Bring it, 2017 [#36]
Happy New Year from Tokyo-town,
Hope y'all had a restful holiday, as it seems 2017 is already off to a frenzied start.
My resolution to return to analog journaling is going smoothly so far, thanks to the Japanese journaling system, the Hobonichi Techo. You're limited to one page per day. So when I have footnotes from great conversations, I have to get selective about what to jot down.
What I Read
The Red Solo cup is a feat of engineering. Sneakers have always been political. The White House photographer's favorite images of the outgoing POTUS. The opioid epidemic and toxic greed. What happens if the American president is unstable or insane? The wonderful obit for a man who succeeded despite infuriating bigotry against him. Ode to Istanbul, a magical place before the violence began. Winter is coming for publishers. 2009 novel Super Sad True Love Story, which was already prescient, is coming true in China. The clever and illicit ways Chinese nationals send their wealth overseas. This piece on how wealth managers earn the trust of their clients excavates a fascinating relationship. Coverage of fraudulent Silicon Valley start-ups reminded me of this crazy summer story about a fake mayonnaise startup that faked its sales. Marrying the wrong person was the most-read story in the The New York Times last year, but don't lose heart, compatibility is an achievement of love, not its precondition.
What I Wrote
Behind the cute 2018 Olympic mascot is a troubled, exploitative history. You do fire drills, Korea does air raid drills. The time a Hawaiian stranger saved the day. What does "meaningful time" mean? Last year I wrote about freedom vs restriction in turning down a move to Shanghai. Given the latest airpocalypse, I'm certain it was the right call.
What I Watched/Heard
La La Land, finally! Delightful. Bittersweet. But Friend Reeve has a hilarious counterargument on why it was terrible. Ta-Nehisi Coates goes long with Ezra Klein. Throwback Jay Chou videos to prep for epic Mando-pop karaoke with last week's visitor, Kat Chow.
Recommendations
The Book of Life, an online project to increase our emotional intelligence from prolific author Alain de Botton.
A newish children's book called Triangle, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klaassen. Funny and poetic. Get it for the kid near you.
The aforementioned Kat is starting her new year by committing to doodling her experiences, which you can follow on her Instagram. For example, last week we took a K-pop dance class together (for journalism) and it was a disaster. Here is what she learned:
Here's to fresh starts,
Elise
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