A couple of comments -- one, I have access to a lovely forest but it's on my property, so that means there are no trails unless I make them (hard work). So for those who can enjoy a publicly-maintained forest and wander through it, go for it and appreciate all the work that goes into maintaining things! As winter is coming, I am again reminded of something I read -- winter, at least in the northern states, allows the trees to show off their beautiful branches and shapes. I have never looked at winter trees in the same way since and have a great appreciation for the sleeping trees and their amazing silhouettes.
As for what weird things I am thinking about that aren't political: studying the history of alchemy, which is fascinating. Looking forward to watching a documentary about Tyrus Wong, a Chinese-American artist who illustrated Bambi for Disney and made some amazing Christmas cards that captured the American imagination. Enjoying my dogs; we have a six month old puppy who apparently rolled the genetic dice and came up snake eyes, since he looks nothing like he's supposed to for his breed, so seeing what he grows up to look like will be interesting. He's a lovely dog so it doesn't matter that he's some kind of poodle (not the breed expected) but it has been a great topic of amusement and speculation at my house.
I could barely do anything on Wednesday, but by today I am resigned to the fate people who do not agree with me have chosen. I have gone back to watching my news shows a bit, but since they have nothing to do but speculate, cry, and try to figure out why people elected someone so unqualified (it's all about the Latino vote this morning, what happened?! they ask), it is not holding my interest as much as it did.
I've been going through a bleak, acute depressive episode over the past several months. The election hasn't helped. However, I’ve just started ketamine infusions, and they are working miraculously well. During the infusions, I’ve been using Kid A as the soundtrack for the dissociative trip the ketamine brings on. It is a beloved album of my youth and every year since then—I know it in my bones. Maybe that familiarity, and its perfect sonic arrangements for such an occasion, is why it has been so pitch-perfect during the infusions. And if you'll forgive me for sounding a bit stupid, when I listen to it, everything does seem in its right place.
Thanks for this, it helps more than you know. I’ve been forwarding your emails to my (very anti-MAGA) family, and all have found your takes to be spot on. I think it’s likely that millions of us are going through the same stages of processing and you are adept at getting to the essence of what we are all feeling but is difficult to articulate.
If you can find some woods nearby, hiking in the forest and swamps of the Southeast in the winter is wonderful. I’m fortunate enough to live near a lot of public land near Macon, and I visit every chance I get.
A great sports documentary to visit or revisit is When We Were Kings about the rumble in the jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, it’ll fill you with the spirit of life!
Watching all 18 seasons of the UK show Taskmaster again on YouTube. So stinking funny without being mean in any way and so much more diverse than anything American available.
I just walked out of an independent book store (Bookie's in Chicago) where I found Van Gogh's complete paintings for $10 - a beautifully-printed volume published by Taschen. It'll keep me distracted all winter, possibly.
We need a word for people who don't actually watch sporting events at all yet consume sports documentaries voraciously. It's like being a sports peeping tom. (Guilty.)
A couple of comments -- one, I have access to a lovely forest but it's on my property, so that means there are no trails unless I make them (hard work). So for those who can enjoy a publicly-maintained forest and wander through it, go for it and appreciate all the work that goes into maintaining things! As winter is coming, I am again reminded of something I read -- winter, at least in the northern states, allows the trees to show off their beautiful branches and shapes. I have never looked at winter trees in the same way since and have a great appreciation for the sleeping trees and their amazing silhouettes.
As for what weird things I am thinking about that aren't political: studying the history of alchemy, which is fascinating. Looking forward to watching a documentary about Tyrus Wong, a Chinese-American artist who illustrated Bambi for Disney and made some amazing Christmas cards that captured the American imagination. Enjoying my dogs; we have a six month old puppy who apparently rolled the genetic dice and came up snake eyes, since he looks nothing like he's supposed to for his breed, so seeing what he grows up to look like will be interesting. He's a lovely dog so it doesn't matter that he's some kind of poodle (not the breed expected) but it has been a great topic of amusement and speculation at my house.
I could barely do anything on Wednesday, but by today I am resigned to the fate people who do not agree with me have chosen. I have gone back to watching my news shows a bit, but since they have nothing to do but speculate, cry, and try to figure out why people elected someone so unqualified (it's all about the Latino vote this morning, what happened?! they ask), it is not holding my interest as much as it did.
I've been going through a bleak, acute depressive episode over the past several months. The election hasn't helped. However, I’ve just started ketamine infusions, and they are working miraculously well. During the infusions, I’ve been using Kid A as the soundtrack for the dissociative trip the ketamine brings on. It is a beloved album of my youth and every year since then—I know it in my bones. Maybe that familiarity, and its perfect sonic arrangements for such an occasion, is why it has been so pitch-perfect during the infusions. And if you'll forgive me for sounding a bit stupid, when I listen to it, everything does seem in its right place.
Treat yourself to an Ooni and learn how to make great pizzas.
First of all - love this newsletter so much.
Second of all - some other music recs for getting lost:
Boards Of Canada
Aphex Twin
Fontaines DC
Radiohead and anything related (Thom solo, Jonny scores, The Smile)
Björk
Sigur Ros
Burial
Mark Pritchard
Bill Evans
Bohren & Der Club Of Gore
My Bloody Valentine
PJ Harvey
The Beach Boys
Max Cooper
Knitting. Lots of knitting. Pandora for music.
Thanks for this, it helps more than you know. I’ve been forwarding your emails to my (very anti-MAGA) family, and all have found your takes to be spot on. I think it’s likely that millions of us are going through the same stages of processing and you are adept at getting to the essence of what we are all feeling but is difficult to articulate.
If you can find some woods nearby, hiking in the forest and swamps of the Southeast in the winter is wonderful. I’m fortunate enough to live near a lot of public land near Macon, and I visit every chance I get.
Walkies - Definitely
Maniac - Probably
Radiohead - Not going to happen
A great sports documentary to visit or revisit is When We Were Kings about the rumble in the jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, it’ll fill you with the spirit of life!
The last 2 Waxahatchee albums Saint Cloud & Tigers Blood are calming and easy on the soul.
Watching all 18 seasons of the UK show Taskmaster again on YouTube. So stinking funny without being mean in any way and so much more diverse than anything American available.
Drinking heavily with like minded friends celebrating our love for each other and the natural beauty where we live in the rural Idaho mountains
I watched Mermaids last night and forgot how amazing Cher is. Think I’m going to spend the weekend watching her movies and listening to her music.
I just walked out of an independent book store (Bookie's in Chicago) where I found Van Gogh's complete paintings for $10 - a beautifully-printed volume published by Taschen. It'll keep me distracted all winter, possibly.
We need a word for people who don't actually watch sporting events at all yet consume sports documentaries voraciously. It's like being a sports peeping tom. (Guilty.)
You are a light in the darkness.