Some things that made me smile in… November 2024
Including making Masala Chai, notes on creativity and history through a wider lens
If you’re a regular here, welcome back! If you’re new, this is my round up of some of the things that have made me smile over the past month. Please feel free to share in the comments anything that’s brought you joy too, whether big or small! Are you currently a free subscriber but would like to upgrade? You can do that here.
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How are you?
November has been quite a month, in what has been quite a year.
While I’m against toxic positivity, I refuse to sink into despair as that helps no-one.
Let’s continue to do what we can to help each other from where we are, with what we have and seek out joy wherever possible.
Seeing a video earlier this week of young people in Gaza breakdancing made me emotional and served as a reminder that not only can joy still exist in horrific times, it is essential to find it and claim it.
As I type this I seem to be fighting off some kind of bug - ‘tis the season. With this and a sharp drop in temperature here in London, I’m craving warmth and comfort. Feeling inspired by
’s Masala Chai recipe, I decided to give it a try and the result was delicious! Plus, with it being full of Ayurvedic winter immunity herbs, I think it’s no coincidence that I started to feel better afterwards!This is going to be one of my homemade staples from now on. Thanks Ranji!
Blitz
Earlier this month I was fortunate to attend a screening and Q&A with Steve McQueen of his latest film, Blitz.
Written and directed by McQueen and set in 1940 in London, the story of Blitz is centred around a working-class East End family. Nine-year-old George (newcomer, Elliot Heffernan) is angry about being evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita (Saoirse Ronan). Resolute that he won’t be sent away, George jumps off the train and we follow his tumultuous journey to get back to his mother and grandfather in London.
“This is a picture about L-O-V-E, love. And it's the only thing worth living for, the only thing worth dying for." Steve McQueen
No spoilers here, but in Blitz, I saw something I’m totally unused to when it comes to stories set during World War II London: a broader representation of the people, the time and the city. For instance, George is a Black-mixed heritage boy in the middle of this tale, working-class women feature prominently (Rita and her friends work in a munitions factory) and a Nigerian air raid warden plays a notable role.
One of the first things I thought is that a lot of people watching this aren’t going to believe this version of 1940s London, particularly with regard to the appearance of non-white characters – cue the backlash and cries of ‘woke’. Yet, Jewish people and Black people and Chinese people and Indian people and… I could go on, were here in the UK living their lives long before WWII.
I was proved right during the post-film Q&A when an audience member asked Steve McQueen about his casting choices, alluding to the idea that people like the characters shown would not have existed in London during this period.
In his answer, Steve McQueen detailed how extensive the research process for the film was having worked closely with the Imperial War Museum, touched on his own experience as a war photographer and that though his story was fictionalised, every one of those characters in Blitz was based on a real person who was in London at the time.
For example, George was inspired by this photo McQueen saw of a small Black boy on a train platform with a large suitcase, being evacuated. And in the case of the aforementioned air raid warden, Ife (played by Benjamin Clementine), he was based on Ita Ekpenyon who originally came to London from Nigeria in the 1920s. He was studying as a lawyer when war broke out in 1939 and served as an air raid warden in the Marylebone area in 1940 at the time of the Blitz.
McQueen also recounted a story from a screening of Blitz in America where a gentleman approached him afterwards to say, “Thank you for showing us.” This gentleman went on to explain that his father had run Chinese restaurant in Piccadilly during World War II.
Steve McQueen elaborates further and provides more insights into the film in this conversation with Akua Gyamfi. (You can see their discussion in full here.)
I was more affected by this film than I expected to be and I’m really glad I was able to see it and hear directly from the writer/director about the process of bringing it to the screen.
Blitz is currently showing at selected cinemas and available to stream on Apple TV+ now.
Bookbanks
Via a radio interview earlier this month I heard the following statistics:
Over 3 % of UK individuals (2.3 million people) are using food banks
More than 1 in 12 UK children do not have a single book of their own
What followed was a segment about a great initiative called Bookbanks.
