feeling the laziness a lot lately - every night watching the tour de france - it is not summer unless i can hear the commentary of the race, see the incredible countryside and engage in something sporting, even at a distance - i usually avoid sport like things, unless it involves a bike
also really loved John Warner's newsletter, thank you for introducing me to it
"I’ve never known a successful - ARTIST - who sits around waiting for inspiration. They go out and seek it. They walk around a field in a lightning storm wearing a knight’s suit of armor holding a fifty foot long metal poll in one hand and flying a kite with a key attached to the other."
so so good - will be in my commonplace book for today
lol, I was reading this with the TdF on in the background—I've somehow made my lazy mornings even lazier for three weeks :D
I'm much more casual about pro cycling than I was in the 2000s (yeah, I bought into the Armstrong thing ::hangs head in shame::) but like you mention, it's great passive viewing and the Tour is a weird but great combination of sport, travelogue, and soap opera.
I adore Libby and Hoopla, and Kanopy! I get them all through my public library and they are my only mode of media consumption, all for FREE. The public library is truly a gem.
Our Toronto Public Library (Toronto Reference Library) has "the book sanctuary collection," a section dedicated to books that have been challenged, censored, or removed from a public library or school in North America. I was delighted to see it last time I was there.
I needed to read Never waste your midlife crisis. Although I would be in my a-bit-past-quarter-life-crisis.
#5 has me so outraged! I hadn't seen the story about Mississippi. The impact of that law is mind-boggling when you get into the logistics of following the law, as the article went into regarding changes to parental permission needed for library cards, resulting in 16-17 year olds having to come back to the library with a parent to reapply for a card. Many libraries, especially smaller ones without the resources to jump through all the hoops will just forego offering services like Libby and Hoopla. My heart goes out to the library workers everywhere this is happening.
Deb Eck gets credit for mentioning the turmeric printing!
Thanks as always for a great newsletter. I'm going to check out Box Brown's book about toys. His Tetris book was great. Happy Friday!
+1 on the Box Brown He-man book—extremely thorough and his simple, direct art belies the depth of his work. The book is not a nostalgia trip at all, the rose colored glasses are off and the second part of the title ("How American Toymakers...") is no joke.
Steve Tomlinson! He teaches at the Episcopal seminary, though I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting him. Thanks for this. What’s calling to me right now is creativity, spirituality, and playfulness. You’ve been a big help in this, Austin, ever since I bought your Steal Like an Artist journal.
Thanks for the John Warner newsletter recommendation. Not that I need another newsletter in my inbox! I didn’t finish Rick Rubin’s book on the creative life--it just wasn’t for me. I found it kinda twee and didn’t inspire me like Austin’s newsletter and these comments do. 🤷♀️
Public Libraries are the best--so many opportunities to read not only the latest books but an author’s backlist! It’s enraging to hear about censoring and banning the work they do.
I HAD to go order The He-Man Effect: How American Toymakers Sold You Your Childhood. Toy Industry + comics = win win
When I worked at Mattel, my cubicle was right next to the He-Man peeps. I was so focused on Disney and Preschool toys that I didn't pay attention to what was happening right next door. LOL
If you’re a fan of Kundera, I recommend another Czech author, Karel Chapek. His War With the Newts is incredible and possibly more relevant today than in his time. Keep in mind when the Nazi’s invaded the Czech Republic (then called Czechoslovakia) he was public enemy number one on their list. A Christian writer/playwright. He died of a cold, I think, the week before.
Concerning #2 John Warner: I think the AI generated images of the subject and style he requested look exactly like what a computer would generate. The digital interpretation is a little too spot on. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I think I would sense a lack of human effort on some level.
I think laziness is a great big con and I will forever feel sad whenever I hear someone criticise themselves or others as lazy, even with apparent neutrality or benevolence.
To me, laziness is criticising a damned river for its lack of progress. I believe ours is a native state of motion and curiosity. There are things that get in the way of that state being realised - but those things are not flaws in us or the river. They’re stones and dams.
