And we’re back. We are even more of a we now, which brings us to number one:
Porter Aya Lannin-Dove, born 3/30/2021. A new window in our life; everything has expanded immeasurably. It’s all fresh and excruciating and amazing and exhausting. I’m sorry kitty hates you. We love you so very much.
Related to #1: realizing in the most real way that no one was meant to do this alone. Endless thanks to Hannah, Damaris, Becca, Kara, Josh, friends, grandparents, anyone else who brought us food or watched our kid so Sean and I could write or draw or go on a boat or be alone for a few hours.
Related to #1: being very tired, often. I think about sleep in an erotic way.
Everything people need to live and function should be universal and free.
I’m working on a thing.
Sean’s been working on Godzilla! He’s still quiet and funny, thank you for asking.
My short story “Milk Tooth” was a Best of the Net nominee! I didn’t publish much else: see #5. It is hard to bet on yourself.
Kept a human alive with my body, a truly wild and magical thing. Now she eats waffles and waves her hands as she shakes her head no in a way that is adorable and infuriating and screams with joy every time she sees a cat, real or fictional.
I read The Secret History for the first time and loved it as much as I thought I would (a lot). I cannot imagine how deeply it would’ve affected me if I’d read it at age 19. The feelings might’ve been too much for my developing brain to handle.
We bought a house. I own a home in a city. Maybe someday that won’t feel good but today is not that day. Also, capitalism is so real: I’ve never felt so lucky, I’ve never felt so aware of economic stratification. File another one under “never doubted it, now I really get it”: most folks aren’t buying $800k homes without a lot of generational wealth. I’m not great at math but luckily, the equation is pretty simple. See #4.
Ate a lot of hot cereals. Got really into Cream of Wheat with Peanut Butter & Co. dark chocolate peanut butter.
The early seasons of Sesame Street are really good. The energy is gentle, curious, and natural. They’re calm but not boring. There’s good kids’ TV shows (looking at you, Bluey) but I wish more would take a memo from Big Bird’s book. Also: early Muppet Show.
Made new friends! Kept many old ones. Tried to respect that my time is limited and concentrated; failed and succeeded in equal measure.
Took some little Midwest road trips: Door County, The House on the Rock, Michigan.
Severance was probably my favorite TV show.
Favorite movies: The Green Knight, Promising Young Woman, After Hours, Barbarian.
Every pair of structured elastic-waist pants. Sneakers. Blundstones. Vintage as the eternal answer to what’s cool.
Kept up on local politics thanks to Block Club and Girl, I Guess. Voted in the midterms. We’re in the 30th ward now and we’re up for a new alderman, which is good because our last one was not.
The last two years were something. I learned a lot about myself and other people.
Decided to start up this newsletter again. In 2023, I’d like to write more than lists.
I hope you are doing okay or getting through it. We’ll talk soon. xx
PORTER IS SO CUTE AIIIEHEHHEHUHHH [insert other sounds produced by cuteness-induced brain melt]. She looks like a tiny you! 🥰
Also, I loved Severance SO MUCH.
Looking forward to more newsletters! Lists and all!
This is an excellent list and that is a scrumptious tiny person!