Friday Thoughts and Things to Share
Is January finally over tomorrow? Is this really happening? Do we dare peek out from under the covers, and by covers I mean a dank, cold, chaotic, congested month that rudely thrusts every work item and medical checkup we blew off during December straight into our weary faces every damn day? I don’t know about you, but I’ve about had it. Of course, the harsh reality is that, where I live, February is not any warmer - but it is shorter, so I’ll take it!
Trump 2.0 has been a serious onslaught in its thus-far short life, and if you too are struggling to find the balance between keeping informed and staying sane, know that we are spirit animals. Cabinet confirmation hearings are ongoing, and Trump’s picks are predictably and universally vile. I called both my Senators to say vote NO on all of them, and I do recommend everyone, regardless of state and their Senators’ parties, do the same. You can email if their voicemails are full. It doesn’t take much time, and all you have to say is “I’m one of Senator Insert Name’s constituents and he/she needs to vote NO on RFK, Jr., Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard, and Russell Vought.” You don’t have to outline any reasoning. I used to work the front lines for a Senator after I graduated college, please trust me when I say, the staffer isn’t listening to your reasoning, nor are they writing it down. And if you’re long-winded enough, they may even silently put you on hold to take another quick call while pretending they didn’t. I mean, I never did that, dear me no, never, not me… but I’m just saying, some of them might. The important thing is they tally up the number of calls per issue. So make the call, then get off so someone else can make the same call and bump up that number.
Articles to Share:
If you want to read a terrifying and/or depressing article about the state of the world, there are PLENTY to choose from, but I wanted to keep my shares for today short and hopeful.
“The Backlash is Coming: A Key Moment in the Fight Against Authoritarianism” by Jared Yates Sexton, Dispatches from a Collapsing State:
“... I am already hearing so many stories about people bringing together coalitions in their communities and online. Organizing is not only effective, it's contagious. And, at the level of government and downstream from federal programs, we are hearing about organized resistance that’s being realized despite ongoing threats and harassment.”
“Reckoning With This Vicious World” by Heather Havrilesky, Ask Polly:
“... you have to make a commitment to your own happiness in order to keep your compassion alive and help others in meaningful ways. Contrary to popular belief, you can witness suffering and take action to alleviate suffering without believing that it’s your moral duty to suffer in sync with others.”
“25 books out in paperback this February!” by Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub: a fun and inconsequential share, except maybe not for your wallet, whoops! I adore paperback books, they are cheaper to buy and consume less space on your bookshelf, thereby enabling more space on your bookshelf for more books! Sometimes I buy the hardback immediately because I get excited and care not to exercise any impulse control, but when I wait it’s almost always worth it. Hopefully you get some great TBR’s from this list.
Podcasts:
I listened to Jon Stewart interviewing Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on his podcast, The Weekly Show: “Jon Stewart and AOC Take on Trump’s Comeback and Rebuilding the Democratic Party” - I really can’t recommend this listen highly enough. It’s a breath of fresh sanity, chock full of analysis and information on what the gerontocratic Democratic party does wrong, and AOC just fills me with hope for the future. She wormed her way into elected politics against all odds, and she just crushes it. She’s one of the most talented communicators in Washington, she’s so authentic and passionate, and our country could have a real future if more people saw her for who she is and demanded the old guard either retire or start listening to her. She’s such a fighter.
Two Books to Recommend:
NONFICTION:
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
A lovely memoir and meditation for those of us (ahem, hello, hi) who detest winter weather and mostly just find ourselves suffering through the cold, snowy, rainy, gray months. May’s book is a balm for us, mixing comforting words of solidarity and empathy with sound advice for self-care and keeping perspective during a difficult season.
FICTION:
Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett
Arnett’s debut novel is wonderful. Mostly Dead Things is assuredly not horror or crime fiction, but it is a somewhat dark and melancholy story revolving around a family taxidermy business dealing with the aftermath of their patriarch’s suicide. Entertainment Weekly describes it as, “... very Florida, very gay, and very good.” Embedded into the plot is a compelling story around romantic entanglements, and don’t forget the eccentric family dynamics! Those include the widowed mother making unhinged erotic artwork. A propulsive, authentic read, perfect for burrowing under the covers on a lazy weekend morning!
And with that, I wish you a restorative weekend!
Uh, hi Julie. This is weird but, we knew each other in high school. I randomly thought of you today when someone mentioned the movie Armageddon, which we saw together. From there it wasn't hard to find your Substack. The internet is wild, huh?
Sorry if I'm burying the lede a little, but I no longer answer to the name you knew me by. I did just subscribe here though, so if you're at all interested in talking or catching up, I think I'd like that. I suspect you'll recognize me by the email address and timing (if you don't remember who you saw that film with lol). If some sort of privacy or security protocol prevents you from seeing that though, and you still wish to chat, maybe reply here and we'll work something out? I'll keep the page open and refreshed for a few days.
In any case, even if I don't hear back from you, I just wanted you to know that it lifted my heart a little to see someone else from our home environment who escaped the prevailing ethos of that place and time. Keep writing. Keep fighting. I will too. I have to, just to survive.
-CJ