Hey there, how’s it going?

So it’s the last day of the month and we’re in the middle of summer. I spent the past few months trying hard to find ways to cope in a world that’s continuing to be awful. So let’s just like, vibe out and clue you in on some of the things I’ve been into this past month:

• Longplay (App):I recently discovered this app where it would play (and shuffle) songs by albums in my Apple Music Library. Throughout this month I’ve been using Longplay during my morning commute to rediscover some long-lost favorites: Jump, Little Children, Faye Wong, Alanis Morisette, etc. And I apparently added this Yumi Zouma album some time ago that’s quite good.
• Don’t Tap the Glass (Album): Tyler, the Creator’s new album arrived at the exact right time. Nothing deep, just a fun album to vibe out for the summer! Also, between this and Lorde’s Virgin album — are 30-minute albums the norm now?
• Sandman (Show): is such a slow-paced, meandering show that’s at times difficult to pay attention to. But it slowly builds up over the course of 11 episodes (22 in total) and the world building is incredible. (Even if the creator is awful)
• Wind in the Willow (Book): In my continuing attempt to read more fiction, I read this book earlier this month and I kid you not — this is the most difficult book I have ever read. Yes I know this is a children’s book (a classic, even), but its constant and never-ending run on sentences bested me more times than I’d like to admit. My 2025 brain is just not made to handle all these adjectives and meandering (albeit beautiful) prose. And I loathe that toad!
• Meditation for Mortals (Book): To me Meditation for Mortals is the absolute opposite — I can almost read it all in one sitting. I’ve talked about Oliver Burkeman before, but this book is almost like reading a mirror, line by line it’s speaks true of my feelings I’ve long left but didn’t have the words for.
• Steamworld Quest (Game): This was on my wishlist for years and recently went on sale for ~$4. The battle system is so creative and the dialogues are really funny.
• Stealth Crossword (Game): It’s a crossword puzzle and a stealth/espionage game. It’s weird and it’s free, give it a try!
• I just wrapped up a big presentation at work and throughout this months-long process I was doing a lot of research on presentation styles, public speaking, things like that. Here are two of my favorite (and fun) videos I found on YouTube:
  • How to start a movement
  • Why "The Ocean" Sucks

And here's the rest of it…

Thanks for reading this and being with me on this journey. Let me know what’s going on in your world and be sure to share something with me that’s been giving you life! You can also check out past issues of Dear Friend, on my website. Here’s the rest of it:

• The photos I took this month
• What’s Worth Remembering in July
• I made a Apple Music playlist for a co-worker, maybe you’ll dig it too?
• Interesting enough to share but not enough to write about:
  • Trixie Mattel | Chicken Shop Date (Girl…)
  • Why did our friends stop posting on social media? (So it’s not just me!)
  • Reneé Rapp is an Iconic Guest | Ziwe Interview (Her interviews are the best)

Love wins