Hey, friend! We made it through January. Cheers to lighter days ahead. Here are some things I thought were worth sharing this month:
Films: Drop everything and go watch Zarbadast. It’s a 54-minute film about a backcountry free-ride trip into the Pakistan’s Karakorum range. I spent the entire film drooling over the mountains and plotting an escape to the peaks in Pakistan.
Podcasts: I have a long commute to work, so I’ve been listening to a bunch of podcasts. Here are my favorite ones from the past month.
Rich Roll’s conversation with ultra-runner Kilian Jornet. Jornet ran up and down Everest twice and is one of the best athletes in the world. He talks about feeling small and unimportant beneath the high Himalayas, and how being in the mountains has taught him that “nothing we do is important.” And how free this idea has made him feel. I spent a lot of time thinking about this line last week, and meditating on what it means to be human.
The Daily: My aunt recommended this podcast to me, and I’ve been listening to the 20-minute episodes every morning on the way to work. Michael Barbaro unpacks current political issues in a way that makes me (the-most-un-interested-in-politics-ever person) pay attention and feel connected to the world!
Creative Waffle: This conversation with Perspective Collective’s Scotty Russell stoked my creative juices. It was about work ethic and busting out designs while still working the 9-5. Creatives and freelancers, this one is for you.
And then of course, I’ve been enjoying Dirt Bag Diaries. This short 14-minute podcast is about a guide working in the tourism industry in Alaska (and trying to find a girlfriend). It made me smile. And it’s short.
A co-worker introduced me to Risk! It’s a storytelling open mic podcast like the Moth, only the topics are a little more daring and (at times) perfectly inappropriate. Aka, don’t listen to it on the way to soccer practice with your 10 year old in the car.
Recipes: I’ve been trying to ween off processed sugar during the week (85% successfully) and have been really digging the Minimalist Baker website for simple, plant based recipes. I also made some rock star sweet potatoes with a thai-peanut sauce that I’m crazy about.
Ideas Worth Sharing:
If you don’t already subscribe to Austin Kleon’s weekly Friday email updates you should. They just about make my Friday mornings. This week, Austin talked about the imagination and the perks of being able to see images in your head. I did not realize that some people cannot visualize images or think in pictures. What!? If you are one of these people, I need to hear more. Sometimes, the images in my head are so strong I have trouble focusing on real life.
My friend Emma, sent me this article about a letter with a hand-drawn map and no address that was delivered to a remote home in Iceland. It reminded me of guiding backpacking trips in Iceland and the sense of community and togetherness on the island.
I love the little free library concept, and found this little library (built in an old 110 year old tree) especially charming
My mom sent me this article on the Ski Industry and the Perils of Climate Change after my trip to Breckenridge. I also read this one on the melting Himalayan Glaciers and both of them made me so sad and want to support POW (Protect Our Winters) immediately. It also reminded me how blessed we are to live in a time where there are mountains and glaciers
Speaking of skiing, this article about Wally had me chuckling. Wally is a Retired Ski Patrol Dog who called it quits after a career that lasted over 50 dog years.
New Instagram Crushes
My friend Caroline got me to follow @keepingfinn, a rescue dog and his owner who travel the country in a van. And now I want to be best friends with Finn and his owner.
I discovered Kate Zessel’s artwork on Instagram this week. Her beautiful mountain line work and water color animals are pretty dope. Check it out @katezessel. I also started following @Maggiemagoodesigns after she shared a wall of her post cards. And as far as murals go, Vancouver artist @olavalo and @jeremycollins knocked it out of the park this week
Songs I’m Digging:
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more and as always, I appreciate all of your love on Instagram, on Spoonflower, and on Redbubble for my stickers! New stickers coming soon.