Best Holiday Music: Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker
I like classical and instrumental music, but I do not know it. The Nutcracker soundtrack is the only piece of music I could pick out of an audio lineup. And thanks to Friday Night lights, maybe, just maybe, Explosions in the Sky. I can't find my $1.99 Goodwill copy of it right now, so I'm streaming a Nutcracker station on Spotify.
Best Club Idea: Article Club
Who has time for a book club? I really, really want to. And I still make time to read, but that time is precious and I just don't want to risk it reading something someone else chose. An article club is perfect. I also feel like I don't read things (outside of the things I assign students) as closely as I would like to, as closely as I would if I were expected to say smart thing about them. So, excuse the hyperbole: this is the best idea ever and I am starting one right now. Want to join?
Best Inspirational Podcast for Creative People/Wannabes: Magic Lessons
"If you put your work out into the world, you are going to get taken down at some point."
I have only listened to one of these, but I will now binge listen to all of them right away. Although a lot of writers scoff at Elizabeth Gilbert because she's not a total snob and she wrote a super-successful book about emotional stuff, I am an unabashed lover of all things Liz Gilbert. If you think this is too ooey gooey for you,start out with the last one. It still might be. But that's okay. I also recommend the book, Big Magic.
Next year, when I am blogging all of the time, I'm going to make a local shopping guide. it will basically be a snythesis of all the great holiday articles in the Inlander. The Inlander is a gem, isn't it?