I think he writes delightfully about his view on things and I’m glad he’s found a nice equilibrium - but I’ll maintain he isn’t lazy, even if he tells me he is, because I’m a stubborn mule :)
feeling the laziness a lot lately - every night watching the tour de france - it is not summer unless i can hear the commentary of the race, see the incredible countryside and engage in something sporting, even at a distance - i usually avoid sport like things, unless it involves a bike
also really loved John Warner's newsletter, thank you for introducing me to it
"I’ve never known a successful - ARTIST - who sits around waiting for inspiration. They go out and seek it. They walk around a field in a lightning storm wearing a knight’s suit of armor holding a fifty foot long metal poll in one hand and flying a kite with a key attached to the other."
so so good - will be in my commonplace book for today
lol, I was reading this with the TdF on in the background—I've somehow made my lazy mornings even lazier for three weeks :D
I'm much more casual about pro cycling than I was in the 2000s (yeah, I bought into the Armstrong thing ::hangs head in shame::) but like you mention, it's great passive viewing and the Tour is a weird but great combination of sport, travelogue, and soap opera.
definitely soap opera ;) love it - enjoy the remaining days until paris!
Love TdF! So many levels to love.
My friends think I'm crazy. So excited to see these comments, I HAD to add my shout out.
I signed up to Austin Kleon’s newsletter as a replacement for Twitter.
❤️❤️❤️
I adore Libby and Hoopla, and Kanopy! I get them all through my public library and they are my only mode of media consumption, all for FREE. The public library is truly a gem.
Our Toronto Public Library (Toronto Reference Library) has "the book sanctuary collection," a section dedicated to books that have been challenged, censored, or removed from a public library or school in North America. I was delighted to see it last time I was there.
I needed to read Never waste your midlife crisis. Although I would be in my a-bit-past-quarter-life-crisis.
#5 has me so outraged! I hadn't seen the story about Mississippi. The impact of that law is mind-boggling when you get into the logistics of following the law, as the article went into regarding changes to parental permission needed for library cards, resulting in 16-17 year olds having to come back to the library with a parent to reapply for a card. Many libraries, especially smaller ones without the resources to jump through all the hoops will just forego offering services like Libby and Hoopla. My heart goes out to the library workers everywhere this is happening.
Deb Eck gets credit for mentioning the turmeric printing!
Thanks as always for a great newsletter. I'm going to check out Box Brown's book about toys. His Tetris book was great. Happy Friday!
+1 on the Box Brown He-man book—extremely thorough and his simple, direct art belies the depth of his work. The book is not a nostalgia trip at all, the rose colored glasses are off and the second part of the title ("How American Toymakers...") is no joke.
And that back cover illustration is fierce!
Steve Tomlinson! He teaches at the Episcopal seminary, though I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting him. Thanks for this. What’s calling to me right now is creativity, spirituality, and playfulness. You’ve been a big help in this, Austin, ever since I bought your Steal Like an Artist journal.
Thanks for the John Warner newsletter recommendation. Not that I need another newsletter in my inbox! I didn’t finish Rick Rubin’s book on the creative life--it just wasn’t for me. I found it kinda twee and didn’t inspire me like Austin’s newsletter and these comments do. 🤷♀️
Public Libraries are the best--so many opportunities to read not only the latest books but an author’s backlist! It’s enraging to hear about censoring and banning the work they do.
The lazy crazy dog days of summer.
Love all 10 things. TYVM
I HAD to go order The He-Man Effect: How American Toymakers Sold You Your Childhood. Toy Industry + comics = win win
When I worked at Mattel, my cubicle was right next to the He-Man peeps. I was so focused on Disney and Preschool toys that I didn't pay attention to what was happening right next door. LOL
I hope you like it!
If you’re a fan of Kundera, I recommend another Czech author, Karel Chapek. His War With the Newts is incredible and possibly more relevant today than in his time. Keep in mind when the Nazi’s invaded the Czech Republic (then called Czechoslovakia) he was public enemy number one on their list. A Christian writer/playwright. He died of a cold, I think, the week before.
Concerning #2 John Warner: I think the AI generated images of the subject and style he requested look exactly like what a computer would generate. The digital interpretation is a little too spot on. Maybe I'm deluding myself, but I think I would sense a lack of human effort on some level.
I think laziness is a great big con and I will forever feel sad whenever I hear someone criticise themselves or others as lazy, even with apparent neutrality or benevolence.
To me, laziness is criticising a damned river for its lack of progress. I believe ours is a native state of motion and curiosity. There are things that get in the way of that state being realised - but those things are not flaws in us or the river. They’re stones and dams.
I think he writes delightfully about his view on things and I’m glad he’s found a nice equilibrium - but I’ll maintain he isn’t lazy, even if he tells me he is, because I’m a stubborn mule :)
Shrinking is so good! I'm glad it made its way to you and this newsletter :) Such good writing and the characters make me care so much about them.