in giving audiences just enough wink-wink humor to make them laugh without (at the time) sparking outrage.

But times have changed. Modern workplace humor lives under the watchful eye of HR, and rightly so. While this cartoon feels like a harmless relic to some, it also reflects the gender dynamics and power imbalances of the era. The joke hinges on the objectification of a female employee, which today would be a clear example of inappropriate workplace behavior and a lawsuit waiting to happen.

So, why are we still sharing it? Because history is complicated, and humor is a mirror. Vintage cartoons like this remind us of how far workplace culture has come—from the days of offhand comments and “company girls” to an era where employees have actual protections and, ideally, respect.

That doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate the artistry and the social context. Felix Andrews had a knack for capturing the rhythm of office life—complete with filing cabinets, slightly frazzled bosses, and sly innuendo. His cartoons are like time capsules, giving us a peek into a world where humor was bolder, cruder, and blissfully unaware of HR compliance training.

In the end, sharing this cartoon today isn’t about endorsing its message but about starting a conversation. It’s a reminder that humor evolves, workplaces evolve, and even the most cheeky filing-cabinet jokes have a place—in history, if not the breakroom.

So, next time you see a retro cartoon like this, take a moment to laugh, maybe cringe a little, and appreciate how far we’ve filed ourselves forward.

[22-designs]

Python reverse number pattern 🔥

[22-designs]

How to Flirt Your Way Into Diamonds (Even If You Don’t Know Your Birthstone)

Picture this: you’re draped across a plush chair in your polka-dot dress, phone in hand, your hair cascading in perfect curls. A dashing Mr. Boggs is on the other end, murmuring sweet nothings and casually inquiring about your birthstone—probably imagining how fantastic it might look nestled in a little velvet box. There’s only one problem: you have absolutely no idea what your birthstone is.

Enter your roommate, perched in her lingerie like some cheeky Cupid, ready to whisper salvation—or at least the correct gemstone month—into your ear. Because in the high-stakes game of flirtation, what you lack in memory, you must make up for in charm.

This scenario, immortalized in a delightfully rakish cartoon by Arthur Ferrier, is more than just a silly moment. It’s a masterclass in the art of elegant mischief. Here’s why:

First, confidence is everything. Notice how our heroine isn’t panicking. She’s not fumbling or stammering; she’s lounging. Kings and queens do not fret over minor details like "facts." They simply outsource those details to a trusted confidante in lacy underpinnings.

Second, priorities matter. Does she need to remember the exact month of Diamonds? Not really. She knows the one universal truth: Mr. Boggs doesn’t actually care about April. He cares about buying something sparkly that makes her think about him every time it glints in the light. And if she has to fudge the calendar a bit to get there, well… accidents happen.

Third, flirtation thrives on collaboration. This isn’t a solo sport. Our lingerie-clad sidekick is the unsung hero of this operation. Behind every enchanting woman is a friend who will Google “birthstones by month” faster than a cat can knock over a martini.

If you want to channel this same energy in your own life, here’s the formula:

1. Be boldly charming. Confidence makes any fact you say sound true—even if you’re inventing a new month called “Diamber.”

2. Have a partner in crime. Someone to feed you intel, fix your lipstick, and remind you that for the right suitor, every month is Diamond month.

3. Leave them smiling. Whether or not Mr. Boggs ever buys that gem, he’ll remember the girl who made him laugh, tease, and chase just a little.

After all, the real diamond here isn’t the stone—it’s the sparkle in her eyes as she asks, with perfect innocence:

“Quick, what month is Diamonds?”

Flirtation, darling, is the most delightful game—and as this scene proves, it’s one where the witty and charming always win. 💎

[xmas-present]

[22-designs]

Winter Bunny by a Cozy Cottage: A Tale of Charm, Mischief, and Maybe Hot Cocoa

You know it’s winter magic season when even a rabbit can make you jealous of its lifestyle. Picture this: a plump little bunny, bundled in a perfectly tailored jacket, backpack slung over one shoulder, standing in the soft glow of a lantern-lit cottage. Snowflakes drift around him like he’s the star of a slow-motion holiday commercial, and behind the frosty window sits a Christmas tree glittering with ornaments and the promise of cookies. If that doesn’t scream “peak seasonal envy,” I don’t know what does.

