TheListServe Blog

Hello Everyone, To briefly introduce myself, my name is William and I live in Toronto. Alluding to the title of this "Listserve" post, I argue that the ‘epic aesthetic experience’ encompasses a multitude of personal events, from which I associate these memories with art gallery visits. I can only disclose that the art gallery continues to be a major source of therapy – quite literally. Before the aesthetic magic, I lived in Peterborough, Ontario (Canada). In July 2012, I found myself at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York. Through happenstance, I discovered this quaint self-portrait. I said to myself, “I will be seeing a lot of you this year.” Located on the main floor of the gallery, relatively adjacent to a Chagall painting, I could only feel the “seeing a lot of you” vibe in the near future. Over the course of 2012 and 2013, I experienced an incredible exhibition synchronicity at the Art Gallery of Ontario, here in Toronto, and the High Museum of Art in Atla...

Should I propose to my girlfriend? Have a good day, Emily Emily.in.Cambridge[AT]gmail.com U.S.A.

A Life of Stories She closed the book, placed it on the table, and, finally, prepared herself to walk through the door. She rose slowly from the divan and, as she moved across the small room that had been her sanctuary in the City of Peace for one thousand nights, she took one more moment for farewell. The sumptuous carpets, exquisite wall hangings, and heavy perfume here obliterated her memory of the spare rooms that long ago she had shared with her sister and their father, the king’s vizier. When she reached the door, she looked back to the book one final time, though she knew all too well it had nothing more to offer. The gilt on its cover reflected the candlelight, winking as if to offer her encouragement. She breathed in slowly to settle her mind, then turned and began her journey down the shadowed hallway to the chambers of the King. The book had provided her with one thousand stories, one thousand stays of execution, one thousand chances to see the dawn break. She had never disc...

When I was a kid (I tend to imagine I was 12, but I might have been 10 or 13) my dream was to become a philosopher. I had read some of Jostein Gaarder children’s books and an intro book on Kant. I was taken by it, my mind came to it easily and hungrily, and it felt important. I don’t know when or how I came to feel that this would not be a feasible or acceptable future to aim for. There is no one moment I can point to that set me off course, but when I went to university, I didn’t study philosophy. I didn’t even consider it. I studied other things, for reasons that I thought were right, reasons like usefulness, security, some vague notion of respectability. I studied things which had fixed paths into the future, clear directions for what I would do and who I would become. I say things, plural, because I couldn’t settle down. Whereever I was, I wanted out, I changed paths several times. None of the choices lasted very long before they got eaten up at the edges by doubt and listlessness....

Wow, like many of you have probably though, I never imagined I would win this and get a chance to speak my mind to the 25,000 or so people subscribed to it. Thats a .00004% chance of being picked! I'd better make it good I guess... What I wanted to talk about was my current perspective of time. I feel like I'm at a moment in my life where time seems to be speeding up at the rate of Moore's Law. After spending 3.5 years at The University of Texas at Austin, I am about to spend my last semester of college at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. I've been waiting my whole life to travel to Australia, so I am feeling a hodgepodge of emotions right now. It could be described as a mixture of excitement, impatience, nervousness, sadness, and a tiny desire to stay at home where I know I will be comfortable. Whatever I'm feeling, I'm ready. Within the month of returning from Australia, I will be moving to San Francisco (from Dallas, Texas) with my girl...

When I was in school, I was very busy with sports and entrepreneurial ventures. Although I did very well academically, I never had time for, or interest in, reading for pleasure. I read the absolute minimum necessary for school work and always for the purpose of getting a good grade. Certainly not for pleasure. Because I never developed the habit of reading in my youth, I never read as an adult either (it probably didn't help that my wife is not a reader). I am 48 years old now and a few years ago, I started to realize that I was really missing out on a lot by not reading for enjoyment (as opposed to reading for work). I started to ask friends for book recommendations and began reading for just 15 minutes or so each night before going to sleep. And more on the weekends. I am a slow, plodding reader and I fall asleep often if I read too much, but I am really enjoying it. Without sounding trite, It's like a whole new world for me! I have read fiction, biographies, sci-fi...

