I can definitely relate to your feelings of wondering if this is when adulthood hits. I turned 38 earlier this month and find myself thinking very similar thoughts.
That feeling when you look around the room for an adult before realizing, you're the adult right? Equal parts chilling and joyous.
Really looking forward to following along as you share your reflections with us.
Brace yourself, Reggie - I’m afraid you’ve gained a follower who cannot help but engage entirely with long form that captivates her!
First of all, happy belated birthday! How beautifully and expressive your descriptions are, of the sights and sounds of tourist Albania. Your writing is comically novel-esque and it’s refreshing to read unfiltered (and intrusive?) thoughts! “She’s fucking burnt” made me snort - not the cute kind. When I first heard Albania was open to melanin, I too was shocked! But she is indeed, very pretty, and the moments you’ve captured in the photos here encapsulate that entirely. My personal favourite is the stoned wall which for the longest time I thought was ground, until I opened my eyes. I find it beautiful that each stone is uneven, no two will ever be identical. It really is the most mundane things that remind you just how wondrous the Earth is, down to the microscopic. (I could analyse every picture, but for the sake of comment length etiquette, I’ll stick to the one).
Have to say, it was lovely to hear your voice in the overdub. It felt special and, dare I say… intimate. For a moment I forgot that we, in fact, do not know one another personally, and that was not a voicenote sent to my WhatsApp. If ever you need encouragement to press record…
As for The Reset, it’s lovely to see you in this new era of nurturing the authentic creativity that is at your core, and lovely to watch you embrace these new (or rather, old) long forms of media in a world where short form prevails and attention spans do not! I know you mentioned resetting 2 years ago, and it’s beautiful how life develops isn’t it? How every process we experience as humans ebs and flows; we take one little step at a time, and before we know it, 2 years have passed and we are doing the things we said we would! The Reset resonates with me as I am in a similar place of allowing myself to creatively exist in my purest, most authentic form, ignoring the standardised structure. As a singer-songwriter, this is of course not the most astute way forward. Alas, my inner artist insists on her creative integrity upheld.
So whilst you are certainly not dancing in the mirror alone, remember that even if you were, and if you ever do feel as though you are, there are thousands of us dancing a similar routine in separate dance studios all over planet Earth… We just can’t all see each other!
In the meantime, I will continue to show up (provided there are Pringles) to vibe to the playlist, even if the song selection becomes questionable halfway through the night! That being said, here’s a question for you - what songs are on the playlist for the metaphorical charcuterie night? I am curious!
Looking forward to the next post Reggie! Don’t worry, my essay-like comments are few and far between :)
Haha Essay length comments are always welcome… appreciate you caring enough to share. I think the overdub part of what I’m sharing here has to continue, so be ready for more of my rambles.
The aesthetic of the pics is incred ✨ but the description of the terminal was just as good. The airport is a unique, kind of a twilight zone place. Such a melting pot of people. Could write about it for days.... If I was closer - you've convinced me to visit Albania but that's an epic journey from Australia ! 🌞
I just went to Albania for the first time last month, she pretty indeed! But your photos are beautiful, it makes me want to go back. I might have to go there next year for my 40th birthday 🤔
Definitely looking forward to Thursday's link-up! Welcome to the 40s club, where nothing matters than if you can see through your glasses..lol..lovely pics😍
Loving this stream of consciousness - I can see and hear the people you describe! And Albania looks beautiful, definitely more photos of wherever you go, please.
Happy belated birthday - your 40s is a great decade: absolutely no time for drama, shit coffee and people that don't hold you close and instead, you are gifted a new sense of wonder about the world.
Thanks Danellia, I wish I took my actual camera, iphone had to do... Shall I do more with photography here? Also, Albania... DO IT. Really special little trip.
Stunning photographs, too!
Exceptional photography!
Thank you so much... I think I'll be sharing more of this kind of thing here.
Some great photos here and musings mate!
Appreciated Andy... Come back on Sunday for more!
I can definitely relate to your feelings of wondering if this is when adulthood hits. I turned 38 earlier this month and find myself thinking very similar thoughts.
That feeling when you look around the room for an adult before realizing, you're the adult right? Equal parts chilling and joyous.
Really looking forward to following along as you share your reflections with us.
Thanks for joining. Will be pretty active in the chat too…
Brace yourself, Reggie - I’m afraid you’ve gained a follower who cannot help but engage entirely with long form that captivates her!