This cheeky little winter traveler looks like he’s either on his way to a secret woodland soirée or about to deliver the tiniest, most fashionable package in the history of Christmas. He’s holding something in his paws—maybe a letter, maybe a snack, maybe the contract for his next Hallmark movie. I like to think it’s a map to all the best cocoa spots in town, because bunnies with backpacks are clearly on important missions.

The scene itself is straight out of a storybook. A narrow path curves past the snow-dusted cottage, lampposts casting a golden glow on the drifts, and pine trees decorated as if the forest itself decided to get festive. It’s the kind of winter evening that makes you want to wrap up in a scarf three sizes too big, grab a mug of peppermint hot chocolate, and pretend your inbox doesn’t exist.

And let’s talk about the cottage. Whoever lives there clearly has their cozy game on lock: warm light spilling from the windows, a Christmas tree tucked in the corner, and probably a fire crackling inside. You know there’s a plate of gingerbread cookies on that table, and I’d bet my last candy cane the bunny knows it too. He’s got that look—half innocent, half plotting a very adorable break-in.

This image is everything I want for the holiday season: a dash of nostalgia, a sprinkle of magic, and a reminder that winter is best enjoyed with a little mischief. Forget adulting—be the bunny. Slow down, wear the cute jacket, savor the quiet snowy paths, and maybe show up uninvited to a cozy cottage or two (preferably ones with cookies).

So, next time you’re trudging through your own holiday to-do list, picture this bunny. He’s not stressed about shopping or baking or whether he left the lights on. He’s just out here living his best storybook life, and honestly, I think he’s got it all figured out.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find a small jacket and a hot cocoa trail. Winter bunny rules apply.

[22-designs]

Be yourself. The right people will find you and stay. 💕 #Authenticity #WillSmith

[22-designs]

Luxury Driving Isn’t About the Car—It’s About the Moment You’re Wasting

I know what you think: the key to experiencing automotive luxury is simply owning an iconic car—maybe a classic Aston Martin, maybe a concept prototype like the one dominating your Instagram feed. But that assumption is flawed. You are wrong. Believing that possession alone equals experience is the single biggest mistake luxury enthusiasts make, and it’s silently wasting the very thing you claim to value most: time.

Luxury is not the vehicle. Luxury is the moment you command. And right now, your current belief is leaving that moment on the table.

This article is not about cars. It’s the structural tool for reclaiming your high-value lifestyle experience by making one specific shift: stop thinking about ownership, and start designing presence.

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Controlling the Focus: From Possession to Presence

Most car lovers and lifestyle collectors focus on the wrong subject when sharing or living their passion: the object itself. They obsess over specs, history, or the number of likes under a photo. This is process focus—a deep dive into what you care about, not what drives high-value impact for you.

Here’s the shift: make the outcome—not the object—the subject of your life. Instead of “I own a rare concept Aston Martin,” the high-value focus is:

- “I own the silence of an autumn road at 60 mph.”

- “I own the moment my presence draws phones out of pockets.”

- “I own the memory that doesn’t need social validation to exist.”

The car is a tool. The outcome is the life you’re curating.

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The Guardrail: True Luxury is Processed Instantly

Conciseness isn’t about word count; it’s about how quickly someone—yourself included—can feel the value. A complex garage tour doesn’t create instant luxury. Pulling onto an autumn road, leaves scattering under your wheels, does. That is felt, not described.

Here’s your immediate, measurable action: Schedule your next drive with intentional presence. No music. No phone. No audience. Just road, engine, and the season itself. If you can’t feel the luxury without a witness, you’ve been chasing the wrong thing.

Luxury is not the car. Luxury is how you choose to arrive—in the world, and in your own life.

[22-designs]

The Army’s AI Wake-Up Call: Why Data Management Is Your New Mission

You probably think the Army’s biggest challenge in AI is acquiring more data. That assumption is dead wrong—and it’s quietly undermining your operational advantage.

The truth, as Lt. Gen. Jeth Rey makes painfully clear, is that the Army doesn’t have a data collection problem—it has a data management crisis. And unless you face this head-on, your AI initiatives will stall before they ever leave the motor pool.

This isn’t about theory. This is about your ability to act on the data you already own.

