Hi-ho readers,
Greetings from day 15 of social distancing in Connecticut. I feel essentially convinced that I am not infected, and am grateful I have a job that allows me to work remotely.
Speaking of that…last Friday I had my last day at The New School and on Monday I started a new position at Barnard College as their Associate Director of Stewardship. I feel very lucky that I was still able to start and have felt warmly welcomed by the greater community at the school. It feels so weird to have these good things happening to me while the world is sort of on fire.
I’m moving apartments next Wednesday, and by “moving” I mean that I have hired a company to pack up my stuff and move it across the street into my new place. Hopefully the amount of money I have spent on that will grant me some peace of mind. I really miss New York and find myself wondering when the chaos will have reduced enough for me to feel safe returning.
I’ve enjoyed watching friends and strangers alike share moments from their cooking, their walks outside, their televisions, their distancing pods. I have not felt at an extreme lack for socialization, but my situation is different from others. I am with my parents, sister, and sister’s boyfriend 24 hours a day. I am glad I don’t live alone but admittedly it is a lot. I have found great fun and refuge in FaceTiming my friends and girlfriend. I was not a video chat person before this, and not really even a phone call person, but I feel essentially changed.
My 26th birthday is on Tuesday and of course, as an Aries, I am greatly resenting being stuck inside. However, I’m happy to have my family to celebrate with, including the twin sister with whom I share my birthday. If anyone has any ideas for how I should try to celebrate with friends, please let me know!
What is everyone eating? When I’m reaching for snacks, I’m finding myself wanting things that I would pack on a day hike to keep my energy up—almonds, dried fruit, trail mix. I’m certainly not physically exerting myself that much (although I do try to walk most days). Maybe it’s a desire for survival?
A friend mentioned having extremely vivid dreams recently, with dialogue, and I have also been having these, although I have trouble remembering much when I wake up. Last spring, I was pretty good about writing them down so maybe I’ll try to take up that practice again.
Songs in My Heart (with playlist)
- Crash into Me – Dave Matthews Band
- in my head – Ariana Grande
- Door – Caroline Polachek
- People, I’ve been sad – Christine and the Queens
- Boys – Charli XCX
- Peg – Steely Dan
- Stand – R.E.M.
- Chinese House Flowers – the Mountain Goats
The playlist is about half as long this time—I feel like so much of my music consumption happens on my walks to and from the subway, on the subway, and at my desk at work (in an office, specifically). I tried to think of what I’ve been doing instead. The answer is knitting (while watching television, mainly The Good Wife), and a LOT of crosswords (from The New York Times). Patrick and I compete every day to see who can finish it first. I feel like they’re keeping me sharp and am constantly impressed about answers I can dredge up from my mind’s recesses.
Media Diet
- Fiona Apple’s Art of Radical Sensitivity (The New Yorker / Emily Nussbaum)
- Live camera feeds from the Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Newsletters from my friends Amanda Friedman and Jonathan Stoller-Schoff
- The BBC Dad and his jolly children have returned (The A.V. Club / Reid McCarter)
- this incredibly elaborate lip-sync of “Rock Island” from The Music Man, by Grace Spelman
I’m trying to limit about 20% of my consumption to despair. Around 80% is reserved for joy. I hope your personal oscillation between the two is not too severe.
See you in two,
Emily