One year

And counting...

Roads Go Ever On 11: One year

💻 what I'm up to 💻
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 Gemüt Biergarten for some beer and giant, delicious pretzels. Oh! And charcuterie. Plus Gemüt 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.

It’s 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. “I know I’m probably being paranoid but… haha.” 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. They’re only permanent in the way that “permanent” 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. We’re so close. We’re still being cautious (I’m a double masker when I go to stores these days). We’ve been fortunate in so many ways. I know that. But it’s hard not to think about the lasts and when they won’t be lasts anymore.

I’d love to know what you’re thinking about and how you’re feeling as we hit this miserable anniversary. 

In writing news, I need to finish around 700 words to call one project done. That’s it. 700. This newsletter is probably longer. And yet I’m seeing those 700 words as my Everest. Brains. They’re so fun (I’m typing this with gritted teeth).

📘 my book things 📘
I don’t have a lot of new things to share here so I will just say this: if you’re at all interested in A Kid’s Guide to Fandom, please pre-order it from wherever you buy books! It’s such a huge help and I’d be very grateful.

📺 what I'm watching 📺
Ted Lasso
Everyone who recommended this to me multiple times: you were all right. If you’re on the fence, get a free Apple TV+ trial and binge it. Don’t dismiss it because it’s a “sports show.” 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.

📚 what I'm reading 📚
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.

amyturningpages

A post shared by Amy 📚 bookstagram (@amyturningpages)

For more bookish things from me, follow me on Instagram: @amyturningpages.

🐳 something whalesome 🐳
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.

🍃 creativity corner 🍃
Here I’ll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.

Have a book you’ve been meaning to read for ages? Maybe a video game that you know needs hours of attention? Or a movie or TV series that’s been on your list? Plan a day on your calendar just for this. Rest. Recharge. I can’t make stuff if my well is dry and I bet I’m not the only one.

And I’ve said it before but please remember that you do not need to earn your rest.

📃 quote of the week 📃
“Beneath the smooth familiar face of things is another that waits to tear the world in two.” - Madeline Miller, Circe

First of all, Circe is EXCELLENT. Secondly, you can interpret this quote in different ways, but my take is: don’t underestimate others.