The Weekly Short Stack for January 9, 2026

Each week, I pull together a short stack of the things that stood out – something I made, something I read or watched, an experience that left a small but noticeable impression in the week. Not a grand unifying theme, not a comprehensive recap. Just the bits that felt worth pocketing before the week slips away.

Short Stack

1. Back To Business

In last week’s Short Stack, I talked about how I’d been on staycation for two weeks. Well, now that staycation is over, I’m back to work at the ol’ day job. Thankfully, it’s been a relatively easy ramp up week, where I think most everyone else I work with is also easing back into the swing of things after a long break. Instead of plunging straight into the deep end, it’s like we all collectively decided to slowly and gingerly wade in to the pool via the shallow end.

2. One Battle After Another

I finally sat down to watch the new Paul Thomas Anderson film, One Battle After Another, and was blown away. I’m late to the party on this one, and it seems to be the current front-runner for the Best Picture Oscar this year. Tremendous performances all up and down the cast list:
- Leonardo DiCaprio in more of a loser role than I can recall him ever playing
- Benicio Del Toro ensuring that loser doesn’t actually lose
- Sean Penn as a truly despicable villain
- Teyana Taylor as an absolute force of nature
- And Chase Infiniti showing that she’ll be a star for decades to come

Not to mention the tension of the single piano notes, and an absolutely nerve-wracking car chase scene along an isolated California highway.

3. Bugonia

Speaking of standout films, I also watched the new Yorgos Lanthimos film, Bugonia. His films are always pretty far out there, and not always my cup of tea. This one was more my speed than some of the other ones I’ve watched, being set in present day. I loved the conspiracy paranoia story, and Jesse Plemons made for a terrific foil for Emma Stone.

4. The Pitt, Season 2

One of my favorite TV shows of 2025 was the first season of The Pitt, and its Season 2 premiere dropped onto HBO’s streaming service last night. I’m so happy to have Dr. Robby and the whole gang back in our lives.

5. Writing on the Reverse

One of the neat tricks with many fountain pens is that you can flip the pen over 180 degrees while you’re writing to use the other side of the nib tip -- “reverse” writing. Not all nibs will produce useful results when you try the reverse, but when a nib is ground to intentionally offer reverse writing, it’s can produce some cool results.

Take this Schon DSGN Monoc nib, for instance:

Love seeing how just a turn of your wrist can produce such different results!

That’s the Short Stack for the week. If something from your week stood out, I’d love to hear about it!