I had every intention of writing a newsletter for this week, but try as I might, the words wouldn’t come. My excuse is that my brain is still recalibrating following the break in transmission.
Still, in the spirit of getting my streak back on and sticking to my schedule, here I am.
I had an almost quarter half-done letter typed up but I hit refresh by mistake and it all disappeared so I took that as a sign to try again another day.
This week I read
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. I found this title in a work email announcing it as a book club pick for next month. Thankfully, my library had it available immediately and I was able to finish it pretty quickly.
I loved the writing in this book so much that I might have to read everything written by Clare Chambers. Exquisite writing, perfectly witty. I now have a special appreciation for writers who don’t try to tell perfect stories with likeable characters but instead use their words to paint pictures of the miracles and messes that make up real life and this book did just that for me.
This week I listened to
An episode of the Tim Ferris show. This is one podcast I’ve seen around but never gotten around to listening to, until this weekend. In this episode, Tim chats with his friend Derek about everything from minimalism to cyber security to parenting experiences. It’s a super long one and I almost abandoned it for that reason but it was a very valuable conversation as well.
Derek Sivers is an author of philosophy and entrepreneurship, known for his surprising, quotable insights and pithy, succinct writing style. He is a former musician, programmer, TED speaker, and circus clown, who sold his first company, CDBaby for $22 million and gave all the money to charity.
I’d never heard of Derek Sivers but now I am fascinated because surely a person who sells their company and gives everything to charity must be very remarkable.
The days are getting longer still and I’m looking forward to proper warm weather so I can be as outside as much as funds will permit. Usually, I’d be celebrating my freedom from studying with a trip somewhere but I am currently in a cost-of-living crisis so enjoyment has to be local for now.
Here’s wishing you what I wish myself this season - lots of cheap and cheerful enjoyment.
Chioma.