š» what I'm up to š»
Many of you have likely seen a tweet or a post or a something about how part of being an adult is saying, āThings will calm down after this weekā over and over and over again. Sometimes it does calm down, but often, life chugs along at its usual frenetic pace. You can get in cycles of busy weeks, endlessly sprawling ahead of you.
I think Iāve been in that mode to some degree since Star Wars Celebration in May. But well and truly, things will calm down after I get back from Comic-Con and catch upā¦ right?
This photo has nothing to do with anything except that I really like it.
Anyway, Iāve been considering that cycle because when we have those markers of āhey, I can finally take a flipping breath on July 30ā it gives us something to look forward to. But then if another task or event or life comes along and blows that precious moment to breathe off your calendar, it is SO demoralizing. Like, that was my single chance to rest for a month and Iām going to lose it?!
So, Iāve been approaching all of this and trying to switch the way I think with a few things: reminders to myself to stop hyperbolizing. It is not true that I will have only one day to rest and I do not have to put pressure on myself to rest āproperlyā on that day. Iām trying to practice more mindfulness so I stay in the present instead of planning around a future I canāt control. And Iām trying to remind myself that most of the importance I feel around certain things comes from me. Not external factors. Just me and my weird brain.
Instead of telling myself things will calm down after this week, Iām working on accepting that hey, this week is busy. Next week could be too. Or I could have weeks of calm. I donāt know. Iāll control what I can by saying yes or no to various commitments and do the best I can. I donāt want to keep promising myself this ābreakā that I canāt predict or count on.
Weāll see how it works out.
In other news, Iām headed to San Diego Comic-Con next week with Nerdist (oh hey, I just got a promotion!). I have enough work responsibilities (more chill than Celebration though) that Iām not making plans with folks and itās going to be a real āletās see who I run intoā convention and I canāt wait. Mostly, Iām stoked to see my coworkers in person because itās been over two years and also to be in Hall H for the Marvel panel.
(And if youāre reading this, Nicole, happy birthday!!)
š my book things š
I do have book things in the works! Haha. I worked with my agent to set a deadline for some theme park rom-com progress, because I need a deadline. And Iāve started on a promising idea for a middle grade fantasy.
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In addition to signed copies of my books, I also just listed signed bookplates in my Ko-fi shop.
šŗ what I'm watching šŗ
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
This movie is so cute, so moving, and so sweet. Itās out in more theaters tomorrow and I highly recommend it. You might wonder how something that started as a YouTube video years ago can sustain itself for a feature-length film (I did!) but I promise you it does and has these moments where it punches you in the best way!!
The Bear
Of course I watched The Bear (thanks to my buddy Mike for the rec). Found family, beautiful food shots, incredible kitchen soundsāwhatās not to love? Plus Carmenās story and the way the show throws viewers into the narrative the same way Carmy was thrown into this family restaurant he didnāt necessarily want? Itās gripping (and an intense watch). Think Chef meets the kind of darker vibes of Breaking Bad. It just got picked up for season 2!!
And if youāre looking for something more silly, Maggie on Hulu is a delight and Boo, Bitch on Netflix is ridiculous.
Also! The newest season of For All Mankind is just as excellent as you would hope (and still WILDLY stressful).
š what I'm reading š
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
A contemporary update on Beauty and the Beast? Yes, please! The book follows Isabelle, a burned out editor's assistant, as she has to help a "beastly" author get his freaking manuscript in already. To do that, she ends up staying with him in his Santa Barbara mansion (it makes sense in the story, I promise), and well, you know Beauty and the Beast. It's a fun story that has the side bonus of some excellent writing advice.
Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala
We love a cozy mystery that prominently features food! This is the follow-up to Arsenic and Adobo and itās a light, twisty story with enough descriptions of meals and baked goods to make you have cravings. (Oh the way I miss Big Boi in LA).
I also quite enjoyed Book Lovers by Emily Henry and Finlay Donovan Knocks āEm Dead by Elle Cosimano.
š³ something whalesome š³
I like wholesome things and the whale emoji is cute so: whalesome!
Itās been a little challenging to think about wholesome things lately, so please enjoy a picture of my cat Kairi sleeping on part of a scratching pad. Nothing about this looks comfortable and yet she zonked out.
š creativity corner š
Here Iāll share tips and tricks that are helping me write, imagine, and/or stay productive.
You know how I mentioned By the Book has some great tips for writers (thank you, Jasmine Guillory!)? YEP. One I especially like: Put the laptop or computer aside. Get a notebook and a pen. Set a timer, maybe start with 20 minutes. Write. Even if you know itās terrible (itās probably not) and even if you grumble about it the whole time. Do this for a few days in a row then type anything you want to keep into your manuscript. If itās a way to log some progress, itās worth trying, right?
Plus if it enables a buying new notebooks habit, can it be wrong?
š quote of the month š
āSurvival is insufficient.ā - Emily St. John Mandel, Station Eleven
Station Eleven tells a story about the survivors of a pandemic that wiped out most of Earthās population. Yeah, I know. That said, itās a moving book and the TV adaptation is beautiful. And this line stayed with me from when I first read the book. Just surviving isnāt enough. Going through the motions is necessary sometimes (relevant to my above comment about plowing through a busy time) but you need to live to make our short time here worthwhile.
I hope youāre doing okay! Reply or comment and let me know.
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