Today is a special day for many reasons. One reason, though, is that it is the anniversary of my move to Boston. Approaching this date, I've been reflecting on the ebbs and flows of the last four years, the moments where I felt immense pain, the ones where I experienced love, the times where I've been held by community. It has also been a beautiful opportunity to look forward. I aspire to move into this next year with more hope than resignation, with more appreciation for the brightness I bring to my relationships, with more gratitude and openness despite sadness and distrust, and with continued commitment to putting one foot in front of the other.
Truly, what a joy it is to be human--where any day can become a birthday, a new year, a spontaneous celebration of our tentative, messy, joyful navigation of this weird thing called life. Whether or not today is your special day, I'm wishing you sweetness and tenderness for the weeks ahead. Onto some odds and ends:
- A story of a woman who inspired the first synths, with gorgeous visuals. A fascinating deep dive into America's uniformed public health service. When cheerleading is a means of survival.
- Trust the people to let you rest. Trust that each breach of trust can deepen trust or clarify boundaries. Trust the people who see and hold your heart. (Listen completely.) Even if you never receive an apology, your experiences are valid.
- An ode to Nike Air Force 1s and Baltimore. In the past six months, five Uber Eats couriers in Mexico have died in crashes--and Uber's insurance policy is not helping. Graffiti gentrification.
- Made me laugh: Why are South Asian men so obsessed with Drake? Which U.S. presidents were wife guys?
- Boston City Hall is a Brutalist monstrosity. There are whole podcast episodes dedicated to the thing. Meet the guy who got a tattoo of it.
Love,
Nina
ps - The Queer Makers Market went so well! Thanks to all of you who dropped by--I can't stop smiling. Today's art is one of the new prints I shared over the weekend. There's still handful of them available, so email me if you're interested!
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