Even More Things On My Mind

• Too many books, not enough time. In addition to reading both fiction and nonfiction books for pleasure from a variety of genres- gritty crime thrillers, psychological thrillers, realistic fiction, chick-lit, literary fiction and the classics plus memoirs and autobiographies, self-help and how-tos). I’m in two book clubs (I was in three but it’s not feasible to be in all of them) and I’m in charge of both book clubs- one of which is made of friends and fellow poetry members (although we don’t read poetry in the book club) and one of which is made of senior citizens at my future job. This month I’m extra strapped for reading time because I’m reading two books for one of my book clubs since we are doing a compare and contrast. I figured I’d read both books to facilitate the discussion. I’m never doing that again.

• Scheduling obligations. I considered myself a busy person in college and kept a detailed calendar and planner to keep up with all my assignments and commitments. I was on four intramural sports terms, I was part of a current events club and I wrote for the newspaper (with several of my articles appearing on the first page, all including recorded interviews). Now I’m not in school so i don’t have tests to study for or any deadlines for papers. I haven’t started work so i don’t have a schedule. But as my social circle grows and I become aware of more activities I’m starting to use a planner and a calendar again. Doctor’s appointments alone (particularly seeing my therapist and my psychiatrist regularly) start to clog up my week not to mention book club, DND, Rockland Poets, monthly lunches with friends I don’t see often, parties and knitting. I have already forgotten two commitments in one week.

• I’m to plug a new podcast. My boyfriend and his best friend are undertaking a new project. It is basically covering “bad” movies (you’ve seen some. Cough Madame Web cough) and finding the gold nuggets within them. Yours truly is doing some of the research. I can’t say I’m an expert on movies but I definitely like  learning about them. It opened an interest I wasn’t even aware of.

• I can’t believe Cape Cod is on the horizon. For those who don’t know, Cape Cod is an annual family reunion at (shocker) Cape Cod. This will be  my 30th year attending: I have gone literally every year of my life. We rent out all the rooms in a hotel that is right on the water. When we aren’t playing sports on the beach and bathing in the sun, we are having singalongs wrapped up in winter coats and playing games in hotel rooms until the wee hours of the morning. We explore Provincetown from the shops to the clubs and swim in the hotel’s indoor pool and jacuzzi. When I say “we” I mean my brother, my cousins and I and all of our significant others. Games are spirited and lively. The sunsets are beautiful. I often have the time of my life even if the weather is miserable. 

• I have actually been playing my Nintendo Switch Lite games again particularly Dream Daddy which is a dating simulator where a dad of a teenager tries to date other dads in the neighborhood. I try to balance work and play so I pick it up when I’m feeling extra stressed and burned out. The silliness kind of gets me out of my funks and makes me feel better. 

  
  

There are some more serious topics weighing on my mind (which, if you know me you might be aware of) but this is what I feel comfortable discussing publicly for  now. I will say the rest of spring and summer does look promising and I hope you all have a great weekend.