Hi Friends,
Thanks for tuning in! My pandemic move (from Chicago to Denver) went by without a hitch, and I’ve been living at the doorstep of the Rockies for just over two weeks now. The sunshine here is otherworldly, and I’ve already hit the trails in Boulder, hiked in Evergreen, and explored the local RiNo graffiti scene.
Below, I’ll tell you a little bit more about my cross-country COVID move and offer some distractions for when the sourdough starters and Netflix binges fail to deliver. Surprises below include a curated Sweet Potato Cooking Playlist (what the heck is that?), a website that’s tracking your dreams, and my favorite piece of advice this week: depression hates a moving target.
Scroll down to see what has been helping me fight the good fight over the past couple of weeks. The recommendations are in no particular order because. I. am. a. M0nsTeR. ENJOY!!
Moving Across the Country in COVID Times!
Musica:
If you need some beats for cooking: I put together this playlist when I was making sweet potato empanadas with Kelley this week. It starts off with some more upbeat jams and then gets progressively more blue-grassy/jazzy for when those potatoes come out of the oven and you sit down for some red vino and deep convos about stardust.
If you need music for getting work DONE and feeling COOL while doing it: I highly recommend Brockbeats, a Japanese beatmaker. Start off with this new release and then let Spotify guide you into their earlier releases from there. I’m currently writing this blog post to this soundtrack.
If you are missing concerts and live music: I suggest tuning into NPR’s Tiny Desk Series. Two of my favorites to watch and listen to are Moonchild and Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros. Alternatively, Jam in the Van is pumping out some ill tunes from their solar powered mobile vehicle per usual.
If you are more into the hip-hop scene: Semi-Rad linked to this amazing video about how record producer, 9th Wonder, samples for Kendrick Lamar. It was INCREDIBLE to learn just how much goes into producing a piece and how he takes into account the smallest of details — details like what specific moves his target audience dances before releasing a new tune. For example, he tracks the current dance moves in California and allows them to influence the structure of the music rather than the other way around. SMART.
Podcasts:
I really enjoyed tuning into this podcast with Chris Burkard, one of my favorite adventure photographers. On the pod, he talks about how is holding up mid-pandemic (without being able to travel) and offers his wisdom on the art of storytelling. Chris was in El Chalten, Argentina the same time time I was back in 2018, when a giant snow storm shut us in town and forced us to “quarantine” for a week and eat empanadas (sounds eerily similar to my current state of mind). I enjoy following his work probably because we share an affinity for end-of-the-world cold places.
The Levar Burton Podcast is serving up some excellent audio short fiction stories for adults.
Short Films:
Snowboarding in Turkey: My mom recommended this one to me. It’s a 15-minute story about snowboarding and the evolving culture and history of this unconventional sport in Petran.
Shred-it In Place: This 4-minute satirical climbing piece follows a climber around his living room as he tackles indoor pursuits and discovers the untapped routes of his living room. Very grateful for all these creative optimists out there right now.
Trail Running Film Festival: If you are having major running FOMO and miss making stupid poop jokes with your trail running friends, tune in this Friday to support the community and watch some dope films. I’ll be there (virtually).
Some Good News: This isn’t technically a short film, but John Krasinski (you know from The Office), is hosting this youtube channel called Some Good News. Last week, he hosted a virtual prom for all of the High School Seniors who couldn’t attend prom due to school closures and there were guest appearances from Rainn Wilson, Chance the Rapper, the Jonas Brothers, and even Billie Eilish.
Online Film Festival: SXSW Films Launch on Amazon Prime: If you have Amazon Prime, this is worth looking into. SXSW is releasing 39 indie films only available April 27 - May 7. Tune in here.
Surfers Print: Now Available in fabric and Peel and Stick Wallpaper here!
Inspiration and Other Random Things That Made Me Smile:
Are you having weird COVID dreams?: French scientists report that there’s been a 35% jump in vivid dreams since March. San Francisco resident Erin Gravely and her sister are teaming up to record and illustrate these dreams. If you’ve had a weird one you can submit it on her website or follow along on Instagram. All of the illustrations are done by this wonderful artist.
Max Greenfield (who plays Schmidt on New Girl) is homeschooling his daughter due to COVID, and they are posting videos on instagram of their hilarious homeschooling adventures. I promise you’ll love it. Follow along on Instagram. Alsoooo…if you' haven’t listened to this podcast episode with Max Greenfield yet, I adore it.
