As the business and self-help folks like to remind us, the year is more than half over! How are you doing on your goals? I've done a few things, but my business-related "wanna do" list is still pretty long. I always think I can get more done than is realistic given that my "must do" list is also pretty long! But, honestly, I don't stress about it too much. I try to remind myself of the motto of the podcast Happier In Hollywood: "It's a fun job and I enjoy it!"
Here's a look at what I've been doing since last month:
On My Work (Art) Table
Earlier this week I drilled a bunch of holes in some small pieces of copper and aluminum to make some mixed-media art. It's been pretty slow going! I don't know if my metalworking skills rusty (probably!) or if I've just forgotten that sometimes it just takes a long time to get to the finish line. I'm committed to finishing these pieces I've started. Even if I don't end up falling in love with them, I'll probably have learned something in the process. And maybe next time things will go more quickly and/or smoothly!
In the Kitchen
It's summer, so I'm not keen on spending much time in the kitchen. I have been watching some food shows, notably Inside the Factory, which is a British show available via the Smithsonian Channel. (Selected episodes are on Paramount Plus.) I just watched the episode on crisps (or potato chips, as we call them in the U.S.). I ended up looking up Walkers crisps and then American potato chips (Lay's) online and just marveling at all the flavors: marmite, prawn cocktail, dill pickle, chile limon, and so many more. I've had BBQ, sour cream and onion, and .... maybe that's it? (Oh, I did use salt and vinegar chips for a metal coloring experiment once!) I don't eat chips that often, but now I'm feeling that maybe I should try something new next time I decide to buy a bag.
What I'm Reading
Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World, a graphic novel by Penelope Bagieu, was a fun read geared towards teens. I especially liked the contrast between what she wrote in the text and what was depicted in her drawings, especially when there were difficult moments in the women's lives.
If you're into crime podcasts or snooty New England boarding schools, then the literary mystery I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai is probably right up your alley! I did find it compelling and ended up reading it rather quickly. I wasn't quite satisfied by the ending, but that's probably because I tend to read more traditional mystery fiction.
On My Library Hold List
Starter Villain by John Scalzi, a book described as a "sci-fi caper," is due out in September. I was immediately captured by the U.S. cover which features a cat in a suit; the U.K. cover with the swirls of red just doesn't resonate with me. It will be interesting to see what I think about the book's cover after I read the book. Did the cover match the tone and story or not?
What I'm Watching
I watched the first six episodes of the British version of the TV show Ghosts. I preferred the American version; it felt like the characters were a bit more differentiated, but it's possible I feel that way because I watched it first. Watching two versions of the same story is definitely something to try if you're a writer or someone else who works with ideas. People always think that the most important part of creativity is the idea, but I believe it's actually the execution of that idea. It's your specific choice of language, the images you draw, and the way you convey your message that's most important. Never worry that someone's already done it before--that doesn't mean that the world doesn't need your version!
Art I Admired
Have you seen these rugs that look like they're melting? They're by Azerbaijani artist Faig Ahmed. It's always fascinating to see someone put a new spin on a very old art form.
Made Me Laugh
A recent story about a sea otter in Santa Cruz, California that's taking over surfboards caught my attention. Yes, it's a problem when wildlife starts interacting closely with humans. I don't want people to get hurt, obviously. But some of those photos of the sea otter trying to climb onto surfboards were making me feel like I'd stepped into a children's book!
I also enjoyed seeing these (De)Merit badges that you can buy for skills like "touched wet paint."
New in the Shop
So many earrings! Maybe a dozen new pairs this month? Here's a sample: Stethoscope Earrings, Orca Earrings, and Desert Scene Earrings
Blog News
You can now subscribe to this blog and get new posts directly in your email the moment they're published! As a bonus, I've also created a downloadable book guide for blog subscribers that is a list of 30+ books that I've read and enjoyed. I hope you'll find at least one or two books that you'll want to read this summer, whether they're ones I'm recommending or not! (If you're one of my longtime blog email subscribers, feel free to contact me and I can email you the PDF. No need to subscribe twice!)
See you in August!