things i think about while powerwashing 156

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With the new year, I have (somehow) taken on more responsibility at work. Which is pretty good! Opportunities are opportunities no matter how you feel during the day — hard work usually translates into upward mobility. But also stress! I am definitely stressed.

But I have discovered my new favorite way to destress: meditating in the sauna! Despite all the other people making various noises or opening and closing the door or even doing exercises??? I just focus slowly on loosening the muscles in my shoulders and neck and kind of just hang out in the heat with a slight smile (shoutout to Yoga with Adrienne).

I've also just been meditating more — a few minutes in the evening before I go to bed. I lie on top of my sheets before tucking myself into bed and just kind of disassociate and melt into the bed and slowly feel each part of my body relax and fade into nothingness.

One of the quotes/energy I have going into the year is from the bible:

I've heard varying versions of this over the years. My dad has his own Buddhish related version, and it's a common in secular circles as well. But I find it comforting when I finally draw the line somewhere and decide that today's worries are indeed enough for the day — there's no need to bring tomorrow's in as well.

To everyone stressed reading this: I hope you're able to find a moment or two to find some peace. To maybe let the shoulders now and let the shoulder blades sink a little further than usual while you work. And maybe close your eyes with a faint smile. Until the next teams message breaks the peace .........

museum of the week

This series has finally returned to America! And in a wonderful way — we are joined by esteemed subscriber Rachel Inman at the wonderful Poster House on 23rd Street for their National Parks Poster Gallery! But maybe not the art that you are thinking of.

I think most of us are familiar with the rustic art you can find in the National Parks Stores with the screen type printing looking art. This exhibit was not about that! Instead we were treated to the wonderful art of Dorothy Waugh — one of the first artists for the National Parks.

It’s stunning how much the art has changed — from the nostalgia-fueled posters that are popular today to the decidedly modern and almost futuristic designs from the 1930s. There was one poster that looked like it was from Russia with all the crazy modern design!

I’m not exactly sure why the NPS transitioned from the super-futuristic work of Waugh to the current aesthetic, but you can see remnants of it in Helvetica-laden brochures and this Ansel Adams poster that was there.

anonymous subscriber news

I am excited to visit you, O esteemed anonymous subscriber!

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• anon anticipates: Esteemed writer Ryan Chen is visiting next week

animal of the week

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I’m reposting this bc I forgot the image. Esteemed subscriber Kevin Tian went to the wilderness of the world (Beijing China) and found a cute little monkey that he has decided to name.

Chinese Monkey, I name it randy

Send me your animal photos at ryan@torrtle.co OR at this form https://forms.gle/NT3nSkKVbpkjCr1u8!