Well, I succumbed to the stomach virus of last week, but am now healthy again—as I tell my daughter, “the body is amazing!” It’s been a heavy week with so much violence in the news. I am constantly wrestling with how much to shield myself from headlines. It feels like avoiding reality, and maybe it is, and maybe that’s okay sometimes. May we all find some light and levity in the midst of it all. On to the roundup…
Quote of the week:
“I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” –James Baldwin
What I’m reading:
I’m halfway through Idaho by Emily Ruskovich, which has been on my list for a looong time. It’s beautifully written but very heavy. Not sure it’s the right book for my mindset right now, but it’s an objectively great book.
What I’m listening to:
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka. It’s a unique little book and I’m enjoying it so far.
What I’m watching:
I finally finished Fleishman Is In Trouble on Hulu. There were a couple really slow episodes in the series, but the last couple episodes made up for those. It gave me a lot to think about. If you’ve seen it, let’s talk. I also watched Emily the Criminal on Netflix, which was okay. Last night, I was in desperate need of something lighter and Chelsea Handler’s comedy special, Revolution, did the trick.
Writing news:
Nothing to report. I’ve been busy with copywriting work, and I’m getting ready to move, which has been taking up a lot of mental space. It’s very hard for me to be creative in the midst of hectic life stuff.
What I’m talking about:
Mass shootings. When will enough be enough? I feel like a broken record talking about this issue. The Monterey Park shooting hit literally close to home. Then another in Half Moon Bay. The statistics coming out are just horrendous. There have been more mass shootings in 2023 than days. Every day, more than 300 people in the US are shot. This is ABSURD. No other country is like this. Legislation is needed NOW. When Bill Clinton banned assault weapons in 1994, mass shootings dropped by 43%. When George W. Bush and the GOP let the ban expire in 2004, mass shootings went up 245%.
There is a lot of talk about how mental health issues are the heart of the matter. I don’t discount this. Mental health issues are HUGE right now. The pandemic has taken a massive toll. People are angry (and anger disguises pain and hurt). But the problem is that weapons are available. If they weren’t, the mental health issues would still exist, but the capacity for carnage would be much less.
It feels like we’re all desensitized now, in a “freeze state” from the chronic, low-grade trauma of living in a country like this. Lawmakers need to act. We need to vote for people who prioritize this.
Rant over. Thanks for attending my TED Talk.
Interesting things I learned this week:
- Nicole Mann has become the first Native American woman in space
- Hawaii will make preschool available for all 3-4 year olds
- M&Ms is retiring its “spokescandies” due to ridiculous conservative outrage
- Eating just one serving of freshwater fish could have the same effect as drinking water heavily polluted with PFAS for one month
- Erin Roberge is the first full-time female athletic trainer for a professional football team (the Green Bay Packers)
- Half of the crude oil exported from the Amazon ends up in California
- Mammoth Lakes in California has more snow than anywhere in North America right now
- The Pope said this week, “Being homosexual is not a crime”
- Coriander and cilantro are from the same plant, and paprika is ground-up bell peppers (what?!)
- In 95 years of Oscar “Best Director” nominations, there have been 21 Johns, 18 Williams, 17 Georges, 16 Davids, 13 Franks…and 7 women
Weirdest thing I googled this week:
“Cool cat trees.” I’m moving to a smaller house and want my cats to be sufficiently entertained in less square footage. Recommendations welcome. I love the look of this but am not paying $300 for a cat tree.
What I’m grateful for:
- Recovering from the gnarly stomach virus. Do not wish it on anyone. Glad to be done with it
- Getting the ball rolling with my house move. It’s going to be a bit of a process since the house I’m moving to needs some work
- Great long run this morning—beautiful weather, body felt strong, much needed time with my thoughts
Snapshots:
