I’m currently in my writing studio, battling two things. The first, a very slight hangover (I had a little tequila with dinner last night with my father-in-law). The second is trying to not stretch out on the floor and fall asleep. It’s rainy and grey and I’m worried a third cup of coffee will cause a heart attack.
So, instead, I’m going to force myself to finish this, scrounge up the energy to pitch to a few publications, and get started on one of the three (!) articles I have pending with Robb Report. Will I be home in time to trek back out and see The Phoenician Scheme? Will I have the energy to make dinner or just grab Chinese on the way home? Only time will tell.
Tangentially related: I have a doctor’s appointment in July to once again discuss having undiagnosed ADHD.
But what I do know is that things have picked up recently, both in life and in writing. I currently have seventeen articles in my Google Calendar which need written by mid-July. I got back from Mexico (more on this soon!) and need to write about it (and, ahem, still need to unpack). And in just two weeks I’ll be in Germany to celebrate Leica’s 100th anniversary in Wetzlar (with a night in Frankfurt to see some friends). This, of course, will result in four more articles — and lots of bragging on Instagram, too, I’m sure. And on top of that, my freelance work with Merz b. Schwanen has started. But, to be honest, that one doesn’t feel like work because I’m enjoying it so much.
And on top of all of that, I’m branching out into a few new creative avenues. And this is where you come in, readers. The first is that I have two product ideas I want to create. One is a pen, the other is a leather portfolio of sorts. While the company I work for could produce these, I want to do it independently, so any ideas are welcome on where to start and how to do it.
Secondly, I need to find someone who is good at Substack. If you can’t tell, I…am not. It’s time to monetize this bad boy through more regular content, affiliate links, and maybe a subscription plan (don’t worry, nothing will change for you regular readers). But where to start? Who has the time? Do I hire someone to do this all for me? Do I finally get an assistant, which has rattled around in my head for about a year now? Do reach out and help. I’m a lost little puppy and I hate applying myself.
And finally, I have a new idea for a novel. The train one is on ice. The sequel to Arthur will take some time so I get it right. That leaves me with a third novel or series of interconnected short stories. I’m not sure how to build it yet. But it deals with a conman in Italy. There will probably be a nun or two and there will definitely be some gay stuff. It’s all in my head, now I just have to…you know, write it.
Well, do reach out if you’re a help. And if you’re not, reach out anyway. That’s called engagement, baby, and Daddy (me) needs more of it!
Cheers
The Best of Everything, by Rona Jaffe
There is a genre of novel that I’m just realizing I’m attracted to, which I’ve labeled “The Girl in New York”. From Dawn Powell to Ursula Parrott to now Rona Jaffe, every novel I’ve read in this sub-genre centers around the (love) lives of working women in the early 1900’s. As I mentioned on Instagram, I’m sure this ties back to my early years of watching I Love Lucy with my mother.
The Best of Everything, much like Parrott’s Ex-Wife, is so contemporary in its frankness and plotting, one could be forgiven for forgetting its nearly 70 years old. The story follows a group of women who work at a publishing house in New York City in the 1950’s and while this may seem dull to some, I promise the writing and wit make up for it. It also deals with topics we often forget existed in the 50’s — masturbation, abortion, and everything in between. I’m more than halfway through and I’m already sad to be finishing it here in the next week.
Buy: Here
Your Friends and Neighbors
On the other side of the spectrum, here is a very modern show I’m currently slogging through (and disliking very much, I might add). I’m finding the writing to be, in the simplest terms, very bad. At times, there is a sense that the writer has put in lines that sound good, but are incongruous with the tone of the show. And at other times, the dialogue was so poorly written I couldn’t quite remember what was even discussed by the next scene, as I was so distracted. If this is nothing other than eye candy (Jon Hamm or the luxury watches and bags—take your pick), then more power to you for spending 10 hours of your life finishing it.
