First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

It’s Only Tuesday?

Photo by Andy Morris

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.”

Heading for Shade

Beach umbrellas by Malika Favre

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

Advice To Self Tonight

Illustration by Adam J Kurtz

Keep Your Cool

It’s 109 today in Los Angeles. Being mindful of the heat and my aging dog, I took Rose out for a 10-minute walk (tops). Even in that short amount of time, the metal part of her leash was blazing. #GlobalWarmingIsReal

So Damn Hot by Thoka Maer

Take the Compliment

For my Career Coaching blog, I’ve just posted a piece about tapping into joy to find purpose. And one of the ways to get there is to own your strengths. 

#365quotes 2018 project from Design Crush

Happy 4th!

Exploding cactus by Greg Krehel