You’re [maybe] invited.

”I saw some people having a barbecue at the local park on one of my walks. And you know what… I want to have one too. Where we invite a bunch of people who we like. And like, cook for them and talk about cool, interesting things. You know?”

This wholesome mini story [shared by Josh] struck a new way of thinking for me about an imaginary list of invitees to my life’s figurative BBQ. I suppose this is my brain sorting through the desire for community and connection with weird + nice people that I love to interact with (both IRL and on the internet), and packaging it up nicely in the palatable image of a warm Saturday in a park with the smells of Summer coming up from the grill, while I corral everyone I have some form of an internet crush on.

My ever-updated list + my own little note on admiration. But first, every list needs a key:

✅ IRL contact made [I consider this a phone call or text, but not Zoom) ⏳ IRL contact not-yet made

• ✅ Maya On The Internet // the contemporary identity culture artist 💫
• ⏳ Brie Wolfson // founder, writer, and website-creator crush
• ✅ Mike from Pickaxe // the AI and video startup wizard 🪄

[there are more, stay tuned]

• ✅ Priya // the executive coach ✨
• ⏳ Alan Cooper // the recipient of the Windows Pioneer Award + co-owner of Monkey Ranch
• ✅ Amanda Keidan // single mum entrepreneur 🏨
• ✅ Madison // the out-of-the-box therapist