dear creative friends,

I'm really trying to break the habit of writing these letters at 1am Thursday (my Friday) mornings, but for whatever reason, I tend to play with pressure and promises (deadlines) with a strange pleasure. (maybe this is like finding the edge of pleasure/pain, in work?)

last week I didn't write you because I was playing host/tour guide/translator to the kind of friend that takes up 99% of my brainspace -- and I felt tired and (unfortunately) psychically malnourished for days.

thus, for this week's letter, I'll share some nourishing things I've been ingesting lately.

things that nourished me lately

food: naengmyeon everyday.
this chewy, refreshing, earthy noodle dish is top on my list of favorite asian/korean/summer/noodle foods. I asked a friend to bring it to me from the US. this week, I ate it everyday.

talks: circle day 2023, by squarespace
I just attended this web design conference (virtually) today --it TOTALLY exceeded my expectations and was really inspiring on so many levels (creativity, business, coding). they'll be posting a replay link on September 15, so you can access it (for free) then.

film: decision to leave (2022)
a Korean neo-noir arthouse film about a police inspector who falls in love with a suspect. it's deeply beautiful and jarring. I watched it on Mubi, which I've used in the past and didn't like -- but their interface is much improved, and so much more deeply nutritious & artful than netflix.

book: no bad parts by richard schwartz
I only started this book, but it was recommended to me so many times - and feels like an absolutely groundbreaking way to deal with our multiplicity (infinity!!) of selves -- in any situation or context. I'm excited to explore and integrate this into my life.

audiobook: the order of time by carlo rovelli
ok, not going to lie. this book is narrated by bendedict cumberbatch, who I don't have an actor-crush on, BUT, he has a truly, deeply beautiful voice, such that listening to an interesting book about physics becomes even pleasurable -- like something you could pair with a glass of wine.

podcast: on being with john o'donohue
one of the most poetic, beautiful, inspiring conversations I've heard in podcast form -- with the late Irish poet and philosopher. it affirms the value of poetry -- in making life worth living. they were absolutely right to single it out.

meditation app: insight timer
I've been a superfan insight timer user for 8 (!) years. this is one of those companies that I love giving money to. their wealth of meditations is absolutely astounding, and makes me feel like a resourced voyager in my inner world. it's my go-to when I need a little support in inner travels.

youtube channel: thomas flight
I've recommended his channel before, but I can't not recommend it again. this is my go-to when I want to watch intelligent analysis about the art of film-- when I don't actually have the time to watch a film. his videos are so beautiful, thoughtful, rich, and inspiring.

next on my list of nourishing things to ingest

• 20 fragments of a ravenous youth by xiaolu guo
• summer by karl ove knausgaard
• aftersun (2022)
• cold baklava (my favorite dessert in this country)

the latest in this series of drawings...

summer diaries | the feeling of interboob sweat

the feeling of interboob sweat — kening zhu

waterfall bodies

general notes / what i'm working on / thinking about

• I'm deep in the process of designing a brand identity and website for a psychiatrist who makes high end jewelry -- in the shape tree barks and stones, cast in silver or gold.

• I'm teaching the first iteration of visual play camp, and it's been a beautiful, expansive, fun experience.

• I'm itching to work on my new website design, my secret new (!) project, as well as all the other projects I promised/teased in previous letters (workshops, microgardens, etc). in general, my mind feels like a tsunami of things, and everyday, I'm just trying to surf it.

• I'm craving a return to my creative practice. art is not a luxury. it's more like exercise, or meditation. if you (I) want to feel truly aligned with your soul, it's something you must make time for, everyday.

• I get creative amnesia literally every 2 days. I have 5 different ways of organizing my projects and to-dos, which help me (ride) the tsunami chaos. perhaps in my next letter, I'll share it with you?!

or, maybe you can help me decide? :) here's my lazy Q&A!

it's 1:53 am, and that's all for tonight, my friends. I'm wishing you sweet dreams in day or night, wherever you are.

kening

this is guide.notes #18, a weekly letter on manifesting the material from the immaterial and imaginative, using the magic of the internet.