I was just about to head outside to listen to what the plants have to say about my laissez-faire gardening methods, when I took a moment to read your assignment: to let the outside in. My plan was and is to write about that tomorrow - incorporating also the nudge I’d gotten from today’s Tarot card, the Four of Cups. Thanks, Austin, thanks, Universe!
My world is shattered and remade when I read something like think of ideas as trying to get in rather than you trying to get something out of you. The straining to get things out vs the relaxed state of openness- it changes how I look at my writing. Thank you!
I love the idea of “it’s outside trying to get in.” I wore my cutest red polka dot sundress, took the bus ( the last time was 5 years ago!) ( so much cheaper than taking the car and parking!) I went to the art museum. I hadn’t been for a year. The first exhibit I saw was japanese women printmakers. It showed their sketchbooks. Another exhibit was 4 Chicago artists. Once again their sketchbooks and works on paper using, pencil, crayon, and watercolor. And while waiting to get in the Georgia O’Keefe’s New Yorks exhibit, I sat and did undercover drawing of people walking to and observing the some Buddhist statues near me. I even drew a woman sitting next to me & she didnt notice!
And of course O’Keefe kept sketchbooks.
I often wonder why I’m doing all of this sketching/drawing and writing the first draft of a romance novel. Being at the museum, the art and my adopted city, Chicago got in me. The art’s been trying to get in me and I let it in more today.
Happy Birthday Austin !! I've been enjoying your posts on the value of looking at old journals and photos and commonplace books and have been funneling what I find of mine into a rectangular "Writer's Block" that is now over 8 pounds, measured in pounds and not words or pages.
I am a few months short of 80 and you 40 plus a year so I invite you to ponder what a mountain of visual and written data you will have to ponder in another 40 years when you are twice your current age. It is awesome.
For the typewriter heads out there in the US Upper Midwest, QWERTYFEST is happening in Milwaukee next weekend with what looks to be a jam packed schedule of talks, activities, vendors, a documentary, and a cemetery tour of typewriter notables (!)
For those not in the area, it looks like they've got a zine which I'll be checking out...and I'm a little tempted by the "We built Milwaukee on beer and typewriters" tee :D
Thanks for the heads up on The Talk. Amazing. I saw the Bernie Sanders & Slavoj Žižek video on You Tube and thought, "What the heck?" But I didn't watch it until just now. Jonas Hollerup Helle is a genius.
Love this from your friend Chris Glass post, “…unearthing gems that had gathered digital dust.” I think we have to intentionally remember that the act of going through old photos tucked away in our attics from days gone by are now conveniently carried around on our phones. Time capsules right in the palm of our hands! Thanks for sharing Austin. I am also looking forward to more typewriter interviews, def a fav!
What a great newletter, Austin! Full of so many goodies.
I can't wait for the next typewriter interview! That has been one of my favorite posts you've done.
My kids are going to love spelling words on the calculator! Summer fun. (Going to be a bit a throwback for me as well.)
The typewriter poetry and art...what?!? Absolutely fascinating! I love typewriters, I love the art pieces made and I adore the Samurai on Toilet. 😆That is great. Another thing my kids are going to love.
I really want a great vintage typwriter. It doesn't have to be fancy, but I need it to work. I already bought one from Etsy, it came from Canada and a reputable seller (even had a video of it working) but it arrived broken. Do you have any good suggestions on where to get a great working vintage typewriter?
You might want to poke around the QWERTYFEST site (see my other comment) for used typewriter vendors, I know Retrospekt has used typewriters but they look on the pricey side (to my eyes)
"To let the outside in" really helps me explain to people how I learn things. I've always called it "learning ugly". Not a pretty process, because I've just got to make all the mistakes, allow all the awkwardness, make room for all the naivety and just let it rip. Somehow it works....
Today has been an R.E.M. kind of day as I’ve been humming — “Losing My Religion” as it seems embedded in my psyche when I see reporting on certain leaders bowing down. I keep hoping our songwriters are going to show up but guess we boomers lucked out when it came to causes to protest. Love the randomness of your posts as they are so thought provoking and help with the creative process. I’m an ADD type of person and love the glitter of new shiny things. I rarely am organized enough to complete anything but keep on trying as so many fun things to explore.
I was a student in France when I got introduced to the music of Francoise Hardy. I instantly became a fan. She and Piaf are two French singers that gave wonderful gifts to the listeners.
I was just about to head outside to listen to what the plants have to say about my laissez-faire gardening methods, when I took a moment to read your assignment: to let the outside in. My plan was and is to write about that tomorrow - incorporating also the nudge I’d gotten from today’s Tarot card, the Four of Cups. Thanks, Austin, thanks, Universe!
