Mikey Likes

Reading: Show Your Work

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Today I completed the Austin Kleon trilogy, our of order, with Show Your Work. It does not cover getting gigs, publishing, shows, or any of that stuff. Any of that stuff that comes under the heading of showing a bit of art. Instead, it’s about you showing or sharing your work. Sharing is key here. Share the process of the making, not just the finished product.

Do this everyday, “Share something small everyday.” Everyday. There is advise for the people who don’t create that much yet. Share who you admire or steal from. Certainly there’s something you’ve done (watch a YouTube video?) that you want to tell someone about it. Do that.

There’s more, but that’s what the book is about.

Notes from "Show Your Work"
Notes from Show Your Work

ML: Biblio

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When one thinks of online shopping, especially for books, Amazon comes to mind. I’ve been an Amazon customer since 1996. Recent news of the working conditions in Amazon warehouses, including low pay and a surveillance heavy workplace have dulled my appetite to shop there.

Disclaimer: I’m also weaning myself from the impulse-driven habit I’ve developed.

Wouldn’t it be nice to shop at a local bookstore? As a Portland, Oregon resident there are many great choices. You may not be so fortunate in your local bookstore selection. For you I heartily recommend Biblio.

Biblio serves as an online presence for scads of independent booksellers while supporting a 501(c)3 organization that performs charitable work promoting literacy and bringing libraries to underserved populations.

This combination is wonderful.

ML: Ace Typewriter

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Getting things fixed, like plumbing, cars, refrigerators, whatever is frequently an exercise in sticker shock. The fixer usually can give you a list of other things that you should take care of when you can. As in, can catch your breath to pay for them. All of this with vague or jargon filled explanations of what was done or needs to be done.

Imagine the opposite experience. The repairman gives full, easy to understand explanation of what was done, there’s nothing else that needs doing, and it costs less than you expected. Perhaps you’re given a couple of tips on how to keep it all working great for the long.

Can you imagine that? If you’re having trouble doing so, get a typewriter and take it to Ace Typewriter. Or go to Ace to get your typewriter from one of the restored machines on the shelf. There are portables and desktop typewriters. All are in great condition.

All of this comes to you from owner Matt, a lifelong typewriter repair person.

One word of warning, the business is well known among typewriter owners throughout the country. There can be a long line of machines waiting to be serviced.