Episode VI - Reaching for child-like joy in the everyday.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
Run Towards The Danger | Sarah Polley
I liked to say I was a Sarah fan before anyone else talked about her. I first saw her in various Canadian mini and long-form television series as a child. Being precisely ten years apart meant that when I began taking in her work as a young adult, she spoke to things in her projects that I desperately needed. I am bold enough to believe she is the creative older sister and mentor out there, paving the way for deeply nuanced, raw and daring work.
Run Towards The Danger is another example of Sarah paving the way. She lets us in, yet again, to her life, reflections and processing as a way of healing, and although I know I am made more whole reading her thought-provoking words…I know she must have been broken open and made whole to write them.
I aspire to be as reflective, deep and concise as she has been in this memoir.
Come As You Are | Emily Nagoski
I first read Emily's work in the book she wrote with her sister, "Unlocking the Stress Cycle." It was a powerful look at how mind, bodies and souls are locked into play with each other and how our scientifically understanding of these entities allows us to better move through life as people, especially as women. Come as You Are is another excellent read by Emily on the process of the feminine body, mind and soul. Emily lays out the realities, the nuance and the vast differences of what it means to hold our sex lives not on a pedestal but in a sacred place that deserves to be respected for their unique journeys.
In a world where sex research has been targeted so much for results in men, it is beautiful to have more research on women.
Kristys Big Day | Ann M. Martin
Going back to nostalgia with this rapid read in The Babysitters Club series. I continue to be surprised by the real-life issues that Ann could easily weave into these characters.
Films / TV Series of Note:
This Is Us S06 - Finishing the last installment of the series was bitter-sweet, and our Favourite episode is second to last. A beautiful ending.
Only Murders In the Building S01 - Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez are fantastic in this light-hearted yet still suspenseful murder mystery.
My head and my heart are colliding, chaotic
Pace of the world, I just wish I could stop it
Since the beginning days of 2022, I have felt this build-up of unrest and concern. Something within was becoming at odds with the world around me. I have learned over the years that this often occurs before or during significant change.
The Summer of Slow is a meditation to remind me of my values in my personal and professional life.
What it looks like:
Maintaining a strong AM / PM Routine (morning workout, breakfast, journals - bedtime routine etc.)
Everything between the AM / PM routine is unscheduled (don’t freak out: appts, and contract deadlines still maintain a place in the calendar)
A weekly beach day or evening
Write a letter weekly (communicating with those I love slowly)
Document mindfully (follow the inspirations and whims)
Read for work & pleasure often.
Visit the library often.
The world we live in is not a world that is geared to slow, yet the best and most provocative work I have been moved by so often has the story of years of thought and mindful work behind it.
I want to be that type of person.
The one who puts every ounce of insight thought, and curiosity into their work.
One can only do that at a mindful pace and from a place of intentional space.
Yet structure is where the work is honed, which is what I also seek to find in my Summer of Slow.
I seek to mine the gemstones of meditative thinking, processing, being and creating.
The underpinnings of what it means to slow the heartbeat to hear the world around me so that when I speak and move, I am doing it from a place of anchored confidence, compassion and intentions.
Onwards,
Replica : When the Rain Stops | Sephora
A combined birthday / mothers day gift to myself in the form of scent. I like having a work day scent and a ‘at home, relaxing scent.’ When the Rain Stops is perfect for my at home mood.
Replica : Whispers in the Library | Sephora
A combined birthday / mothers day gift to myself in the form of scent. Whispers in the Library reminds me of sitting in a coffee shop and pouring over words. My version of a perfect work day.
Zoom H4n Pro 4-Track Portable Recorder | Amazon
Although I have yet to truly deep dive this new beauty, I am going into the summer with goals that will incorporate it’s use. Knowing that I can lean on this recorder when I need to is the exhale and tech supportive I have needed.
Run Towards The Danger by Sarah Polley | Chapters
I like to say I was a fan of Sarah Polley before most of the people around me even knew she existed. I was following her work as an actor from an early age, and although I didn’t see her work that she produced / wrote / directed until my early twenties, I wasn’t that far behind. I felt like I was stumbling on a hidden gem of a soul that no one was talking about when I caught up with all her projects in the 2012/2013 era.
Sarah dares to work on things that others may shy away from. She does the internal work in her projects and it speaks to a deeper place than any indulgent television series could give me.
I consider her work and words a bit like therapy in the form of art. Deeply scary, provocative and healing all in one.
Piquettes | Benjamin Bridge
A close friend decided that I needed to be treated to her summer routine of having Piquettes on hand for my birthday. Sometimes the simplest of gestures are the most meaningful. The case I received came with four different kinds. Three alcoholic, and one non alcoholic. Each of them are light, summary and add a beautiful spring to my step. I am saving most of them for the summer months.
