fun stuff

Respite from The Fearful Zeitgeist: Somersaulting Tibetans (Reprise)

Here’s a moment’s respite from the dire state of the world and the palpable feeling of fear that seems to permeate everything these days. It had us laughing out loud which, we discovered, keeps us right smack IN the moment

Mindset for a Heatwave (Martha & the Vandelas, Hermeto Pascoa, Francis Alys, Li Po, Ellen Silverman)

As many parts of the country, and the world, are in the grip of a fearsome heatwave, We’ve found ourselves hiding out, working at partial power, desperately needing restorative naps and ways to feel cool. We know that refreshing virtual pleasures CAN help us cope; they fuel breezes in our heads. So we rounded up our favorites.

@Mandy Patinkin’s Heartening Reality Sandwiches

Traumatized by seeing her aged face on Zoom, actress Kathryn Grody rants, despairing and conflicted, to her son Gideon as he films her with his iPhone. It is one of the many illuminating moments captured on @Mandy Patinkin, documenting the everyday life of actor Mandy Patinkin, Grody and Gideon as they shelter at their upstate NY cabin.

How to Make Shadow Magic

“Just a pair of hands and a whole lot of clever imagination” perfectly describes this 1933 film from British Pathe. The performer moves his hands slowly so that the audience can see how the shape is formed. The setup is minimal: a darkened room, a bare patch of wall, a light source to cast shadows.…

Refreshing, Calming, Endlessly Watchable Sea Lions Surfing Waves (Flying)

We feel like we’re flying ourselves as we watch these sea lions leaping and flying through the waves in pure fluid JOY.

Creative Thinking is a Martial Art

SO GREAT, wherever this few seconds of inspiring outside-the-box thinking came from.

Let Rhythm Rewire Your Life (Tasha Blank)

Tasha Blank‘s video manifesto shook us loose from a stuckness we didn’t know we had, mired as we were in the mighty anxiety of the zeitgeist, dire news, contentious opinions… The international DJ, dancer, coach, somatic practitioner and music producer has much to offer in the form of music, events, courses and meditations so you…

Giant Twisting Balloons Inspire Furniture and Your Own Big Ideas

Designer Seung Jin Yang’s whimsical furniture appears to be made of the kind of twistable balloons used to entertain kids. OMG, we thought, could we make furniture out of balloons?

Real-Life Comics about Letting Go of Expectations and Other Important Topics

We’re loving comic artist Edith Zimmerman’s wonderful site,, Drawing Links. It features comics that tell the story of an experience she’s had along with links she’s found apropos. Subjects include Time, Tao Te Ching, Home Decor… Here’s a favorite…

Risk Equivalents of Common Activities (Roz Chast)

At the New Yorker, cartoonist Roz Chast takes on the kind of equation we are seeing everywhere, of “experts” assessing the level of risk in commonly enjoyed activities of human existence.

Experience a Feeling of Flying, with Rumi UPDATE

We love the feeling of flying in Universal Everything’s beautiful little video and find ourselves watching it over and over; it’s amazingly refreshing to our lockdown minds. It reminds us of this Rumi poem.

Nature’s Ascent: An Opera Plays to an Audience of Plants, Penguins Visit Museums…

Among the many challenges the lockdown has brought, the ascent of nature has been among the unexpected gifts. Cultural institutions are embracing that view to shift and refresh their locked-down patrons.

The Onion and Riz Ahmed on The Pressure to Be Productive During Lockdown

Perspective we need: The Onion’s sublimely funny, spot-on commentary on the pressure to be creative during the “free time” of quarantining + Riz Ahmed’s wise view.

It Feels SO Great to Laugh at Our Dark Fear

We found ourselves laughing out loud at this perfect 1-minute clip from a 1983 segment of Cheers. That would be US.

New Yorker’s Coronavirus Cartoons are Funny, Wise and Curiously Comforting

These New Yorker cartoons describe the peculiar brand of anxiety that has become our weird shared experience. They give a much-needed sense of connectedness, AND levity…

A 16-Second Film’s Moment of Zen Sparks Haiku and a Writing Practice

In this 16 second film, a blow torch + hair dryer + popcorn makes for a curiously zen moment. We found two haiku to go with it. Then we remembered our friend Tim Chegwidden’s timed poetry-writing practice…

Copy This: Pamela Hovland’s Holiday Wreath

Spotted on the instagram of designer Pamela Hovland, who masterminded Improvised Life’s first iteration ten years ago: her holiday wreath in an imaginative, uniquely festive application…

Crazy Beautiful Joy Dance via Issey Miyake PFW20

We’ve watched this little video on instagram many times now, vicariously soaking up its unexpectedly BIG expression of joy AND its insight into the most common of personal catalysts…

Fred Sandback on Needing a Place to Play and Letting Your Fingers Think

Artist Fred Sandback stretched lengths of colored yarn taut in a space to make people experience it differently. His booklet, A Children’s Guide to Seeing, made to accompany an exhibition provides serious illumination for adults…

Universal Everything’s Flower People Parade of Joy and Wonder (with Rumi)

Here are a few moments of delight and wonder from video artists/experience designers/future thinkers, Universal Everything. A Rumi poem that jumped into our hands cast it in a surprising light.

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