hormones and links
[Alt text: A screenshot of an Instagram post from @overhearddistrict, that says DC has 12 seasons, and August/September is accurately described as Hell's Front Porch]
My sister-in-law gave me some great pajama pants for Christmas, the loose-fit, straight-leg woven kind. Last night I put them on, took a step, got my right big toe somehow hooked into the left leg’s hem, lost my balance, and went flying. (I’m fine, just some rug burn on my knee). Today I almost got in a car accident, and then an hour later locked myself out of my apartment (yay for buildings with front desks). I’m exhausted for no good reason and my brain is obviously not operating at full capacity. It’s probably hormones or lack thereof, right? Apparently you can still have full-on PMS symptoms years after your reproductive organs tap out.
I think about this a lot: My mother was 30 when she had me. That means when I was a hormonal teenage monster, she was probably dealing with perimenopause. Guessing the same applies to many of my friends and their mothers. How fucked up is it that one house can have two raging hormonal shitshows happening at the same time, and neither party has the knowledge, ability, or even language to address what’s happening? Instead they just seethe with rage and/or reach for the gin.
But I'm learning to cut myself some slack on days like this. To sleep it off, because it might be better tomorrow. So once I send this out, I’m going to bed. Possibly in a helmet.
Books
Last week I asked for book recommendations. Below are a few that came in. I'm going to walk up to Politics & Prose this week, buy a book, and take some notes for my library list.
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
Hollow Kingdom by Buxton
Try Jennifer Egan. The Keep is a mindbender. Manhattan Beach, I'm sure you've heard of it. She just came out with a sequel(?) to A Visit from the Goon Squad - The Candy House. Must admit, Goon Squad confused me but husband loved it.
Comet in Moominland
The Water Dancer by Coates
Links
JFC: According to page 13 of this new FDA report, HALF of the U.S. population was infected with Omicron, most in the span of 10 weeks. (FDA)
I had to join a gym here in order to get personal training sessions. The membership comes with free classes, so last week I went to my first pilates mat class in at least five years. I was the youngest and weakest person in the room. It was both humbling and motivating. And the teacher was so great I left the class grinning. The way she projects her voice, enunciates, and does different accents tells me she spent much of her life doing theater of some sort. She’s got (pilates) videos online, if you like that kind of thing. (YouTube)
A personality test that, in 15 questions, measures your empathy, open-mindedness, etc. I can’t remember my results, but one question did make me laugh. (thinkincolour)
This mood meter poster, that I bet could be useful for people with kids, especially ones on the spectrum. It would be fun to make one with your own language, like “I hate everybody right now” instead of “angry.” (Etsy)
Related: This hurt feelings report, which I would like to give to (Redacted) but he can't take a joke. (Sad and Useless)
IYKYK is like Wordle meets Wheel of Fortune, but for Black American culture. (IYKYK)
Gen-X women on TikTok have lost their goddamn minds. (Input Mag)
I want to buy a school bus and take all the dogs to fun places. (TikTok)
Has anyone reading this ever used peel-and-stick wallpaper? I spent an hour looking at stuff like this today, and I’m wondering how hard it is to put up. Like, how do you cut around things like light switches and outlets? I guess if I ever decide on a pattern, I can hire someone to install it, since I should probably stay far, far away from X-acto knives. (Etsy)
Never in my life have I wanted a doll so badly. It’s sexist, offensive, FARTS FIRE, and might even burn your house down. Genius. (Boing Boing)