Foreverism (Day 99)

The Tech Won't Save Us podcast was one of the recommendations I got to replace The Economist. I've listened to two episodes, including this one on Foreverism. Good news: Foreverism might be the cure for nostalgia; bad news: it just might shrink wrap you as well as our culture.

Please give the episode a listen. I can't describe all of it right now, but think endless Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and, oh yeah, Marvel franchises. (I was motivated to write about it when I saw that they are doing a remake of The Fall Guy. WHAT? WHY??)

It struck me today when I was listening to it with my husband for the second time that the impulse to do this is related to the compulsion to collect. Perhaps a dozen different films and series continuations of an "intellectual property" is the next evolution in the cards and action figures, only now the fans can more fully immerse in it. 

Maybe. All I know is that it made me feel better about almost never wanting to read the same title twice.

Deb in the City

Is Gardenstroke a thing? (Day 98)

My garden-mate and I have been very good about following our schedule and map so far. The real test is next week, when many of the seeds go in, but that can't be any harder than filling a box with dirt and planting spinach, collards, and mesclun.

That doesn't sound hard? I should also mention that we met a little before 1, which meant we were doing a lot of the work at 3. It also meant that we lost the plot more than once, which was kind of comical when we were trying to follow the map--that I created. Our husbands rescued us with food and craft sticks--it's also a garden label--but by then we were already a little spaced out, very sore, and burnt in spite of our hard.

It was fun, but mental note: start gardening before noon.

Deb in the City 

Introvert or just hyper-aware? (Day 97)

I am wondering more and more to what extent even the deep-seated issues we classify as psychiatric, psychological, or even biological are really sociogical. 

I don't believe that the majority of people are fully extroverted or introverted. I think it's a spectrum, and sometimes we feel better around people--or by ourselves--than others. I'm not a psychologist and this is just my opinion, but it's something I observe in myself, and I don't think I'm unique.

I have been more trepidatious in groups recently; let's call it "since the pandemic", and it's made me more observant of those times I feel depleted when I'm around people. What I realized--and maybe this isn't so common--is that I'm very aware not only of the people but also of the social dynamics going on around me. God forbid there are three or more different groups I need to tune into, which means six or more people. I need "a minute" after an hour or so.

It really is exhausting, but it's not *anxiety*, at least not if I understand that word correctly. And, obviously, it's not something I'm as likely to experience with friends and family (at least, not most of my family). That sounds like an introvert, but it's not; there are many times when I crave interactions with people, and not just because it's good for me.

I suspect I am not alone, and I think it's worth asking why I--and others--would be so hypervigilant in social situations. Is it really that we're so sensitive, just wired that way, or might we have been exposed to "dangerous" stimuli that required us to be so "sensitive"? 

I don't know, but maybe next time I'm in a group I'll see how long I can go without trying to suss everyone out.

Deb in the City 

Unsubscribed to the Economist (Day 96)

After about eight years of reading, the editors on the Checks and Balances podcast last week hit the final straw for me. I'm allergic to anything that's super popular, and during my time as a subscriber the Economist went from this somewhat erudite (though not always correct) source of information to something that's being quoted by everyone. They are one of the only mostly centrist outlets available, and though I'm about as left of center as you can imagine, I found it a tolerable way to find out what other people were thinking. 

But I'm not blind, and it occurred to me that much of what I was seeing in establishment journalism that I can't stand--something that critiques both the left and the right, not on their merits, but because there is a bias toward maintaining the status quo--is exemplified by the Economist. And when I heard John, Idris, and Charlotte critiquing the New York case against Trump and his hush money to a mistress, I was done. 

Yes, it's a wonky case--but have you ever seen Trump? It occurs to me as everyone is positive that democracy itself is on the line in this election, naysaying holding a criminal insurrectionist to account for any of his crimes isn't helpful.

I've gotten some good recommendations to fill the void, but frankly, I don't miss it. Just that much more time for me and books. I mean, those things never got anything wrong...

Deb in the City

Audre Lorde had a point (Day 95)

For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.

-Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches, 1984

I thought of this as soon as I heard that Harvey Weinstein's conviction in New York had been overturned. When my husband told me, all I could say was "Of course," because many of us had been bracing ourselves for this... maybe since 1984, when Lorde wrote this.

I looked up the quote, and then I saw the rest of it:

They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change. And this fact is only threatening to those women who still define the master’s house as their only source of support.

Lorde was right, as many of us have come to know, but boy, did I hope that wasn't going to apply to the law. (Yes, I have been paying attention to the Supreme Court, why do you ask?)

So... now what do we do?

Deb in the City

Off-track, and I'm okay with it (Day 94)

I have a goal of transcribing one-thousand words a day during the week. I gave myself a walk on Monday because it was the first night of Passover, which means there was a lot of cleaning and cooking. I gave myself another break on Tuesday because it was my anniversary and if my husband was going to take the day off, so was I. I was did plan on resuming today, but instead I spent three (3) hours on the phone with Mass Health. Not for me, but for someone else, and in the middle of the ordeal I cried (and that's not something I ordinarily do on administrative calls). The issue is resolved now, but the executive branch of Massachusetts should be ashamed of itself. Needless to say, I didn't get transcribing done today, either.

I am happy to get back to it tomorrow--I legitimately look forward to it--but I'm not going to try to make up for lost time, because it occurs to me that, at least in this instance, that's just another way to lose more time.

In slightly related new, I am officially over vegan ice cream, so over it that if someone offered me a way to eat "real" ice cream, I wouldn't be interested. I needed a comfort food (see above), but for the last three months every time I've had ice cream I've felt disappointed and empty. I asked my husband what I should substitute, and we ended up coming to rice pudding (with dates and not sugar, thank you). That's something that can be served both warm or cold, and there's a lot you can do to dress it up. And, not for nothing, much less expensive than a jaunt to my local ice cream shop. I think they'll be okay without my business.

Deb in the City

Anniversary (Day 93)

My husband and I walked 12,000 steps through Back Bay and downtown Boston before 4 PM. 

Related #1: The shoes I bought last week are not fit for purpose.

Related #2: That might not have been my best idea on five (or so) hours of sleep. 

Still, I enjoyed lunch (and caffeine) with my husband. Next year's goal: more sleep (and better shoes).

Deb in the City