The stuff we carry
Roads Go Ever On 07: The stuff we carry
š» what I'm up to š»
Hi. I hope youāre safe. I hope youāre okay. Weāre 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 isnāt a full catastrophe, I shudder to think what is. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself.
About that stuff. Iām moving in just a couple of days. Iām currently living in a fortress of boxes that the cats are climbing like theyāre participating in a Catlympics competition. And as anyone who has moved knows, itās so much. Especially over long distances. I havenāt moved with this much stuff in years. Itās the first time Iāve used movers too (thank goodness) and that means an extra layer of packing and putting everything in boxes that Iām not used to. You canāt just see where thereās 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 thereās 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.
Iāve done the usual pre-packing (and during the packing) purging, but Iām 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 theyāre 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 itās time to unpack.
In between doing this whole cross country move business Iām chipping away at a book that has mini deadlines every week and learning a lot about [redacted].
š my book things š
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.
šŗ what I'm watching šŗ
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.
š what I'm reading š
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: Iāve been on Bookstagram for two weeks now and I can already tell that itās the nicest community. If you want more bookish content/recs/etc, please join me at @amyturningpages.
š³ something whalesome š³
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.
š creativity corner š
Here Iāll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.
I procrastinate. And thatās okay. I know thatās how I work and I account for it when Iām on deadline. I get things done on time. Recently I dragged my feet on part one of a project because Iām packing, because it was my holiday break, and because darn it I did not want to work. But then I got organized and dove inā¦ and it wasnāt that bad? Certainly not as intense as Iād 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 thatās my advice: when you have something on your to-do list that youāre fighting, give it a look and see whatās actually involved. Maybe it isnāt as much work as you think.
š quote of the week š
"If all you do is fight for your own life, then your life is worth nothing." Hera Syndulla, Star Wars Rebels
Weāve 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. Itās always hit me but right now when selfishness isnāt 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!