Pothos plant | Adopted plan from a moving bestie
The same friend who sneakily had the Piquettes delivered, also made her move to a neighbouring province. Having an abundance of house plants she asked if I was interested in taking a few more? I was thrilled to take this one specifically. This particular blend of Pothos was clearly worked hard on by her and I am dazzled by it.
Hello Neighbour Puzzle by Hobbry | Chapters
I fell in love with the Hobbry brand when I saw the Indigo / Hobbry collab at Chapters. Something about the way Hobbry creates puzzles for the various seasons at my favourite box book store tickled me. Despite there being a million different puzzles in the world, I love a good collaboration and am loyal to brands I am impressed by. I am doing my best to only collect Hobbry/Indigo collabs for the foreseeable future.
*puzzles are an activity that deeply ties be back to my late paternal grandparents. The act of doing one is a nostalgic comfort.
In BNV Media Studio | Halifax. N.S.
***Martina and I officially met when I featured her in a CBC Radio project earlier this year on creativity. Interviewing her was a joy and clearly left us with so much more to discuss. Sitting and joining her in her space was a joy.
Ep. 64 | Holding Space with Guest, Amy Grace
Writer, Producer and Director in tv and film, Amy Grace is here as our first guest this season on the podcast!
Amy has graced us with her presence this week in the studio and has shared some beautiful sentiments with us on holding space, discovering our path and understanding the many things that shape our journey, through our childhood experiences and creativity.
To connect further with Amy, check her out on Instagram at @byamygrace or at www.byamygrace.com
Life Out Loud Podcast — now available for download on @applepodcasts, @spotifypodcasts, @iheartradio, or wherever you download podcasts!
Produced by: @bnv.media
In BNV Studios.- Marinta Kelades & Amy Grace ‘22.
Tell Me Three Things | Julie Buxbaum
I have loved this book. Julie brings a delightful main character in Jessie, a high school student trying to adjust to her new life at her new stepmom's house and new school. Jessie is guided through her first year at this new school and experiences by an unknown person's wise and humorous texts.
You'll be on your seat wanting to know who Somebody/Nobody, a.k.a. SN.
Tess of the D'URbervilles | Thomas Hardy
Knowing this is a classic, I am getting through this hefty read. Some people hang their coats on this novel, but I am finding it a job. I can see that it is an excellent example of a female character written to showcase the realities of the time they lived (1891), yet it leaves me cringing and wishing for less overt flowering language about it all.
The Viscount Who Loved Me | Julia Quinn
Studying adaptations from book to screen is a passion of mine. Reading the second book in the Bridgerton Series is another way I can see how Shonda Rhimes and her team take novels and adapt them into a series format. It doesn't hurt that Julie Andrews's voice is the narration of the series. One can never have too much Julie Andrews.
Julia Quinn writes her characters with wit and ease, and the world she creates for them is exciting. It's easy to see why this series made its mark in the romance/fiction section.
Films / TV Shows
Pride & Prejudice (2005) - It’s been almost 10 years since I last watched this film. I was captivated by it in a whole new way. It’s cinamatography, artistry…impeccable.
The Marvelous Mrs.Maisel S04 - I watched this season as slow as I could. It was delicious. Every beat.
Clifford - A fun family movie night watch.
Episode V - Reflections of a place one may go to find themselves.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
This raw, vulnerable, tender, precious, heartbreaking, comedic, enraging, and simply beautiful life makes me utterly weak in the knees.
With every project created, conversation shared, moment observed, and words found I have been deeply honoured to have experienced and made anew.
Life is beautiful.
Life is hard.
&
Life is wild.
So with wild and raw words
onwards I go.
Over the past few years, I have been doing my best to maintain and invest in my own creative business.
As much as I would like to say I am on top of all that I own, use and have fallen into using, it’s simply not true.
The truth is, I am often either emergency replacing an item (aka my laptops) and rushing to update, set up and use than genuinely taking my time and learning what these items are capable of.
I also know that personality does play a part in this. I know a few creative-based individuals who obsess over a new tool/software and would spend all of their free time figuring them out until they have mastered them. Admittedly, that is not me. I need reasons for using something, a personal or professional project, to wrap my head around using something. Although this is how I genuinely learn best, it also does naturally, at times, leave gaps.
This year, I decided to change that and am working on learning in-depth each of my tools and software.
To stay accountable to this goal, I will be updating over time what I have learned.
Equipment
Blue Yeti Mic - Used for podcast recordings & various radio docs.
