Early & Alone #40: Changes
Hi all,
As you may know, I've been in something of a career transition for the last year. In the beginning of 2020, I left my steady but part-time gig and since then, have been struggling to figure out what my next step should be. I've decided, for now, to see how freelance writing and editing will go. It's long been a step I've been interested in taking, and now is the right time to explore.
In my fantasy world, this means I'll be pitching articles and writing fun, pithy essays on dating and pop culture. In reality, I will be spending most of my time still creating educational content and editing. (Drop me a line if you know of anyone looking for a freelance writer and editor!)
I've been thinking about making changes to this newsletter for a while now, and am still hoping to take steps to improve/refine. The first change I'm making is moving the essay portion of this essay to Medium, where I will hopefully be publishing more frequently, mostly in the hopes that my work will reach a wider audience.
You can find my thoughts on why Elizabeth Warren's Super Tuesday loss felt so personal here.
Since I'm scaling back the essay part of the newsletter, I'm going to amp up on links, recommendations, and other random thoughts. Please let me know if you have any requests, concerns, questions, etc.!
Stuff & Things
Read: I've started a new thing that I hope to make a regular habit: reading at least 1 poem every morning. I am using this list from Lithub as a guide on contemporary poetry collections. I started with Terrance Hayes' Lighthead, cruised through Anne Carson's visually stunning Nox in an afternoon, and just started Tracy K. Smith's Life on Mars. I'm not sure what I'm trying to DO with this endeavor, other than build more of an understanding and appreciation for poetry. I'll keep you posted on whether I have any big takeaways.
Listen: This American Life did an episode called "Show of Delights," based on poet Ross Gay's Book of Delights, which I have yet to read but am now extra-excited to read after hearing the show. It's an hour of...well, delight, something we all need more of right now.
Watch: Listen, I'm not going to pretend I haven't been watching Love Is Blind. And I have THOUGHTS. I will save those for another venue, after I watch the final episodes and REUNION (!!) tonight. Have you been watching??
Listen: Another podcast listen that brought me true delight this week was Longform's interview with Ashley C. Ford, someone whom I have never met, but just seems like a genuinely awesome person, all around. She talks frankly about money, love, marriage, family, and writing in this conversation and it's a pleasure.
Make: Another Alison Roman recipe...I made "The Stew" and it did NOT disappoint. I'm going to make it again soon!
Buy: I've learned recently that I'm a hot sleeper. Like, wake up in the morning drenched in sweat hot. HOT. So I took matters into my own hands and invested in the Buffy Breeze comforter. So far, no complaints, although I do still sometimes wake up a little hot...the problem has gotten better, though!
Watch: I love John Mulaney unapologetically and was thrilled he was hosting SNL for the third time last weekend. It didn't disappoint, and I def teared up during David Byrne's musical performances. Check out this Love Is Blind Quarantine Edition skit that was cut for time if you haven't seen it yet!
Do: I was told last night at spin class that I have done 129 classes in the last year, making me the #11 rider in the studio. This makes me both very proud and a little mortified because I still can't do a proper pushup or hold a plank for longer than a minute. Is it possible to be born with such bad athletic genes that your body just never adjusts??
Laugh: Love these clever posters for Oscars movies drawn as though they were in BoJack Horseman.
That's it for now but please let me know your thoughts on the new format and/or Love Is Blind and/or anything else!