The stuff we carry
Like, literal stuff
Roads Go Ever On 07: The stuff we carry
💻 what I'm up to 💻
Hi. I hope you’re safe. I hope you’re okay. We’re in the midst of a pandemic that seems never-ending, especially here in Los Angeles where numbers are mind boggling. White supremacists and seditionists staged an insurrection at the Capitol just a week ago. We are all operating in a heightened state of Everything and it takes a toll. I am constantly thinking about the title of a book I love: Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn. Because if this isn’t a full catastrophe, I shudder to think what is. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself.
About that stuff. I’m moving in just a couple of days. I’m currently living in a fortress of boxes that the cats are climbing like they’re participating in a Catlympics competition. And as anyone who has moved knows, it’s so much. Especially over long distances. I haven’t moved with this much stuff in years. It’s the first time I’ve used movers too (thank goodness) and that means an extra layer of packing and putting everything in boxes that I’m not used to. You can’t just see where there’s space to shove a trash can and a floor lamp in your Uhaul. I feel like the constant planning of the last month or so has strained my brain. But there’s some comfort in knowing this will likely be the last time I ever move (I hope?) and also in that Uhaul makes customized boxes for everything.
I’ve done the usual pre-packing (and during the packing) purging, but I’m still kinda floored at how much stuff my husband and I have accumulated. We packed twenty-two boxes of books. Several boxes of tiki mugs. So many clothes. So many coffee mugs. I know they’re only things, but I applied the Marie Kondo joy approach and a lot of my things bring me joy. Someone please remind me of that when it’s time to unpack.
In between doing this whole cross country move business I’m chipping away at a book that has mini deadlines every week and learning a lot about [redacted].
📘 my book things 📘
We have a cover! My upcoming middle grade book A Kid's Guide to Fandom is coming out on May 4, 2021, and I'm stoked to share the cover and that none other than Dave Perillo illustrated it. He provided interior illustrations too and they all capture the fun spirit the book is intended in. A Kid's Guide to Fandom is all about helping kids interested in fandom learn what it is and how to get involved. I wrote more about it at Nerdist. And you can pre-order the book here.
📺 what I'm watching 📺
History of Swear Words
Nicolas Cage + lots of cursing = a very happy Amy. This docuseries recently premiered on Netflix and it's all about, well, what the title says. Nicolas Cage hosts as a variety of comedians and linguistics experts break down the history and usage of select expletives. It's educational, often laugh out loud funny, and Nic Cage delivers the shit out of every line. He chews on the words, he positively nails the timing. If you want a release from everything, put it on at your earliest convenience.
It put me in such a Nicolas Cage mood that I have on Ghost Rider in the background as I write this. Which sure is a choice I made.
📚 what I'm reading 📚
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
This romance novel combines the story of a telenovela with the actors, Jasmine and Ashton, who play the leads in the show. It has lots of family drama, paparazzi issues, and so, so much smooching. The author weaves parallels between the couple they play and their relationship and also includes some rad female family relationships.
The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
Okay. I'm just over halfway through this fantasy novel that draws inspiration from Hamlet. A nature deity narrates the tale in first and second person and you're not quite sure of the deity's motives. At least I'm not sure yet. But I'm so dang intrigued.
Finally: I’ve been on Bookstagram for two weeks now and I can already tell that it’s the nicest community. If you want more bookish content/recs/etc, please join me at @amyturningpages.
🐳 something whalesome 🐳
I like wholesome things and the whale emoji is cute so: whalesome!
Just a precious ginger cat who loves snow and looks impossibly adorable doing everything. This Instagram feed is full of quality content.
🍃 creativity corner 🍃
Here I’ll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.
I procrastinate. And that’s okay. I know that’s how I work and I account for it when I’m on deadline. I get things done on time. Recently I dragged my feet on part one of a project because I’m packing, because it was my holiday break, and because darn it I did not want to work. But then I got organized and dove in… and it wasn’t that bad? Certainly not as intense as I’d imagined it to be in my head. If I would have just taken a closer look sooner and done that organizing, I would have known that the level of stress I was feeling was not proportionate to the work that needed done. So that’s my advice: when you have something on your to-do list that you’re fighting, give it a look and see what’s actually involved. Maybe it isn’t as much work as you think.
📃 quote of the week 📃
"If all you do is fight for your own life, then your life is worth nothing." Hera Syndulla, Star Wars Rebels
We’ve been rewatching Star Wars Rebels and it feels timely and right. When Hera explains to Ezra what the crew is all about, really what the Rebel Alliance is all about, this line sang out extra loudly. It’s always hit me but right now when selfishness isn’t doing humanity any favors, it was a nice reminder.
I just pre-ordered AKGTF!
Congratulations on the move! Change is hard so give yourself time to adjust.
As always...love the quote!