Life Algorithm 101
A crash course on how to influence the algorithm of your life.
Earlier this month I got word that my grandma who lived in Manila passed away. She left the world peacefully, in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones, and she’d been alive for over 80 years. This life of hers was complete, and when I heard the news, I was filled with—save for of course grief and heartache—the discernment that the universe is always listening.
It’s not like this was the first time such epiphany arrived at my feet; after all, I am nothing if not a chronic writer-down of manifestations. Everything I’ve ever declared to be mine, has become mine. The universe loves me, as it does you. It reminds me of a poster series of mine from 2023:
You may be thinking, wait, so did you manifest your grandma passing away, then? The answer is no, obviously, because what sort of demented miscreant do you take me for to actually think that of me, you asshole?
I kid.
What message I mean to dispense in all of this is that at the beginning of this year, while I was writing down my 2024 visualizations and manifestations, one bullet point wrote: “Go to the Philippines.” It had been 11 years since I stepped foot last in my home country, and I wanted to come home, see extended family, eat good food, re-immerse myself in the culture, and hit up the coast and the mountains throughout. What a vision, one which a good friend obviously cosigned:
Only clearly the universe had other plans for me. Sure, it heard me and made my visualizations happen, but it’s also funny enough to be, like: “No, yeah, we’re making your manifestation list come true, but here’s the catch: it’ll be because you have to see your grandma off to the other side. Also, you’re cremating her the day of your birthday. Happy trails!”
If I didn’t it comedic just the same, I’d be furious about it.
So, dear reader, the upshot of it all is this: Visualizations are like a GPS for your life, guiding you toward the destinations that lie somewhere between what you intend for yourself, and what the universe has in store for you.
Manifestations take many different forms. You’ll manifest working with a certain brand for a certain project, and you’ll find yourself working with a direct competitor of theirs, or working with them in a different capacity or context.
As an independent designer, keeping this mind is one of the primary things that help keep me sane. Without knowing that the universe is always working in my favor and that it has my back no matter what, I’d perennially be caught in a vortex of decline, heading towards deterioration, subscribing to scarcity and lack. How wack.
So if you’re in a space right now where you’re questioning when your next commission is coming, or what you can do to level up your career, or how you can get closer to the life you can’t stop thinking about: it’s all coming your way.
When we visualize what’s to come, the universe takes note and starts dropping seeds and steps to lead you to your landing place. Your manifestations, I guess we could say, influence the algorithm of your life.
Like I said, the universe loves you. You just have to love it back.
🎰 JAMES JUNK JUKEBOX*
My Barn My Rules, MCRT feat. horsegiirL – I was on set for a shoot yesterday and someone played this song, and it effectively turned my otherwise jetlag-riddled day around. Very Budots-coded, if you get it. It also feels very 212 by Azealia Banks.
I Think We’re Alone Now, Tiffany – A certified bop! Let’s bring this back to the clubs. I think we need about 1000 dubstep remixes of this song. Wow.
Ceci n’est pas un cliché, Charlotte Adigéry feat. Bolis Pupul – I’m giving you top-notch shit here. Please press play on this one and witness your life change for the better.
More Women, Saâda Bonaire – I agree.
Diet Pepsi, Addison Rae – Am I supposed to explain this one?
*Now you can listen with ease! I’ve compiled these into a mixtape on Spotify. I’ll add as we go. 🔗 Here.
🧾 A RECENT NOTE ON MY NOTES APP WITH NO CONTEXT
high (hi) summer, bi (bye) summer
Dated August 27, 2024 at 12:58
👔 LIFE UPDATE IN 300 WORDS OR LESS
As delineated above, my month veered off course. Nevertheless, I had a sweet, sweet month full of life and love and unexpectedly good times. Here are some of them:
Doing Mist Trail at Yosemite and having a post-hike swim and beer on top of the waterfalls
This incredibly Filipino breakfast I went to town on the morning of my flight back to LA
This view of the Taal Volcano in Tagaytay, where we stayed for a few nights
Finally hitting up Fondry in Eagle Rock and it slapping absolute dick
The shoot for a fragrance brand I was lucky be a part of and reignited my zest for design and creativity amidst an otherwise vibe-scarce month
And many more! But I don’t wanna barrage you with photos on top of photos. How did your August go? Let me know.
See you in September.
🫗 CHAOS FUEL
🧹 Fonts
Necto Mono ⛓️💥 by Marco Condello
Amakan ⛓️💥 by Jad Maza
Le Bougre ⛓️💥 by Maxence Cheval
🛝 Internet Things
Tools – This is a cool (and free!) image processor that uses lo-fi effects like stipping, dotting, edging, distortion, displacements, everything.
Tally – A form builder that looks and function like Notion.
70's Synthpop Vinyl Studio Session at La Mala Noche – Something to listen to, dance to, study to, cook to, sleep to, kiss to, everything to.
🌐 IN YOUR ORBIT
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