Some Questions, Some Answers + What Caught My Eye (No. 59)
I’m giving everything today about 50%, so I have outsourced this introduction to some previous questions that people have asked me on Instagram that I never got around to answering. I think sometimes it’s healthy to not hear me prattle on about one inane topic or another. So, in a way, you’re welcome.
Please enjoy and have a good week ahead.
Q: Where are you located?
A: This comes up a lot and I’m always pleased with myself when it does. If you’ve ever heard me speak, you’d know instantly that I am American (and, also if you heard me speak, you’d know I’m gay and a bit dumb). But I tend to write things like “colour” and “favourite” and it’s partially as an in-joke with myself, partially to show how constructed our online personas are, and partially because I read almost exclusively British literature and therefore it does tend to seep into just the visual aesthetics of the shape and balance of words.
All of that is to say I live in rural Pennsylvania, on a farm close to Pittsburgh. This is, of course, the sole reason I am not rich nor famous (yet).
Q: How is the second novel coming along?
A: As good as one expects. The difference with this one is that I now know all of the things I did wrong with my first, so I think I’m being a little too precious with just diving in, as I did with Arthur. But I have the hook, I have the plot mapped. Hell, I even bought a whole new computer for it. But these are all just trappings and excuses. I just need to starting fucking writing it.
Q: What’s a goal you want to accomplish one day?
A: So, I’ll say this, I’ve accomplished a lot at 33-years-old. But because of that, the bar constantly gets a bit more unreachable. It’s analogous to an addiction, I think. Your tolerance slowly gets higher and you remain unsatisfied for longer. Because of this, it’s hard to feel the same sense of pride that perhaps I once did. I want to change that and return to humility. So, with that in mind, some goals I’ve explored are ones that are not related to writing but are still career-centric. Two things I’ve been wanting to do these last couple of years have been start my own company and I’ve entertained the idea of going back for a Master’s degree to become a counselor.
And I’ll throw one in for fun that’s a bit more creative: I’d love to collaborate with a brand on a teensy tiny product or design. I think it would be a lot of fun.
Q: What’s something you learned about yourself in 2024?
A: I did like this one, I remember, and just forgot to include the last time I made a newsletter like this. I think this past year I learned that I’m still learning. I am very headstrong and like to fancy myself very independent, but I think my approach to life — especially my 20’s — was a very lazy way of connecting with others. I think the fact that COVID-19 sort of contracted four years of my life (our lives?) the maturity that’s supposed to come with time has felt more like a hiccup than a muscle to be strengthened. I’ve worked on being more patient, more kind, and actually saying, “I need XYZ right now.” versus trying to just do it myself and crumbling because of it.
The White Lotus
How can I begin this newsletter with anything else? I’ve been a fan of the series since it first aired and my expectations remain high for their third season. While only the first episode has been released so far, we see some of the same tropes in play: dysfunctional wealth, familial tensions, a murder, and a background cast of hotel workers and their interior lives. Even though I called them tropes, don’t take that as a negative — this formula just works and I’ll undoubtedly be tuning in every Sunday.
Watch: Here
The Takeover, by Muriel Spark
I posted on Instagram the other week that I’ve been in a mental funk when it comes to reading. It’s such a cornerstone of my personality — and day, as I read for about an hour before bed every night — that I felt a little aimless in January. Leave it to Muriel Spark to pull me out of this funk (something that not even Stefan Zweig’s Confusion could do!). Set in Italy, the story tells of a wealthy woman trying to reclaim her Italian villa from a conman. As you can see, I do like the struggles of the very rich. They have it so hard, don’t they?
Read: Here
For Starters
Daniel Giacopelli’s work history is impressive and has one of those “what I want to be when I grow up” CV’s. Having worked at Monocle (starting their Entrepreneurs podcast) and Courier as their editorial director, among other things, Daniel has a very clear editorial voice that I enjoy. And, what’s more, he has an interest in small businesses, which I greatly appreciate. He’s now combined all of this into a new newsletter called For Starters. Weekly, Giacopelli gives a run-down of advice, inspiration, and spotlights successes for small business owners — or those who dream of starting a business one day. The tone is pitch-perfect and the entire newsletter is well-researched and gives a lot to offer to those who may need just a little bit of motivation to build a career on their terms.
