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Things have been WEIRD and stressful lately. There was an election and Joe Biden was elected president (WooHoo!), Coronavirus continues to get worse and worse, and daylight savings happened.
I was somewhat unexpectedly laid off from my job at a local publisher at the end of October which has been stressful. BUT I'm trying to look at it as a positive and really focus on all the things that I haven't had time for lately. So this list is going to include lots of those items.
1. Like so many other people, I've had a heck of a time sleeping lately. I've been a casual meditator for the last 4 or 5 years, but after being laid off, I've made a point to a bit every night. I've been using an app called Balance. They're giving one year memberships away for free right now and, so far, I've loved the meditations. You can opt to choose your own meditations, or you can complete courses which means you don't have to think about finding a meditation at all, they choose everything for you. I think this is part of the reason it's been working so well for me.
2. I'm still working through my 50 book goal for this year and as of right now I'm on track (43 of 50 books) ! Here's what I've been reading:
Anodyne, Khadijah Queen: Gorgeous book of poetry (I may be biased because I know Khadijah and think she's wonderful, but I'm inclined to say that she's just a phenomenal poet).
The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath : Whoa, reading this as an adult was certainly an emotional experience. I read it in just two days and loved it even more than the first time I read it. Plath was a genius and it's so tragic that we didn't get more of her writing.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars, Glendy Vanderah: Probably the worst book I've read in the last 10 years, no joke.
Vesper Flights, Helen MacDonald: Wonderful book, my full review is here.
Year of the Monkey, Patti Smith: Weird and very Patti Smith, but I can't help but like everything she does.
Wow, No Thank You, Samantha Irby: I've heard such good things about this book but I think I read it at the wrong time. I just couldn't handle the "light-hearted-poking-fun-at-trivial-issues vibe while Covid and the lead-up to the election were happening.
White Noise, Don Delillo- Interesting experience reading this book this year. Very PoMo, but excellent writing.
Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte: God, I love this book. This was my Halloween book this year, and like The Bell Jar, I liked it more this second reading.
The Crying of Lot 49, Thomas Pynchon: Absurd in the best way possible.
The Glass Hotel, Emily St. John Mandel: Still trying to decide how I feel about this book , book review soon.
3. Not long ago I subscribed to Emma Carlile's Patreon, and I can't tell you what a godsend it's been. I found Emma's work after doing the Goodship Illustration Fly Your Freak Flag Course. I've been doing more analog illustration than ever before and I feel like I'm really getting into a groove with my own style.
4. The fires in Colorado are finally starting to get more under control and I'm anxious to spend more time outside. I've been loving weekly hikes with my writing friend, Stephanie at North Table Mountain.
5. Finally, I've been anxious to get back to pottery and have been glazing bisque'd pieces while also searching for a used kiln to purchase!
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