Letter to My Sons #38

Dear Đạo,

Thank you for writing me a letter explaining your reasons for getting another phone to replace your broken one. I wanted you to write them down so that you will remember your own words so I won’t have to repeat myself over and over again.

The most challenging part of being a parent is worrying too much about your kids. On many occasions, my words had fallen on deaf ears. Many times, I just wanted to leave you to your own devices and not say a word. Can I still love you, but I don’t have to care? It is impossible for me to do. I have to care for you if I love you.

As an inexperienced parent, I had made too many mistakes. I thought being involved with your kids was all that I needed to do. I was so wrong. You have your own interests and they don’t align with mine. That should be fine. I have learned to accept it.

As a parent, my goal is for you to be proud of yourself, not for me to be proud of you. I am not pushing you to go the extra mile for your education. I just want you to complete your assignments and keep up your grades. In your letter, you indicate that you understand why I stress that school is your first priority.

Trust me, studying and earning good grades will pay off later in life. You only have three more years of high school left. Time will fly by and you will need to be prepared. You learn how to learn now so that later you will have a much easier time in college and your life.

You are a good reader and an excellent writer. These two essential skills will get you through anything in life. The only reason you were falling behind was that you didn’t put in the effort. You let your phone and your computer distract you. Again, the rules will apply if you don’t keep up your school work. So enjoy your new phone, but don’t forget your priorities.

Love,
Dad

Letter from Đạo

Dear Dad,

You requested that I write this letter, explanations for the use of a phone. This letter is also to explain the consequences if my grades slip. Here we go.

Use 1: Navigation. Phones with a GPS can be useful, to help me navigate around when we travel, an easily accessible map, compass, and other useful navigation tools, including letting you send me exact, pinpoint directions to you or places where you want me to go. I also need a device to call if I get into trouble and I need emergency services

Use 2: Communication. Assuming I have a sim card, and I have cell service, I can call and text you and mom. This can be useful when you want to find me, tell me something useful, or just need me to grab you something from downstairs. A phone will also let me talk to my friends, both through text and call. By being able to talk to my friends, we can make plans to hang out, bring stuff to events, help each other with homework, and keep up to date with things going on.

Use 3: Entertainment. Not really a “useful” thing, but a phone can keep me entertained, whether it be watching videos to playing games. I won’t do these most of the time, as they take a hit on battery and cellular data. I also like to use my phone as an audio player to listen to music.

Use 4: Writing. This has its own category, because you know I did this on my old phone a lot. Writing in the car is the main reason I have written over 200 pages of a story. The writing is also how I cure boredom in the car during long drives to Vermont.

Use 5: Memories. I don’t want to go somewhere I might never go again and not have something to say for it. A phone will let me take great photos and will allow me to store them for a few years, and to enjoy them later down the line.

I understand the consequences of bad grades, both in the present and in the future. In the present, grades mean you will ground me, take my laptop, and my phone. In the future, poor grades can limit my chances to get into a good college, a good job, and progressing in life. I understand that as my dad, you are concerned for my future, and want to make sure I turn out right.

Your Son,
Dao

Some Small Design Updates

Stephen Nixon just released a new version of Lang Gothic and it supports Vietnamese. As a result, I switched from Name Sans to Lang Gothic on this blog. I like the combination of Lang and Lang Gothic.

Yesterday I made some updates to Pro Web Type. I made some further changes by replacing Forma DJR. Chiaroscuro with Bild, both by David Jonathan Ross. Bild has a width variable axis that allows me to lock in the title of the book.

Kacey Musgraves: Deeper Well

I didn’t know who Kacey Musgraves was. Her latest album popped up under Spotify’s new releases so I just gave it a spin. The opening track, “Cardinal,” pulled me in with the groovy country-rock beat. Her soothing voice invited me in, but her lyrics made me stay.

With the guitar-picking country vibe on the title track, “Deeper Well,” she shared, “Took a long time, but I learned / There’s two kinds of people, one is a giver / And one’s always tryin’ to take / All they can take.” I knew exactly what she was talking about. I couldn’t stand the fucking takers either.

Over a hypnotic pop-country flavor, she gave the “Lonely Millionaire” some advice: “You can wear the gold watch on your wrist / But it won’t give you back the moments you miss.” Back to the minimal picking guitar, she sang about where “Heaven Is”: “Nobody knows where we go when we die / Maybe we’ll ride white horses in thе sky.”

