cool shit i found #5
Deez Nutz, Rick Rubin Rabbithole, and Groovy Sundays
Generated by Midjourney, just a tin man walking through the fields with his head screwed on right. Kinda how I’m feelin’ these days!
Welcome to the fifth drop of my newsletter! I got another essay I wrote for ya’ too called “Deez Nutz” for the sake of clickbait (lol?).
“Sound Craftsmen” is a phrase that author C.S. Lewis uses in his essay “The Inner Ring” referring to those who no longer care or think about what others think or how others perceive them. They are a people who are, well, in love with their craft. This weekly drop is dedicated to those who are curious and want to expand their horizons — if only for a few minutes each week.
“Cool Shit I Found” is a series where I highlight reel of cool stuff I’ve come across in the past week or just in general. I hope that this newsletter will inspire meaningful conversations and connections. As always, thanks for joining me on this journey of exploration and self-discovery.
This newsletter is broken up into the following:
I. Articles / Excerpts
II. Visual Art + Media
III. Music I’ve been listening to
I. Articles / Excerpts
**FEATURED**
Deez Nutz: Dealing with Self Doubt by Me
I wrote this piece after a few conversations with different people starting new things. A pattern that cut across them was that they all put too much weight on how what they’re producing will be received. It’s a pattern that gets in the way of so many people on their way to become more creative, in their journeys of exploration, and, quite frankly, in the way of their own joy. Oftentimes I diagnose (though I have no right to lol) that these conversations are just a mask for self doubt. I’m here to ask, who cares? Just put your stuff out there already, sheesh.
Waiting for a Miracle by Ahmed Labib
This is a beautiful piece written by an even more beautiful friend. In short, this is a piece about navigating love in your 20’s and having to sit with the consequences of having created a Prince Charming / Cinderella in your mind. It’s sorrowful, witty, and yields a vulnerability that few men in my circle are willing to share — and for that I commend Ahmed, and for that I share this with you. Here’s an excerpt:
wherever I go, there I am by Rabee
This is another wonderful piece written by another wonderful individual that I know! I’ve known Rabee for about ~2 years now. She was one of the first people to attend Chai and Vibes at its inception (something I’m immensely grateful for)! Rabee has now since moved to Oakland, and joined us in the Bay Area. She writes a reflection of the lessons that she’s learned along the way, and the excerpt below really stuck with me. I hope you find it as inspiring as I do.
Also, this newsletter was from like a 14 month hiatus, I hope she comes back writing sooner rather than later.
feeling behind by Nicole
Nicole’s blog is something I stumbled upon on Twitter a while back ,and she’s back at it again with another banger. This time she writes about how many feel “left behind” mainly because they’re comparing themselves not only to others, but disparate parts of their own lives to each other. That each part of our life requires its own sacrifice and require different thing. Kinda like how different types of vegetables in a garden have different needs. I encourage you to read the article so you get the proper context to this gem:
II. Visual Arts + Media
The Return of the 80s’
I thought this thread provided a real cool example of the type of 80’s design that’s making a strong comeback in the 2020’s. It’s fun to see design make a swing back around. I remember a time where we would have all laughed if we saw this shit pop up in front of us, but now every gen-z-esque website sorta takes from this style.
Rick Rubin Rabbithole
And what you just read above my friends is a lil something called alliteration. God I fucking love alliterating. Anyways, Rick Rubin is a creative (this is an understatement, more like your favorite creative’s favorite creative’s favorite creative. you feel me?) who has recently launched a book and thus has been doing a speaking tour of sorts and we’re blessed. I found the following interview, and I really like how he broke down some topics so I hope it helps ya too!
Nev Flynn’s Portfolio
This is just super cool. Dude is going to have these little vinyl record players on his portfolio, and I just thought it was sick af.
Another Sunday At Dolores
i made this flyer for a smol event, and im pretty proud of it.
III. Music I’ve been listening to
Groovy Sunday Picnic in San Francisco ☀️
This past weekend I got together with some friends at Dolores Park in San Francisco. If you haven’t been, my dear reader, it’s an iconic and scenic spot. On a sunny day the entire park is filled with little circles of humans from all walks of life. When the sun sets, the golden color glazes upon the buildings and the the sky turns into a beautiful orange-pink-purple gradient with each color being divinely proportioned with just the right amount of saturation. lol sorry i got a little romantic and carried away here, but anyways here's a playlist my friends and i made for our picnic that i think you’d enjoy!
Kenny Beats: Tiny Desk Concert
In here we got Kenny Beats, Remi Wolf, and JPEGMAFIA jammin’ out with a stellar crew of musicians. Hope this puts a smile on your Wednesday morning.
Austin Millz & Aluna - Gold
While I have this included inside of the playlist I shared above. I specifically wanted to highlight this song because I thought it was beautiful lol
Let Me Love You - Mario (Teddy Swims Cover)
If you don’t know me too well, I’m a huge Teddy Swims fan. This week I had “Let Me Love You” and a bunch of other oldies stuck in my head, but this cover by Teddy Swims always finds its way into my head.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed another edition of this newsletter. I definitely hope to publish a few more essays that are in the pipeline as I write this, so please subscribe if you care to read more! If you made it to the end of this essay and you didn’t just scroll, dm me a 🌞 on either twitter or instagram. or leave a comment! As always,
Sincerely,
Haroon
P.S. Check out my previous newsletter if you’re curious: Cool Shit I Found #4