Popping in just to say hello.
A little check in to release some pressure.
What’s up everybody. It’s been quite a few months since I have had the headspace to write something that’s not commercially driven. Lots has changed since I bid my farewell to the land of digital literature and I have grown quite bitter toward the “newsletter” world too.
I have been feeling very detached and disengaged by the plethora of personal essays that have been making rounds on this platform — so much so that, at times, I find IG more pleasurable. Yes, I said it. That other social media platform is lower lift, has been here long enough for me to be able to read who’s worth following and who isn’t and because of that, I have no expectations for the “influencers” that clog that ether space.
How many self-help adjacent blog posts do we actually need?
I don’t really feel like many new-age writers (and yes, I include myself in this pack) are hitting the nail when it comes to sharing relatable moments; a vast majority of these articles belong to a private journal, not the internet.
Each time I open the app, if it’s not to catch up on the few accounts I stayed subscribed to, I am immediately prompted to roll my eyes. There goes another “writer” talking about what they “consumed” this week, and other live love laugh crap. Give me a break. I understand we are all chasing a dollar, but isn’t this place supposed to be a niche corner of the internet where good writing is promoted, rather than how popular the writer is?
Some of the features implemented really destroyed what I thought could become a literary haven, where I could find inspiring content and words. It seems like it’s the opposite. Anyways. On this warm Spring day, I felt the need to release some steam by sharing a few of the things that have been keeping me roped in and that I am very proud of.
Does this last paragraph go against everything I said above? Maybe, ha!
First thing first — if you know my work in football and enjoy my interviews, you must subscribe to
. A very important space where I am trying to highlight as many creatives as I can. Each month (hopefully I soon find the time to pick up the pace) I release a new profile.> Submit yourself and you can too become part of this ever-growing pool of talent. Many people found jobs because of this resource!
https://www.riservelist.com/submission
Ps. looking to launch a more dynamic, easy-to-navigate, version of this platform soon! If any UX designers wanna help, I’ll gladly take it!
Secondly — Many of you have probably seen my baby systemarosa slowly blossom into a fully-fledged company at the intersection of football and fashion. It started as a way to curb my hate for everything that was coming out in the space, but we may have just cracked the code. Given that this is my first personal endeavor in collaboration with someone who was a stranger just a few years ago, and now is an integral part of my life and vision, I think we may have flown too close to the sun but we had the right equipment so now we are floating happily in the sky!
Three months since our launch, we have already landed on the T Mag! Not that that was my ultimate goal, but hey, some mainstream validation does no harm!
Our webstore is immaculate! We curate everything from A to Z — in fact, we landed a partnership with the Serie A in North America and we are cooking some fun activations. Let’s make football great again!
In Philly? Come check us out this weekend :)
Last but not least — Juggling more than one (personal) business at a time is not for the faint-hearted. I learned this the hard way when I ambitiously thought I could both work on the above and launch Nonsense Projects editorial leg and full site at the same time. I have been beating myself up about falling short here, but I am trying to stay positive as it’s a bunch of first times for me. First-time business owner, first-time “magazine”, first-time creative studio, first time creative team in a creative industry’s drought.
If you need art direction, a new website or “tone of voice” for your company/brand, hit us up! We are quite busy but we may be able to squeeze you in. We made this and a bunch of other (lovely) things!
This bakery on Arthur Ave in The Bronx has bread that truly reminds me of home. Highly recommend taking a nice little field trip to purchase some delicious warm baked goods. On the other hand, avoid Trattoria Tra Noi e Voi like the plague. Expensive and Che schifo!
The ending 😭😂!