I'm Lex Friedman. If that name sounds familiar, there are a few possible reasons. Perhaps we're friends; I've even had past friends win The Listserve (Hi, Mark!). More likely, if you DO recognize by name, it's because it's on the radio all the time. I'm sorry about that. See, I sell podcast ads for a living, and one of the advertisers I sold podcast ads to wanted to branch into radio ads. And they said, "Gee, Lex, you have a nice voice—would you be willing to do our voiceovers for the radio?" I figured it would be a one-off thing, and, you know, anything for an advertiser! Since then, I've recorded hundreds of spots. And each of them starts out, "Hi, I'm Lex Friedman." So when people hear my name, they recognize it, but often don't remember why. That's fun. Of course, it's more fun to be known and/or remembered for things I'm prouder of than "reading someone else's script into a microphone." I think I...

"Not all who wander are lost"...just kidding, no cheesy life advice from me - instead I just want to hear from you all how you think I should spend the next 3 months of my life.The just of it is: I've accepted a temporary position at my job in their office in Paris for April, May, and June. I'll be leaving behind my family and girlfriend and don't know anybody there and don't speak the language. My work will be covering my lodging, so I'll have some discretionary income to make the most of it. If you have any advice on how I should get the most out of these three months and how how to prevent myself from being too lonely I'm all ears! Forever grateful, Andrew andhudhow[AT]gmail.com San Francisco, CA

When I was 12 years old and entering middle school there was a distinct shift from the carefree innocence of elementary school. The girls started wearing makeup and straightening their hair. It was then that I realized there was one definition of beauty and I was not it. My lips were too thin. My nose was too round. My skin had been taken over my pimples. My boobs were nonexistent. I was awkward. Not helping my “situation” was that I had the most gorgeous mother. She was the definition of beauty that I strived to be. And there was my sister who was only14 months older, yet had developed much earlier and seemed to have skipped the awkward phase. This insecurity that began while I was in middle school continued throughout high school and by the time I reached college this insecurity had grown to affect my interactions with people, my focus in school, and my ability to be comfortable being myself...I had put my mom on a pedestal and constantly compared myself to my sister and the models a...

Growing up, don’t know why, I couldn’t go No. 2 unless it was at home. Maybe it was my anti-microbes OCD or also the embarrassment of knowing that if I was locked for too long in the bathroom people would know what I was doing (as if others didn’t shit as well). I don’t know how my calculations failed, but during an afternoon English class I got the urge. It was very bad and I couldn’t wait anymore. I asked the teacher for permission to go to the restroom, determined to finally be able to “Go” outside home (only because it was very urgent), and left the classroom in search of a room I had never used before. I remember asking a secretary were it was and she pointed out the direction. Maybe it was because I was nervous or it was just fate, but I couldn’t find the damned place. All the running must have adjusted the contents of my intestines and the urge subsided, which led me to think that instead of going back to the classroom I should head to my grandma’s house in order to take care of...

Hunger and poverty are very real, and they exist in your backyard. We tend to have blinders on when these topics come up, a “that only happens in big cities, not in my town” sort of mentality. The truth is much scarier. You cannot drive very far in any city or town without seeing these problems with your own eyes. My challenge to you is two-fold; first you must actually “see” the problem. Acknowledge that it is real and exists where you live. Second, DO SOMETHING! You might think that you’re only one person and you can’t make a difference. You are WRONG! Everyone can make a difference, regardless of age or economic status. If you can’t give food or money or clothing, you can still make a difference simply by acknowledging the people that are enduring hunger, poverty or homelessness. Treating these folks as human beings can have a huge impact on them. I have been volunteering with the middle school youth at my church for eight or nine years and one of our projects is to coll...

