No. 13: MD's Newsletter
Running in the roar of the wind
It is deep fall here in the desert.
Crisp air gets cut with the warmth of the morning sun. A cozy light layer is required after dusk. It is waking me up from a summer that went by all too quickly but also seemed to drag on forever, as triple-digit days tend to do.
I’ve spent the past four months getting back into the “daily grind,” or whatever it is called to be working full-time with a new baby. I don’t mean to complain, but the days tend to leave me running on empty. Add in other daily stressors — some typical and universal, like inflation, and some unforeseen, like health issues and home repairs — and you get a level of drained/emotional exhaustion that I did not know I could feel. Frankly, it is the kind of feeling I always hoped to avoid.
As a young person, I would sneer at the idea of “9 to 5” desk job. The idea of a mortgage and children sounded achingly dull. I knew in my gut I didn’t want to become one of “those” adults, the kind who never seemed to take full advantage of the liberties adulthood provided. Now, though, I’m sympathizing with that imaginary stereotypical square. I used to think I’d go to concerts all the time in my 30s. A few weeks ago, I was in bed by 10 after a wedding.
I’m too much of a seeker, though, to let myself wither under the weight of it all just yet. I want to see things! I want to be seen! I want to learn, and I want to connect! Mostly, I want to be around others, and keep getting to know our neighbors and deepen our ties with our loved ones. I want a house with a a crowded table, and I want to ground myself in the loyalty, service and laughter that you get when you grow community.
But it is hard to do that in the summer here, when it’s too hot to gather outside or even go out to eat because it means contending with a car that’s hit 120+ degrees inside. Fall, though, is when hibernation ends. It’s peak season, in my book. It’s time for nights around the campfires, afternoons at the park, and mornings wandering flea markets. It’s time for cooking and baking and potlucks. It’s time for outdoor concerts and Pride parades. We hosted our friends to pass out candy with us on Halloween in our newly finished garage, replete with a good selection of craft brews, and roughly 10 pounds of chocolate that ran out in four hours. I can’t wait to do it again next year.
When I think of all that, even on top of the day-to-day requirements, I don’t feel exhausted. I don’t feel intimidated. I feel exhilarated and excited and ready to live.
Onto the links.
‘Conscious’ capitalism
At Modern Retail, I’ve been diving into the intersection between environmentalism and captialism wherever and whenever possible.
This week we published a story on why more fashion brands are adhering to Science-Based Targets, which is a process for companies to track their emissions reductions. I dove into some of the tension behind making profits & eliminating waste -- not an easy conversation to have, but an essential one if we are going to hold the private sector accountable.
Would be honored if you will give it a read!
A few other links:
I went to Poshfest, where Poshmar courts and coaches its top sellers in the quest for bigger payouts
Compostable cutlery is having a moment as we phase out single-use plastic
Tokki, a reusable gift bag that comes with a fun e-card format, launched in Target
A dream within a dream
On the content side, I relished “The Fall of the House of Usher” on Netflix. It was the perfect pre-Halloween spook show, something of a cross between “Succession” and “Seven.” Then last night we finished “Nyad,” which I eagerly anticipated having once been invited to have dinner Diane prior to one of her speaking events. She’s a remarkable person who has done remarkable things, and her memoir “Find A Way” was a really beautiful read. The movie brings it to life in an engaging way with a stellar cast and fun cinematic choices like countdown clocks and real footage of the event’s surrounding Nyad’s superhuman quest to swim from Cuba to Key West, Florida. I can’t recommend it enough, and Jodie Foster deserves all the awards for her portrayal of Bonnie.
Musically, there is a nearly 100% chance my Spotify Wrapped is going to be all Clair de Lune and Moonlight Sonata (thanks for that, baby who demands lullabies!) but I also really liked the new album from old favorites The Menzginers. I don’t listen to as much punk/alt-rock as I used to but these guys hit a sweet spot for me between aggressive, melodic, poetic & nostalgic. “Now That We Don’t Talk” might be the best vault track Taylor Swift has released to date, and everything Zach Bryan releases continues to wow me and make its way into my rotation.
This weekend, I’m seeing Orville Peck at his rodeo at Pappy and Harriet’s, which should be a treat. I’ll probably stay out past 10.
Til next time,