raymond’s june 2024 recap
life updates, recent reads, and other fun stuff
Hi friends! Welcome back to my monthly recap.
As usual, I'll kick things off with some life updates and then follow it up with a rundown of what I’ve been reading, listening, watching, playing, and thinking about as of late.
These monthly recaps serve two purposes:
I get to reflect on my month.
I can create a space to connect with you all.
My comments are always open, so if you have any thoughts, reflections, or just want to say hi, feel free to drop them directly on this post! Or reach out to me directly. I really hope these can serve as conversation starters between us.
Without further ado, let’s dive into June’s recap!
Moved Into Our New Apartment: Our move was successful! Even though we stayed within Downtown DC, the neighborhood feels completely different. Since moving into my new space, I’ve felt motivated to invest more effort into maintaining a clean and decorative home.
fragile items Back in Southern California: I’ve been home for two weeks now. Most of my time has been spent working overtime and keeping up with the Euros and Copa America. But I did also get to watch my sister star in the Dialogues of the Carmelites (an opera by Francis Poulenc) and spent a weekend down in San Diego with my girlfriend.
little tokyo, los angeles 
downtown san diego Turned in a Big Project at Work: I don’t really talk about my full-time job on Substack, mainly because I don’t have anything good to say about it. But! I did complete a project that most at my company would consider to be a notable achievement for a first-year analyst. We also just submitted our preferences for our next team, so fingers crossed that the Hungarian matching algorithm is kind to me.
In Case You Missed It: This Month’s Pieces
my five year plans: the normie, the smartie, the wanton boy
dear fly: and other poems
why i'm quitting books: on coleridge, emerson, and maturing as a reader
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: My high school had us read this my sophomore year. I remember it being confusing… probably because I sped through it, siphoning Sparknotes summaries into my brain as I crammed to complete my reading packets. Thankfully, a lot more stuck with me this time around. In particular, I enjoyed the repeated reference to “omens”. I’ve been thinking about the importance momentum (and confidence) a lot lately. I understand Coelho’s omens as opportunities to build positive momentum.
Just Kids by Patti Smith: I love reading books written by poets. Just Kids is a complex eulogy on platonic and romantic love, the raw ambition that manifests itself in young adulthood, and the grit necessary to make it as an artist in 1970s NYC.
Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert: The continuation of a beautifully crafted series. Herbert dives deeper into the tragic hero qualities of Paul. I love myself a good tragic hero.
For a full list of what I’ve been reading (including books I didn’t like as much), check out my Goodreads.
Articles
My Father’s Court by Molly McCloskey: Molly recounts her childhood and relationship with her father, Jack McCloskey, who was the General Manager of the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons.
The Buggy by Roddy Doyle: One of those dreamlike, hazy stories that leave you in a bit of a daze. Oddly nostalgic.
Chicago on the Seine by Camille Bordas: I really liked the dialogue in this.
Should I orient my Substack towards art or growth? by Rachel Katz: Great read for anyone creating online.
What is the ideal man? by Tommy Dixon: Raw and authentic.
Polite Hunger by Zi Corley: A beautiful, chilling poem.
Podcasts
Why we become bored with our lives (and how to find joy again) by Life Kit: On our tendencies to habituate, the need for change, and providing yourself time and space to get used to a new environment.
The Unusual Economics of the Bilt Credit Card by The Journal: For those of you wondering how the Bilt Card makes money, looks like we’ve got our answer—it doesn’t.
Stream 8theroach! My boy’s been in the lab recently.
Henry Dreyfuss Symbol Sourcebook: I got my hands on an electronic copy of this rare book and have been leafing through it for inspiration. Jean-Michel Basquiat referenced this sourcebook frequently.
Euros / Copa America 2024: Anyone else feel like international soccer has gotten a lot more competitive recently? It’s not even a surprise anymore to see favorites get knocked out by the underdogs. The narrative needs to switch from “good teams underperforming” to “the rest of the world is catching up”…