Hello! I'm Danny, but most people call me by my full name, Danny Dang. I am not sure why, but people have always used my full name, and usually by emphasizing my last name. My parents immigrated to Canada during the Vietnam War and were placed in Creston, BC. Here, I was born into a small town of less than 5,000 people. We moved to Cranbrook then to Vancouver where I have spent most of my life. Growing up I was a pretty shy kid. I was terrified of speaking in front of people, or being in situations where I was the focus of attention (eg. presentations). It has taken some time, but I am happy to report that I have gotten over it. I comfortable talking to strangers, leading groups, and presenting on topics that I am passionate about. I have been fortunate to work in the hospitality and tourism industry where I get a chance to meet and talk to so many different people from around the world. Having the 2010 Olympics hosted in Vancouver helped tremendously. For some reason, I have not...

I graduated from university a few years ago and I'm a new-ish teacher. Most days, I love it. I'm realizing that it's a strange job to have for a few reasons. 1. Everyone has an opinion on how to be a teacher. Having been a student once doesn't mean you know how to teach. Do you know how to make a medical diagnosis just because you've been to the doctor a few times? Nope. 2. I think I work too much. I guess the grass is always greener but I can't help but think that it's not worth the time and effort I'm putting in. My work-life balance is totally out of balance. Am I overworked, or putting unnecessary pressure on myself or just not very efficient? Will it magically get better? Where do I even start to fix this? 3. I'm making it up (in a responsible and educated way) as I go. Trial and error, folks. Now, in total contradiction to #1, I'd love your advice. Why was your favourite teacher your favourite? What does a good teacher do? If you are a tea...

Here a nice prayer to say out loud everyday. It will help protect you when you are down. This prayer is by JJ DEWEY who is a writer who wrote the IMMORTAL. Just go to freeread dot com Lots of information for the soul. The IMMORTAL book is free to read. So Enjoy. Song of the 144,000 We thank you Father That you have revealed to us your protective universal light; That within this light is complete protection from all destructive forces; That the Holy Spirit of Your Presence permeates us in this light, And wherever we will the light to descend. We thank you Father That you fill us with your protective fires of love; That within this love is complete protection from all destructive thoughts and feelings; That the consciousness of Christ is lifted up in us in this love, And wherever we will the love to be enflamed. We thank you Father That You are in us and we are in You; That through us Your Will is sent forth on wings of power; That Your Purpose is accomplished on earth as it is in ...

Dearest fellow listservers, At first I didn’t know what to do when I won, because I’ve only been subscribed to the listserve for about three weeks. But I didn’t want to pass over the opportunity. I’m 19 years old and I’m astrophysics student. I love science, and I think science (education) should play a bigger role in our lives. We’ve got such a beautiful universe, and live on a beautiful earth. But all most of us know about it is the things we learn in primary, middle or high school. We’ve soon forgotten what we’ve learned when we graduate, because it was taught to us by some dusty teacher without any passion. But there’s more than that! Have you ever seen a picture of the beautiful horsehead nebula? Or felt a rose crumble in your hands after it was frozen with liquid nitrogen? Felt the g-force in a rollercoaster? Cool, right?! Not convinced? I’m inviting you to join me and discover the fun and beauty of science! I’m planning to make a video showing people around the world having fun,...

So, since a few years now I am being educated to be a kick-ass marketeer / projectmanager / concept developer for the event industry. I have a big interest for electronic music culture, as I am a marketing intern at one of Amsterdam’s biggest nightclubs. In the creative industries - from which the scene I work in is a part of - I hear people tell me and others that they are 'too busy' to meet, go out for lunch, have a drink, work on another project or even answer a simple question awfully often. Back in the days, I was one of them to blame for the same habit. When people were politely asking me how I was doing, the first answer that came to mind was 'I am very busy', 'I am really tired of all the work I had to do' and some more of those mood-killing statements. Well, here are some of my thoughts on this subject: Ø If you really are convinced that you have too little time to live your loco busy life, just come out of bed an hour earlier. Or go to bed an hour lat...