First of all, happy belated birthday! How beautifully and expressive your descriptions are, of the sights and sounds of tourist Albania. Your writing is comically novel-esque and it’s refreshing to read unfiltered (and intrusive?) thoughts! “She’s fucking burnt” made me snort - not the cute kind. When I first heard Albania was open to melanin, I too was shocked! But she is indeed, very pretty, and the moments you’ve captured in the photos here encapsulate that entirely. My personal favourite is the stoned wall which for the longest time I thought was ground, until I opened my eyes. I find it beautiful that each stone is uneven, no two will ever be identical. It really is the most mundane things that remind you just how wondrous the Earth is, down to the microscopic. (I could analyse every picture, but for the sake of comment length etiquette, I’ll stick to the one).
Have to say, it was lovely to hear your voice in the overdub. It felt special and, dare I say… intimate. For a moment I forgot that we, in fact, do not know one another personally, and that was not a voicenote sent to my WhatsApp. If ever you need encouragement to press record…
As for The Reset, it’s lovely to see you in this new era of nurturing the authentic creativity that is at your core, and lovely to watch you embrace these new (or rather, old) long forms of media in a world where short form prevails and attention spans do not! I know you mentioned resetting 2 years ago, and it’s beautiful how life develops isn’t it? How every process we experience as humans ebs and flows; we take one little step at a time, and before we know it, 2 years have passed and we are doing the things we said we would! The Reset resonates with me as I am in a similar place of allowing myself to creatively exist in my purest, most authentic form, ignoring the standardised structure. As a singer-songwriter, this is of course not the most astute way forward. Alas, my inner artist insists on her creative integrity upheld.
So whilst you are certainly not dancing in the mirror alone, remember that even if you were, and if you ever do feel as though you are, there are thousands of us dancing a similar routine in separate dance studios all over planet Earth… We just can’t all see each other!
In the meantime, I will continue to show up (provided there are Pringles) to vibe to the playlist, even if the song selection becomes questionable halfway through the night! That being said, here’s a question for you - what songs are on the playlist for the metaphorical charcuterie night? I am curious!
Looking forward to the next post Reggie! Don’t worry, my essay-like comments are few and far between :)
Haha Essay length comments are always welcome… appreciate you caring enough to share. I think the overdub part of what I’m sharing here has to continue, so be ready for more of my rambles.
Absolutely love this. Been a big fan of yours since radio and your tv days.
Thanks so much!!! Lots more to come, we go again on Thursday...
The aesthetic of the pics is incred ✨ but the description of the terminal was just as good. The airport is a unique, kind of a twilight zone place. Such a melting pot of people. Could write about it for days.... If I was closer - you've convinced me to visit Albania but that's an epic journey from Australia ! 🌞
I just went to Albania for the first time last month, she pretty indeed! But your photos are beautiful, it makes me want to go back. I might have to go there next year for my 40th birthday 🤔
How is it so damn hot, so early in the year?
Welcome to Substack! I may have gotten a little too excited to see you here 🤩
Right now, this is my favourite place online... Love it here.
💯 It’s a breath of fresh air!
Definitely looking forward to Thursday's link-up! Welcome to the 40s club, where nothing matters than if you can see through your glasses..lol..lovely pics😍
Not gonna lie, my peepers aren't what they once were but this decade is a viiiibeeee
Loving this stream of consciousness - I can see and hear the people you describe! And Albania looks beautiful, definitely more photos of wherever you go, please.
Happy belated birthday - your 40s is a great decade: absolutely no time for drama, shit coffee and people that don't hold you close and instead, you are gifted a new sense of wonder about the world.
I could have done a thousand words on the people in the terminal alone... The scenes were... scene-ing.
These pics 😍 Albania really be eating. Loved the Overdub as well - very immersive! Look forward to Thursday’s instalment!
so here for it ⚡⚡
These photos are amazing!! And now I’m going to add Albania to my very extensive places to visit list!
Thanks Danellia, I wish I took my actual camera, iphone had to do... Shall I do more with photography here? Also, Albania... DO IT. Really special little trip.
Even with the iphone the pics are amazing!! And YES, definitely more photography!! I’m just going to speak for all the people when I say that lol.
No I’m definitely adding it to my list and it’s good to know they are chill with the people of color!
Haha noted. Camera (not iPhone) on charge…
Really kind… still getting comfy, but I like it here.