A Few of My Favorite Things
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It’s about time I shared a “Favorite Things” post. Here are a few cool things I’ve found around the web recently.
Enjoy, Mari
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Little Camera Necklace In Silver
I found this on Anechkas Jewelry’s Etsy Shop while browsing different silver and pewter charms. There are quite a few versions of camera charms on Etsy but this was my favorite because it looks the most like my treasured Pentax K1000 that was the first SLR camera I ever owned. It’s what I used to learn darkroom photography and it will always hold a place close to my heart.
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The Arrow Ring by Dresser Johnson
I have always admired my friend **Tricia’s** Arrow Ring. Made by her friends Kevin Dresser and Kate Johnson, these awesome rings make a statement wherever you go and I’m excited to get one myself soon. Check out the Arrow Ring Flickr Group for images featuring this unique piece of wearable art.
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Instax Mini Print Window
As you may know, I’m obsessed with the Photojojo website and this is just one item that I’d be happy to buy from them. As the proud owner of an Instax Mini camera, I’m thinking of getting a bunch of these print windows to take to Ecuador so we can display images on our wall easily and aesthetically pleasing.
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Re-Stickable Decal Photo Frames
Another item from Photojojo that I can see us using to decorate our home in Ecuador. These fun decals can be re-stuck over and over again, which means that you can change the inside image as much as you want.
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Tiny Hippy Van Charm Necklace
What could be a more perfect charm for me than a VW Peace Van! I found this at Evelyn Mae Creations’ Etsy Shop where she showcases nearly 1,000 other items including another favorite charm of mine – a cupcake tin.
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Lens Bracelets
A Photojojo original, the lens bracelets allow you to pretend that your arm is a camera lens. What’s cooler than that? Buy them individually or together.
Blog-cast Pod-roll
As I mentioned in an earlier post – I listen to the radio and to podcasts every single day. Here’s a round-up of the blogs and podcasts I’ve been consuming lately. Yum! Enjoy, Mari
BLOGS
Peace Corps Related
The world’s largest and the most updated online archive of first-hand peace corps stories told by over 10000 volunteers.
Follow Amanda, a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay.
Municipal Development volunteer Cara documents her Peace Corps Guatemala experience.
Peace Corps El Salvador volunteer Emily “Embo” shares her adventures.
3 Peace Corps Panama Blogs:
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Friends’ Tumblr Pages
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Friends’ Websites
Enjoy the work of muralist, painter, arts administrator extraordinaire, **Katherine**!
A project by **Carrie** and **Moudy** documenting innovators and entrepreneurs.
I’ll miss **Tricia** while she embarks upon her Fulbright year in China but I know I can follow along here.
Follow the work of digital storyteller, media darling, and genuine sweetheart **Zadi**.
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PODCASTS
Arts & Culture
A meditation on the forces that shape the design of our world. Paul and I have recently started listening to this podcast. I appreciate exploring how design is a part of our daily lives.
Kurt Anderson hosts this WNYC radio program covering creativity, pop culture, and the arts. I love Kurt’s interviews the most and was once lucky enough to see him live at The Times Center.
Learning
One of my absolute favorite programs ever! Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, Radiolab is a radio show and podcast “weaving stories and science into sound and music-rich documentaries.” We just saw them record a live show at NYU’s Skirball Center and it was amazing!
Another outstanding series. In addition to TED conferences, events, and the TED Prize, this organization is dedicated to sharing “ideas worth spreading” through TED Talks in video and podcast formats. Enjoy on the website or on your digital music player. One day I hope to do something incredible enough to describe in a TED Talk.
I’ve been listening to TAL since I was in high school and have been an avid fan from the beginning. Ira Glass hosts this incredible compendium of stories. From the TAL website: “There’s a theme to each episode, and a variety of stories on that theme. It’s mostly true stories of everyday people, though not always. There’s lots more to the show, but it’s sort of hard to describe.” Paul and I have both enjoyed their live shows across NYC and I even convinced my mom to come with me to one – she loved it.
News
I enjoy this compilation of, “Only the Best of the Truly Liberal Media” and appreciate a news outlet with a truly liberal bias!
Terry Gross hosts this daily mix of interviews and stories on one of NPR’s most popular shows. I am always impressed by Terry Gross’s interviewing prowess. She can interview ANYone about ANYthing from the creators of South Park to politicians with the same grace, good humor, and intelligence.
Bob Garfield hosts this behind-the-news show that is, of course, edited by Brooke Gladstone. From their website: “On the Media explores how the media ‘sausage’ is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad.” This show is great because you can not only learn what is going on in current events but at the same time you can explore how these events are being covered by the media.
Peter Sagal hosts and Carl Kasell judges this news quiz from NPR. Is there anything better than listening to Wait Wait on the weekend with a cup of tea in a comfy chair? Listen to some of Carl Kasell’s answering machine messages for prize-winners HERE.
Stories
This quirky podcast by radio reporter Nate DiMeo, covers (and uncovers) interesting and often historical stories.
People telling true stories live without notes. Amazing. Listen either on NPR or through their podcast. If you’re lucky enough (or early enough) you can catch them in a live Story Slam in a city near you but be prepared. Paul and I once attempted to go to one of the live events but we were daunted by the line that spanned (literally) two full city blocks. New York City blocks. Seriously.
Mentioned in an earlier post, OTR is an incredible treasure trove of the early days of radio (and some TV) with 12,000 shows listed. I love to listen to old radio dramas, thrillers, and detective stories in particular but they have shows of all types.
Another storytelling series but this one features live and recorded stories by comedians, actors, and aspiring comedians & actors telling “true tales they never thought they’d dare to share.” Created and hosted by Kevin Allison of The State fame, RISK! is a mixed bag and told with notes. Paul and I had fun seeing this live at the 92Y Tribeca earlier in the year. What was even more fun was listening to the podcast of a story that was taped at our show and hearing our unique laughs in the background!
Another story series taped in NYC at Symphony Space. The short stories are usually published and often by well-known authors both contemporary and classic. The best part is hearing famous actors give dramatic readings focused on the show’s particular theme. Attending a taping is still on our “Things to do in NYC before we leave” list.
From their site: “Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, and millions listen to our broadcasts on public radio and the web.” I’ve been a fan of StoryCorps since a friend in grad school interned there. I’ve seen but never been inside of the StoryCorps booths around NYC. Maybe we should add this to the list!
This weekly reading series from KQED in San Francisco highlights the work of published authors both known and un-known. The short pieces are terrific but so are the excerpts from books. It’s a great way to sample an author before purchasing their book and better yet, you get to hear the author read their own words and in their own voice.
Partners for Peace 