Hi-ho readers,
Greetings from day 29 of social distancing in Connecticut. It feels like it hasn’t been that short or that long at the same time. I’m starting to settle into the work from home lifestyle, but it’s a little strange doing my job having only been to campus once or twice.
I turned 26 last Tuesday, and am grateful that I was able to celebrate with my family and a really delicious cake. Life continues indoors. I really miss carrying a purse. And having impromptu plans after work. And people-watching. I told my therapist I would kill to go to a comedy show at 11:00 p.m. at a bar (my three least favorite things). I am very thankful that my therapist does phone sessions.
I thrive on routine, and I’m having trouble with that recently. My friend Owen and I talked about this a little bit recently, but I’d love to know what’s in your morning or evening routine that brings you some joy or calm. In the morning I try to take a shower, open the windows, and turn on my essential oil diffuser. I try to sit at my desk to do work, but it’s hard when my bed is right there. But if I go downstairs to work, I get very easily distracted by my family, because I love talking to them but they have no stakes in my tasks.
I also feel like I’m not moving around enough. Does anyone have any stretching that they like doing? I’ve tried and failed at yoga but would like to incorporate a little movement that isn’t just walking around the neighborhood. I really wish I had a basketball hoop. Or a HULA hoop.
Media Diet
- Joe Exotic and His American Animals (Intelligencer / Robert Moor)¹
- More Movies Need an Oscar-Winning Actress Reacting Emotionally to Opera (The New York Times / Kyle Buchanan)²
- During dinner the other night we found out the difference between a cobbler, crisp, crumble, buckle, betty, pandowdy…and several more, thanks to Brette Warshaw‘s newsletter What’s the Difference (we determined what we were eating was a crumble).
- Jehan is a very talented artist and has been drawing many funny comics on her art Instagram, @jehancomic.
- My friend Alex is a voracious reader and posts often about books, bookstores, and other literary exploits on her Instagram, @ajnreadsnyc.
- Five Facts About Birds, from John Paul Brammer‘s newsletter ¡Hola Papi!
- As I write to you, I’m watching the classic The Prince of Egypt for the first time. The cast is absolutely stacked, the soundtrack is amazing, and it is as good as all of my Jewish friends said it is.
Songs in My Heart (with playlist)³
- Tilted – Christine and the Queens
- Lo Boob Oscillator – Stereolab
- I Love You Always Forever – Donna Lewis⁴
- Reelin’ in the Years – Steely Dan
- Hey Julie – Fountains of Wayne
- This Time Tomorrow – The Kinks
- Wild Wild Life – Talking Heads
- I Would Die 4 U – Prince
- Donna – Rubblebucket
- What a Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers
- My Shepherd – The New Pornographers
- It’s My Life – Talk Talk
- Polymorphing – Chairlift
- Walking on Broken Glass – Lake Street Dive
- Freedom! ’90 – George Michael
- Stop Your Sobbing – Pretenders
Easter is on Sunday, and while I’m not religious, I am looking forward to eating a lot and our annual watch of Jesus Christ Superstar. All of the major Abrahamic religions have major observations between now and my next newsletter (Pesach, Easter, and the start of Ramadan). If you are partaking in any of these (or any other) faith traditions, I wish you strength and peace.
Also, Jehan’s birthday is on Monday, so please wish her a happy one.
See you in two,
Emily
¹ I watched Tiger King but I had not actually read the piece it’s based on, which was illuminating.
² Jehan and I had opera tickets for La Cenerentola last Friday that, obviously, we could not use. However, once we finally go, I will be reacting emotionally despite not having an Oscar.
³ Mood is “songs to have your windows open to.”
⁴ This song has featured before, but I watched this TikTok approximately 80 times this week.