Captivations is a monthly feature with links, stories, and news that captivated me. It’s also a monthly update/recap of what’s going on in my world. Here’s a recap for March 2023.
Here Comes Spring
March was a good month. At the beginning of the month, I went on a trip to the Houston area with my parents. The main purpose was to fish, one of my dad’s favorite pastimes. As you can tell from the above photo, we were successful! I’ve thought about this trip a lot. It had been a long time since I’d been on a trip with my parents, and you’re put into a new state of mind when you are all traveling somewhere new. It was good to make those memories. I also caught my first fish!
Best Places to Eat in Austin
Austin Food Bloggers Alliance has published its annual best eats guide! Our members know Austin restaurants and this guide puts all that knowledge in one place. See the full City Guide here.
Ocean Love
In many ways, the ocean is a mysterious place. We don’t see how our daily habits affect the ecosystem of the oceans. See this article here. In reality, 10% of marine species are under the threat of extinction because of overfishing and pollution. Climate change is also a factor in extinction. I hope the new UN High Seas Treaty will help combat this!
Double the Fun
What makes an experience more enjoyable? It’s not only the experience itself. Research shows it’s also about anticipation and reminiscing. Talking and reflecting on the whole process can turn an experience into something truly memorable.
I Didn’t Make Plans
I frequently answer “how’s it going” or “what’s new” with “not much.” Or after a weekend, “I did nothing.” In reality, I did things, just not what some might think are productive. That’s ok! I like this list of other things you can say like I rested, I didn’t make any plans, or I prioritized recharging.
Burnt Art
I somehow happened upon this artist and her incredible exhibit of burnt red calligraphy paper. Take a look.
Creepy Dolls on the Texas Coast
Why do people keep finding doll parts on the Texas coast? I’ve started following Mission-Aransas Reserve on Facebook and it’s interesting what they find every week! The other day, they had found a vial of blood! Spoiler – they don’t know why there are so many doll parts.
Ke Huy Quan
The movie Everything Everywhere All at Once has earned many awards this season, including actor Ke Huy Quan’s Oscar for best-supporting actor. Did you know he started his career at 12 years old opposite Brenden Fraser in Indiana Jones? Now at 56, he continues to inspire as his story about being a Vietnamese immigrant turned Oscar winner makes more headlines. Check out Ke Huy Quan’s Variety profile.
Recognizing Grief and Death
I recently started following a hospital chaplain on Instagram and as you can imagine, he posts some emotional accounts of his interactions.
Connection
In an email from Holstee, this question was presented: “Why do you think it’s getting harder and harder to sit and be present with each other?” Oof that is a loaded question. I think it’s a number of reasons.
- We move too fast and are distracted. The apps on our phones have taught us there is always something new to look at and we can move faster to see all of it. This also leaves us constantly wondering if there is something we should be looking at, causing a kind of addiction.
- We already know it all. We post so much of our lives on social media. When I meet up with someone, I could know already know all the details of their week. What more is there to talk about?
- We don’t know how to communicate. Can we slow down, focus, and be present to have a conversation? It doesn’t have to be productive or entertaining. It can just be.
- We take things for granted. Technology has given us an abundance of knowledge and in many ways, opportunity.
Can we slow down and be present? We’ve chosen to be here. There is an abundance of time at the moment. How do we savor what we have in front of us?
Two Quotes to Ponder
“The people who choose to do art are, many times, the most vulnerable. The sensitivity that allows them to make art is the same vulnerability that makes them more tender to be judged. Still, many continue to share their work and risk criticism in spite of this. It’s as if they have no other choice. Being an artist is who they are, and they are made whole through self-expression.” – Rick Rubin
“I found that things became a lot easier when I no longer expected to win. You abandon your masterpiece and sink into the real masterpiece.” ― Leonard Cohen
5 Things I Love Lately:
- Thrifting
- Paper Route Bakery
- Playing Mahjong
- Crawfish season
- The book Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
What have you been captivated by lately?
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