Link Party: 1/23-1/27

Paper monsteras.
Paper monsteras.

This was a really, really, really tough week on many levels. I hope that you’re taking care of yourself and working towards finding your own sense of balance. Do not feel guilty about taking breaks to do the things you enjoy. “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

Here’s what I read this week:

1. The extraordinary stories of the White House mailroom staff, Obama’s 10 letters a day and the people who wrote them.

2. This is what it’s like to come to the United States as a refugee.

— Before you get to the rest of the links, it’s imperative you read the first two. They are required reading. —

3. What Roxane Gay is reading.

4. The story of David Bowie’s secret final project.

5. “Self-care” is not the same as “treating yourself.”

And a bonus: How to begin again.

Have a great week. I believe in you.

Link Party: 8/22-8/26

Last weekend I went to a little place called Lotusland. Stay tuned.
Last weekend I went to a little place called Lotusland. Stay tuned.

Quick question: where did August go? This summer has felt like a rubber band — one minute it feels like it’s been the longest summer of my life, while the next seems like yesterday was just the first of March.

Here’s what I read this week:

1. If you’re interested, this article from a former Gawker editor-in-chief explains the outlet’s demise very well.

2. Inside Urban Outfitters.

3. Conversations with Chance the Rapper.

4. The story of Pandora’s famous charm bracelet.

5. Instagram’s geotags as powerful travel guides.

And a bonus: If you’re in need of a new body lotion, this one is a game changer. I smell like the prettiest beach on earth.

Enjoy your weekend.

Link Party: 6/13-6/17

A new Jenny Holzer installation at the Broad Museum.
A new Jenny Holzer installation at the Broad Museum, which I visited yesterday.

I read so many great articles this week, and I couldn’t pare them down to the best six because they were all. so. great. The more the merrier. Here’s what I read:

1. Can Netflix survive in the world it created? (My take: probably not.)

2. How Silicon Valley nails Silicon Valley. (Do you watch this show?  I love it. Start watching it.)

3. This is a very emotionally difficult interview to read, but you really should read it — an interview with a woman who recently had an abortion at 32 weeks.

4. The underground economy that rules New York City’s food carts.

5. A delightful conversation about basically nothing with Paul McCartney.

6. Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo and the power of the unfinished album.

7. An inside look at how Yahoo derailed Tumblr.

8. Barbara Williamson, one of the most famous radical sex experiments of the 1970s, and her life today.

9. An excerpt from a new book about Max Perkins, the editor who discovered F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.

10. The best of the Dirtbags.

Have a great weekend.

Link Party: 4/18-4/22

A photo from last night's Arcs concert. It was one of the best shows I've ever been to.
A photo from last night’s Arcs concert — one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. 

Here’s what I read this week:

1. Earning the “woke” badge.

2. The social media cabals that run the Internet.

3. The Coachella way of life.

4. How rich was Shakespeare?

5. Finding “lost” civilizations.

And a bonus: Starting at 3:28, Prince’s incredible guitar solo in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” at the 2004 tribute to George Harrison. Also, this tweet.

Link Party: 3/7-3/11

My front yard is full of clover.
My front yard is full of clover.

Here’s what I read this week:

1. These two professors programmed a computer to analyze the works of authors with and without MFAs, and when they looked at the data their results were Not Good.

2. When you listen to music, you’re never alone.

3. I relished in reading about Iris Apfel’s recent week in Paris. That lady has lived her best life.

4. Manhattan’s first murder mystery, featuring Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. (No, not that murder.)

5. “The Last Question,” by Isaac Asimov.

And a bonus: I have had Rostam Batmanglij’s “Gravity Don’t Pull Me” on repeat for the past two days. The video is gorgeous.

Have a great weekend.

Link Party: 10/19-10/23

Clouds, man. Clouds.
Clouds, man. Clouds.

Although I’ve had a difficult time transitioning to a post-grad life over the last few months, I’ve had some really sweet moments this week that make me excited about my fledgling career and how many opportunities there are to grow. I’ve also had some frustrating moments this week where I’ve wondered what I’ve gotten myself into and what step I should take next. According to the great philosopher and artist Kanye West, the point of life is getting shit done and being happy. I’m working on it.

Here’s what I read this week:

1. This is an incredible Gloria Steinem profile. She is an incredible lady.

2. I wish I had written this article about Facebook instant articles.

3. This graphic designer explained his work to 4-year-olds, and I love how he did it.

4. I love reminiscing about playing the Sims and thinking about how much that game has influenced my design interests in so many ways, so I thought this article about its romantic relationships was fascinating.

5. I had no idea that Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra were such good friends and influenced each other so much.

And a bonus: these photos of Hillary Clinton’s face during the latest round of Benghazi questions speak to my soul.

Link Party: 6/22-6/26

I did a quick series of sketchbook papers on words I use frequently. This was my favorite one.
I did a quick series of sketchbook papers on words I use frequently. This was my favorite one.

I used my laptop a grand total of two times this week, and I gotta say, a digital detox beyond my phone felt really great. Granted, I still read articles and surfed Facebook / Twitter on my phone. But baby steps, right? Back to your regularly scheduled programming next week. And now to the party:

1. If you’re curious, this is what being a zookeeper is like.

2. Elaine Benes was truly the best part of Seinfeld.

3. I wholeheartedly appreciate Rashida Jones’s advice on happiness at work.

4. Man Repeller nails (as always) an analysis of what the Gmail undo send button really means.

A twofer 5. Claudia Rankine on the condition of African American life being one of mourning and Roxane Gay on why she can’t forgive Dylann Roof.

And a bonus: Everyone was talking about it earlier this week, but Marc Maron’s podcast with Barack Obama is definitely worth listening to.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Link Party: 6/1-6/5

Black-and-white June in Los Angeles.
Black-and-white June in Los Angeles.

Man oh man, this was an emotional week — and next week will be even worse. But here’s what I read:

1. The calligraphy stars on Instagram are some of my favorite accounts to follow.

2. Colson Whitehead brings up an incredible hyper-contemporary facet to “pics or it didn’t happen.”

3. This is a fascinating interview with Stephen Wolfram, the guy behind Wolfram Alpha.

4. Great career advice from Mickey Drexler.

5. Wisdom from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to forget about being “likable.”

And a bonus: This brilliant comic about how all the paintings agree you are better off without him.

Have a wonderful weekend!