May: Leisure Digest
"Activity that is appreciated for its own sake... nothing is gained from it except the act of contemplation" - Aristotle quote from Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism
Loaf Made is a slow-moving, high-quality chronicle by a photographer who takes travel, film, books, print, leisure, and craft seriously — or at least seriously enough to write about them. It’s for people who still buy books, see films in theaters, and believe well-made objects matter.
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May Leisure Digest
Leisure: freedom provided by the cessation of activities — time free from work or duties.
Digest: a summation or condensation of a body of information; a periodical devoted to condensed versions of previously published material.
My goal with this post at the end of each month is to give you something to reach for the following one. When you’re thinking about a new book, picking a film, or you find yourself doom-scrolling and want something better to do with the next twenty minutes — this is your bookmark. Everything here I’ve finished, gone back to, or know is genuinely worth your time.
I consider myself pretty good at loafing. But my loafing tends to be dedicated to things with at least a little substance behind them.
Books
Digital Minimalism — Cal Newport
I read this around this time last year. Most of us can agree we spend too much time on screens — I definitely do. Newport breaks down the why behind that pull and offers practical advice for using your devices in a healthier way. He also touches upon craft, and ideas behind that which I touch upon in:
“We might tell ourselves there’s no greater reward after a hard day at the office than to have an evening entirely devoid of plans or commitments. But we then find ourselves, several hours of idle watching and screen tapping later, somehow more fatigued than when we began.” — Cal Newport, p. 176
Our idle leisure time should be used for things that actually engage the brain. Scrolling Instagram or TikTok doesn’t do that for us. (I’m currently in a stranglehold with Grey’s Anatomy every night, but at this point I’m fairly confident I’ve earned at least an honorary medical degree, so I’m counting it towards good leisure time.)
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running — Haruki Murakami
Legitimately one of my favorite books. Murakami is best known for his fiction — I’ve only read one, Colorless, which is quite good, but this memoir is something else entirely. He traces most of his life through the lens of running, and it becomes a fascinating window into the mind of one of the great writers of our time.
I’m not a runner. I try, but I’ve really only got a 5k in me. This book isn’t just for runners, though I’m sure it hits differently if you are one. It’s also a quick read — I finished it in a week.
“As I run I tell myself to think of a river. And clouds. But essentially I’m not thinking of a thing. All I do is keep on running in my own cozy, homemade void, my own nostalgic silence. And this is a pretty wonderful thing. No matter what anybody else says.” — Haruki Murakami, p. 23
Articles
In the watch world, a world I still spend too much time in, something big happened: Swatch launched a collaboration with Audemars Piguet, and it caused quite a frenzy. I don’t really care about that.
But in the wake of all the hype, I found an incredible short film about AP. It’s beautifully shot and edited, with some clever animations that make it worth your time. I wish more advertising had this much care put into it.
Movies
A modern classic, an overlooked sci-fi spectacle, and the best thing Sean Penn has ever done.
Casino Royale
Daniel Craig’s introduction as Bond. Gritty, cool, and if you somehow haven’t seen it — what are you waiting for?
Star Trek (2009)
This relaunch is genuinely one of the best sci-fi films of the past 25 years. Fun, paced well, and Chris Pine absolutely kills it as Kirk. I rewatched it toward the end of last year and was honestly surprised by how well it holds up.
Into the Wild
Sean Penn is a strange man. But he is talented, and I think his direction on this film, based on Jon Krakauer’s novel, is the best work of his career. I’ve watched it countless times. It’s beautiful, sad, and adventurous in equal measure. Eddie Vedder’s original soundtrack lives on my playlist permanently. If you haven’t seen it, give it your time.
TV
Psych
Probably my favorite show ever. I’ve watched all eight seasons twice. It’s fun, clever, and genuinely heartfelt. If you’re looking for something to just throw on and have a good time with, this is an easy recommend.
Object
My wife gave me this for my birthday and it’s pretty cool. I’m not particularly handy, but I’ve always believed every adult should eventually own a red toolbox. This one, made in Japan, just happens to be the best-looking red toolbox ever made. A well-designed object that houses other useful objects shouldn’t be an eyesore — it should be beautiful. This thing is awesome.
