Umeboshi | 3
It's Umeboshi 3. Can you believe this is the third newsletter? I don't know about you but I'm having an absolute blast making these. In the last month I've done a few really cool things:
- I've set up a website liambeiglari.com (that's probably where you signed up to get this newsletter).
- I have travelled to Japan and I've done a cycle trip around Shikoku which was a) really hard to organise and b) super fun to pull off. Please ask me about it!
- I returned in one piece -> it's really cool from my perspective!
So, here's Umeboshi 3. I hope you enjoy.
📚 What I've been reading
This book was awesome. It's a history of the planet, backwards from the last ice age, focused on living things and the ecosystems they inhabit. I particularly enjoyed the moments where it was highlighted that a particular step on the tech tree of life was created. For example, C4 photosynthesis...hearing...eyes. I think it's a poignant piece of writing as we observe a changing climate. I have to admit that this book has made me feel more comfort than I was expecting. Make no mistake, we are living through a mass extinction but I was pleased to see that terrestrial biology does have a way of coming back and creating diverse ecosystems after catastrophes. Also, plastic digesting bacteria!
Not his first but I think quite a different novel to what Haruki Murakami is famous for (remember 1Q84?). There's no magical realism in this book just relationships. I really liked it. I liked it so much I wrote some more thoughts out on the site if you want to check it out. If you haven't read it, read it.
📺 What I've been watching
I like bikes. I like Japan. I really liked this video from Leonard Goh where he documented a journey by bike. It’s pretty and well done.
I'm late to the party but I am really enjoying Frieren. It makes me want to play D&D. Speaking of which I've been on the lookout for cozy D&D podcasts. Or cozy fantasy generally, any suggestions?
🎧 What I’ve been listening to
The Atlantic's season of How to Age Up has really captivated me. The first episode 'How to Wish you were 66 Instead of 33' was not what I was expecting. I didn't realise that the episode was focused on hormone changes as we age but I am so glad that it was. In particular I appreciated the section in the middle (about 21 minutes in) where Dr Karen Adams (OB/GYN) explains that being older can be a superpower for changing the mood in the room, particularly in medicine. It's just one sentence but I appreciated it. The poem at the end is uplifting. I particularly appreciated the visual of youth being like standing at the edge of a great forest. They're up to episode 6 now and going strong. Very bingeworthy in my opinion.
In Japan, as is customary, I found myself in a book store drinking coffee. And in that book store the owner was playing Sarah Vaughan's Night Hours. Hence, I listened to a lot of Night Hours on that trip. Yuta Orisaka has just released Straße (I LOVE the version of Calmly on this album, I think I prefer it. Just get to 2:18, it's relentless).
📱The apps!
Since when did Siri Shortcuts get so good? I've been using it to make a functioning zettelkasten and read it later app in Bear. I have been intrigued by the idea of ChatGPT as an executive assistant but it just can't get there yet. I'll be watching this one carefully and I look forward to the day that I get an actual Her style personal assistant...when we all get those assistants...and maybe put our phones down for good?
📓 Some recent journal prompts I've used
- "Today I'm feeling ____" "Because____" <- I'll admit, I had a deep conversation with ChatGPT about journalling and it suggested this. It's a nice gentle prod when I am writing the morning pages.
- Inspired by Meditation for Mortals: Imagine the most difficult task you have to do right now (an assignment, presentation at work, organise a wedding). Now recall how difficult it seems. Now, write about how different things would feel if that task was just…easy!
That's all for now! Until next time! Stay sweet and sour, my plums.
As always you can reach me @hellolerm.
Liam (Lermy?)