Subscribe: Here
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Headphones
I’m strange in the sense that I’m not a big music person, but I really enjoy quality audio equipment (hence, the Revo Superconnect I have in my office with the sole purpose of listening to European radio). I got these headphones from British brand Bowers & Wilkins and I’m thoroughly impressed. While I have the luxury of working from home and therefore don’t use headphones often, I have some trips planned this upcoming year where these will definitely come in handy (and look incredibly stylish, as I opted for the tan-colored pair).
Buy: Here
Wims
I really don’t like to be high in the spacey sense of the word. But a good night’s sleep is a good night’s sleep — which is much needed these days, as all my dogs are old and get me up anywhere from one to three times a night. I was gifted these little cannabis mixers and they’re a much better alternative (for me, at least) than a joint or vape pen. I add them to a little seltzer water before bed and I’m asleep in twenty. Though, truth be told, I am a lightweight.
Buy: Here
Handwoven Rush Market Totes
My town has a fairly robust farmers market in the Summer and, with the vitamin deficiency that comes from Winter, I’ve been craving fresh veg lately and dreaming of going to the market on Saturday mornings. I have absolutely no use for these totes, as I have an entire pile of tote bags from museums, hotels, and even libraries stacked in my kitchen cupboard, but I still find them incredibly chic. I’m not sure if my local market sells baguettes, but wouldn’t they look great poking out of one of these?
Buy: Here
O. A. Devold
It’s funny, isn’t it? To study a language and have absolutely no connection to the culture. What do I really know about Norwegians? Not much, other than they make good knitwear and occasionally pop up on an episode of Monocle’s podcast (and, very occasionally, I’ll speak to one of my company’s retailers in Norwegian, which always makes me feel very impressed with myself).
Well, anyway, back to the knits. I found this brand and I can’t get enough of their silhouettes. They’re perfectly chunky and hang off, rather than hug, the body. And, right now we’re in the middle of a blizzard warning and I could use a few in my closet while the soup is boiling on the hob.
Buy: Here
White Oxford Shirts
I don’t know what it is, but I’ve been buying up white oxfords left and right lately (including ones from Buck Mason, Alex Mill, and even Amazon’s — which is surprisingly well made). It’s a bit funny, if you think about it, because it’s far too cold to really wear them — not to mention the fact that I have three dogs who are constantly jumping on me (and constantly muddy). I guess what appeals to me is the idea of a uniform. I’m very basic with what I wear and hardly ever like patterns (and the idea of wearing a suit as the only way to enjoy “menswear”, I find ridiculous). And as so much of my work means I get sent clothes…well, it’s an embarrassment of riches in my closet. And so, a simple white shirt, a good pair of loafers, and a light-colored pair of blue jeans seems to be the trajectory I’m unconsciously angling towards this year.
Arthur on Kindle and Apple Books
I know I already wrote this one, so I’m cheating a bit, but I think it’s worth noting again that my novel Arthur was released on all major ebook platforms. I can’t believe it hasn’t even been a year since its release and while the reception has been good…well, it can always be better. Do buy it. I hope you love it. If you don’t, then just don’t tell me! See? That’s not so hard, is it?
Buy: Here (Kindle), Here (Apple) — but do check out other platforms you may use! I think it’s on something like 23 of them now.
My Baby Girl, Elsa
We had a bit of a scare a couple weeks ago with our dog, Elsa. She was meant to get a tooth extracted, but it showed on the pre-anesthetic tests that she had had a heart attack and this irregularity meant she couldn’t be put under. To say the least, it was terrifying until we could see a cardiologist. I can’t really explain the pain of just not knowing. I know this is a universal feeling, but I personally have never experienced the true weight of having to reckon with the realities of loss. It was a long two weeks. I missed deadlines, cried nightly. I think I lost about five pounds — I’m not one to eat when I’m this kind of stressed.
But, a half day off work and a few thousand dollars later, I’m happy to say that Elsa’s heart is healthy! The word the veterinary cardiologist (a French-Canadian called Étienne — très chic) was “perfect”. Though, if they knew Elsa, they would have known that’s the only word to use for her. She was born with a congenital structural issue — the name is in the paperwork, but I’m still too nervous to properly go through it, if I’m being honest — which caused the negative reading on her EKG. But, even so, she’s healthy. She’s happy. She’s here with me, right now, snoring away on the pillow.
My God, how lucky I am to have felt this sort of love not once, not twice, but three times in my life.