Positive Audacity
FPS readers know this routine. For 24 hours starting at sunset every Friday, I try and get myself into an aspirational mood. Using my faith tradition as a framework, I put hope in the forefront and negativity in the parking lot. It’s requires a lot of mental jujitsu, maybe never as much as now. But it kinda works. Here’s to what’s possible for all of us!
Dandelion note card by Peter Dahmen
What’s for Dinner?
On a balmy summer night, I’m eating homemade baba ganoush and grilled red peppers on pita bread. And of course, a martini. How about you?
Playing With Your Food by Adam Hillman
A Single Manifesto
Punk legend Viv Albertine on Fresh Air today:
“I don’t intend to enter into any more relationships. I absolutely have had it and I’m pleased and feel privileged to be in that situation because I’m solvent. I have a very interesting life.
I have a daughter. I have my imagination. I have friends. I, in no way, am going to louse that up with some idiot man, frankly. They drag you down — I’m talking about my generation of men. Ok, I’m sure out there there are some good ones, and I say in the book, either I can’t pick a good one or there aren’t any around. Either way, I’m out. …
I really think it’s a complete and utter con. I feel sorry for girls getting caught up in it and still thinking they have to define themselves and their success by being in a relationship, straight women, straight girls, by being in a heterosexual relationship or being in any relationship as if that’s in any way a mark of what kind of successful human being you are.”
Stuff We Take for Granted
Since the triple digit heat wave arrived last week, there have been scattered power outages throughout the city. That thought would send a chill up my spine if it wasn’t so damn hot. During these dog days of summer, I’m taking a moment to have gratitude for electricity and a central A.C. What’s something you don’t want to take for granted?
Watercolor q tips by Adam Hillman
Stop the Presses
These days, one of the pleasures that I can count on is following the Instagram feed of Pete Souza, former White House photographer for President Obama. Souza has just announced his new book SHADE, and I can’t wait!
Procrastibake
I recently heard the term, “procrastibake,” and it makes perfect sense to me. It’s using baking as a delay tactic, when there’s something more important to do. I procrastibake during tax season, I procrastibake when I’m trying to write. Baking is immersive and demanding. You can ruin a delicate cake or soufflé with an extra 60 seconds in the oven. It keeps me glued to the kitchen, which is often my happiest place to be. Do you have the equivalent of “procrastibake” in your life?
Painting by Nancy Featherston
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FIRST PERSON SINGULAR is a guide to surviving, thriving and sometimes just getting through a single day. Created by Wendy Braitman (more…)
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