Work Notes 

Tomorrow (Tuesday October 13) I have two Creative Advising Sessions open before I take a break for a few weeks to open Common Objects 

Dear reader, 

The keys to Common Objects are in my hand! A colorful gay gift shop in downtown Traverse City, MI filled with books, candles, soaps, quilts, and gifts for the people. We packed the truck up last night with furniture, shelving, and inventory and Katy loaded it into the empty future clubhouse.

Today we’ll prep the space for painting and get rid of the purple and red walls and mini birch tree murals. I’ve spent the last six week preparing for this day, living in a sort of professional limbo trying to figure out how to make money and stay afloat while I spend all my money on making this shop and studio happen. And by the skin of my teeth, it’s happening.

In my life as an artist and host I can often wonder what’s the point. With so much at stake, so much to tend to, sometimes making and selling beautiful objects feels quite insignificant. But through the gift of my own teaching, my own curiosity, my own guidance helping others put their work into the world, I know that it is worthy work.

I had a weekend filled with political and spiritual inspiration which I feel like prepared me for the next two weeks of hard work. It started with me and Katy and her mom standing in line for over an hour to go to the town hall hosted by Abdul El-Sayed and Elizabeth Warren. I wept the whole time, not because I believe these two progressive democrats can save us, but because what they believe in and what they want for us feels so far away. Safe gender affriming healthcare, medicare for all, the end of the fascist regime running the country.

I don’t love to vote or tend to overly remind you dear reader to vote, it feels like a small drop in the bucket that so much pressure is put on every two years and then lets liberals off the hook the rest of the time. But I feel so incredibly moved by Abdul, the way he spoke to the people directly, answered questions so generously, and truly believes in Michigan in a way that makes me so proud to live here. So if you live in Michigan, please check your voting place. You can vote early or by absentee - this is something I usually do because of my ADHD. Who knows where my executive function will be at on November 3, so I find a way to fit it in before that.

A disabled veteran stood up and asked a question and mentioned that her mom who is eighty one wanted to attend but couldn’t handle standing in line for that long. Before he answered her question he said, “We’ll make sure you’re escorted to the back after this and we’ll make a video for your mom.”

Also, Elizabeth Warren is funny as hell. A true stand up comedian. Sharp as a tack and just so quick witted. Thinking of them being able to do real work in the senate together with devotion and levity brings me hope.

Later in the day we attended the closing ceremony of TC Design Week to see friends Geoffrey Holstad and Micah Middaugh give the keynote talk/performance hosted by the amazing Jessica Koiman Parker. Geoff led us through what made him and Micah’s Pictured Rocks yo-yo run so special and how it bleeds into their friendship and art practices.

I could say so much about their talk and the beauty of weaving in spiritual practice into long distance running, but something else is on my mind. I don’t have a ton of male friends, and what keeps me coming back to these two is their floaty tenderness. Their refusal of machismo in the sports and outdoor industry. And the way they so tenderly talk about their love for each other and their friendship. In a world, and this very specific time in history, when we see men failing us so miserably, I hold these friendships close and celebrate them for their softness.

After this busy Saturday I tried to take it easy on Sunday, knowing that the next two weeks would be a wild race to the finish line getting the shop ready to open. After me and Katy packed the truck to the brim with shelves and stools and benches and speakers and all things shop, we came inside just in time to watch two of our favorites in an iconic interview : Ziwe and Hasan Piker.

As you might expect, it’s hilarious, Hasan is absolutely roasted by Ziwe, and their banter and silence is palpable. I’ll let you watch and enjoy it, but the way it ended really struck me and I think ties everything together that the weekend brought to me.

Ziwe asked Hasan what he wanted his last words on the screen to be. He says “Don’t succumb to nihilism, and always maintain revolutionary optimism.”

It is with this that I will go forth this week, with reovlutionary optimism. Serving my family and community the best I know how. Not letting the little things get in the way of the great abundance that is at hand.

I hope that you too can access some of that today, this week, this month. The new moon really wiped me out and the veil is thin. Stay close to your comrades and keep making art! Keep charging forward! There is so much on the other side.

→ Radiator Hospital, also known as my one and only sibling, is playing a show at Lager House in Detroit on Friday October 30 and I’d love to see you there

→ Novelist Molly Moynahan has a new book coming out tomorrow, Motherperson - She will be at Gilchrist Farm and Winery in Suttons Bay, MI on Thursday October 15 at 3pm signing books

→ Jess Williamson’s new album A Mile South of Heaven is out now and so beautiful

→ Really looking forward to catching the Gary Tyler show Rebirth at the GRAM the next time I’m in Grand Rapids. Show is up til January

→ On Air : A Fall Fundraiser for WNMC is happening Sunday October 18 at the Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City, MI with so many good bands. A great way to support community radio!

→ In Person Oral History Summer School Mini Intensive in NYC is Nov 13-15 an open for registration

→ Common Objects Grand Opening Party + Online Shop Launch!

CLASSIFIEDS : 

How to Build a Creative Marketing Plan in Notion 𖤓 Amelia of Off the Grid is partnering with Notion expert Podge Thomas for a free workshop on 10/30! RSVP here

Tired of marketing yourself into the void? Join a private referral network for therapists & healers.

You have a creative spark inside you, but life, logistics, and doubt keep it snuffed. Bring your work into reality with project coach Evangeline!

Paper Airplane magazine is “like a grown-up version of Highlights.” No ads. No A.I. The exact opposite of doomscrolling. Get it in digital or print.


Book a classified ad for next week here 

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I’ll leave you with this perfect picture of August and June sleeping on the couch together.