Invite me to your reunion
I can be a fun plus one
I did not go to my high school reunion, and I have been thinking about whether that was because I am proud enough of who I am or ashamed of who I was. At the time, I assumed it was because I just didn’t care to go. In reality, I just don’t remember much of high school and most likely didn’t go for all three reasons. And, what I really want is to face the past without weighing if I am “proud enough” or “ashamed.” I don’t think a high school reunion is the place to confront that, but I appreciate the clarity.
P.S. I’m open to being your plus one to YOUR high school reunion.
HOT – Rewarding the central nervous system. Cheek fat. Thinking about your grandmother's fingertips. Cold plunges. Admiring yourself. The pizza place you used to go to when you were 12. Sunbathing cats. A familiar face.
NOT – The first 3 minutes of running. Waking up dehydrated. The dark. Skin allergies. Father-daughter relationships in movies. The distance between what you want and taking action to achieve it. The last bite of key lime pie. Fear.
After reading a lot last month, I read less this month. My schedule changed after my acute treatment of TMS concluded, and I didn’t have the same amount of preserved time to read or listen. I’m feeling out of it. Sometimes when I find it hard to read, I reach for something easy to remind myself how good it feels–shorter books and graphic novels.
Below are some of my favorite graphic novels, comic books, and illustrated stories.
Dog Years by Kaye Blegvad. If you have been in my house, viewed my small pin collection, or noticed the engagement ring I got Z, you know I really like Kaye Blegvad. This is a simple, small book that compares having and managing depression to owning a dog. It works for me.
Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan and more. Nice, windy, time-bending story. The futuristic elements don’t feel alienating, and the nods to past technology are sweet. I liked being pulled back and forth through time and seeing how each of the four main characters grew.
Goblin Girl by Moa Romanova. The art in this one makes you want to leave it open on the coffee table and stare at it. The plot is strange, but the details on the page carry you through. If I ever had to turn into a 2D version of myself, I would like to be able to choose this style.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight by Joss Whedon and more. The comic books are the TV show unleashed. I’m just getting into it, but it’s nice to interact with characters I know and love in a new world.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. Queer icon Alison Bechdel! This is the graphic novel that got me into graphic novels. The story is rich, the inside world of the main character is engaging, and the family dynamics feel familiar, but the setting makes everything new.
Coyote Doggirl by Lisa Hanawalt. Just totally weird! The art is fun, the plot is a bit western, and the title character is half dog, half coyote. It’s a quick read, but it felt like watching an animated short film.
Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me: A Graphic Memoir by Ellen Forney. I read this around 2015 and needed it at the time. It was very helpful to engage with mental health through this medium. Forney explores her relationship to mental health through the lens of being an artist. I especially appreciated her thoughts on medication and creativity.
Inside look! Me in front of one of our bookcases.
I made a playlist for us. I’m a repeat listener. These are songs that I played and hit back to play again. I can do everything to one song. Here is the Spotify link if you want it.
It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody - Weyes Blood
Loner - Dehd
Dresser Hill - Mary Elizabeth Remington & Adrianne Lenker
Blacktop - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Everywhere - Sun June
The Bend - King Princess
Mama - Lola Kirke & Kelly Zutrau
Faultline - Girlpool
Sea Lions - Samia
Casual - Chappell Roan
All Apologies - Sinéad O’Connor
AnDroGay - Boyish
“What else should I say / Everyone is gay.” - Sinéad O'Connor from “All Apologies”
