JANUARY 2023: Letting the Juice Flow
JANUARY 2023: Letting the Juice Flow
How Aanab News is going to go, some info on upcoming Valentine's Day additions to the Bacchus shop, and 10 little joys
On December 31st, I was working at the wine shop mulling over what could be the best word for the year ahead while customers trickled in in search for last minute libations. Instead of resolutions, it’s been a new trend to pick a word for the year as a theme or intention. To me, it feels like a gentler approach with the same goal: bettering yourself and/or your habits.
On the morning of January 1st, the only thing I was stuck on was that I wanted to loosen the reins on plans, frameworks, and answers. I know that we’ve all been riding the uncertainty wave since the start of the pandemic but the lack of control isn’t what I’m describing. Flexible is my word for 2023 and I chose it in an attempt to soften my self-imposed arbitrary deadlines and expectations for myself. I also chose flexible as in the opposite of rigid with how I define this platform, its success, and the link of that success to my own.
You’d think that choosing this word could be an excuse to be inconsistent but I’m choosing to interpret it as space for flow and agility. I’ve outlined a flexible weekly dispatch here for the next 6 weeks. Throughout December, I wanted to come up with a framework for frequency and types of posts. I was convinced that structure would give me rhythm and a systematic approach would keep me in check. However, doing this didn’t comfort me like it used to, the pressure to make this into more than a blog with minimalist UI felt overwhelming.
So instead of inflating this more than necessary, I’m going to make it very simple and flexible: I’ll publish every Tuesday and the structure of this soapbox will form organically just like my first one. I want to make room for imperfect, insignificant rambling, and longer, coherent essays. Being flexible here is about doing the work that I feel like doing each week rather than the kind that is scheduled. It’s about doing the work period, in whatever form.
Ideally, I want to apply this word in a physical sense too. As I inch closer to 35, I’ve noticed how the last 3 years have stiffened my limbs and my heart. I’m too young and too loved to ache like this. I want to decalcify and dance. I want to stop hiding in hoodies in suburbia. And I want to take more photos of people instead of things. As the Rock said, it’s one day or day one.
IN THE STUDIO: NEW MINI CARDS
Valentine’s Day is next month so I used that as an excuse to come up with some cheeky wine copy again. Last year’s mini-card designs are still available but 4 new ones are in the works. In contrast with 2022’s gold on black and burgundy, this year’s will be gold on deep olive green and inky purple with gold envelopes. I’d like to think that they’re more than elevated wine puns and that you can use them at any point in the year - but why not on the 14th just for fun?
I’m playing around with a Love Box that would include one of the aforementioned love notes, pencils, a wine stopper, a playlist, chocolates and candy, AND an (optional) virtual wine class voucher for two hosted by me. All you’d need to go with it is a bottle of wine!
Speaking of last year’s designs, I’ve extended the NYE sale until the 16th - you get an automatic 50% off all cards, stickers, and tags because I need to move some inventory. I want my dining table back. New cards - and the Love Box based on the above vote - will be available for purchase as of Jan 17th until Feb 6th. The shop will not be processing orders from Feb 7th to 18th because I’ll be out of town. Orders made during that time will ship out on the 21st.
10 LITTLE JOYS
I read Arab Routes by Sarah Gultieri in preparation for a mini presentation I’m giving at LA’s first afikra event next week. RSVP here if you want to attend.
Even though I get a monthly bill for multiple streaming services and I occasionally go to the cinema to see a new release, I’m hesitant to fork over money for a rental that’s not on any other platform. I rented Triangle of Sadness and this tweet is accurate. Next up: Aftersun. Also check out this profile on the star of EEAAO, my favorite 2022 movie (and maybe ever?), and TIME Icon of the Year, Michelle Yeoh. If you’ve got Netflix, Molly’s Game.
This series by therapist Dr. Kirk Honda is him reacting to the entire 3rd season of Love is Blind (and extra interviews) and it has been fascinating.
Melanie Haiken writes about the magical work of worms at wineries.
Beautiful yet terrifying, separate and unequal by Aubrey Hirsch.
If you need a good cry, this TikTok will make you sob. I also really love the humans being humans trend.
News of the first Kurdish winery.
After seeing it live at The Broad years ago, I have a postcard of Baldessari’s Tips for Artists Who Want to Sell taped to the wall next to me. Alexandra Bell’s homage to it is a great update for our digital age.
Dubai’s swapping their alcohol tax for income tax. I’m curious to see where this goes and what it means for those living in the UAE.
This tweet via Roxane Gay:
COMING UP NEXT
On Tuesday Jan 10th, I’ll have the final tally of Lebanese bottles sold at the wine shop during the holiday season and I’ll be back here to unpack the numbers. Then, I hope to wrap up Aanab No.4 and start prepping the mailing envelopes so once it’s fresh off the press, the copies will go out without further delay.