Partnering with food banks, Bookbanks aims get books to people (of all ages) who would find it difficult to access them otherwise and in doing so, help turn food banks into spaces to spark inspiration and community.
Powered by volunteers, Bookbanks provide books that are free for guests to browse, borrow or keep via their pop-stalls. They also host writing workshops and author readings and are looking to expand their offerings and locations in 2025.
As someone who definitely found solace in books as a child and still finds comfort in them now, hearing about the work of Bookbanks struck a chord.
If this resonates with you too, you can find out more about Bookbanks and their current locations here.
And you can donate to Bookbanks here.
Learn to Swim
“…you’re never at your best when you are looking at someone else’s highlight reel.”
I’ve been enjoying this poem with some pearls of wisdom, snippets of recklessness and food for thought by Joshua Idehen.
I’m sharing this video of Joshua reciting Learn to Swim here in case you might like it too.
(You can find a full transcript of the poem underneath the video on YouTube):
Quincy Jones on Creativity
“You only live 26,000 days. I’m gonna wear ‘em all out.” - Quincy Jones
The powerhouse that was Quincy Delight Jones Jr. died on 3 November, aged 91.
Like so many of us, I grew up with the music, film and TV that Quincy Jones had a hand in creating - The Fresh Prince of Bel Air anyone?
And I know that as a kid I annoyed my brother by constantly listening to his Back on the Block album without his permission, but I was careful to never scratch the vinyl!
The scope and range of Quincy Jones’ work is so vast it’s almost incomprehensible that one person could do so much. I’m reminded of Maya Angelou’s quote:
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Man, Quincy Jones had creativity in abundance.
And I’m grateful for what he gifted to us.
I’m currently listening to the audiobook of 12 Notes On Life and Creativity by Quincy Jones. Part biography and part self-development, this is book is ideal if you’re seeking some wisdom and inspiration for your own creative endeavours, especially if you need a reminder (or few) of why your creativity matters.
Also, if you’ve not already seen it, I highly recommend the Quincy documentary if you have access to Netflix:
On a separate Netflix note, I’m very late to the party but currently really enjoying Supacell. Glad to hear that there will be a season 2.
Last but not least, this month’s kitchen dance track… it had to be - is a Quincy Jones classic with disco vibes from 1981
(As a kid I used to think this song was called “I Know Carina” Am I the only one…?)
Over to you – I’d love to know:
What are you currently reading / listening to / watching or been to recently that you’re loving?
What song titles or lyrics did you get wrong for years before realising you were mistaken?
An organisation you may wish to support here.
Let me know in the comments.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO PRACTICE YOGA WITH ME BEFORE THE END OF 2024:
In-Person:
Hatha Flow, Wednesdays 9.30-10.30am at Yoga Point, Brixton. Book here.
Wake-Up Hatha Flow, Thursdays 8.30-9.30am at MIND Yoga & Pilates, Forest Hill. Book here.
Rest + Restore 13 December 6.30-8.30pm at Embody Wellness, Vauxhall. Find full details and book here.
Covering Yin Yoga, Mondays 23 and 30 December at MIND Yoga & Pilates, Forest Hill.
Online:
Not able to join me in-person? There’s now more than 18 months worth of yoga and meditation practices from me here on Substack in The Reset and A Peaceful Pause.
Try my Restorative Unwind on-demand class available on the YogaEasy (formerly EkhartYoga) platform here.
Thank you Paula for sharing this. I was reminded of the things that made me smile as I read through. Like, ‘I know Corina’ that’s exactly what I thought! I even had the vinyl single and still sung ‘I know Corina!’
Thank you for the links too. I feel being inspired and having true representation is key to growth. Key to creativity.
I was also reminded of my own self-care, and how this can be easily neglected through lots of various life experiences, and challenges. It is a time of change, and I am taking it in my stride. With that stride I pause, journal , maybe a meditation and rest…( as your book has inspired me to do so) when the time is right for me.
Other things that made me smile- home made soup, finishing…well nearly finishing, my knitted cushion, just need to sew it together. And, spending time with my grandchildren, their laughter is contagious!
Love and light Paula, thanks again xx