My world is shattered and remade when I read something like think of ideas as trying to get in rather than you trying to get something out of you. The straining to get things out vs the relaxed state of openness- it changes how I look at my writing. Thank you!
I love the idea of “it’s outside trying to get in.” I wore my cutest red polka dot sundress, took the bus ( the last time was 5 years ago!) ( so much cheaper than taking the car and parking!) I went to the art museum. I hadn’t been for a year. The first exhibit I saw was japanese women printmakers. It showed their sketchbooks. Another exhibit was 4 Chicago artists. Once again their sketchbooks and works on paper using, pencil, crayon, and watercolor. And while waiting to get in the Georgia O’Keefe’s New Yorks exhibit, I sat and did undercover drawing of people walking to and observing the some Buddhist statues near me. I even drew a woman sitting next to me & she didnt notice!
And of course O’Keefe kept sketchbooks.
I often wonder why I’m doing all of this sketching/drawing and writing the first draft of a romance novel. Being at the museum, the art and my adopted city, Chicago got in me. The art’s been trying to get in me and I let it in more today.
Happy Birthday Austin !! I've been enjoying your posts on the value of looking at old journals and photos and commonplace books and have been funneling what I find of mine into a rectangular "Writer's Block" that is now over 8 pounds, measured in pounds and not words or pages.
I am a few months short of 80 and you 40 plus a year so I invite you to ponder what a mountain of visual and written data you will have to ponder in another 40 years when you are twice your current age. It is awesome.
For the typewriter heads out there in the US Upper Midwest, QWERTYFEST is happening in Milwaukee next weekend with what looks to be a jam packed schedule of talks, activities, vendors, a documentary, and a cemetery tour of typewriter notables (!)
https://www.qwertyfest.com/qwertyfest-2024-schedule.html
For those not in the area, it looks like they've got a zine which I'll be checking out...and I'm a little tempted by the "We built Milwaukee on beer and typewriters" tee :D
https://www.etsy.com/shop/qwertyquarterly
https://www.qwertyfest.com/order-our-beer-and-typewriters-t-shirt.html
Thanks for the heads up on The Talk. Amazing. I saw the Bernie Sanders & Slavoj Žižek video on You Tube and thought, "What the heck?" But I didn't watch it until just now. Jonas Hollerup Helle is a genius.
Happy b-day 2 days in advance! You're my favorite Gemini to follow!
Thank you!
Love this from your friend Chris Glass post, “…unearthing gems that had gathered digital dust.” I think we have to intentionally remember that the act of going through old photos tucked away in our attics from days gone by are now conveniently carried around on our phones. Time capsules right in the palm of our hands! Thanks for sharing Austin. I am also looking forward to more typewriter interviews, def a fav!
What a great newletter, Austin! Full of so many goodies.
I can't wait for the next typewriter interview! That has been one of my favorite posts you've done.
My kids are going to love spelling words on the calculator! Summer fun. (Going to be a bit a throwback for me as well.)
The typewriter poetry and art...what?!? Absolutely fascinating! I love typewriters, I love the art pieces made and I adore the Samurai on Toilet. 😆That is great. Another thing my kids are going to love.
I really want a great vintage typwriter. It doesn't have to be fancy, but I need it to work. I already bought one from Etsy, it came from Canada and a reputable seller (even had a video of it working) but it arrived broken. Do you have any good suggestions on where to get a great working vintage typewriter?
Mine have been snagged from Goodwill and thrift shops and I’ve gotten lucky with them
I'll keep my eyes peeled. 👀 I love to thrift!
Not sure where you're located, but also check out phillytypewriter.com. Wonderful shop in Philadelphia that also offers classes on typewriter repair.
You might want to poke around the QWERTYFEST site (see my other comment) for used typewriter vendors, I know Retrospekt has used typewriters but they look on the pricey side (to my eyes)
https://www.qwertyfest.com
https://retrospekt.com/collections/typewriters
This is awesome! Thank you!
That How to Baby book is hilarious.
"To let the outside in" really helps me explain to people how I learn things. I've always called it "learning ugly". Not a pretty process, because I've just got to make all the mistakes, allow all the awkwardness, make room for all the naivety and just let it rip. Somehow it works....
Today has been an R.E.M. kind of day as I’ve been humming — “Losing My Religion” as it seems embedded in my psyche when I see reporting on certain leaders bowing down. I keep hoping our songwriters are going to show up but guess we boomers lucked out when it came to causes to protest. Love the randomness of your posts as they are so thought provoking and help with the creative process. I’m an ADD type of person and love the glitter of new shiny things. I rarely am organized enough to complete anything but keep on trying as so many fun things to explore.
I was a student in France when I got introduced to the music of Francoise Hardy. I instantly became a fan. She and Piaf are two French singers that gave wonderful gifts to the listeners.