What do you think?

Change is in the air

Who would have thought we would find ourselves being a part of a New Here, in a world at a major crossroad… This Sunday I’d like to draw your attention to several videos, celebrations and just cool stuff being produced out there. But first, I would love to hear from you.

I wish to pick a theme and focus on writing about it in depth here over this fall, winter and spring of 2024. Of course, in between there will be updates on my films, travel and books.

What should I focus on in my newsletter after the summer?

• Fellow Substack writer from Romania

  byMiha
  and I have been toying with the idea of co-writing some essays on parenting. I would focus on writing about being a step-dad. My idea is to open the series with year 4 when my step-daughter started living with me 90% of the time. From the on, I’d follow our relationship through the years (she is 17 now). I’d tell stories and explore the Aha moments, mistakes I made, shared joy and hardship, and whatever else my heart and pen dream up. I’m thinking of calling the series: Step Up Dad

• Another idea I have is to write about my journey doing what I love. It would open with coming to America in 1995 and investigate my life for every year thereafter. This one would be called: How I got to do what I love

  What do you think? Which topic would you like to read? Reply to this email or

KUKERI

Kukeri is a traditional Bulgarian custom as old as our land. My friend David, an American who fell in love with Bulgarian music in the 70s and plays the kaval, sent the video bellow. I rally connected to how the story was told visually. However, before you watch it, keep in mind that traditionally only men perform in the ritual. I’m not sure why a woman was included in the reportage. Perhaps to be inclusive. I’m all for equality - we have as many rituals in Bulgaria that are only for women. To include a man in them would be unthinkable. I’m not an expert, but as one digs deeper in these initiations (that’s what many of them are), one realizes that male and female are naturally balanced and this harmony is reflected, or rather, communicated in ritual.

AND THE BOOKER PRIZE GOES TO…

For the first time ever, one of the most prestigious literary prizes goes to a Bulgarian author and his translator. I cried twice watching this video. Once for literature, once for fellow Bulgarian, Georgi Gospodinov and his translator Angela Rodel!

If you wish to skip ahead, go to minute 14 for his acceptance speech!

THIS BLEW ME AWAY

Did you see the Social Dilemma? The filmmakers of this amazing doc, now advise governments and corporations on AI. One of them uses AI to communicate with dolphins and animals.

I purposefully avoid all the AI craze. I’m so happy that the first comprehensive video on the matter I watched was theirs. If you have time to watch only one video today, make it this one! You will not regret a single moment of their presentation which is actually a serious WARNING.

Who would have thought we would find ourselves being a part of a New Here, in a world at a major crossroad… I told my wife after watching this:

This changes everything and changes nothing!

Why I write on Substack?

“Our mission of building a new economic engine for culture is a long-term project. In the Substack ecosystem, writers can focus on what they do best: producing great writing that earns readers’ respect and support.” - Substack

I love what this relatively new platform is about and have found some incredible writers and thinkers here. I will share about them later on. The folks at Substack make it easy and cool to stay in touch with you the old school way - unencumbered by “likes” and “popularity” metrics that come with social media posts. You decide when to open that one email from me and catch-up on my journey.

Toward a better media system

As always thank you for reading. Please, do take a moment to let me know what topic you would like me to take on!

• Step Up Dad or

• How I got to do what I love