This seems to be the time of year when I blog about my adventures in the analogue world. Most of my work and much of my friendships are happening online in some form or other, so this is post is about the things that are happening offline, in the analogue world I treasure.
Painting
I started painting a while ago, and mostly focused on seascapes to begin with as that is where most of my inspiration comes from. On a summer trip to Oxford however I picked up a book promising “Art in 15 Minutes” and ever since I have been learning how to paint with the help of its projects with great joy. I would not normally choose the motifs or the colours the exercises focus on, but I am learning much about mixing colours, working with shadow and simple perspective. As you can see in the photo above, the small, postcard-size canvases I use fit very well with the templates in the book, and so I paint away happily most days. It’s a very relaxing activity, but also fuels my creativity no end.
Running
Since the Vancouver Half Marathon in early May, my running distances have decreased, but I have kept a steady training schedule of 3-4 runs most weeks. I can’t say that it’s been particularly easy given conditions haven’t been particularly helpful, but I am very proud to have kept going after that big milestone race I was training for over a long period.
Parkrun has made a welcome return in my schedule, and I am very grateful for several local community events to choose from every Saturday.
Reading
Reading has been A LOT of fun this summer. I have read too many historical naval novels (thank you, Patrick O’Brian) and also a lot of other fun reads, whilst failing most of the time to track them as I had hoped to do this year.
I catch up on the app I use every now and then when I remember, but by then I have likely moved on to new books already. Some recent highlights:
- We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune: An original story-telling voice and an end of the world scenario spin a tale of an existential road trip. I loved it.
- wild things by laura kay: a summer romance read with a wonderfully diverse cast of characters that I spent a very happy afternoon devouring.
- The Secret World of Weather by Tristan Gooley: my current read, and absolutely fascinating. I stood in the nearby rugby field with a compass, checking which direction the wind came from and watching the cloud. Highly recommended.
I’ve also been re-reading Richard Osman’s cosy crime books in anticipation of his new one coming out. Joy.
Pen Pal
One of my lifelong hobbies is writing letters, and over the years I have had many pen pals. Some come and go, others stay for many years. My mother must be my most long-standing postal correspondent but I have a few friends with whom I have sent many letters, cards and small parcels back and forth across continents and oceans. It may be out of fashion (and many postal services are creaking), but it brings me much joy and connections.