Brad Stulberg, an author and performance coach tweeted this week that “Depression hates a moving target.” Our CES Coach linked to Brad’s twitter post this week, and I’ve been using this mantra all week long to get outside and stay active. I think that this piece of advice is EVERYTHING. Brad drops wisdom on the science behind exercise and mental health on his Twitter page here.
Are llamas the new unicorns? The New York Times seems to think so. Do you agree?
Second City is Live Steaming improv performances: My friend Lauren (Side Note: Check out her amazing adventure photography), told me about Second City’s online improv shows. Tune in for a show here!
Cards Against Humanity has a new virtual game called Remote Insensitivity. I haven’t tried it out yet, but I’m intrigued.
Street Art Outside the Denver Central Market by Danielle Contreras
Food:
Sweet Potato Empanadas and Chimichurri: My roommate Kelley and I have been cooking up a storm in our new apartment. Our friend Rolf sent us this sweet potato empanada and Argentinian chimichurri combo recipe, and it was heavenly. Don’t forget to tune into my Sweet Potato Cooking Playlist.
Orzo Mediterranean Salad: I made this simple Orzo “salad” mid-week and have been scoopin’ it up all week for lunch!
Homemade Sweet Potato Empanadas and Chimichurri Sauce :) Mmmmmm.
The Scoop on My Cross-Country Pandemic Move:
Moving across the country during a COVID was weird. But not difficult. I was really nervous about it (just ask my former Chicago roomies). And unsure what to expect. I said goodbye to my family in Chicago in their backyard. We sat outside on a day that was just barely warm enough. Too cold when the clouds came around. Mom made me a PB&J (cut in half), and we all sat six feet apart. Our family dog chased bees in the grass beside us.
Armed with gloves, masks, hand-sanitizer, snacks and emergency toilet paper, my friend Kelley and I hit the road in two separate vehicles. We had one simple mission: get to Denver as fast as possible. The roads leading out of Chicago were empty. Signs flashed “STAY HOME” and the toll roads said “JUST KEEP GOING.” (a metaphor for life?).
The first gas station we stopped at in Eastern Iowa was wiping down the handles at the pumps. But after that, the heartland was a different place. It felt like we’d stepped back in time to pre-covid days. When we went into gas stations, clerks and customers actively moved out of our way, and Kelley and I felt like we were aliens or bank robbers (a slightly exhilarating experience). On two occasions people let me budge them in line Go ahead! they said as they backed away. Take all my money (just kidding).
At 10:30pm, we pulled into our hotel in Lincoln, NE. The front desk clerk (un-masked) took one look at us in our COVID masks and gloves and joked, “well, I hope you didn’t bring the funk with you.” We assured him we’d been fully quarantined for several weeks and disappeared quickly into our hotel room. Everything was normal in the room. I don’t know what I was expecting?
In the morning, we stole the TP from the bathroom like the backpacker bandits we are and finished up the drive. As we approached Denver, the masks and social distancing laws resumed. Our apartment put a lock box out for us, and that was that!! To celebrate the move, we ordered pizza and cracked a bottle of red wine (which was ironically titled the Funk).
I’m very happy here. The move felt very natural, and I’m adjusting to the furloughed life now. I’m relying on chocolate chips for brain power (it’s science folks), focusing on my designs, and chasing the siren call of the mountains when I can.
Newest Backpacking Design!! Notebooks available here. Cards coming soon….
Design/Shop Update:
THANK YOU ALL for your continued support. Especially during these crazy times. In April, I launched two pattern new designs (a backpacking-inspired design and a surfer-inspired design) and had one of my most successful months on the books. YOU ALL ROCK. And it’s been a privilege to see what you are making with them. Many of you used my fabric designs to sew up colorful masks, climbing chalk bags, and tea towels, while others of you used peel and stick wallpaper to dress up and refurb the inside of old desk drawers. I’m in awe of your creative ideas!
In the words of the “Just a Card” Project: every time you support, value and buy from artists, designers, independent shops and small businesses, you reinforce the message that all purchases, however small, even 'just a card' are so vital to their prosperity and survival.
Now that I am settled in Denver, I have some time open for new projects. Please contact me if you want to work on a project together.
If you liked this post feel free to share and spread the good word! Thanks for reading :)