November Newsletter

NO. 16 | November 2022

Hello; happy November!

This newsletter is now hosted by Substack! Thank you for accompanying me in this migration. The newsletter will mostly be the same (blog post on creativity, craft updates, favorite things and creators), though I might be waxing a bit more poetical in these intro sections. This writing is some of my favorite to do, and Substack has some cool tools that allow me to lean into this. I am also now offering a paid subscription––please don’t panic! I’m not interested in providing regular paid content to a group of subscribers. It makes me happy to write this newsletter and connect to a community, and I plan for it to remain free forever. That being said, if you want to pay me for the content I am already providing in order to support me, I welcome you to do so! I may (1-2x a year) send an additional newsletter to paid subscribers, but mostly you will be signing on to pay for the same monthly content that is available free. If you’d like to switch between the paid and free option, that’s great. If you want to stay a free subscriber forever, please do! You can sign up at the bottom of this newsletter.

This past month, I’ve had a lot of ideas for what to write here, and in the blog post, which is a bit unusual for me. Usually I have one inciting idea that screams “newsletter,” and I’m off and running, but I feel afloat between them. I am feeling the changes of autumn as harbingers for change within my own life. Things have been pretty stable and consistent for me over the past few years, and now, new things are coming in waves. Standing on the shore, I can see them riding towards me, preparing to crest, one after another. This metaphor is maybe a bit more violent than how I really feel, but if you know me, you probably know that I love sinking under a wave, so it fits. Alas, this is all quite vague, so I have an anecdote for you.

I play high level ultimate frisbee for about half the year. This was my 7th year playing. Our season ended last weekend at our national tournament, and we dropped 7 places from last year to this year. Though all the games in a tournament structure are important, in arguably our most important game, we lost on universe (e.g. double game point). Ultimate is self-refereed, so in disagreements between players, the result is often a do-over. In that final point, I got a block––the first step to scoring during a defensive point––but the player on the opposing team called a foul, and the play was a “re-do”, and then they scored.

This was a really emotional moment for me. Getting a block on DGP is a defensive player’s dream, and more than anything, I was struck by the unfairness of it. I would have bet all the money in my bank account that the play was not a foul. I couldn’t believe her teammates, who looked unsure, didn’t say weigh in. I felt some hatred for a sport that is self-refereed at the highest level (a hot take in the ultimate community). When I later learned that this player has a history of bad calls and unsportsmanlike behavior, I felt renewed anger at her as an individual. Sports are supposed to be fair!

Growing up, I can remember fairness mattering to me a lot. I’m sure my parents spent a lot of time saying, “life is not fair,” and I guess, eventually, I got the picture. But part of the reason that we can play sports at all is that we are working and playing under the same, fair rules. So, this flash of unfairness for the first time in a long time struck me. I was so angry! I am an emotional person, but not an angry one, and the feeling of rage seething through my body was so novel that I almost (almost) enjoyed it. I am remembering that anger takes a long time. I can still feel it, though it’s nice to also know that I am angry about something small.

We sign up for things––sports, relationships, newsletters (lol)––because they offer us the stuff that makes us happy, whatever that is for us. But we are also agreeing that the stuff we sign up for might make us seethe or sob or grieve, or squirm with frustration, or shake through every breath. Of course, these things are not the goal. It is better, undoubtably, to shake with laughter, radiate joy, or cling to your teammates in palpable, tactile delight. Yet, we must feel everything. We will not get only the good. So I am seeing and feeling and appreciating what is worthwhile about anger. About the drama! About having people to hold your hand, slow your breathing, and hand you a capri-sun.

The year is almost over. Next month, I’ll reflect on 2022 in the blog post, which is one of my favorite posts to make. Besos!

Consider: Inspirational Input & Creative Output

This month’s blog post explores the relationship between the inspiration that we take in, and the work we put out.

Today I’m spotlighting Matt Rockefeller. He’s an illustrator working in picture books, graphic novels, and more. Many of his illustrations have fantasy elements, which I find especially endearing as I work on my middle grade fantasy novel. He uses a beautiful blend of textures that feel both analog and like digital magic, plus I love his color choices. He’s also fantastic at working with unique lighting sources.

Ceramics! I finished a full load of ceramics for the first time in awhile, and I am IN LOVE with the results. I am rapidly working on another load, and will be having a shop update in early 2023. I’m keeping many of these first bowls for myself, replacing ugly old target bowls I’ve been using since college. Spot a favorite colorway? Let me know!

Autumn! This stunning tree outside my window has made the season a delight. Thanks, Chicago, for not snowing yet.

Dye! I will have a lot of naturally dyed goodies as a part of the 2023 shop update too, and I’m enjoying playing with the flowers that I spent all summer collecting and growing.

☆ You know all those screen grabs of Hayao Miyazaki’s creative process? You can watch the actual documentary they’re from here. I’m making my way through it.
☆ I have two more months of reading books in 2022. What is the best book you’ve read this year? I’d like to finish strong. (You can leave comments now, or as always, reply back!).
☆ My team playing ultimate frisbee
☆ Loving by Jane Stembridge
☆ Vivian Gornick on Work

In any way you give it, thank you for your support!