This album is a beautiful work of understatement. I enjoyed the lyrical journey from start to finish.

Scout Camping Checklist

Spring is here and camping season has begun. Here’s my camping checklist:

Sleep gears

  • Tent
  • Tarps (top & bottom)
  • Sleeping bags
  • Sleeping pads
  • Pillows

Equipments

  • Broom
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Fan (air dry)
  • Power strips
  • Extension cords
  • Hammer
  • Flashlights

Clothing

  • Uniforms (A & B)
  • Clothes
  • Jackets
  • Rain jackets
  • Hats
  • Shoes

Personal Hygiene

  • Towels
  • Shampoo & soap
  • Flip flop for shower
  • Toothbrushes
  • Floss
  • Toothpaste

Essentials

  • Mesh kits
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Utensils
  • Medication

Miscellaneous

  • Chairs
  • Bug spray
  • Sunglasses

Pro Web Type

I was just making some edits to my web book and ended up changing the title from Professional Web Typography to Pro Web Type. The main reason was that Professional Web Typography was so hard to set on the homepage. The way the three words broke, which had a huge gap in the middle, bugged me. I couldn’t set the cover as big as I could. Pro Web Type is shorter and matched the web address of the book; therefore, I just went for it. Obviously I had to make some visual changes as well to make it look good.

Dan Brown: Practical Design Discovery

Discovery plays an important role in making design decision. It helps designers learn about the problem they need to address. In his book, Practical Design Discovery, Dan Brown examines discovery as a mindset, not a process. It is about the right attitude, not a set of instructions. It’s an intriguing read.

Letter to My Sons #37

Dear Xuân,

Of course your mom and I would like to hear about your day. Tennis is a fun sport. I am glad you are learning it in PE so you can teach me how to play. I would love to see your patterns for Alebrijes. I can’t wait to read your realistic fiction story. It sounded like you had a fun, productive week.

Over the weekend, I had a wonderful time accommodating you on your Cub Scout’s camping trip. Even though you had a busy schedule, I enjoyed the time you and I spent together. I had a great pleasure observing you playing, learning, and interacting with your Cub Scout buddies. It also gave me an opportunity to connect with your buddies’ parents.

My goal for you to join scouting is for you to explore new territories, learn leadership skills, and connect with others. You are on the right path. I hope that you will continue to be open-minded, stay curious, and become independent.

Thanks for keeping me company at the skatepark. Thanks for reading with me on a regular basis. Thank you for your willingness to get tutored to improve your reading and writing. I can’t wait to read your letter next week.

Love,
Dad

New Typographic Sample: Lời nhắn (Messages)

In her book titled Mỗi ngày gửi cậu một cái ôm (Each Day I Send You a Hug), Là Trang shares 108 positive, thoughtful messages to the youths to help them navigate through life. Even as an adult, I find her words compelling; therefore, I quoted a few lines and added my own English translation. I created this sample page to share her positive thoughts. For typesetting, I selected Montagu Slab, designed by Florian Karsten.

Gum.mp3: Black Life, Red Planet

Gum.mp3’s spacious, electronic style reminds me of The Chemical Brothers. “Spacey” is atmospheric, upbeat, yet calm. My personal favorite track on the album has to be “Deimos,” which showcases Gum.mp3’s skillful blend of Spanish guitar with hypnotic rhythms. Listening to the album brings me to the early days of Flash intros, which combined motion graphics with electronic beats. I also find the music soothing for walking or driving.

Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Movies

I know R. Kelly, but who the fuck is G. Kelly? From a quick research, Grace Kelly is a saxophonist, composer, songwriter, band leader, and a singer. I came across her latest album, in which she covers tunes from movies and an orchestra backing her up. The album kicks off with the “James Bond Medley” with Kelly’s soaring saxophone. Halfway through, she started to sing. She has a decent voice, but she should have kept the medley strictly instrumental. She introduces “The Way You Look Tonight” with the Charlie Parker flow. It’s a mesmerizing swing cover with the strings behind her. Her collaboration with Sean Jones on “Soul Bossa Nova” reminds me of Bird and Diz. Damn, Mr. Jones got the bebop chops and Ms. Kelly got the swag. Love the call-and-response interactive. Not a perfect album, but very close. Love her, and she’s Korean-American.

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