Taking A Stab At It
I’m not sure if it’s that I am acutely missing social connection (a statement I never thought I would say, introvert that I am), or that I’ve been reading Anne Lamott’s wonderful ‘Bird By Bird, some instructions on writing and life’, but I have found myself signing up to newsletters all over the internet and eagerly anticipating their arrivals in my inbox. It seems that the newsletter concept is becoming more and more trendy - perhaps another relic of months on end spent at home where Millenials are still reaching for some kind of purpose? Something of a cross between a blog post and a podcast in written form, the newsletters I have been enjoying so far read like opinion pieces on various topics, written in the style of a conversation between friends, and are full of recommendations for things to read, watch, eat, wear… basically ANYTHING that takes the author’s fancy. It’s been a while since I have written anything on this page (or anything at all for that matter) and so I thought, why not?! I have no idea if this will be a regular thing, if I will even write a second one, and I’m fine with that - life’s all about trying and trying again right?! So here it is, my first stab.
And what better way to begin than to talk about how wild it feels to be living in Washington DC right now. The emotions that come with being uprooted and transported to a very new and unfamiliar city, during Covid and an attempted coup (WTF) are complicated, to say the least. I’m understanding now that the ‘settling-in’ period is going to take much longer than any other move I have made in my life. However, to be here at this very historical moment, as it really does feel, is quite an experience. I think this really hit me as I watched the fireworks at last week’s inauguration from my own living room!
And on the subject of the inauguration - is it OK to be (happily) surprised at just how smoothly the day went? I mean, really, I think we were all expecting the worst after the terrifying lead-up to it, and I guess if the last four years have taught us anything, it’s that anything can always happen. But even with this in mind, and considering all the work left to do in this country and across the world, I thought the inauguration was a true moment of celebration, and I really enjoyed watching the speeches, the music and, of course, the real star we are all talking about, poet Amanda Gorman.
And isn’t it meaningful that music and the art of spoken word were at the very core of such a celebration! I have read several opinions on the needless presence of celebrity for the occasion, that it even detracted from the purpose of what an inauguration should be. But, for better or worse, America is a culture that cherishes and idolises celebrity. In the country’s current state of division, I thought the line-up of celebrities who performed was a pretty smart choice, and while not especially necessary, I believe there must be people who felt more included and engaged in the ceremony because of it.
What has been particularly striking to me, and I think to a lot of us, in America and all over the world, is the sense of relief that has come in the days since the inauguration. The cloud of doom over our heads and the weight of not knowing what disaster was going to strike at any moment has been somewhat lifted and has revealed to us just how much this was impacting our lives. Who knew, all those bad moods were not really my fault! As an immigrant to this country, I feel this especially poignantly, and I don’t think I was aware of just how insecure, uncertain and frightened I have felt since living here.
On that note, and the sentiment with which I will conclude this portion of my first newsletter, I wanted to share here that I have been caught out: yesterday, I was heard referring to America as ‘our country’ for the first time, instead of by its name, ‘this country’ or even ‘your country’. That’s all.
What I’ve Been Enjoying
Why hurry over beautiful things? Why not linger and enjoy them?
- Clara Schumann
‘Soviet Milk’, by Nora Ikstena. A moving and beautifully written story, set in Soviet-era Latvia, about the lives of three generations of women; a daughter, mother and grandmother.
‘Pretend It’s A City’. A Netflix documentary series created by Martin Scorsese, following his conversations with writer and comedienne Fran Lebowitz. Fran’s dry wit and grumpy-yet-charming outlook on life is just the perfect show you didn’t know you needed right now.
This article from Roxane Gay’s new newsletter, The Audacity, that perfectly hits every feeling right on the nose. That closing paragraph is just brilliant.
‘Narrow Sea’, the newly released album by Caroline Shaw, written for Sō Percussion, Dawn Upshaw, and Gil Kalish. This music is infinitely interesting and exciting, and it is all I will be listening to for a while.
I have spent a lot of time and energy on a (self-made) quest for the perfect pair of sweatpants. I wanted them to be soft and warm but not too hot, cinch in with a cuff but not cut off my ankles. These fleece-lined sweatpants from Uniqlo are the dream.
This article, ‘How artist Justine Swindell would spend a perfect day in D.C.’, was almost painful to read, although still a pleasure! I can’t wait to be able to fully explore my new city.
I am so excited about this playlist, Chez Baldwin, created by Ikechúkwú Onyewuenyi. It features all of the records that James Baldwin owned and listened to during the years that he lived in Paris. I have been really enjoying putting it on and feeling like I am getting to know him better…
This scary article about ‘The Unlikely Connection Between Wellness Influencers and the Pro-Trump Rioters’ came as a bit of a wake-up call to me, and a reminder to stay ever mindful of who you follow and which fads you are sub-consciously ‘buying into’.
We have all seen and loved the Bernie Meme over the past few days, but all the props to him and his team for putting it on a shirt, selling it (and immediately selling out) and donating all the profits to ‘Meals On Wheels’ Vermont. Love that for him.
Andrew Cotter’s hilarious dog-commentary videos, introduced to me by my sister. Cotter, a well-known sports broadcaster for the BBC, has turned his creativity and skill into something rather unique and extremely funny.
Well, that’s it for now folks. Enjoy your beautiful things, take care of yourselves and thanks for reading!
