Issue #191 - The Spaces in Between
Mind the gap
Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. It’s a phrase I seem to use to start so many of my emails. In this case I just needed a little bit of time away, it was nice not to worry for a few weeks, in fact it’s been about a month since I last posted an issue.
That might be because I’m still not sure, this newsletter may have run its course. I have a little drawing next to my desk by artist Steve Chapman, that reads:
…but I like all of my project (sic) to be impermanent and end well at a peak…
Maybe it is time to change course and do something else, in fact as I’m writing I’m convincing myself more and more.
I wrote in the last issue that I wasn’t very happy being on substack, and I sort of miss my old blog, that you can still visit here, that was a bit more open and about lots of things. I haven’t been very successful in finding alternative newsletter sites, I tried Ghost, but it didn’t really do what I hoped for, and I pay for web space, so I may just transfer everything over. I’ll figure it out.
So for now, an update, to let you know how things are going, what’s ahead, and what I’m thinking about.
Stephan
Teaching & Learning
I’m enjoying a few days of Spring Break, which is ludicrously timed weeks ahead of when my family are on theirs, so I’ve mostly been at home, reading, writing, and watching films for our documentary filmmaking course. I did manage a bike ride, the weather on Monday and Tuesday was amazing, so I went out on the trail for a few hours and pedalled to wake my legs up from the winter entropy, that I’m still aching a few days later. It was good though, to be out and about, a few buds on trees, daffodils, squirrels and chipmunks busying about. Happy St. David’s day to everyone in Wales last week, here’s a link to Gruff’s new album.
I’m reading a couple of books, The Story of Looking by Mark Cousins (affiliate link), and Imagining Reality - The Faber Book of Documentary, edited by Mark Cousins and Kevin Macdonald (also affiliate link). I’ve added these to my booklist. These are fabulous and I’m sort of jumping from one to the other. I’m such a fan, as you know, and I can’t help reading with Mark’s soft Northern Irish voice in my head. Imagining Reality is filled with amazing stories and interviews, both historical and thematic, it’s easy to follow the threads of movements and particular filmmakers who have created such incredible works.
I’m looking forward to the second half of the course, we’re going to leave some of the experimentation behind, and work on our films, starting to gather footage, find material, and ask questions, shape what we have into something compelling and engaging, at least that’s the hope, and I’m feeling rather optimistic.
Lost and Found
A few links and interesting bits and pieces that I came across.
Lovely writing resources from 828 Digital, the online arm of 828 Valencia, including a conversation with Jason Reynolds, writer of the brilliant Miles Morales Books.
I’m working on a few ideas ahead of our study abroad trip to Nantes, and keep finding interesting mapping and storytelling tools, including these at the storycenter.org
Of course I haven’t forgotten about AI, really there is so much reading at the moment, my use of Chat GPT has definitely dropped off, one of the reasons being the environmental impact of its use, and the other that I just don’t want to form an over-reliance. If I’m just just using the AI for substitution rather than augmentation, then I need to remind myself of the need to slow down. This is taken from the SAMR model, that I’ve used all my career as a learning technologist, it’s still an important framework that helps shape the way I approach new technologies.
I purchased a few records on Bandcamp Friday, this is the day when they waive their revenue share to help support artists directly, often there are little offers or extras that come with the purchase. I bought new albums by J Mascis, Lomelda, and Adrianne Lenker (pre-order). Then yesterday I bought a new record by La Luz, that isn’t out until May, but will be well-worth the wait. Here’s the video for the first single Strange World which is bonkers and great fun, and features a new lineup on bass and keys.
Sometimes, if you’re looking for recommendations, and you’re not trusting your streaming services, or your friends, then you could look at the catalogs of some of the more established independent record labels, there’s a good list here, and many hold sales on bandcamp fridays, and if you sign up to their newsletters, you’ll get advance warning.
Thank you
Trying to think back to the last few weeks, not too much to report really. The weather is changing, and we’re busy making plans for the rest of the year, we’ll be traveling in the summer and maybe before then too.
It’s been good to get outside, and enjoy those cloudless skies, feel a little warmth creeping back in. We’ve started Rugby practice, so now I have to keep up with training, and have our first games on Sunday, wish us luck.
Actually, that felt quite good to write…
I hope that you’re doing well, look forward to catching up soon.
Thanks for La Luz.