You take the ferry to the island. You take the ferry to the island alone because there is no one to go with you, and you are unmoored and without responsibility, and it is a wild and terrible feeling. You pay your fifteen dollars and you take the ferry to the island. On the ferry a man talks to you. He is from Peru and he is hitting on you but not so much that you mind. He gives you his business card, but you will never call. This is your first and last conversation, and even though it means something you will never remember the details or his name. It is cloudy but the sun will come out later. He gives you a keychain. It's gold colored metal and it's a tiny replica of an Incan sacrificial knife. It has the word "PERU" stamped on one side. You give him your soapstone necklace. You never see him again. You step off onto the island. You step off onto the island and into the fort. You pass under the chalk-white stalactites forming from the old concrete, calcium leeching ...

It is said that what sets humans apart is our ability to tell ourselves stories and believe in things we can't see. (Thank you NPR) That being said, I give all the past and future Listserve story tellers a heartfelt thank-you! Whether we write on the cave walls, create scrolls, beat on the drums, hear the troubadours, read books, listen to audio tapes, or post our comings and goings on social media, the human condition diary will forever exist. Likely, longer than we will. I look forward to the daily installment from this global group of scribes, and thank my lifelong friend Marianne for pointing me toward you. Me? I am a human being human. Nothing more, nothing less. Grateful for all it entails. May all our stories withstand the test of time. More important, may we all learn from each and every story! Take good care of yourselves. Marilyn Toronto marilyn[AT]loveofdogs.ca

…but as a 23-year-old accounting graduate student entering the workforce in September, should I? Growing up moving around, I was constantly the new kid, constantly trying to fit in. I would do anything to feel like I belonged. Once I finally did, we would move again and I’d have to start over. It seemed like an endless, hopeless cycle. That being said please don’t get me wrong. So far, I’ve had an amazing, privileged life that I am incredibly thankful for. I just want to be able to answer the question, “if you could describe yourself in five words, what would they be?” For those of you that know who you are, know who you want to be, know where you want to go, please share your story. Tell me what your five words are. I can’t wait to hear from all of you. As my grandma would say: Floods of love. Molly Flood mollyaflood[AT]gmail.com Lawrence, Kansas

Connected minds catalyse changes Nicholas Paim nicholas[AT]alopra.com Porto Alegre, Brazil

I am probably one of the few people on the Listserve who just wanted to enjoy everyone else’s insight and messages and not have to share my own thoughts if I was ever selected, but I was, and on my 40th birthday to boot. I’m sure as many of you have learned, life is best enjoyed with a little laughter. I was trying to think of a humorous story or life experience to share with you, like the time my husband and I accidentally took our three young children to a restaurant, which we hadn’t been to in awhile. Upon our arrival we learned the restaurant had changed ownership and was now a swingers club and animal rescue center...oops:). In life, though, you sometimes receive bad news. My mother called me while writing this email, breaking the news that a long time family friend was diagnosed with bone cancer. I would ask all of you to say a prayer for her and her family as they go thru this trying ordeal. Like myself, our friend has a deep love of humor and I would love to forward on any...

Recently, I've become obsessed, but for once in my life it's a healthy obsession and not something I have to fight (yet). I'm obsessed with being productive. I turned 30 last year, and suddenly realised that after 10 or more years of unfocused meandering, time is my most valuable resource, and I need to make my days count if I want to feel good about my life in 40 years time. Taking my productivity seriously has changed my life like crazy, to the extent that I'm now trying to launch a small productivity product. Amazingly, I won the Listserve the same week that I'm announcing this, my first product, and that's why I've chosen to write about this rather than any of the other myriad things I could just as easily decide to write about. I know there are plenty of other productivity freaks out there, so here, for their benefit, is a short list things that you simply must check out if you're into productivity: David Allen - Getting Things Done. This book is no...

My name is Zac Gorell and I am a glassblower. Currently I am working on a new series called 'Beyond Infinity'. In this series I draw from my evolving curiosity about the paradoxes of the self in context. Growth and decay. Seduction and danger. Withdrawal and pursuit. Indulgence and restraint. Chaos and order. Strength and vulnerability. Permanence and impermanence. The structural elements in the sculptures both resist and rely on one another for the pieces to exist. Being a glassblower never really crossed my mind until one day a friend mentioned that they were going to take a class so I tagged along. Walking into the studio I saw someone taking glass out of the furnace and I was instantly hypnotized by the glowing orange mass of molten glass. I had never seen anything like it and all I wanted to do was find out more about it. Shortly after I signed up and took my first class at a private studio in Cleveland Ohio. After only a few weeks I knew it was what I wanted to do with my...

