April is a huge month for my family back in Kansas City. You might remember my brother-in-law Nathan founded the annual Middle of the Map Fest, which has expanded through the years to include film and business, in addition to music. Nathan continues to curate the Festival through his record company The Record Machine, and each year I'm so bummed to miss all the creative goodness. If you're within a half day's drive of KC, I cannot recommend MOTMFest enough. It's all the rage. Even heart patients love it.
Other favourites from this week:
British Airways! I'm loathe to fly with more than one connection, and despite the scary stressful rite of passage that is UK border control at Heathrow, British Airways was just the perfect, restful flight to get me back home from the States. Kind staff, really comfortable seats (the best economy has to offer), wide selection of film and television, and roomy bathrooms. I don't know how it happened that this was the cheapest flight I could find, but I'm supremely grateful (and rate it way better than my American Airlines flight). (ASIDE: I was not compensated at all for this opinion. I wish I had been, though! END OF ASIDE.)
A list of clothes companies for kiddos that defy gender stereotypes.
Djibouti Jones' take on the expat/immigrant identity conundrum. I've been mulling this over for a couple of months now and appreciate her nuanced take. I must admit: I like calling myself an expat. It makes me feel like an adult, an adventurer, and a part of a diverse community of families who have come to Ireland to work or serve. Maybe someday we will be immigrants to Ireland, but that's up to them, not us.
The new Sufjan - Carrie & Lowell - released this week, and new Josh Garrels on Noisetrade. You're welcome, world.
Anything strike your fancy this week?