1. A lot has been going on this week. I asked some friends how they were and what was happening, and then I listed two things for myself and thought of a bunch more. But then I remembered I have a blog.
But before I get into that, just a heads up: I am fooling around with my blog layout, so if you’re clicking through, just know that’s why it looks different. I’m not 100% happy with it so plan to keep playing around with the layout until I like it. This one, for example, is kind of boring, so.
2. On Sunday, my writing group said that the pacing of my script is finally right, so I am now in the polishing stage (polish, hallelu) after doing a bunch of revisions and restructuring. I feel pretty good about it, and now I’m ready to enter into a contest, I think. It’s a just the matter of finding the right one.
3. I also got the chance to talk to my cousin who recently got out of prison. We had a really good conversation and it was nice to hear his voice.
4. Saturday, I went to a blogger day that one of the women from my book club hosted for those of us who have blogs. It was basically a work day (also, sidenote: I have realized that I mostly make work dates with people, and that is sad, sad, sad, sad because I really need to start making play dates like an adult with a life who does fun things so I guess I should start doing more fun things), and it was a good chance to (a) get things done and (b) further connect with people.
I spent most of the time working through and honing my things to do before I turn 40 list and futzing with my layout. Also talking. It’s dangerous to get me around people because I love to talk, and I live alone, so I just kind of can’t stop yapping at the onset. I will/do eventually calm down, though. It just takes a while.
5. Therapy continues to suck which means, according to my daughter, that it must be working.
6. I spent the rest of last week either recuperating from Disneyland or working on my classes for spring. I am 98% finished with my one class. I just need to request library and lab dates and fill in some of the readings. Now, I need to move onto the more difficult class. Blergh. (On the plus side, I’ve had two work dates that have helped me figure some stuff out. Yay for work dates, yes, but again: NEED MORE PLAY.)
7. I read some books:
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 stars, rounding up
Marissa Meyer makes me so mad. Mostly because a little ways from the end, I thought, “I ship it.” Just…how dare she?
Anyway, this has a slow start (and could probably be two or three books, honestly), but I have to say that I appreciate the general premise of the book, and I love that both of the main characters are right in their way. I especially appreciate that Nova is so very wrong about so very much but also so very right about so very much. I just wish I could show her all the ways she’s wrong, though, so she can get out of her own way. And, like I said, I ship it so I just want these two crazy kids to work it out.
Adrian is just a delight. That kid, I swear.
Anyway, the back matter of the book tells me this is a duology, so only one more book to go until the conclusion and it comes out later this year, so whew. Because I don’t know if I have it in me to wait much longer than that to find out what’s going to happen to Adrian and Nova (together and separately).
Read Harder 2018, Task 16: The first book in a new-to-you YA or middle grade series
Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a really sweet book about a couple that finds each other after so many near misses (which is one of my favorite romantic tropes). I love the whole ships passing in the night thing and that they’re always so close to each other yet so far. Oh, my heart.
I love the illustrations, the look at loneliness, and, of course, the look at making a connection through a shared love (music!).
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
So my experience reading this book was mostly that it’s fine to read (hence the three stars), and that I flagged quite a few quotes. My favorite is probably this one:
“In terms of teaching our children to dare greatly…the the question isn’t so much ‘Are you parenting the right way?’ as it is ‘Are you the adult that you want your child to grow up to be?'”
But let’s be honest, that’s probably because it’s the last of the memorable quotes I read (the final chapter is on parenting).
Anyway, the point is there were some great moments like that, but I mostly felt slightly disconnected from the book–this is typical for difficult topics; I like to intellectualize things, apparently–until I had a slight meltdown about my life and my future and my creative endeavors. And then I came across this:
“Learning and creating are inherently vulnerable. There’s never enough certainty. People want guarantees…I’m not sure if there’s a name for the problem, but something related to fear keeps people from going for it. They focus on what they already do well and they don’t put themselves out there.”
And then I pulled my head out of my ass and remembered that the most important thing is to show up and do the work, so I guess you could say this book was life-changing because I not only did the work but made plans to share the work. So.
Read Harder 2018, Task 14: A book of social science
8. As for what I’m currently reading:
Ugh, I hate to say it but I may have to put Mr. Loverman back again without finishing. I dig the voice, but I think I have too many sad books going on right now.
Case in point:
Sula is a beautifully written book, but there is a lot of grief and sadness in it. I am almost done, and my next audiobook is definitely going to be some middle grade or kiddie lit. I need something fun and delightful.
9. Speaking of delightful, although The Mayor was canceled (so canceled), the rest of the season is on Hulu, so it was nice seeing how it all ended.
Also, One Day at a Time has a new season on Netflix! I am already three episodes in and it just makes my heart happy. The season premiere dealt with puberty, racism, racism within the Cuban/Latino community, passing, and white privilege all in one fell swoop. While being funny! Ah, I just love it so much. And the second episode about Penelope being super overwhelmed by everything may have hit a little too close to home. But still! Funny! Delightful! Watch it!
And of course The Good Place continues to just bring happiness to my whole heart.
10. Oh, so I realized I never mentioned that I went to see Lady Bird, which is just everything I want to see in a movie all the time. Mom and daughter stuff! Best friend stuff! Class and money stuff! Coming of age! You know, all of that.
Have a great week, everyone!
The Englishist 
I like the work date bit. I could relate to how all of my dates are work dates. And I’m glad to read about about Lady Bird, I’ve read about it online and I’ve been curious about it for some time.
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Yes to more play dates! And what, The Mayor got cancelled already? Typical, until we get to watch stuff over here, it’s already over. At least there’s The Good Place, which I have access too, at least. Can’t imagine what they’ll get up to in season 3!
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