One year
And counting...
Roads Go Ever On 11: One year
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One year ago today I ate my last meal out at a restaurant. I was visiting my sister in Columbus (hi, Nicole!) and we went to GemuĢt Biergarten for some beer and giant, delicious pretzels. Oh! And charcuterie. Plus GemuĢt is gorgeous with stained glass windows right out of a fairy tale.
Two days later I would fly home and then pretty much stay there.
Itās weird to think back. I remember before I left my job at Disney at the end of February that a coworker expressed concern that the parks might close. It seemed unimaginable. Then on the planes to/from visiting my sister so many of us passengers were wiping down our seats, trays, and buckles with disinfecting wipes (which I will always do from now on) with nervous giggles. āI know Iām probably being paranoid but⦠haha.ā I took a Lyft home from the airport, asking if the driver minded if I used the only hand sanitizer I had, a truly overpowering and obnoxious Bath and Body Works scent. He said of course but then went on to dismiss everything and stated how quickly it would all be over. This was just before we all started wearing masks.
That was the last rideshare I took too.
None of these are permanent lasts. Theyāre only permanent in the way that āpermanentā hair dye is. This will all fade. I have a list of things I want to do when my husband and I receive vaccines, maybe by the summer. But right now, after a year, that still seems far away. Weāre so close. Weāre still being cautious (Iām a double masker when I go to stores these days). Weāve been fortunate in so many ways. I know that. But itās hard not to think about the lasts and when they wonāt be lasts anymore.
Iād love to know what youāre thinking about and how youāre feeling as we hit this miserable anniversary.Ā
In writing news, I need to finish around 700 words to call one project done. Thatās it. 700. This newsletter is probably longer. And yet Iām seeing those 700 words as my Everest. Brains. Theyāre so fun (Iām typing this with gritted teeth).
š my book things š
I donāt have a lot of new things to share here so I will just say this: if youāre at all interested in A Kidās Guide to Fandom, please pre-order it from wherever you buy books! Itās such a huge help and Iād be very grateful.
šŗ what I'm watching šŗ
Ted Lasso
Everyone who recommended this to me multiple times: you were all right. If youāre on the fence, get a free Apple TV+ trial and binge it. Donāt dismiss it because itās a āsports show.ā Which is what I did (like a fool).
The Magicians
I just inhaled the final season of this batshit, hilarious, and often heartbreaking series. The first season is rough (cw: sexual assault and molestation) but they actually address that trauma and the characters develop beautifully and meaningfully as the show goes on. I wrote about why you should watch it a couple years ago for Nerdist and I stand by it. The series finale mostly wrapped things up in pleasing ways, and the whole ride was a blast.
š what I'm reading š
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Okay, Lore is the kind of book that keeps making your heart race with adrenaline. It's a spin on Greek mythology with nine Greek gods forced to live as mortals for a week every seven years; during this time descendants of ancient bloodlines hunt them and take their divine power if they kill a god. This story focuses on Lore Perseous and how she navigates the hunt and her destiny. So. Good.
Shipped by Angie Hockman
This is what you need to know about Shipped: enemies to lovers stuck on a cruise together in the Galapagos Islands to vie for the same promotion at the cruise line company they both work for. Wonderful escapism on all fronts.
For more bookish things from me, follow me on Instagram: @amyturningpages.
š³ something whalesome š³
I like wholesome things and the whale emoji is cute so: whalesome!
Just a sweet father and son-crafted stick library for a dog park! No lending period enforced.
š creativity corner š
Here Iāll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.
Have a book youāve been meaning to read for ages? Maybe a video game that you know needs hours of attention? Or a movie or TV series thatās been on your list? Plan a day on your calendar just for this. Rest. Recharge. I canāt make stuff if my well is dry and I bet Iām not the only one.
And Iāve said it before but please remember that you do not need to earn your rest.
š quote of the week š
āBeneath the smooth familiar face of things is another that waits to tear the world in two.ā - Madeline Miller, Circe
First of all, Circe is EXCELLENT. Secondly, you can interpret this quote in different ways, but my take is: donāt underestimate others.
BIG PRETZEL SMILE!
š„Ø
Thanks Amy, this was a great read:)