The End of an Era

 Most crafty people have heard the news by now that ReadyMade is no more. The magazine, brand, and blog are kaput as of Thursday afternoon, which was a big, sad surprise to me (although obviously I am aware that print media is generally in trouble). My main feelings include what a bummer, well, nothing lasts forever, and what now?

I've gotten used to writing about crafts almost every day for the past year and a half, and I don't want to stop now. It's been fantastic, and going back through my posts this afternoon to archive them for a future portfolio, I can say that I'm really proud of the work I've done (if you know me at all, admissions of pride are few and far between).

So for now, I plan to continue writing about crafts and the other things I find wonderful and compelling on the internets. I'll just be doing it here. I hate change, but sometimes it can be a catalyst for some good ol' fashioned forward motion. Here goes!

It's been five years since I left Portland. Although I don't regret moving for a minute, sometimes I really, really miss it. Conveniently, there's a beautiful song about missing Portland to listen to during these times.

Everything is Amazing, Nobody's Happy

Hey guys! If you're online as much as I am, you've probably seen the video clip of Louis CK on Conan O'Brien, "Everything is Amazing, Nobody's Happy." I have to thank my awesome friend Clare for sending it my way. If you haven't, watch it now.

Louis CK is one of the funniest people on earth, and he totally rips us all a new one with this bit. It's also kind of a hilarious way to talk about mindfulness, really being conscious of what's going on around you and in your own mind. Along with my morning handful of SSRI's, mindfulness is something I use to fight depression; it helps.

This next video is an interview with Louis, talking about how he developed the bit and how things have changed even more since he first performed it. I'm way into stand-up comedy and how jokes get created and tinkered with, so I was riveted, but he also says a lot more about expectations vs. reality, and how we could all take a step back for just a second. Spot on!

Happy Feet!

Something magical must have been in the air last night, because Peter agreed to take dance lessons with me at 200 Grand next month!

This is kind of scary for both of us. I'm a terrible dancer. It is not one of my many, many, many natural skills. My friend once convinced me to join her at an intermediate level salsa lesson, and I still cringe when I think about it. (Yes, I made it out of the room before I started crying.) Pure torture!

I need about double the amount of practice time to catch up with the average person. And that's frustrating because I like to excel at everything immediately without having to work at it. Doesn't everyone? :)

But I've always wanted to know some traditional dances, as well as some zippy swing moves. And now I have someone to practice with. This video of the foxtrot doesn't look too hard...

It won't last, I promise

My reading style is a little different. It's been this way since I was little. Generally, my first read will be incredibly quick. I'll get the plot and little else. If I like what I saw, I'll read it again. And again. And again. So what begins as a cursory skim ends up being a very thorough read.

Today I was re-reading Birds of America by Lorrie Moore, and found this passage. It describes how I'm feeling of late.

There were moments bristling with deadness, when she looked out at her life and went, "What?" Or worse, feeling interrupted and tired, "Wha--?" It had taken on the shape of a terrible mistake. She hadn't been given the proper tools to make a real life with, she decided, that was it. She'd been given a can of gravy and a hairbrush and told, "There you go." She'd stood there for years, blinking and befuddled, brushing the can with the brush."