Any volunteering / community things you're passionate about that you could throw yourself into at least in the interim
That's an interesting one. I've stepped back from getting involved in most community things - there's always some petty drama going on and I just can't be bothered. I'm also terrible at committing. It's not that I don't do anything for the local community, just I can't committ to anything where I literally have to physically show up at a given time.
Audio books / podcasts or (god forbid) the Radio help in removing that feeling of depressive (temporary) loneliness.
Yes! You're dead right. I'm a big fan of RRR and PBS and Radio National, if not it's listening to music or a podcast. Do you have any podcast recommendations? Been listening to All In with hubs regularly which provides more interesting insights into American politics than can be found in Australian media.
The main pods I've listened to (which are dry over the summer period) align to my interest in Formula 1, so its a very niche sort of talk show / review of the recent race, or more in depth discussion of personnel movements. Probably so boring for most people :D
The one thing I don't like about my new car, however is that I can't seem to get ABC AM radio on it, which was good for quick little bits of interesting subject material.
I should probably try to find some Art themed ones. I LOVE the Pre-Raphaelite painters, and have a large collection of books on that topic: to the point that my photography attempts to mimic their style, but I haven't actually gone out and looked for video-essays or pods that cover that niche... if they exist at all...
(If they don't, maybe I'll just have to read those books and do it myself) :D
Regarding the volunteering: it is probably something I'm going to lean into a bit heavy (with lots of intensity) because I genuinely want to see more Art stuff in my local area. I used to be involved with a Youth Advisory Council when I was a wee teen, but now I know more broadly what to expect in those community orgs.
Oh awesome, now you'll send me down a art rabbit hole. I love art history and there's a lot I don't know as I was never an artist trained in such things. I find it such an incredible way to access history. We have been watching 15 Minutes of Art Explained on YouTube which has been great - from Basquiat and other NY artists to dark Goya it's been a really interesting deep dive.
I'd love to hear about you working to bring art into the community! That's such a cool thing to do.
I can't say I am interested in Formula One 😂 - I have enough car talk with the hubs, though I have a momentary break as he sets up his bike for bike packing.
The selfish part of me is going to start with this:
https://peakd.com/art/@holoz0r/statement-of-intent-myth
However, there's a "new" Art Festival planned for the local district(s) that I attended a community info session on during the weekend, and it sounds promising if it will be able to be pulled off: the only problem, I think is going to be a lack of funding / sponsors.
They're chasing some businesses. but it will be interesting to see what happens and whether or not I can help them make a difference.