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Stop Hiding Behind Siloed Data

Here’s the hard truth: your data is scattered, siloed, and defenseless. You can’t clean it, govern it, or scale it for AI until it’s centralized. Rey’s directive is uncompromising—data must “reside in the same place,” protected and ready to be leveraged.

Why does this matter to you? Because AI isn’t a magic solution you can bolt onto chaos. If your operational data is fragmented, every decision you make is slower, weaker, and more vulnerable.

Your mission now is clear: burn down the silos. Consolidate your data, protect it, and build the foundation for AI-driven resilience.

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The Outcome That Actually Matters: Operational Resilience

Too many leaders talk about AI in terms of tools, processes, or personnel. That’s the wrong focus. The only metric that matters is operational resilience—your ability to respond faster and smarter than your adversary in a contested environment.

AI will “operationalize resilience” only if you understand the computing environment and enforce governance. If you’re treating AI as a niche project for a single MOS, you are guaranteeing failure. Rey’s challenge is clear: every soldier must understand AI.

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Your Next Immediate Action

Conciseness isn’t about shorter memos—it’s about how quickly your team can act on your insight. Right now, that means one thing: centralize and secure your data pipeline.

Until you do, AI is a fantasy. Once you do, it will become your most powerful force multiplier.

So here’s your challenge: by the end of this week, identify one siloed data environment in your command and create a plan to consolidate it. Don’t wait for a directive. Don’t wait for new tools. Your operational resilience depends on it.

[22-designs]

# The Unfinished Story You’re Still Waiting For (And Why That’s Your Problem)

I know what you think: *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina* will eventually get its proper ending. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa will return to it. Archie Horror will make an announcement. The story just needs time.

You are wrong.

That assumption is unrealistic and actively costing you something more valuable than the $3.99 cover price: your attention, your trust in serialized storytelling, and your ability to make informed decisions about which narratives deserve your investment. This text is not a eulogy for an abandoned comic series. It is the structural tool for identifying which incomplete stories will betray you and which deserve your finite reading time.

## The Bad Habit: Waiting for Process to Save You

Most readers focus on creative process when evaluating stalled projects. You track the writer’s other commitments. You monitor publisher announcements. You catalog the reasons: “Aguirre-Sacasa is busy with *Riverdale*,” “The TV show complicated things,” “Archie Horror is restructuring.”

This is process focus. It centers what the creator is doing, not what you are losing.

Here’s the high-value shift: **Your reading time is the subject, and incompletion is actively stealing it.**

Stop asking “When will they finish?” Start asking: “What is this delay costing my ability to trust serialized comics?” Every month you wait for *CAOS* is a month you could invest in complete narratives. Every dollar you spent on issues #1-8 is now sunk cost in a story you may never see resolved. **The outcome you must measure is not the creator’s intent—it’s the probability of your satisfaction.**

Compare the structural pattern: Alan Moore’s *Big Numbers* (abandoned after issue #2, 1990), Neil Gaiman’s *Marvel 1602: The Fantastick Four* (announced 2007, never released), Frank Miller’s *Holy Terror* (restarted multiple times before a compromised 2011 release). The commonality isn’t creative ambition—it’s that readers who waited lost years of reading opportunity cost.

*Chilling Adventures of Sabrina* stopped at issue #9 in 2020. Five years later, you’re still waiting. **The pattern is already complete.** You’re not waiting for a conclusion; you’re refusing to recognize an abandonment.

## Your Immediate Action: The Completion Audit

Here’s your functional tool: Before investing in any serialized comic with a planned arc, perform the Completion Audit.

**Ask three questions:**

1. Has this creative team completed a serialized project of comparable scope in the past three years?

1. Does this publisher have financial incentive to complete this specific series, or is it ancillary to a more profitable property?

1. If this story stopped today, have I already extracted sufficient value from what exists?

If you answer “no” to two or more, do not invest. Read completed works instead. Your attention is the commodity. **Conciseness isn’t how short the comic is—it’s how quickly it delivers complete value without wasting your trust.**

Stop waiting for *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina* #10. That wait is the cost. Recognize the abandonment, reclaim your reading time, and invest it in stories that respect your finite attention.

The only test of this text’s success: Will you audit your pull list today and remove the incomplete series that will never finish?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​