Photo credit: Reuben Wu When I graduated from my degree in Cultural Studies, my film professor tried to persuade me to stay in academics. She wanted me to keep going, to pursue my masters and PhD, to be like her star student K—, who went to Irvine to earn a doctorate in some sect of… [Read More]

“Hard times are coming, when we’ll be wanting the voices of writers who can see alternatives to how we live now… and even imagine real grounds for hope.” — Ursula Le Guin “Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming.” — Alice Walker I did a… [Read More]

I’ve been working on a community art project this winter. It’s called ICEBOX: Art in the Heart of Winter. It’s kind of like a mini Burning Man, but replace the sand and sun with ice and blowing snow. Then put all the art installations inside brightly-coloured huts, to protect them from the cold. Then picture… [Read More]

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s hard to do things that are good for you, or you struggle to keep habits that you know will improve your life, Steven Pressfield presents some good theories and methods in his book, The War of Art. Pressfield used to be a marine, and his philosophy is still very… [Read More]

These are the same reflections I ask my teachers to do every year at our Intensive retreat. My dear friend Hannah shared these questions with me for my 40th birthday, and I still use them every year. They’re kind of like a first aid kit for for my life. These will be perfect for you… [Read More]