iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 3h

I know you do. You’re my number one fan!

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 8h

Thank you for the insight…and the validation!

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 8h

It’s Friday, as in my brain is FRIED! Here is today’s #typewriterjournal written on the Canon Typestar 5 Deluxe. I got rechargeable batteries for it, and now I basically have a distraction-free laptop. Note: forgive the shifting point of view and needless repetition. Like I said, brain is mush.

9 October 2026
My brain is on fire with ideas, plans that are percolating, relationships I want to build, spaces I'd like to establish, a legacy I'd like to leave behind. But I am also so damned tired. My reach, I fear, exceeds my grasp. But this is the time. If I am going to move, it should be now, while the wave is cresting. It's a risk, putting one's hat in the ring and asking people to support your notions. I've avoided taking such risks for the most part in my career, content to sit in my little corner and teach my students and be glad of the small wins. But, I guess now is the time to go big. Not OR go home. Go big so I CAN go home and look back and be glad of what I left behind.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 17h

Most of the students in this class plan to go on to be teachers themselves — mostly elementary teachers. And yes, they deserve to step into a career that will treat them well. Sadly, that is not the state of the K-12 profession today.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 17h

Do you do it just to hear that glorious racket? I have a daisywheel typewriter, and that makes quite the sound.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I am someone interested in creating a booklab-adjacent space. Specifically, I’m thinking about developing an analog writing lab and/or multidisciplinary vintage technology lab at a community college. Given that, do you think this course might be something from which I would benefit?

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

This scene is comedic genius. Love me some Harrigan twins!

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

One of my Tuesday night students gave me this at the start of class this week. It meant a lot, especially since I had such impostor syndrome coming into that particular class this term. Taking the little wins where I can get them.

Sticker that reads “best English teacher ever.”

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I have a delightful Brother daisywheel that I found at the thrift store recently, and I’ve tracked down several different wheels for it. It’s a great typer!

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Doesn’t it? It’s very dot matrix-y

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Yep. That’s the downside. Have to keep the paper away from light and heat so the print doesn’t fade so fast. This machine does take a ribbon cartridge, but those cartridges are no longer being made, and any NOS out there is like gold!

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

LOL! It has one called “Why is it beeping at me now?”

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

That is Courier 10, the default typeface. It also has Cubic PS, which is featured in today’s post.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

This machine has two options. This is the one that does proportional spacing, Cubic PS. The default typeface is Courier 10.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I live in a tiny condo surrounded by neighbors, so I am certain they will appreciate this courtesy, as might my cats. My husband never seems bothered by my typing.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Today’s #typewriterjournal. When typing this, I forgot that alt text is a thing, so I ended up transcribing the text on the page anyway…

Photo of a Canon Typestar 5 Deluxe with a piece of paper with typing on it. Next to it on the table is the original manual.

8 October 2026

Greetings from a 1983 thermal typewriter, the Canon Typestar 5 Deluxe. What makes it Deluxe? As far as I can tell, this one came bundled with its power adapter. Fancy, huh? In lieu of the adapter, it can run off 4 D-cell batteries, so it is an early "laptop," if you will. I was looking for a compact, quiet machine that didn't need to live on a desktop and that didn't alert the entire neighborhood to its presence while still giving me a distraction-free writing experience with the haptics of an electronic typewriter. This one checks all those boxes. I think I will try to do a little journaling most days using the machine, and I'll make a point of posting my musings from time to time. Or rather, I will post photos of my musings. Because what would be the point of retyping them on my computer? Rather misses the point.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Here is a thermal #typewriter from the 80s, a #Canon Typestar 5 Deluxe. In original box with all accessories and manual. Fully functional. I got a box of thermal paper off Amazon to test it. Another ShopGoodwill find, it can run off batteries or A/C power. It’s really quiet, other than the keys.

Canon Typestar 5 electronic thermal typewriter in its original box

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Sorry you have to delay, but it will happen eventually!

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This post just compelled me to look up the Henry Ford/square dancing thing, and now I know exactly why I was forced to learn square dancing in fourth grade. Wow.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This obituary gave all its attention to his political career and a scant few lines to the fact that for some 15+ years, he was a serial child molester.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Tie between The Wizard of Oz and The Ten Commandments. Both came on every year and were watched in my house whenever they were on.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I don’t think that ground turkey I made for dinner was any good, and I think my stomach knows it, too.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I find a lot of craft supplies at my local thrift stores. As long as I don’t need anything specific, I can usually score something crafty.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Brought out the fall/winter clothes and put away the spring/summer clothes. That means it will be unseasonably warm for the next two weeks, guaranteed. 🍁 🍂

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

LOL! I finally got up and did a bit of adulting today. And I napped. It’s all about balance!

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

We’ve seen this movie several times. It doesn’t end well.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Nice! San Antonio has upped its culinary game in the 20+ years since I moved away.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

From that roll of #Kentmere Pan 400 I put through the #Holga with the #Yashica flash mounted. Got some interesting takes on some familiar subjects, like these flowers. #HolgaWeek2026

Black and white flash photo of some insect-eaten sunflowers. Heavy vignetting at the corners of the photo.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Started waking up earlier during COVID (so early 50s).

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Then as an adult, I lived in a city where the track ran less than a block from where I lived, and the train would blow its whistle at the crossing several times a day. I could feel the rumble in the wooden floorboards.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

A freight spur ran through the ranch where I grew up. There was even a small trestle on the property which I would sometimes stand under as the train passed overhead (though I was forbidden to be near the tracks when the trains were running).

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I may cut into work time and develop that roll I took the other day and see how they came out with flash.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Already downed my coffee and had my breakfast. As soon as the husband is done with his breakfast, we’re off to run errands. No rest for the wicked! I did read a book while I drank my coffee, though.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

In San Antonio, they often make their beans and tortillas with lard (unless they specify otherwise). So a seemingly vegetarian meal might not really be one. Hopefully you got the true veggie version.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I feel like “caulk nozzle” would be a great insult to throw around.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Having one of those mornings where I don’t want to get out of bed because if I do, I will have to confront the harsh reality that work is waiting for me. Noooooo!

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Misjudged your age but correctly ascertained your gender — so still a win? Or something. I have always looked older than my partners (current and former) and have often gotten accused of being their mother despite being only 2-6 years older. So right there with you on that one.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Conference is finally over. Having some lunch before heading home. Going to use the rest of today to decompress and fiddle with cameras and typewriters. Tomorrow I will tackle the crush of schoolwork. Five of six classes turned in essays this week. Why did I do that to myself? Poor planning.

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Mary Jo Richards @mjrichards.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It was certainly surprising news! :)

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