34. A quick roundup #3
Things that light me up in August 2022.
interlude
About every three months, in tandem with the seasons, I find myself wishing for a bit of change. Nothing drastic, just a little refreshment of the food, media, or art I consume. Now in late summer, it’s time again to share a handful of things which give me a sense of calm, and a pleasant remove from everyday life.
resources
Punch Up The Jam podcast. I loved The Gregory Brothers’ auto-tuned songs back in the day (who could forget the double rainbow song?!) and I’m delighted they’ve found a new outlet for their creativity, riffing on well-known tracks. Each episode is light and entertaining, eviscerating cheesy lyrics we’ve taken for granted until now. The best part is the payoff of a hilarious and musically-sound parody, e.g. the recent mashup of “Bring Me To Life” and “Just the Two of Us”!
Zumba classes. I found a local group that has been tight-knit ever since Covid closed gyms in 2020. We dance in one of the ladies’ gardens as well as neighbourhood community centres, and directly paying the instructor feels better than having those funds go through a third party. They warmly welcome new recruits, and spend each session whooping, hollering, and even spontaneously dancing in a circle. This community is a source of joy and laughter; I come away from each sweat session feeling refreshed, with a little more zest for life.
Rijksmuseum website & mailing list. I can’t remember why I signed up for emails, but it’s fun to receive a bit of art in my inbox. The Rijksmuseum is one of the most generous museums I’ve followed, in terms of providing high-quality images and video content, and they even have their own version of Pinterest. Since I try to practice Inbox Zero and only move emails after I’m done reading & replying, these emails force me to remember the wonder of a Vermeer up close, or the beauty of Japanese lacquer. Usually when I’m the most busy/least open to receiving the art is when I most need to process & appreciate it.
Feel free to share your own thoughts and/or your recent “life-giving” discoveries in the comments!
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