Welcome to Walker Weekly, a regularly scheduled newsletter where I share things that I find interesting, useful, inspiring, or thought-provoking. If you have anything of your own that falls into these categories, please let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for new inspiration.
Book I’m reading:
The Razor’s Edge by W. Somerset Maugham. A few years ago, my friend’s dad passed away tragically, well before his time. He was a big reader and had a massive library in his house: octagonally shaped with huge wooden shelves, a rolling ladder, thousands of books, and big plush leather chairs for pondering – the real deal. I always made a point to poke around in it while I was visiting, and I even went so far as to ask him, a few months prior to his death, what some of his favorite and/or most frequently gifted books were. One of them was The Moon and Sixpence, by Maugham, which despite not fully understanding it, I promptly devoured. Without that experience I probably never would have picked up The Razor’s Edge, but after reading the description on Wikipedia and noting the author, I was hooked:
It tells the story of Larry Darrell, an American pilot traumatized by his experiences in World War I, who sets off in search of some transcendent meaning in his life. The story begins through the eyes of Larry’s friends and acquaintances as they witness his personality change after the war. His rejection of conventional life and search for meaningful experience allows him to thrive while the more materialistic characters suffer reversals of fortune.
Larry is driven by a desire to understand the deeper meaning of life, which he believes cannot be found in conventional success, material wealth, or societal norms. Instead, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual exploration, seeking a profound and absolute understanding of existence and his place in the world. The search for the absolute.
Toiletry bag I’m stoked about
(I never thought I would utter those words in that order.)
Tooletries Koby Lite Dopp Kit. My wonderful girlfriend got this bag for me after she got tired of seeing me use a raggedy old Ziplock bag. Yes, I used the same plastic Ziplock bag for like 2 years (idk, it worked fine). I’m fancy now though. This bag is the perfect size, sleek, and durable, and will accompany me on many adventures henceforth. Thank you!
Destination I’m researching as potentially underrated
Northwest Arkansas (NWA). With tons of lakes, rivers, hiking and biking, NWA seems like a solid recreating spot for someone who enjoys the outdoors. And when you’re not out exploring, there’s a world-class art museum, fine dining, and all the other necessities of modern living. It’s slightly cooler than Texas, and a bit less humid to boot.
I love Austin, but as time goes on it seems a less and less attractive place to buy a house, what with the exorbitant costs and rising heat, so I’m exploring other areas. Also on the list to explore are any hidden gems within Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. What other underrated towns or territories are there?
That’s all for this week, thanks a lot for reading.
Stay curious,
Walker
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