What feelings do traditions invoke?
So far, the month of May has been filled with holidays, staycations, and carving new paths.
Last Thursday I went on a date. We spent the day at the park having a picnic and drinking wine. We listened to nature and talked about life, family, and traditions.
Earlier that day, we made a synastry chart which guided the conversations to come (don’t ask, haha). My date asked if I felt that I was conservative, and if so, how and on what topics…
I immediately responded, “Traditions. I am conservative when it comes to traditions and family.”
If you know me personally then you know that I didn’t have the most traditional upbringing. My parents were merely friends and I was a surprise to my father once he returned home from the Navy. I also spent some longer periods of time living with my grandmother during my youth and high school.
During those years, I experienced a wide array of traditions. Yet those family traditions still hold a special place in my heart. Many of my childhood memories and experiences are sacred to me. I had a one-of-a-kind experience growing up and I embrace that.
I continued, “I have no idea what that would look like yet.” Being queer is already non-traditional in a wider, societal view.
I started to question: What new traditions would I want to establish? What can I draw from my own upbringing? What needs to be rewritten?
This is something that I am just now starting to explore. Later that evening I wrote a list of core values I want to establish within a family setting that could serve as a foundation for what those traditions would feel like.
Love, warmth, soulful, joyous, sacred, simple.
What does tradition feel like for you?
Now, onto the goods.
Reads
Keep the Degree of Difficulty Down by Fred Wilson is a quick read that reminds us to keep it simple. Even though Wilson is speaking from a business standpoint, it applies to personal endeavors too. Take the time to get the details right and nail them.
Works
Drylongso (1998)
Fubu Films labels themselves as, “A veneration of expression in the past + present day, embodying the opulent infinite layers of blackness, through film for us by us.” A friend of mine shared their work with me and I instantly fell in love. They share stills from black films, many of which I grew up on… Or am now discovering through their posts. You can follow them on Instagram.
Sounds
For this issue I’ve rounded up some new releases that I’ve have in my current rotation:
- Arctic Monkeys released their sixth studio album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. On this album they bring an alternative blues feel paired with raw and experimental vocals. Available now on Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.
- Leon Bridges shows another side of their artistry with Good Thing. Bridges delivers a more modern sound, a pivot from their 60s-inspired debut. Available now on Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.
- André 3000 took to SoundCloud to release two new tracks on Mother’s Day. This is better served with no context — you can stream the set here.
Quote
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
― Mae West
That’s all for now.
As always, feel free to reply ↩ to this email or send me a tweet with any thoughts or feedback.