Zoom h4n Pro Audio Recorder - A recent birthday gift to support my audio documentaries
Canon EOS RP - For creative and documentary captures.
MacBook Pro 14 Inch - 2021 - For every single thing I do.
Software
Final Cut Pro - For editing any footage that I use.
Final Draft 12 - For screenwriting.
Celtx - For Audio script writing
Grammarly Editor - To catch everything I am too busy to catch. ****A Ukraine business.******
Audacity - For exporting and editing audio clips.
& with all of this said, I recognize that it is a huge privilege to have these items at my disposal, and I am determined to end 2022 with a greater grasp on how I can use them to their highest potential.
This spring, I set myself to look for a legitimate trench coat. (the current one I have, is clearly a knock-off, is not insulated by any sense of the word and is purely fast fashion to appear nice). Finding a good quality trench coat seemed simple enough.
Wrong.
I did find one I adored after weeks of online and in-person looking. Unfortunately, the company that sells this trench coat doesn’t ship to Canada directly and quickly ran out of my size.
I reluctantly gave up my trench coat search and pivoted to my other top needs.
For this Spring
Open-Front Cardigan Sweater
This cardigan I ordered from Nordstrom. The brand is CASLON. I purchased it to be a longer term replacement for a cheaper cardigan of similar color that I have had for a handful of years. The older one has holes in the seams, and is of a cheaper fabric. This new one is warm enough for an East Coast spring, yet being open, leaves space for when the spring sun is shining.
Indoor Training Shoes
Last year, I bought a pair of these same Under Armour trainers to replace my worn-out pair. After loving them for the past year, I decided I should buy a second pair to use as my inside-the-house set when I do workouts in my home gym. I appreciate having them for only indoor use so that I am not cleaning the bottoms every time I am on the mat. (no one wants to do yoga on a mat that just had outdoor sneakers all over it)
Pink Kate Spade Clutch / Purse
A beautiful soul that I know had this purse and was looking to find another home for it and thought of me. I felt so seen and loved to be identified as its possible new owner. I have loved Kate Spade for years, especially the o.g. items. This purse gives a great pop for a date night or social outing, and it’s making me hopeful that it will see lots of life this Summer.
Episode IV - How one centres oneself when the practice of creativity is unclear.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
Bitter & Sweet | Tsh Oxenreider
After enjoying Tsh's book on Advent, I thought it apt to buy her latest release for the duration of Lent. Bitter & Sweet gives a beautiful guide through the liturgical journey of Lent and into Easter.
Finding Meaning | David Kessler
I began to study the process of grief for a personal passion project of mine, and this book was the last read to complete the journey. This book helps tie it all together, and in life, I believe this is a read that we all can benefit from. Holding space for ourselves and those around us in grief is a gift, and I hope that I can always be that person to those around me.
Breaking Bread with the Dead | Alan Jacobs
This came up on my reading TBR list, and at first, I was going to let it go as I couldn't find it at my city's library, but after returning to read the synopsis multiple times, I bought it. It's a very in-depth yet concise read about the idea that reading intentionally and slowly the words of authors of the past helps us have a deeper and better understanding of ourselves and the world we live in today.
I especially appreciated the beginning, in which Alan discussed the nuances of social media and internet culture that have influenced us in ways that make it hard to sit and just be with the words of others.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes | Diana Gabaldon
She did it again. If you know me, you know that the Outlander Series is something that I deeply love. The multiple genres in one Sega and the actual craft of writing that Diana has created book after book. This is the sixth book in the series. It ended with so many plot twists and turns that my head spun.
The Joy Luck Club | Amy Tan
I have been told that I would love this film and I have resisted watching until I have read the book. Finally getting to this novel, and of course, it doesn't disappoint. Amy Tan brings us culture, nuance, and character. And as a white woman married into a part Chinese family, it is even more meaningful and a window into a nuance of thought I did not grow up with.
FILMS & TELEVISION SERIES OF NOTE
Take This Waltz - because this film heals me every time I watch it. & of course the genius writing and directing of Sarah Polley is behind it.
Only Murders in the Building - Martin Short, Steve Martin & Selena Gomez. A trio that doesn't disappoint.
Amy Grace, a writer and creative producer in Nova Scotia, is fascinated by the creative process. She speaks to Jeff Douglas about how some people are learning to be creative without letting "hustle culture" make them lose sight of the important things in their lives.
Lent is a period of 40 days during which Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity. The 40-day period is called Lent after an old English word meaning 'lengthen'. - bbc.co.uk
I grew up in the Christian faith tradition. This meant attending church on Sundays, observing Easter and Christmas, and practicing faith practices such as praying, reading the Bible, and attending Sunday School.
