In Saving the World’s Women, New York Times writers Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn report on extreme acts of violence and repression against women and girls in developing countries such a Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. One such story told of young girls attacked with acid in an attempt to prevent them from attending school. Both horrifying and illuminating, the piece is rare in that it includes a sidebar of very do-able actions that an ordinary individual can take from giving to a micro-finance organization to sponsoring a girl.
An audio slideshow narrated by Kristof gives an excellent overview of the piece, as well as heartening stories of women who found their way out of their powerlessness with the help of various aid programs and organizations. It also tells of creative initiatives taken by ordinary individuals that grew into powerful vehicles for change.
For an extensive listing of organizations supporting women in developing countries, click here.
Westerby Gard is an inn and restaurant on a beautiful centuries-old estate near Inkoo, 45 minutes southwest from Helsinki. Its traditional, rustic style reflects the Swedish influence on Finland. I was taken with their glossy painted tables, cleverly configured to make a huge dining table, or rectangular tables of any length – no tablecloth necessary. It’s an expensive-looking way to transform cheap wooden tables and chairs like these (from Ikea, Crate and Barrel, or an unpainted furniture store… ) read more…
If there was ever a tea for an improvised life, it is verbena. Although it suits many purposes and moods, it is especially good for emergencies, when the shit is hitting the fan. When a friend calls in anguish or needing support from some trauma, I make verbena tea, or throw some dried verbena in a plastic bag to take with me and make tea on site; it’s famously calming.
It’s also great for less dramatic occasions, to serve after a dinner party, say, when you need something delicious and surprising for folks who don’t drink coffee. When you’re desperate for a house gift to take to someone you’re visiting, package up some dried verbena in a cello-bag or a canning jar, and get points for bringing something charming and real. Verbena is a useful flavoring in the kitchen, and be steeped into custard sauces, used to flavor jello and dessert syrups, or used sparingly to scent fish en papillote.
Drying fresh verbena could not be easier and is much cheaper than buying it from a good tea store like Takashimaya. The next couple of weeks is the time to do it read more…
Patchwork was created as a way to make use of scraps of fabric by frugal people who couldn’t afford to waste anything. Though it’s an age-old technique, there’s no rule that it has to look that way. This patchwork tablecloth, a for-sale prop at Rogue’s Gallery in Portland, Maine, is made from stitched-together heavyweight vintage linen grain sacks. It’s totally do-able, and a great example of how “moderne” patchwork can look, simply by choosing the right colors or pattern. read more…
Before Reg E. Cathey left Manhattan for London’s West End where he will star in the Shawshank Redemption, he wrote this goodbye love song to Manhattan. It reveals a completely-other view of Manna Hatta (the Indian name) and promises to change the way you view the city. Click here to listen to Reggie read it aloud as you read along or just look at the pictures (like some kind of grown-up bedtime story). (The audio will open as a separate page; make the page smaller so it can sit along side the post.) read more…
Reg E. Cathey is a wonderful actor who has been in The Wire, and a million tv shows and films. He recently played Red in the Shawshank Redemption in Dublin, and is on his way to London’s West End to star in it there. He’s been reading ‘theimprovisedlife’ since its launch in early July and taken its message to heart, responding in comments he’s posted. In telling little stories of his own improvisations, he manages to find the perfect words to describe what improvising is all about. (I’ve quoted two below.)
Apparently, Reggie hadn’t written much before the improvisational spirit moved him him to: a perfect example of its power. This post is an introduction to the post that follows: a gorgeous piece of writing and spoken word from Reggie. read more…
On BoingBoing recently, Mark Frauenfelder wrote a terrific overview of Cheap:The High Cost of Discount Culture by Ellen Ruppel, who asks “What are we really buying when we insist on getting stuff as cheaply as possible?” The answers are a revelation and worth reading; they range from low-quality food supply and deserted town centers to low wages and the loss of craftsmanship.”Ruppels book offers suggestions for how to get ourselves off “the cheapness drug”, but the real fatso nugget of useful info in Frauenfelder’s post, are the questions he asks himself before buying anything, as he tries to practice her recommendations. read more…
Chalkboard paint is one of the best inventions to come down the line in some time, due in large part to it’s improvisation-inspiring nature. There seems to be no end in sight to the uses people are devising for it. A current favorite: this ’70′s Volkswagon painted with chalkboard paint that I stumbled on on Flickr. read more…
This quote by Tapio Wirkkala is high on a wall in the Design Museum in Helsinki. (Wirkkala was one of Finland’s most esteemed and prolific designers; perhaps his most recognized design is the Finlandia Vodka bottle that looks like ice.) In two sentences, he captures the central operating principles of creating just about anything: the “chance” and diversion from the original intention that are often involved… that materials themselves inspire, motivate and guide, what Anni Albers called ”the dictation of the materials” (“listening to that which wants to be done”). read more…
On the Finnair flight home from Finland, I glanced out the window to discover this incredible vision: a vast expanse of snow and glacier falling into the sea. The route home took us across the Arctic Circle and the coast of Greenland. That gives you an idea of how far North the amazing city of Helsinki is; it seems to defy its latitude with its temperate summer and Cosmopolitan ways. It IS a tiny metropolis, as they say, walkable everywhere, rich with beautiful design (down to the slightest detail) and wondrous foods. I am filled up with ideas and will soon blog the island summer houses, and crazy wild mushrooms and berries, and fierce artists, and a fashion photographer who turned into a farmer….
In any creative endeavor, downtime is essential; breaking the routine, wandering, dreaming are a different kind of fuel than DOING. So I’m gonna follow my own advice and take some time off to recharge: no posting on the blog, or any other official writing, for a week. I’m going to Finland, to look for Alvar Aalto, Dora Jung, wild mushrooms, cloud berries, and treasures yet to be discovered.
Meanwhile, I hope you’ll browse ‘theimprovisedlife’s archive for daily inspiration…
This summer, the field tomatoes that are the season’s perfect pleasure will be rare and expensive, due to the terrible blight that is causing enormous losses on farms across the Northeast.My advice, for the tomatoes you are lucky enough to find, is that they are best savored with little adornment – just enough to maximize the experience of ripe summer tomato. The gist: Every tomato needs a little bit of salt to make its flavor vivid. If you like, drizzle over excellent extra-virgin olive oil…maybe a drop or two of Sherry or balsamic vinegar…and/or a few torn basil leaves.
The best manifestation of this formula is the tomato salad recipe of Lucia Lo Presti, wine writer Anthony Giglio’s Sicilian mama-on-law. Its lushness that will make you feel intoxicated. read more…
GOOD is at once magazine, website, blog, video series, community, and events devoted to exploring what good is and what it can be. A collaboration of individuals, business and non-profits, they invite everyone to become of a member of the GOOD community: “Please join us in defining what comes next.” (The subscription price for their magazine is whatever you choose to pay, which Good will donate to the non-profit of your choice. That is putting your money where your mouth is!))
Their latest project (in league with Babelgum) is asking artists, inventors, and thinkers one simple question: If there werent any pesky practical limitations, what world-changing device would you invent?read more…
