Blog: reply

Re: 15 Books with the Most Impact

Tracy nominated me a while ago (more like July) to share my list(s) of books that have impacted me. Reiterating what Tracy wrote, many of these books had their moment with me and others still hold strong to me.

I won't go too in-depth for some of these for various reasons. I also don't wan't to give too many spoilers.

Books:

A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini

Maus / Maus II - Art Spiegelman

A graphic novel where Spiegelman interviews his father about his experiences as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor. *I really enjoyed the various themes in the book.
This is a must read

1984 - George Orwell

This taught me many lessons and how eerie this period of time is currently. I'm pretty scared for what's to come.

The Odyssey - Homer

Many of the themes taught me some important lessons.

In The Hot Zone - Kevin Sites

This wasn't my favorite book but it made me aware of various wars and situations happening beyond Iraq.

Lady of the Lake - Sir Walter Scott

Yeruldelgger - Ian Manook (French)

This book me realize I can actually read French.

Ryan White My Own Story - Ryan White

Ryan White has always been an inspiration to me as I have in various periods of my life been involved with bringing awareness about HIV/AIDS. It fascinated me how well-versed Ryan was and his outlook on life as he was very unlucky getting the virus from tainted blood products.

Le Gone du Chaâba - Azouz Begag (French)

Le Gone du Chaâba (The Kid of the Chaaba), translated into English as Shantytown Kid by Naima Wolf.
I love this book as it shows the struggles of balancing two different cultures - the country you live in and the culture at home. This book understood me in various ways as I struggled to balance US life and my Mexican culture.
My French Professor gave me this book as a graduation gift.

Remaking Manhood: Stories From the Front Lines of Change - Mark Greene

I read this book right before I graduated college. Being a male teacher is very important as many students don't have a good male role model at home. I made it a goal in my teaching to help my students not fall for certain behaviors.
This book also helped me reevaluate my relationships and look deep inside of me.
Here's a good link related to Remaking Manhood

Winning the War On War - Joshua S. Goldstein

I minored in International Studies and this book really opened me up to deeper issues that continue to exist.

Constructive Living - David K. Reynolds

Although this book wasn't the solution to many of my problems during some very dark times, it has helped me address them and find the right direction. It has helped me get out of the rut.

Journey To The Future: A Roadmap for Success for Youth - Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch (Author)

This book has helped me in various ways to get where I am today. Consuela is a great presenter!

The New Koreans: The Story of a Nation - Michael Breen

This book opened my eyes and helped me tremendously before my Korea Trip.
A blog post

Reply to Artist Dates by Tracy Durnell

In reply to Artist Dates by Tracy Durnell

I wrote a post on taking myself out on a date where I go do various activities by myself. This is something I don't do often and it seems important for self-care. I have a habit of staying at home and not venturing off as much as I used to. Not often do I get to enjoy myself out and about.

What is an Artist Date?

Tracy responded to my post and shared something really cool. She introduced to me the idea of Artist Dates. She provides some great insight on how she's done Artist Dates. First, I had no idea that Artist Dates were a thing. Secondly, have I been going on Artist Dates and not knowing it? I'm mind blown right now.

The idea is going somewhere inspiring or exciting on your own regularly once a week. This seems to be the general consensus based on what I read. I really enjoyed Tracy's approach on Artist Days as she "framed solo activities more as Adventure Days". Carpe that Diem! That is such a positive way of seeing them. I like adventure and it motivates me to just do them! Adventure Awaits!

I really love photography. It's a thrill! You know what isn't? Taking photos in my apartment. It isn't ideal and I have to go beyond the walls. I plan on continuing to improve my hobby. What better way than to walk around the streets of Sacramento or taking shots from a tall building in New York City to capture moments in time.

I like spontaneously getting tickets for events. Sometimes when a colleague at works offers tickets to a free game or show, I attempt to snag them to attend an event I normally wouldn't attend or forget that exists. Whether it's a soccer match or a broadway show, I know I'm happy. I'd probably not be doing anything anyways.

Not all Artist Dates need to be planned. Honestly some of the best ones I've done were unplanned. Simply get up and leave. I also need to find out what things are happening in my city. Planning ahead for one event would lead to me discovering more things about the city I live in.

I found this blog post from 2010 called, 101 Artist’s Date Ideas that has such a great list of Artist Dates that I could go on! I love how simple or complex the suggestions could be! The possibilities are endless.

A Few Stand Out to Me:

Spend some time outdoors with your journal, sketchbook, craft supplies, etc
Write a letter to your parents. Tell them what you are grateful to them for. Send it
Make a list of thirty things you’d like to do before your next birthday

2024 will be the year for Artist Dates and more time to appreciate myself and break out of my comfort cycle. I am looking to find more joy in my life. This will be the year to just do it!

For now, I'm back at my hometown in Nebraska, so I will see what Artist Date I can find. I will start in a familiar place. I have a bad habit of staying at home and not showing my face in public. On Monday, I will ride my longboard or go on a run, depending on the weather. Either way, Nebraska.

Tracy, a risograph printing class sounds so tight! Please share what you've created.