5 Things I Consumed Last Week (running up that hill 🏃♀️)
on marriage, object-arium, how to change your mind, before the coffee gets cold and dopamine
Dear readers,
The past week went in a blip. I immersed myself in new experiences, met some close friends after years and traveled a lot in Delhi heat. I haven’t been reading much, except a book. I am finally watching Stranger Things - S4 and listening to Kate Bush’s song ‘Running Up That Hill’ on repeat and hence the title.
This issue has some unexplored gems. No disclosures. I am literally running (okay walking) up a hill next week, hence this newsletter will be on a break.
Like I promised in the past issue, I shall be taking time off to journal and reflect :)
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Before The Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Rawaguchi
An eerie story set in an eerie cafe with eerie characters and their eerie longing.
It is a warm and quirky time-travel story all confined into the singular space of a small Tokyo coffee shop. Originally a play, which may have been a better medium as the book occasionally feels like a film novelisation with pacing issues, the story stands on the strength of it’s small cast of characters as they support and empathize with one another and, in turn, win over our empathy.
It has a lot of mechanical and thematic issues that didn’t work for me, but overall it succeeds as being a cozy and emotionally taxing read.
Object-arium | Mysticeti
Mysticeti is a charming magazine which combines art and literature. Object-arium is a space where they share words about objects in our homes and ways in which these objects shape us and our memories.
This issue had a story on jars from Ajmer (my home town) which got me intrigued. When I further scrolled there were some alluring pieces on a wicker chair and moka pot. I look forward to this type of writing because it gives a new perspective on things you usually don’t pay attention to. Much like the book Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World by Mark Miodownik.
Marriage: of bodies in bed & uncertain joys | The Uncuts
Seldom do I find good newsletters who write about poetry. Poetry almost feels like an archaic art. In the world of IG pages, it is a miracle to find people who talk enthusiastically about poetry. Contrary to normal people, Sunil Bhandari (author of The Uncuts) explores the nuances of poetry inside out - in this issue ‘Marriage’.
There would be clothes drying in the balcony,
and the sink full of unwashed dishes -
our decades defined in objects,
tongue in the wringer, our souls adrift in the wind.
How To Change Your Mind | Michael Pollan
A book turned into a documentary on Netflix. I am yet to watch it but I have read Pollan’s work.
It is a thrilling account of the history of psychedelics, their brief modern ascendancy and possible future. The whole story is a fuse of personal travelogues and unimaginable mystical experiences. It refers to the drugs’ reorganizing effects in the brain, their ability to “shake the snow globe” and provide relief from mental illness or an avenue for personal growth. But the title also directly addresses the deeply held cultural stigma against psychedelics, one that conjures up thoughts of hippies and brain damage instead of a licensed therapist’s office.
Pollan did a solid job in a section about neuroscience behind tripping and how psychedelics create illusions. My attitude toward psychedelics is completely turned around. Hats off to a fascinating story!
Insights from Dr. Andrew Huberman, Greg McKeown, Jocko Willink, Brené Brown, and Naval Ravikant (#616) | The Tim Ferriss Show
This podcast episode is a new experimental segment by Tim Ferriss which is a compilation of 15-to-30–minute clips from some of the best podcasters in the world.
The first segment of this episode is by Andrew Huberman on dopamine - all about the biology of dopamine and in particular, how to leverage the biology of dopamine, for motivation, focus, and drive, not just in the moment, but continually, over and over, across time. This segment was an eye-opener, I am sure you’ll be amazed too.
You might know some of the interviewees already but if you don’t here’s the best way to get acquainted (that’s how I began):
Dr. Andrew Huberman : Huberman Lab Podcast
Greg McKeown : Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (Author)
Jocko Willink: Jocko Podcast
Brené Brown: Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (Author)
Naval Ravikant: Podcast interview with Joe Rogan
Lots of podcasts and books for you to explore :)
See you next on September 23rd 🙆🏻♀️
For readers in Delhi, I am organising a Book Swap event next weekend in an art cafe. Here are the details:
If you are interested, use this link to register: https://pages.razorpay.com/thepalette and share it with your reader friends :)
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With love and gratitude,
The Hummingbird🌺