Things I'm into
A little list. Because it's Friday. Have Fun.
Honestly, I have a whole other newsletter in my drafts with bits and pieces of things that I could’ve talked about or brought up this week.
But like my favorite saying, I'm “le tired.” So no firing of the branding/marketing missiles (real ones know).
Instead, I’m leaving you with what I’m actually into, because talking about my work doesn’t tickle my fancy all the time. Unless I want to rage. And I’ve had enough raging for this fortnight.
So instead, enjoy the things I’m into right now. Who knows? Maybe this is the palate cleanser I need.
Things I’m into right now
Because it’s all just a ploy to get to this part.
What I’m reading:
The Luminaries by Elizabeth Catton (I added this book to my Kindle in 2013 because it had a cool cover and, hey, it was a Man Booker Prize-winner even though I only used that last point to justify the other point. I started reading it and lasted about ten minutes, realizing that it was akin to The Scarlet Letter in its language use (it’s really not - I was overreacting) and tiresome exposition. Also, it was also around 850 pages long. I conveniently forgot about all of that when my book club asked for recommendations for our next book. Like me, they were swayed by the aesthetics. But the length escaped my brain. When people emailed in with their perjorative groans, I gave out a meek “woopsie.” Surprisingly, the head of our group loved it. That prompted me to ute-up and finish it as well. It’s honestly really good in terms of narrative flow. The first part is a beast to get through, taking up at least 50% of those 850-ish pages. The rhythm picks up pretty quickly. Interestingly enough, the author based the book on the star charts of 1800s New Zealand, with each character embodying an astrological sign or planet. The parts in the book resemble the phases of the moon with the first behemoth as the “full moon.” Makes sense. It also makes sense that this description is now proportional to the book itself. Apologies, thoughts and prayers, etc. Moving on).
This article from The Substack Post by Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie (this piece is like a third history, a third commentary, and a third ‘hey this is why Substack’s great’ but it’s an incredibly insightful reflection of the evolution of media. And yes, I’m saying evolution here even though some very *loud* mouthpieces sound like a devolution. But Hamish has a point about the media’s former status resembling a temple. It was lauded, trusted. But it believed too much in its own sacredness. No one could get in unless you had special connections. Much like me trying to get into St. Peter’s Basilica and getting stopped at the door by a striped, puffy clown-knight because my slutty shoulders and knees were exposed. How dare I. I and my whore-ish sundress. But hey, at least I got to put a Vatican reference in there. Happy new pope-ing, everyone. Anyway, information is — for the most part — no longer behind closed gates or being propelled down to us from on high. For worse, but also truly for better, the opportunity to speak is not limited to a few. Don’t make me go into politics, but I sincerely believe the dems shot themselves in the foot and lost the election by not believing this themselves. Sorry, CNN and NYT isn’t everyone’s solo news source anymore. Agree or not? Please drop a comment below. I’m fresh off a full reply marathon after my wannabe viral LI post this week.)
What I’m scrolling:
I just did a quick scroll through Instagram. Turns out I’m still hooked on F1 content. Especially the Miami GP. Why was everyone there without me?
Dipped into TikTok for funzies, and while it’s not as addicting as I thought it’d be, I loved seeing videos of all these girls with injection duck lips. Do you boo, but schedule that touch up soon.
My ladder workouts — I love it when things are delivered to me with minimal effort. After years of husband-driven nagging, I’m lifting weights again along with my weekly runs. He started using this app, and I’ve been on it for about a couple months. It does everything I need it to. Like plan shit, without me needing to do it. (FYI I’m not an affiliate and I will NOT get paid for recommending this app - i just like talking about products and services that I actually like using)
What I’m listening to:
honestly anything mocha. rn
What I’m working on:
Screaming into the void (had a lot of good practice this week)
Brand strategy, as a service, is live and rolling in case you know any business owners that want to stop screaming into the void too.
Fin—for now.