Hello again & happy autumn š
Itās been a year since I started this newsletter! š Thanks for sticking with me and joining along. What began as weekly updates from following The Artistās Way has morphed into an irregularly shared hodgepodge of thoughts.
As the pandemic continues, Iāve found myself growing more hesitant to share things online. Part of it is social media anxiety, another part is not wanting to needlessly give away my personal data (TLDR The Social Dilemma documentary). But my biggest reason is that I feel that I must project modesty on the internet. It feels insensitive to openly share joyous moments, especially those cherished outdoor hangs with friends, when there are so many who cannot have the same opportunity. Maybe this self-censoring voice is louder from witnessing the frequent lashings that celebrities get for the inane things (and from having a mother who is hyperaware of this internet culture).
Because of these reasons I havenāt been writing for this newsletter as often as Iād like (I havenāt been writing much at all, really). But I greatly miss the ritual of writing these, both as a letter to you and record for myself, so Iāll be trying out a pared down format that I can consistently stick to. Let me know what you think!
Iāve been consumingā¦
Succession šŗ. I am late boarding the Succession train, but I get the hype! This show about a dysfunctional richer than rich family (inspired by the Murdochs) is so funny and wicked. Thereās ironic relief in not being able to root for anyone because everyoneās a little (or a lot) depraved. E and I are obsessed with Kendallās catchphrase āIām goodā when really, heās anything but.
Emily in Paris šŗ. Thereās something oddly comforting and nostalgic about a white girlās romantic fantasy of moving to Paris and having French men fall at her feet, while ignoring the realities of not being able to speak a lick of French. Itās like rewatching Gossip Girl or Sex and the City packaged up in a new pastel box of macarons. But really, chef Gabriel!!!
Hardboiled & Hard Luck by Banana Yoshimoto š. Iām a big fan of Banana Yoshimotoās work (please read Kitchen if you havenāt!) I picked up Hardboiled & Hard Luck during my first visit to the Strand post-lockdown, and was pleased to read more of Bananaās meditative, heartfelt words tinged with sadness. The two stories deal with death and loss while paving a hopeful way forward.
āSisterā by TSHA š¶. This song is a euphoric gem. Itās a lying down in a field of golden flowers and watching the clouds pass by and tearing at the beauty of life kind of tune. TSHA wrote the song during lockdown upon finding out she had an older half-sister and getting close with herāan incredible backstory for a gorgeous song.
Obituaries š°. I donāt regularly read obits, but Iāve found theyāre a great way to get to know the person behind a frequented place. In August I found out the founder of BCD Tofu House Hee Sook Lee passed away, and through her obituary discovered that BCD was inspired by the familyās frequent trips to Koreatownās Beverly Soon Tofu (which also closed its single location this year š). Carol Paumgarten, the co-founder and artistic director of Steps on Broadway, also passed away this year. I made the trek to Upper West Side every week to go to Steps pre-pandemic, and reading Carolās obituary was an homage to the studioās creaky elevators, worn floors, and above all the variety of dancers, where one could see āthe greatest ballerina in the world dancing next to [oneās] mailman.ā
Iāve been makingā¦
Postcards for friends. For my birthday I asked friends to send me letters and cards for a mail exchange. Itās been a highlight of my day to see the correspondence trickle in! Iāve been making quick abstract postcards to send back to friends, thanks to these watercolor postcards that my friend Nicole got me (sign up for her wonderful biweekly newsletter). I inevitably feel like I messed up on each of them, but I tell myself the stakes are low and there are no rules. Breaking free of rules is the point.
A dining table go from black to oak wood. Last month I fell into a redecorating rabbit hole and ticked off a lot of mini home projects that have been on the back burner. After ordering new dining chairs that came in a walnut finish, E suggested we repaint the black wooden base of our glass dining table. We found this liquid wood product which removes the need for sanding or stripping, so we started the painting project this weekend! Iāll share updates on how successful it was next time.
Thanks as always for reading through š§” Iād love to hear what youāve been up to and whatās on your mind this fall. Stay warm and drink all the cozy beverages and soups!
I loved this! It's been hard for me to feel connect to people during the pandemic and even social media can be draining, but I really love getting your newsletter cyoo and it reminds me of things I want to be making time for.
I love the watercolor postcards idea! I have been sending postcards from my stash that Iāve accumulated from traveling so far, but I really like the idea of creating something and sending it to someone. Iāve been working a lot on my perfectionist mentality where I have trouble writing or drawing because Iām scared to mess up before I even begin. I think painting postcards would also help me practice creating something to get over that hurdle.