Watch: Here
A Passion Thing, Issue 12
This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve mentioned this particular magazine, but it will be the first time I’m mentioning it as a contributor. A Passion Thing focuses on businesses and entrepreneurs who have turned a passion into a career and I was lucky enough to interview my friends at ROVI Lucca on just this topic.
Buy: Here
Timex x Peanuts Marlin 40mm Watch
Later this year, my company will be releasing a limited-edition collection of pens and desk accessories for Peanuts’ 75th anniversary, for which I helped in the design and go-to-market side of things. I got this watch as a sort of anticipation of this launch. I know I’ve gone deep into the luxury side of watches in the past (currently, my Cartier Ronde is in the butcher’s block along with a pack of cigarettes, both thrown in there from a night out, if you must know), but I do have a soft spot for Timex, and especially the mid-century elements of the Marlin (though, I do wish this particular design came in a smaller case size than 40mm).
Buy: Here
Alex Mill Cooper Suit in Flax Linen
With an upcoming trip to Germany, I’m looking at finding some warm weather suits for the occasion. This one from Alex Mill keeps cropping up and has the perfect balance between slouchy and comfortable, while still being well-made — a trademark of the brand by now, I think. Every since seeing La Chimera, I’ve been trying to find the perfect light-colored linen suit. Could this be it? And, more importantly, will I find myself in the midst of magical realism and a forlorn longing for a lost love in Italy anytime soon?
Buy Jacket: Here
Buy Pants: Here
Ugmonk Discbound Journal
Oh look, another notebook. I had first noticed this one in a profile on the brand in For Starters and I’ve been quietly contemplating getting it ever since. While I don’t need a new notebook, I like the aesthetic of this one, which leans a little more design-y than my usual tastes. Plus, I have that pesky new novel idea, so it would be a great excuse (and a tax write-off).
Buy: Here
Ettinger Pet Pill Case
I received this from Ettinger last week and I think it’s the first gift from a brand that made me cry. Our 12-year-old Murphy has to take a pill everyday to control the symptoms of Addison’s Disease, a chronic illness that has affected him for a couple years now. Ettinger was kind enough to personalize the pill case with his name and it now sits pride of place alongside Murphy’s peanut butter (the only way he’ll take his steroids, thank you very much).
Buy: Here
Ini Ceramique Ceramic Matchboxes
How fantastic are these matchboxes? I’ve included Ini Ceramique’s work before for their usage of Greek motifs and I love the jaggedy little lines and handpaintedness of it all. I’d love to have about a dozen of these scattered around the house (first, I’d need to buy a much larger house), I’d settle for one in my writing studio to fiddle with while on a Zoom call.
Buy: Here
Globe-Trotter Elephant Family Collection
Globe-Trotter has been a favourite of mine for years now, but I’ve never pulled the trigger on getting a piece. Mostly because they’re expensive, and a little too nice for the Pittsburgh International Airport. But I was very close to adding something from this collection to my cart. It has a sort of upscale Wes Anderson quality to it which, as pretentious as that sounds, works well and could easily be a timeless piece in one’s luggage rotation.
Plus, proceeds from this one go to conservation efforts (so perhaps another tax write-off?).
Buy: Here
Prada Large Galleria Double-Zip Tote
I’ve been looking for a daily tote for quite some time now that would force me to parse down my habit of carrying three computers, eight notebooks, a few magazines, and a dozen pens. When this bag came up in my search, I bookmarked it immediately. While it’s no Birkin, it has all the elements I was looking for in a daily bag: large capacity, minimal design, and a little bit luxurious for good measure (this one is in Saffiano leather, which I quite like). Now I’m whittling down to just an iPad, Magic Keyboard, and a couple Plotter notebooks to get me through the day. It’s called growth.
Buy: Here
I'm sad I don't have 55 euro to spend on a matchbox! It's really gorgeous. It does sound like you could use an assistant. I'm sorry to say that this is the only answer I can provide you with regarding your questions.