I realized yesterday I haven’t written an actual post beyond Link Parties in a very long time — in May, I’m hoping to fix that. I miss writing for myself and this blog, but I need to get on top of some other professional work that’s starting to get overwhelming. Thank you for reading, even when I don’t have much to say.
Here’s this week’s party:
1. A very interesting story on Coachella and its founder.
2. Daniel Patterson, Locol and a valiant goal to change fast food.
3. The DAMN. exit survey. My favorite answer: “Imagine being this much better at your job than everyone else.”
4. Tim Kaine, post-election and back in the Senate.
Here’s something I want to share that recently came back to me — in an episode of Twin Peaks (side note: I have a soft spot for this show and I hope the revival isn’t garbage), FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper gives the Twin Peaks sheriff, Harry Truman, a solid gold piece of advice. “Harry, I’m going to let you in on a little secret,” he says. “Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it. Don’t wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the men’s store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot black coffee.”
That’s the advice I also have for you. I’m not a big fan of the treat yo’self ethos that millennials like to use as an excuse for spending money, but both you and I should enjoy life’s small joys when they come. I hope you feel the same way.
Here’s what I read this week:
1. I already pre-ordered Joan Didion’s South and West weeks ago, and this review makes me excited to get my hands on it.
5. The fear of a feminist future. (This essay was written back in October pre-election and makes the assumption Hillary Clinton would be president, which makes this extra oooof.)
And a bonus: I’ve become a Candle Person and this one is my favorite so far.
3. The heart-breaking stories of Filipinos who work on cruise ships and the horrible conditions they suffer through to provide for their families. I had no idea.
4. We need to hold Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook accountable for its political involvement and non-involvement, now more than ever.
5. The story of a new homeowner and her despair sparked by paint colors.
And a bonus: My good friend Klarize took me to this wonderful wine bar in downtown Los Angeles that I’m still thinking about and know that I will return to over and over again. Find your wonderful wine bar that you’re still thinking about and know that you will return to over and over again.
Participating in the Los Angeles Women’s March on Washington with 750,000 people and millions more around the world was an incredible experience that I will never forget. I am proud that I exercised my civic duty in support of protecting basic human rights for all. Today is the first day of the next four years, and it’s time to get to work.
There hasn’t been much Link Partying around here lately. I need to fix that, and I promise to be more consistent in the last few weeks of 2016 and into 2017.
Here’s a party to last you all week. Take your pick:
Hi! Long time no see. It’s really only been about two weeks, but it feels like a really long time to me. In those two weeks, my work/freelance/personal lives consumed me and I got a cold that kicked my ass. I’ve kind of been on the Internet, but not in a particularly mindful way.
But those two weeks off were actually a really good thing, because I realized just how much I miss doing this as a regular thing. Back when I first started, I would write 2-3 posts a week. Now I’m lucky if I can get a Link Party out on time. I want to get back to a regular writing schedule, so that I have time to do what I actually, really love I can have consistent brain workouts. This means reshuffling of priorities, setting harder deadlines with myself and probably less sleep. I have a feeling that this will all be worth it in the long run.
You, dear reader, have been consistently awesome from the beginning. I am always shocked to hear from people, in comment form or IRL, when they say how much they like it. Thank you for being the best.
Here’s what I’ve been reading lately:
1. This 24-year-old woman tried a Coke for the first time. I really loved this essay — I thought it was extremely well-written and weaved in all the right social elements.
7. The last time Luc Sante saw Jean-Michel Basquiat. This type of personal essay is one of the many reasons why I love the Internet as a writing space: a quick but powerful thought.
8. If you don’t know much about Gene Wilder or Gilda Radner, you need to read this post ASAP.
Zoë Lance. 