I was a pretty good kid. Other than occasional acts of extreme rudeness (hanging up the phone on my father before he was done talking – this is the only time I can remember being shouted at by him) or impulsive, ill-informed choices that scared the crap out of my parents (coming very close to jumping off of the top of our swingset with a plastic bag as my ‘parachute’), I didn’t give my parents or teachers any real cause for alarm or discipline. I was a quiet, dreamy-eyed kid who fidgeted a lot and tried to be kind to everybody. As I was born with severe allergies to fur, dust, pollen, and the like, we were never allowed to get the dog I so longed for. Forming close relationships with stuffed animals was also out of the question. While I was permitted to drag Brown Bear around during the day (my parents weren’t totally heartless), I have distinct memories of my little guy being gently tugged from my grasp as I pretended to sleep, then watching through half-closed eyes as my mother or fa...

What are you looking at? Just because my softball team lost over 150 games in a row is no reason to scrunch up your nose at me. You don’t even know me! I bet your softball team doesn’t have two professional Latinists. I bet your softball team doesn’t drink delicious Grain Belt Premium beer. I bet your softball team doesn’t practice in the dead of winter on a frozen lake in the sub-zero temperatures of Minnesota with no gloves or hats while listening to Polka music! Is your team sponsored by a local bar featuring an Italian meat sandwich with a racist name? Did your team of 40+ y/o men have a “parent night” where Moms and Dads traveled from other states to receive their complimentary bumper sticker that said “My son plays softball”? Did you ever have a player get so excited that he ran to third base instead of first? And then kept going into left field and eventually into the parking lot and off to the bar, screaming the entire time? Did that ever happen with one of your guys? Was his n...

To over 24,000 people (potentially) reading this, I’m no wordsmith, but I always appreciate great quotes. Below are some of my and my favorite people’s favorite quotes, in no particular order. Feel free to respond with your favorite quote! “For each minute you’re angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.” – Anonymous “Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein “Why don’t they give us things we can actually use? I don’t need a thinner phone. You know what I need? I need a tortilla chip that can support the weight of guacamole.” – Ellen DeGeneres “Help ever, hurt never.” – Sathya Sai Baba “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou “Justice is what love looks like in public.” – Cornel West (Thank you, Laverne Cox, for telling an amazing story here at Duke University last week!) “You miss 100% of th...

I was born under a mountain, by the ocean, in a village of 1500 people in the north of Iceland. After studying (communication design) and working in various places in Europe (all being lovely) I set my sails to North America last summer, packed my bags and moved to Vancouver. Here, they call British Columbia “The most beautiful place on earth”. It’s pretty, don’t get me wrong — but who would ever think they’re entitled to that phrase? I moved over here to study. After working in the advertising industry for a few years, I felt like taking on new and different challenges. Go a bit more back to a human centred approach. In my opinion, great things happen when you start using design to educate, enlighten and raise people’s interest in certain topics, rather then just to make something for the sake of making pretty things. (Even though that can be fun too). I’ve always been fascinated by perception, the way our brains work, how we memorise and take in information—which is directly related ...

I'm passionate about a lot of things; music (I'm a classical/contemporary clarinet and bass clarinet player by trade), acting, writing, cooking, the environment, teaching, etc, but for me there is a unifying theory to be found in improv. Improvising music and movement has made me a better and more confident performer, but improvising theatre has made me a better and more confident person. Theatre improv (think "whose line" or UCB) has within it all of the basic elements that you need to be a good and successful person. You know the ones- saying yes and supporting ideas, always having people's backs, paying attention (really paying attention), finding what's working and doing it again and again, being brave enough to burst into song or dance, or just get up in front of people and feel comfortable and even excited speaking. All of the things that a lot of us feel bad at, as if we somehow missed the all-important day in school where they taught everybody how to ...