118 | I Contain Multitudes

rarely are we awake in the dark

“Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes).”
- Walt Whitman, Song of Myself

What I’m up to

Gardening season has begun! It’s still on my to do list to get potting soil for our little backyard raised beds (#renterlife) but are grateful to have a small plot in our friends’ garden outside of the city! Our 6 year old chose to plant carrots and “a big, tall sunflower” and I added in some kale seeds because yum.

What I’m creating

I’ve been playing around on Canva with a little bit of… collaging? Words and images and backgrounds … it’s been fun and playful. Here’s my latest:

Last month I did an interview with Collaborator Coffee in Rotterdam, Netherlands and the just posted part 1 of 3 (okay, I had a lot to say) - check it out here!

Content? While I’m having a blast creating content for Hasty Coffee and Espresso Parts, an Indian restaurant here in Calgary reached out this week and offered a meal for a reel, and we’re heading over this evening on a date night. I don’t hate this.

What I’m watching

EUROVISION! The semi-finals and finals were last week, and we even hung up flag bunting in our living room for the occasion. Before I link the winner, here are a few things I love about the European Song Competition:

1. While yes, it’s political - it’s also global. The whole world is connected and this is a fun time to join a global conversation about music, culture, and what makes good art. We’re all watching an getting excited about the same thing and when we’re not - we’re learning why someone likes something we don’t.

2. I expand my worldview. There have been (and were this year) performances that I didn’t understand at all. Why did this make it into the finals? Who thought this was good enough to represent an entire country? But in one simple internet search, I can find people who love that particular song/artist/performance and I get to learn why they do. It’s a really cool mental exercise for me. (Okay, here’s an example.)

3. I get to learn more about history. This year’s Croatian entry told a story about the Ottoman Empire kidnapping children and how mother’s would tattoo their babies with stories of their identity so they could grow up knowing who they were. I didn’t know this story! What a powerful song.

Okay okay the winner? Not even on my radar. Bulgaria took home their first ever Eurovision win in all of Eurovision history - and I think it’s such a fun song! Here, take a listen for yourself. For me, it’s the dancing and the artist’s facial expressions that absolutely make it.

How I’m summering (springing?)

• Laying out in the sun on K’s front yard.

• Paddle boarding in the mountains.

• Iced lattes!

• Letting the sun wake up me at 5am before I put on my eye mask and get a few more hours of sleep ;)

• Soaking in the sight of every single green tree and grass blade

• Saving the candlesticks for rainy days because it’s that time of year when rarely are we awake during the dark.

What I’m Googling

is dudley do right american or canadian
ship of theseus book
wait times urgent care calgary

Until next time,
cer

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