Reflections and Resources
looking back and planning ahead!
REFLECTIONS
For this first week of March, I wanted to reflect on a few things: a really fun Brian Bilston poem advising his younger self…a FABULOUS short animated film, Retirement Plan, which examines one man’s grand plans for his golden years…and some beautiful piano music to inspire reflection…
POEM: “MESSAGE TO THE 14-YEAR-OLD ME” By BRIAN BILSTON
Another gem from one of my favorite funny poets. I love the idea of sending a weird “pep” talk to your teenage self.!
SHORT FILM: “RETIREMENT PLAN”
This is an Oscar nominee, and for good reason. If you watch only one thing in “E-Musings” this week, make it this one (especially if you are at or near retirement!
MUSICAL INTERLUDE: BILL EVANS AND PHIL COOK
I’ve loved Bill Evans’ music since forever. I was recently introduced (by Evan) to Phil Cook’s. Please enjoy their piano stylings, perfect accompaniment for a reflective mood!!
RESOURCES
I’m a big “resources” fan (though when I was in school, l didn’t love that kind of research quite so much). Nowadays, I can sprinkle my newsletters with all manner of goodies, and I don’t have to worry about proper footnoting format (although I am careful to always credit the writers/artists).
SOME FAVORITE DIGITAL DIGESTS: (A CURATED SELECTION)
These are some go-tos for me. Check them out—then come up with your own list!
NEWS:
AIR MAIL
WAKE-UP CALL (KATIE COURIC)
1440 DAILY DIGEST
COOKING:
SERIOUS EATS
THE KITCHN
NEW YORK TIMES COOKING (REQUIRES A SUBSCRIPTION, BUT WELL WORTH IT!)
MUSIC:
CLASSICAL: CLASSICAL-MUSIC.COM
JAZZ AND BLUES: DOWNBEAT
WORLD MUSIC: WORLD MUSIC CENTRAL
THEATRE:
PLAYBILL (BROADWAY AND OFF-BROADWAY)
AMERICAN THEATRE (REGIONAL)
THE THEATRE TIMES (WORLD THEATRE)
TRAVEL:
AFAR
WANDERLUST
LONELY PLANET
WORDS, LANGUAGE
WORD OF THE DAY (MERRIAM-WEBSTER)
WORD DAILY
POETRY FOUNDATION
SCIENCE AND NATURE
NAUTILUS
WIRED SCIENCE
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
BLOG PREVIEW: SCAMALOT!
These days I’m not getting wooed by Nigerian princes. No—now it’s bogus emails from famous authors! Progress?
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK
What a way to approach life! We none of us know what even the next moment will bring, but let’s be like Mister Rogers and look forward to it. Have a hopeful week, my friends!