It’s hard to write about mundane things when the world is falling apart. I mean, just this week: a war criminal drank poison on TV, North Korea launched a missile with the capacity to hit the US, 45 continues to wreck and divide the county, more powerful men were forced to reckon with their horrific behavior, net neutrality is dying, and, not to be outdone, the fucking Elf on the Shelf started showing its face all over my social media.
Oh, and we had an earthquake in Delaware.
It’s almost too much to take.
I probably should just rant in one long post and get it over with but every time I try, it comes out like a jumbled bunch of nonsense. Like my brain is refusing to allow me to process what I’m seeing and hearing and reading. Because none of it is normal. NONE OF IT. And I feel like I’ve said all of this before.
Sigh.
Anyway. Here’s what I’ve been up to.
Reading. I’m on the verge of DNF Lincoln in the Bardo but I did finish Chuck Klosterman’s X, started Dark of the Moon, picked up Joe Victim and My Absolute Darling from the library, got Josh Malerman’s new book from NetGalley, and bought a few on Black Friday.
Buying. So many things. So many bookish things, to be exact. But the best purchase was the Kindle Paperwhite. I agonized over buying it but my iPad just wasn’t going to cut it going forward, particularly for reading outside, and when it’s $30 off, you buy it.
Watching. Godless. It’s a limit series on Netflix, only 7 episodes, but it is fucking amazing. It’s a Western with a heavy feminist spin, the acting is spectacular, the writing is magnificent, and even if you don’t like Westerns, I assure you you’ll like this. I also watched Mudbound and highly recommend it, too.
Waiting. For all the summer concert announcements. I’m normally pretty patient but this year is killing me. Some of my favorites have new albums releasing next year so that means tours and I NEED DATES. NOW.
Following. This. Erica doesn’t normally do an advent calendar (she has a magnetic Santa countdown thingy) but someone I follow on Twitter posted a link to this and I love it and thankfully there’s 24 days to do it because I legit have no idea which local charity to pick.
Laughing.
That’s all for this week. I’m planning on enjoying every single unscheduled minute of this weekend because Erica’s birthday parties are next weekend and then competition season starts and my free time and sanity goes with it. Hope y’all have a great weekend and I’ll see you back on Tuesday with…something. (That’s not intentionally cryptic. That’s just indecision)
kathy @ more coffee, less talky says
I tried to read Lincoln and I seriously don’t get how it got such rave reviews. Given how everyone was going on about it, I was expecting to be blown away but I couldn’t even get into it; it’s just not my style I guess.
kathy @ more coffee, less talky recently posted…Friday Thangs [12-1] – Birthday Month Begins
Kay says
Im seriously thinking about the kindle paperwhite. I like my kindle though (its an older fire) as it shows the books in colour – i know silly. And yes that darn elf is all over social media lol Have a great weekend Jana
Linda Sheridan says
Love the gratitude advent calendar. I’m doing it ! We don’t even realize how lucky we are ❣️Happiest December to all.
Love, Steph’s Momma
Elizabeth says
I love the gratitude calendar – it’s full of things we just take for granted. I won a Kindle Fire a few months ago and thought it was the greatest thing … until I tried reading on it outside in sunlight. Big nope right there. Godless is in my queue – rewatching Longmire now that the final season is out … I might need a break from westerns after that. Have a good weekend!
SMD says
That’s a great advent calendar. I should do that.
The kindle paperwhite is awesome in the sun with polarized sunglasses.
I am also finding it hard to not talk every second about the slide into authoritarianism and the bullshit this administration is laying down that people are just watching and saying NOTHING.
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Tonya@Budget and the Beach says
I found a december calendar where you do one act of kindness a day. I think I’m going to try that one. I’m also watching the Marvelous Miss Maisel on Amazon and I LOVE it. From the creators of Gilmore Girls. Happy Birthday Erica!
Tanya @ A Mindful Migration says
I heard about the earthquake out East. Honestly, I think the apocalypse might be coming with all the things going on this past week. And oh, Happy Flynn Pleading Guilty and Making a Plea Day. I hope Mueller goes to Jared next. 😀 How are you enjoying the Paperwhite? I just have a basic kindle, which works fine but I really want a Paperwhite. I’m trying to be good! Enjoy your quiet weekend before all the craziness begins!
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Brittany Pines says
Oh thanks for sharing the Advent Calendar! I like that idea. I’m Christian, and was raised that way, but the “not really a specific denomination” type that didn’t do Advent, haha. I’m interested but not crazy about some of the ones I’ve seen. This seems specific, logical, and interactive- aka awesome.
Audrey says
I REALLY love that advent giving calendar. I think I’m going to do that!
How violent is Godless? It sounds like my kind of show but I don’t watch stuff with too much violence. I know that’s a weird question. Haha. I’ll just google it 😉
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Rebecca Jo says
THat last funny…. I lean more to the Y-Tho side 😉 haha
I love that Advent donation guide! SO clever
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Confuzzled Bev says
Elf on the Shelf needs to diiiiiie!
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Christina says
Yay for a new Kindle! I love that advent idea. We do advent every night in December (Jacob’s family did it, so it’s important to him, even though we aren’t religious), but I love that idea. We’re a few days late, but I think I’m going to start it with my kids.