Cliff Notes 003
fresh film photos, fresher reads, the freshest oysters
Remember that series Gumbo? I realized I didn’t like the name, so I’m changing it to Cliff Notes. I figure I’ll take the risk until the OG CliffsNotes comes after me.
It’s been a hell of a few weeks for me—between my 9-5, a broken rib, and a substantial dose of frustration. At the same time, I recently got a bunch of film back from the developer, so I’ve been deep in Lightroom as well. All of that to say—welcome to Cliff Notes, where I’ll discuss things I’ve done, lessons I’ve learned, and experiences I’ve had—all within the past two weeks.
a little Hank Jr. never hurt no one
Outlook Cove + New Photos
If you haven’t read this one yet, I recommend it. In terms of statistics, it’s the most successful piece I’ve written, with nearly 300 views and 7 new subscriptions (2 of them paid!). This brings me to an interesting question: what qualifies as success in this journey?
Recently, I’ve been getting fewer and fewer “views” on my posts. Initially, this was frustrating. Now, I’ve come back to center and remembered that I don’t write these biweekly posts for the “views.” I write them because I want to be a better writer. In that case, while Outlook Cove was a great read and I am very proud of it, the stats aren’t my value mechanism. For me, I know internally which posts deserve the “top spots,” and right now, 26 Candles is the best I’ve ever written.
As I mentioned, I’ve got some film back from the lab. Here are a few great ones from my journey to Kodiak, AK, this summer—shot on a Canon AE-1.
What I’m reading:
I just finished an absolutely incredible book—seriously, top ten I’ve ever read. Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer is a deep dive into the immigration problem at the southern border of the United States.
Blitzer takes on this topic with impeccable grace and a critical lens for history. He weaves together personal stories, historical events, and political jockeying in a way few writers are capable of. The stories make the book a thrilling and emotional rollercoaster. The historical events help the reader understand the current situation. The political jockeying offers an eye-opening look into the vast corruption that persists across the Americas in the 21st century.
On the side of criticism, I wish the book offered a bit more balance in its perspective. It powerfully illustrates the hardships asylum seekers face when trying to enter the United States, and it does an impressive job unpacking the historical role the U.S. has played in destabilizing other countries—only to then react with surprise when people from those places end up at its border. While all of that rings true, I would’ve appreciated a more nuanced view—one that still acknowledges the humanitarian crisis but also considers the need for some structure and order in maintaining border security.
Nonetheless, I loved the book. I think you will too.
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
After reading a dense, long book like Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here, I enjoy a real page-turner. This time, I chose one of my favorite books of all time: Siddhartha. This story about a young man searching for meaning will permanently have a place on my bookshelf. It’s a quick one, so I won’t give too much away—but I highly recommend giving it a read.
“Knowledge can be conveyed, but not wisdom. It can be found, it can be lived, it is possible to be carried by it, miracles can be performed with it, but it cannot be expressed in words and taught.”
~ Hermann Hesse ~
Fresh, Wild, Oysters
The season for wild bivalves is in full swing up here on the Washington coast. Butter clams, cockles, steamers, and horse clams are plentiful. The only issue is that digging holes with a broken rib is bad medicine. Thankfully, there’s an even better edible delight that doesn’t require any digging—wild Pacific oysters. These bad boys were originally introduced in the 1920s for aquaculture. Since then, they’ve rooted in the region and now reproduce in the wild. While not a native species, they are delicious and incredibly easy to harvest. The only issue is that they’re massive. Raw oysters are delicious, but once above 3 inches long, the appeal diminishes. I found one this weekend that was over 6 inches long. I decided to fry it and make a po'-boy—good choice.
The tides are good for the next few weeks, so I’ll be out there as much as I can. Hopefully, I can start digging soon, and clam linguine is on the menu.
got a recipe?What I’ve been listening to:
A super smooth lo-fi house track. Great samples + a real jazzy flow.
Ethio-jazz anyone? This track sounds so authentic it reminds me of a good film photo.
One of the most uplifting dance tracks I’ve heard in a while. If you need little midday dance session, look no further.
St. Patty’s Day has come and gone, but don’t fret—you can listen to Irish tunes anytime of the year. Gaelic Storm is a band I’ve been seeing since I was in a stroller, and they still bring a smile to my face.
Thanks for reading, friends! If you have any book or music recommendations, please send them my way!
Love the new name and pics 😘
Pictures of Alaska are so sick