You Know What I Mean #44: Must these be such interesting times?
Boring would be a nice change of pace
I saw this cute little rock on one of my walks. <3
Hi, hello, how are you? I know, ridiculous question, we keep asking it out of habit. We know how everyone is doing.
I wrote something two Fridays ago that I ultimately decided to keep to myself (a “lost newsletter,” I suppose). Maybe I’ll release it someday. And then last week… what was last week? I think it happened if we’re here now but I don’t really remember much. I know I’ve been going on a lot of walks and trying not to stare at my phone. I keep misplacing my keys. My hands have aged several decades from all the washing but I wear my Claddagh ring every day just like I always do.
Andrea, what’s getting you through this?
Here’s what I’ve been into the past week or so:
Phoebe Reads a Mystery. The name says it all. Producer and host Phoebe Judge is reading from Agatha Christie’s first book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, and releasing a chapter a day, ad-free. If you’re not familiar, Phoebe is the host of the podcasts Criminal and This Is Love, two of my favorites. She has a particular voice and way of speaking that’s very calming. It took me a day or two to really get into this (Poirot doesn’t show up until chapter three), but now I’m hooked. Chapter Five is waiting for my walk later.
At-home yoga. We all need to chill the hell out and stretch our muscles. My favorite yoga class, All Bodies Welcome Yoga, is now online and available to stream right in your own home at 1 pm EST Sundays. If you’re looking for a nice restorative yoga, I really enjoyed this one:
Lemons. Yep, lemons. I’m really into lemons right now. Hey, not everything is going to be groundbreaking. Squeeze a little on chicken noodle soup, make vinaigrettes, add a slice to my glass of water. It’s good stuff. Simple pleasures, man.
The Sopranos. First timer over here. It’s as good as everyone says, of course, though I can’t help but think about how it would be a completely different show if it was done now. For one, the disconnection of pay phones has probably hurt organized crime. And you know what seems like it would be terrible? Being a mobster’s wife. I watched Goodfellas before I started the show and ~spoiler alert for a 30 year old movie~ you know the part when Henry gives Karen the gun and there’s a split second before the wedding scene? I actually screamed out, Don’t do it! like I was watching a horror movie.
Harry Styles. I went on and on about HS in my Instagram stories yesterday, so some of you might be rolling your eyes like, Andrea, we get it already. To which I say, do you really? Did you even watch his Tiny Desk Concert?? He’s the sweet pop prince that the universe needs right now.
Animals looking at other animals. Puppies peering at fish and fish peering back. Penguins exploring the aquarium. Meerkats fascinated by Sir Francis Bacon. Seals doing double-takes at the sight of iguanas. Send me links to everything, I can’t get enough.
Taking it all one day at a time. I think I’ve said this to anyone I’ve talked to lately, but it’s true. I can’t think any further than today. Right now, it’s not raining and that’s good enough for me. This newsletter is the longest thing I’ve written in over a week and I’m thrilled. Maybe I’ll even put my phone on airplane mode and finish a book today. And if I don’t, that’s okay. I’m giving myself permission not to be productive during this time. If I do things and create things, good for me, but I’m not going to give myself a hard time. My entire routine and life has been upended and yours has too. We have to be nice to ourselves.
I hope nothing but the best for you and your loved ones. Please take care and stay safe! If you need to talk to someone, I’m always a phone call or FaceTime away. This has been a tough time for your friendly neighborhood extroverts (cough, cough). We can’t help it we require extra energy and stimulation. It’s how we’re built! So yes, you can always chat with me.
I love you,
Andrea