Inputs
Can’t and Won’t by Lydia Davis: A gift from a Ropobuddy after N was born. The collection of short (sometimes under a page) pieces would have been perfect for that bleary chopped-up period. It was no less welcome on a flight to Chicago (for an “afternoon of competitive fun” work event) when I wanted to take advantage of the rare chance to read a paper book. The one about the sister was lovely and gutting, like being knocked down with a velvet cushion. Recommended regardless of your level of sleep deprivation.
Long Island by Colm Toibin: The sequel to Brooklyn, set mostly in Ireland despite the title. I had one quibble, which was when the protagonist’s teenaged son whom she has brought to Ireland for a visit introduces himself to the villagers as being “from Long Island”. In its entire history since the glacier lopped us from the mainland, no teenager from Long Island has ever chosen to identify themselves this way to anyone outside the Tristate Area when “from New York” is sitting right there and only a lie in spirit rather than letter. Other than that, I enjoyed LI because you see how the main character is just going about her business while also, from another character’s viewpoint, is unknowingly ruining everything. You might be the villain in someone else’s life and not even know it!
Outputs
The dust has settled somewhat following my fortieth birthday now that I have accepted that next year, when we are hopefully in a cheaper phase of our childcare journey, I might be feeling a little more festive. In that spirit of optimism, here is what I hope to accomplish in the next decade:
Confidently ride a bike while sharing dense labyrinthian streets with Massachusetts drivers
Learn to drive stick. They tried to teach me in the preparedness course our boss brought us to before we went to Kabul but there wasn’t time for more than a few minutes, which the instructor spent craning his neck to look out the back window and saying “Girl you’re gonna hit them cones.” Reader, I hit them.
Two-parter: A. get glasses B. wordlessly look at someone over the rims and raise my eyebrows, and then after they have oozed off in disgrace, turn back to my computer and say “Didn’t think so” to myself.
Finish a piece of long form fiction
Go to one of those places where you can see two oceans smashing into each other
In a reversal of the pattern of people thinking I speak the same language as them, I would like to speak another language with enough fluency to eavesdrop on people having a juicy conversation that they assume I can’t understand, then interject something very pointed and clever.
Condiment Corner
Accompanied the previous selection as part of a set. We had this peanut sauce with noodles, chicken, and shredded carrots because that’s what we had around. There are many different things one might ask of a condiment, frequently in my case “make these leftovers less sad”. If that is ever your goal, you need look no further!
I am ready and waiting for ROPOGRAPHY: THE NOVEL!! 😍