As I have journeyed through my life, I have found that although my Christian faith remains, how I approach it has shifted.
As a teenager, I began searching for a more authentic ‘less is more’ type of practice, and even still, I find I am more at home in the understated, quiet, and ancient traditions.
During lent, many give up a specific type of food or drink to focus instead on prayers and giving. Instead of these things, I was more attracted to giving up something that had weighed heavily on me for months now.
Social Media.
Don’t get me wrong; I have not given up social media altogether for my work. Still, I have found that putting restrictions on my attendance on social media throughout lent has allowed me a different type of peace in my mind I had not encountered before.
For this period, I have made it a practice that I will go on all social media platforms once a day, and when I leave that platform after posting, viewing, commenting, reading etc. I do not revisit until the following day.
This has given my mind, body and soul a different type of air to breathe. A new way of looking at this season and all aspects of life in general.
Since I am on week five of this, I can honestly also say that once this practice became more regular, I noticed how other distractions fought for that newly found mind, body soul space.
And I am left with:
There will always be a distraction, a pull, a tug, a reason to not dig into prayer, to give of oneself and the practice of grace.
There is always some new event or happening to be outraged about, some recent debate to join, and a new show to watch.
But, when we remind ourselves of this truth during a season like Lent, we are reminded of our humanity. In a way, I believe our follies are not supposed to be about embracing shame but are supposed to remind us to softly chuckle, shake our heads in amusement and say a quiet prayer of gratitude that there is enough grace for this moment this day and this season.
Episode 3 - What a day of attempting creativity looks like for me. Often full of surprises.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
Good Company | Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
I picked up Good Company for the author. The Nest is a book I loved. I sincerely appreciated how Cynthia was able to create a whole family and break them into parts, show us windows of everyone and how they interacted as a whole and as individuals with each other. I wouldn’t say Good Company, a story of a woman reevaluating the state of her marriage, gives me that same experience, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.
Crying In H.Mart | Michelle Zauner
A beautiful and heartbreaking exposition on what it means to be mother and daughter immeshed with the nuance and differences of being Korean and Korean-American. This memoir will bring a tear to your eye, but it will also bring a smile. Michelle writes in a way so you can feel, taste and see her memories. Touching, raw and reflective.
Permanent Astonishment | Tomson Highway
A memoir told with Cree culture woven into linguistic prose, this book is a bit like sitting next to a comforting male figure and listening to his cadence as he reflects, chuckles observes and finds revelations within his own story. Tomson writes in a way you feel as if you were sitting next to him, as crisp breeze picking up around you as a listen to the memories, tales and experiences that made him.
It Didn’t Start With You | Mark Wolynn
As I have grown into myself, my understanding of my own backgrounds and the mind, body, soul that carries me, I have become deeply aware of how trauma manifests. It’s individual, and it’s unique. It takes any shape form and can also be rooted in something that goes so deep it’s almost impossible to see.
Yet it is growing, changing shape and finding new ways to show itself in a new generation.
I have just begun this book, but it is already showing itself as an excellent tool for reflection, understanding, and compassion.
Film / TV Series of Note
CODA - A stunning representation of what it looks and feels like to be Deaf and CODA. There are multiple films out there like this. Hallmarks 1987 “Love is Never Silent” comes to mind the most. This new film brings an elevated approach to this type of experience.
Cruella - If you like Disney’s approach to finding new ways to spin a tale based on one of their popular villains, Cruella is no exception. Fun, charming and delivered with a twist.
Upload S02 - Although I enjoyed season one thoroughly, and burned through season 2, with only seven episodes I was left feeling like it could have been simpler and longer. I believe if they focused less on complicating the plot, the reason people love this series would shine through even more.
This winter felt deeply like a retreat of the soul.
Weekend storms, ice covering trees, snow piled up and the air bitter with gusts that cut into the core.
As if everything in nature was pointing to a need to sit down, take cover and hold on.
I have felt as if the snow was covering me. Keeping me warm, yet sometimes the weight of it, confusing.
Ideas have been tucked away, words slow and stilted, my voice tired.
And then I began to see the robins.
One by one, they began to fill the trees around me, reminding me that there was something to remember about this time of year.
Something they were too anxious to wait for,
so they came early.
I can feel the spring air coming and something new and stirring in the soul with it.
Ideas are fluttering around my head again, the words are coming quicker now, and my voice is gaining strength.
Winter is ending.
I am tying up the loose ends of a radio project with CBC Producer Natalie Dobbin, finishing the first draft of script alongside Ian Wilson, pitched with Lynn Matheson at Transmedia Zone’s pitch event, exploring my own personal projects through monthly short videos and wrapping up the second draft of a script.
