I have no deep thoughts to start off this post, so let’s get into it!
Quote of the week:
“I think of the trees and how simply they let go, let fall the riches of a season, how without grief (it seems) they can let go and go deep into their roots for renewal and sleep… Imitate the trees. Learn to lose in order to recover, and remember that nothing stays the same for long, not even pain, psychic pain. Sit it out. Let it all pass. Let it go.” –May Sarton
What I’m reading:
This week, I read Emotional Labor: The Invisible Work Shaping Our Lives and How to Claim Our Power by Rose Hackman. It is EXCELLENT. It puts words to what so many of us women feel as we perform emotional labor, both at home and in the world at large. It comes out in March. Everyone should buy it.
Last night, I started The Foulest Things by my friend, Amy Tector. It comes out on Tuesday, so get it!
What I’m listening to:
I just finished Verity by Colleen Hoover on my run this morning. I got it as a free Audible download and went into it with zero expectations. I was pleasantly surprised to be enthralled. It’s not like her other books. It’s quite dark. But I found myself not wanting to stop listening. Next up: This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub.
What I’m watching:
I finished Sins of Our Mother on Netflix last night. It was deeply disturbing. I do not know why I watch this stuff. Must return to comedy specials.
Writing news:
Currently working on a synopsis for my new novel. I HATE writing synopses. I am terrible at them. If there is a professional synopsis writer, I need this person in my life.
What I’m talking about:
- The death of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old in Iran who was apprehended because she was allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly. She died in the custody of the morality police. I’m a bit surprised this isn’t getting more attention from people (especially feminists) in this country. More of us need to stand with the women of Iran, many of whom are protesting right now and risking their own lives
- Adnan Syed going free. Like many people, I was drawn into Adnan’s story via the Serial podcast some years ago. Prosecutors recommended vacating his conviction, saying they no longer had confidence in the integrity of it. There has been talk of alternate suspects who were never fully investigated…and, as the podcast explored, there were many holes in the prosecution’s original case. It’s sad that he spent more than 20 years behind bars, but what joy he must feel to be free
- NY’s Attorney General filing a sweeping lawsuit against the Trumps for “staggering” fraud. And, of course, the Mar-a-Lago drama continues to unfold. They’re closing in on him, and I’m here for it
Interesting things I learned this week:
- Giraffes eat for up to 18 hours per day (see first photo below for why I have so many animal facts this week)
- Baby giraffes are born six feet tall so they can reach their mothers to nurse
- The fastest animal on Earth is a peregrine falcon, which can dive at a speed over 200 mph
- If humans had the same eye-to-head proportions as owls, our eyes would be the size of grapefruits
- A female elephant seal swims up to 9,000 miles a year
- Zucchinis are fruit, not vegetables
- The Statue of Liberty was sent from France to the US in 214 crates
- 4 out of 5 pregnancy-related deaths in the US are preventable, according to the CDC
- A 2018 study found that a third of men spend SEVEN HOURS a year on the toilet “enjoying respite” and “avoiding stress”
- Finland now offers parental leave of 160 days to each parent
- In a 4-day work week pilot program in the UK, companies saw no loss in productivity, and in some cases saw significant improvement
- Fentanyl is responsible for nearly 70% of overdose deaths (this drug is seriously so scary)
- Kanye West said he’s never read a book
Weirdest thing I googled this week:
What is the longest-living dog? My dog is approaching 13 and seems happy and lively. I was curious what the record is for the longest-living dog… Well, my dog has a ways to go as Bluey the dog lived 29 years.
What I’m grateful for:
- Finally feeling my normal amount of energy. When people say it takes “a couple months” post-Covid to feel normal, that’s not an exaggeration (at least in my experience)
- Beautiful weather here in southern California. Less humidity, cooler mornings and nights–I love this time of year
- Taylor Tomlinson and her amazing standup. My sister and I went to her show at the Irvine Improv last weekend and it put me in a good mood all week
- The “Roar and Snore” at the San Diego Safari Park. They let you spend the night in the park with the animals. So much fun–for adults and kids alike!
A few snapshots:
