Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday
And I kinda feel a bit underachieving
So…happy middle of the week, happy last post/week in April. Hard to believe that April showers are about to bring May flowers, but here we are. The time warp that is life continues to run of its own accord, without care, concern, or consideration for the pace and shape that I’d like things to take. But—again—here we are.
As I settle in to take inventory for this “What I’m _______________” installment, I’m feeling woefully inadequate in the progress-making department. But it is what it is…and it isn’t what it isn’t. Of course it also is what it isn’t and isn’t what it is, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Add to that the fact that last week’s post performed poorly…in terms of views and reader response, which is fine, because that’s not why I’m here…but it also was the worst response ever, which kind of is a bummer. I’d been feeling a bit discouraged all week about it to be honest, until Monday, when out of the blue I got this LinkedIn message from a former colleague:
I’m listening to a presentation at a conference right now that is a Class A pigeon’s nest. 😂
I was instantly gratified, knowing that she was referencing a “concept” I learned about and subsequently introduced here, almost a year ago. Yeah, it’s a small thing, a pigeon’s nest, but to me it’s also a big thing. Getting that message made me way less discouraged and far more excited to get back to it this week.
And if you’re wondering what’s up with the pigeon’s nest, have a look here:
I hadn’t thought about the pigeon’s nest in a while and coincidentally it came up relative to something else just last weekend…so when it came up again on Monday, I was all “whoa” and took it as a sign. Of what? Who cares? At a minimum I find solace in the fact that as a result of my exchanges with you here I have a few people I can commiserate with over, essentially, ridiculously shitty work product that gets celebrated as a triumph.
So there’s that.
But anyway…
…funny enough, as I write this I’m actually back at Logan Airport, making it three out of the last four posts that have been surrounded by travel circumstance…strange coincidence. Such a fun ride in with Kerri as the driver, my bro-in-law/her commuting partner, and my mom. This time my mom and I are going to Michigan to watch my nieces (10th and 12th grade) play soccer…together…because they are finally on the same team! Yay! Go Groves Falcons! We’ll catch two games (Thursday and Friday nights) and come back Saturday. In the meantime I’ll be working remotely remote. In the olden days I’d not have been trusted to work from anywhere but the office, so if I were to do this I’d have to take vacation time…so…total pandemic perk. Speaking of the pandemic, I’m still be masking up while traveling. Also speaking of the pandemic, for vaccines I’ve had J&J with a Moderna booster. No intel or guidance on what third I should get so I’m considering Pfizer…to make it the holy vaccine trinity. Why not? And speaking of family sports stuff, we had such a nice time at my (senior in college) nephew’s (last local) track meet (at MIT) Saturday that I’m extra-excited to share more special, one-of-a -kind family moments over the coming days. And even though my sis has lived in MI for a long time, and I’ve been there a lot, I’ve never been there with my mom. Bonus!
Here’s what I’ve been listening to…
Alexa. Who listens to Alexa? Here’s the thing. Good manners are always in style (as mom says), so I’m known for saying things like “Alexa, please turn the coffee off.” After she does whatever, I will often say (to no one, I full realize), “Thanks Alexa…you’re a peach.”
The other day I was upstairs and noted the Dot signaled a notification. I asked her to please play it (“…Audible credits…blah blah blah…”) and thanked her…immediately after which I was quite sure I had an out-of-body experience…because I swore she sang a “you’re welcome” song to me. I was thrown into a stunned “did that just happen?” moment but shook it off and went to work. I later told Kerri about it. She asked for details, like how the song went and what was the tune. I couldn’t answer. All I could do was be a bit more theatrical about thanking Alexa, in an attempt to get the same response again. No luck. Got the standard spoken replies like “Just doing my job.” (Yawn.) Then I had the brilliant idea to…wait for it…
…Google it. And lookie what I found:
I texted it to Kerri (she was downstairs, I was up), we had a laugh, and that was that. But then yesterday morning when I thanked Alexa for turning the coffee off, I was serenaded again. And even though I had heard the tune before, there’s something other worldly to it for me. I’m equal parts amused and creeped out. (Also, if you ask her to sing her “You’re Welcome” song, she does not. Got that bright idea while washing dishes last night and tried it. No luck.)
I’ve also been listening to some Phoebe Bridgers, especially the song Kyoto and flashing back to that time I had my own day off in Kyoto…sigh…remember, music is the greatest time traveling vehicle there is! (Sorry not sorry, Doc Brown!)
…And what I’ve been reading…
My reading, well, how that is going depends on how you look at it. I’ve got a nice carefully curated (and growing) “To Read” list (which rivals my TV “To Watch list, which rivals a CVS receipt in its extreme length), so I am doing a good job of keeping track what I want to read. I’m honing the craft of tsundoku (buying books and not reading them), to the point of almost mastery…having added one title this week on an off-hand mention by a friend over drinks. 36 hours after she mentioned it, Six Walks by Ben Shattuck was added to one of the piles. My actual reading is another matter altogether. When one comes off the high of a sweeping epic saga a la The Lincoln Highway, answering the what comes next question is going to be a challenge.
Oh…did I mention Amor Towles liked my tweet about reading his book? I didn’t, you say? News flash: Amor Towles liked the tweet I twitched about reading his book. Holla.
I finished the Netflix book (a great read but now that their earnings tanked maybe Reid Hasting has no idea WTF he is doing after all) and The Midnight Library (interesting “what if” notions), and have moved on to Toxic Positivity for my professional read and Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of “Harriet the Spy” as my “fun” read. Toxic Positivity is a condition near and dear to my heart, and by “near and dear” I mean it’s a quality that infuriates me to no end, so I’m finding some kinship in reading it. The Louise Fitzhugh book is kind of a snooze (and maybe I will stop reading it), but I loved Harriet the Spy so much growing up I feel a weird compulsion to see if there’s more to the story, to find out if things pick up.
I’m also still committed to my dailies, for the ritual, the routine, and for the centering and grounding they offer each morning.
Of course, I’m still watching stuff too...
Though as I think about this, I’m not coming up with much.
Lots of sports. Because I can’t get enough of the Red Sox, the Bs clinched their spot in the playoffs, and the Celtics, well, all I can say is I’ve caught the late-season Green Fever. So glad they swept that trashy Kyrie Irving out of the playoffs.
Last night, it was a flip-flop between the Bs and the Sox (win for the Bs, Sox were a veritable heartburn factory)…bliss…kind of…well, bliss until the Blue Jays won on a walk off sac fly in extras…and after the Sox came back and then subsequently choked. I any case when I watch the Bruins I feel my dad, and when I watch the Sox it brings back memories of Papa. It’s not just about watching the games. It’s never just about that.
I’ve not really been bingeing (that word looks so funny when typed) or watching much at all other than sports…the occasional Grey’s Anatomy or Good Trouble (a spinoff of The Fosters, which I loved, and was one of maybe 8 people who watched). I’m rationing Insecure and Dickinson knowing there are no new episodes after I view my stash. I caught Wheel of Fortune on Monday and was stunned at the end when they included a video tribute to Vanna White’s dead cat. That was a bit much for me. I have kept up pretty well with Jeopardy (just make Ken the host already—proof that I do practice what I preach and I am willing to think again and establish new positions) and Mattea’s run has been fun to watch. Nothing like another smart chick kicking ass and taking names.
Speaking of Mattea, she’s obviously really smart. (And equally awkward, so it makes watching a little uncomfortable, though that has nothing to do with anything.) But now she’s such a force to be reckoned with, and so she’s making headlines, like this one put out by NBC News, which I’m not really sure where to start with:
But anyway, let me start with the headline itself. At least Johnny Gilbert announces her as a plain old tutor, which is probably a good thing. 🤦🏼♀️
Now allow me to address some of the comments, sampled for you above. All kinds of people, all kinds of comments. The last one on the right totally cracked me me up. But for the most part people are kinda like “what the heck?” which I guess is a good thing. Check out the full Monty here:
Now a brief stint atop the “Representation Matters” soapbox. It does matter. But I’m kinda like maybe it doesn’t matter in all places, at least not in this headlining way. I mean, I get representation in general (duh) but in places where stereotypes don’t typically dwell, I’m not sure I’m all for it. I mean, gay people can be smart and go on Jeopardy. That’s no great shakes. But a gay man in the NFL? Huge deal. I’m talking to you, Carl Nassib. (Thank you. Love you.) Representations really matters. I think this headline was way out there, but I also get that the more people see gay people in all places the better off we all are. In any case, the headline shows the sadlarious sadgress we’ve made since Stonewall, in its full glory. We’ve come a long way, and we have at least as far to go. It’s equal parts awesome and pathetic.
That all said, anyone else think Mattea and last night’s challenger Reya would be a cute couple?
I’ve been having fun with friends and highly recommend axe throwing (have done it three times now, so fun, and the place in Hanover is BYOB (total bonus)). I also highly recommend never missing a chance to catch up with an old friend. It’s time worth making.
I’m wondering what the hell is up with Elon Musk buying Twitter…anyone?
And I baked some delicious muffins yesterday. Coffee chocolate chip. I am about to eat one as soon as I ship this, in fact. They’re not delicate so they travel well, shoved in a cramped carry on. (I also (half-)joke that I eat so many Honey Nut Cheerios I may (hope to) end up with negative cholesterol. By that I mean maybe I’ll get a prescription to eat a burger guilt-free someday. 😂😂😂
And for drinks, I love me a good Paper Plane. It’s exquisite, really, as far as cocktails go. Every sip transports me…no idea where to, don’t care.
I leave you in a different place than where I started, not feeling the slightest bit inadequate or underachieving…thrilled to be traveling with mom to see family and so happy spending time with you. All is right with the world.
Thanks for being here.
Love you too.
That Kyoto photo, though. Swoon. If anything triggers wanderlust, its a paper plane cocktail and a Japan memory, perfect pair :) Safe travels, friend!
Worth the read. Every. Single. Time. "Pigeon's nest" will never get old for me. So apt. And while "which rivals a CVS receipt in length" was freshly amusing 🤣