Spring is arriving.
I am seeing the projects bud up in front of me. An audio project here, a documentary there, and that sweet dear project reminding me it needs more sunlight.
There will be rain, winds and cold snaps, but there will also be warm light, fresh soil, and new connections to be made.
We have had many weekends of snow and ice in Nova Scotia. As the days turn more to rain and wind, preparing for spring, I am so thankful for a home to be, for the small things to enjoy and the family we have and make with those around us.
Glossier Boy Brow & Brow Flick
Boy brow was introduced to me on my thirtieth birthday by a bestie. I find Glossier products simple and a less is more vibe which I love for my beauty routines.
Acrylic Photo Blocks
Gifted to me by my cousin, these two photos mean everything to me. I love having photos around, yet find the framing process taxing. These are a great way to showcase photos without the fanfare of trying to hang and frame.
The Little Book of Joy | Joanne Ruelos Diaz
We gifted this book to our daughter for Christmas as something we could all share as a family. Right now it lives on our dining room table where we can pick it up at any time and see the prompt for the day. The illustrations are sweet and joyful.
Rock
Found on a winter beach walk. I love the two tones of this one.
Atlas of the Heart | Brené Brown
Working through this book slowly alongside my aunt. Every month we schedule a chat about the latest chapter, how we feel about the unique concepts and emotions discussed within the pages and how we relate to them.
365 Block Calendar | Hobbry
I limit my amount of paper consumption as much as possible. Being a writer since I was a young child I have been gifted a lot of journals and wasted a lot of paper over the years. Now, I have more of a solid structure. I buy one type of pen for writing only, two types of journals for each year and about two other specific types of paper notebooks/pads. That way, although I may be tempted to buy the latest and cutest journal, I won’t.
Yet, there was something about this calendar block that spoke to me and thus far I have found it very helpful.
It’s a place I can put the very important daily to-dos/outcomes and know that despite my long list in my bullet journal, or the emails coming in, there on that pad are the most important things for the day.
Winter Candle Sample Pack | Okanagon Candle Co
Very happy to have experienced the winter sample pack. I love having these small candles about to light when desired. A little pick me up during the cold months.
Episode 2 - Reflections on the weight of trauma and what it means to give space for others and the situations we are unaware of.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
*a note:
Throughout February, I became more heavily burdened for the words we use to communicate our own perspectives.
Watching posts on social media become more and more volatile and disrespectful.
It is damaging when we create outrage on the internet yet miss the ones beside us who are suffering.
We ‘other’ others without hesitation. We insert sarcastic emojis, gifs and snippets of news clips to demand our point and our outrage to be seen.
Yet,
We have become increasingly numb to the trauma and wounds of others.
Seeing the trees around us bear the weight of the winter ice and winds reminded us how much we are all carrying.
And by we, I mean…
The ‘we’ of humanity. ‘We’ the breathing. ‘We’ the me and ‘we’ the you.
’We’ the ‘every’ side.
May we collectively remember, especially now, what it means to support those who are suffering, to be the place they can recover and find strength and not the place they struggle to survive and begin to break under the weight of our own words and actions.
Women and their words became the threads that made up the blanket of February.
The Measure of My Powers | Jackie Kai Ellis
I read this book a handful of years ago and finally have my own copy to reread. It's not often that a person's life story can be the serving of healing you need, but in this beautiful memoir, I was served again and again a warm, comforting hug in the form of words. Jackie provides her reflections through memories, recipes and vulnerable meditative prose.
Verity | Colleen Hoover
My first time reading a Colleen Hoover novel, I was hooked within the first handful of pages. You believe it will go one way and are given multiple twists to find it going in various other directions. If you want a rapid read with a psychological / mystery bent, this is it!
I added every title from this author to Goodreads, if that's a hint at how much I loved it.
The First Shot | Liv Constantine
The prequel to The Last Mrs.Parish, this small but mighty novella by the sisters that make the name Liv Constantine is everything I hoped for. They made it on my list of favourite authors out of the gate; here is another example of why.
Home Body | Rupi Kaur
Rupi and her thoughtful poems are more than excellent for the mind, body and soul. Take them in. Let them sit beside you and swirl into the air as you breathe.
Films/TV Series of Note
Being the Ricardos | Interesting. I did not love its entirety, but I found its mid-point and onwards very interesting.
The Marvellous Mrs.Maisel S04 | Because Midge has words for what needs to be said and finds the guts to say it.
The Gilded Age S01 | Albeit a tad repetitive in characters mirroring Downton Abby, still very much enjoyable.