12.10.2020

The 33 Project

I started a work e-mail this morning with, “What a weird and difficult year.” That feels appropriate right? Sometimes I have to stop and really think about 2020. Not just a passing “sheesh” thought. But, like a real, grieve/accept/heaviness collection of thoughts. It’s nearing an end. The first 2.5 months were like most other years. Things really, really changed though. For the worst. Undeniably. But, now what? It’s a hard ask. To reframe thoughts and expectations. To set yourself up for a new way of being. Especially when the option for the old way of being is still there. It’s not within my control, of course. Or yours. So how do with live with all the contradictions and frustrations and weirdness? Distractions. Daily progress. Art. I don’t know.

Here are three things that peaked my interest this week.

1/ This interview with Fran Lebowitz is spectacular. It’s a simple conversation but it covers a lot. I found it really nourishing. The bit about Covid-19 vs. AIDS was really fascinating, too. I’d recommend you follow it with the AIDS Memorial episode, that comes just after Lebowitz’s. Great podcast.

2/ Curbed put out an In Memoriam of sorts, recognizing the hundreds of shuttered businesses through the five boroughs that make up New York City. It’s a shattering list of places gone from an inability to survive this pandemic. Scrolling through the list felt like taking hits. I used to box more and it was like being in the ring with no understanding of the time left on the clock. It’s brutal. But by the end, you did it. I felt that way after reading this list.

3/ Finally this track from Brittany Howard is great. It’s a vibe, for sure. Both calming and energizing at the same time.

That’s all for this week. Happy Hannukah and I’ll be back soon.