“We stay so busy that the truth of our lives can’t catch up.”
-Brené Brown
I listened to a podcast while walking to nowhere the other day, and for the the first time in however long, I didn't increase the speed. Not even 1.25x. I took each word for what it was, taking the time to listen and process the voice in real time.
I spent two hours slicing, dicing, marinating, sautéing, Instant Potting, roasting, and plating, and maybe half an hour eating.
I lay down on a beach towel in the backyard, soaking in sunshine through the canopy of trees. I scrutinized crawling ants and shadowy ferns. I listened to a symphony of birds chirping and dogs howling.
I finished reading Uncanny Valley, Anna Wiener's memoir about her disillusionment with a world "where everything—whittled down to the fastest, simplest, sleekest version of itself— could be optimized, prioritized, monetized, and controlled."
..."Unfortunately for me, I liked my inefficient life."
Perhaps the truth of our lives are catching up.
Take care,
Amy
et cetera
Two opportunities to meditate with me this week!
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, at 8AM EST. It’ll be super casual, with us just checking in and choosing a recording (most likely one of Tara Brach’s unless you bring another suggestion) to play together. Reply to this email if you’re interested 🤗
Friday, May 22, at 2PM EST, partnered with Dio Wine Bar (if you’re in the DMV area, consider ordering your wine here!!) Again, reply to this email for details or RSVP here.
📚 reading
As mentioned above, I finished Anna Wiener's Uncanny Valley this week.
As one review put it, "i congratulated myself for understanding wiener's references to both dead french theorists and viral vc tweets, remembered my own first encounters with cowen-style rationalists and custom slack reacts, then wondered whether it was self-indulgent to read a 200 page inside joke."
Overall, an intimate and thought-provoking account of a bubble so many of us know all too well.
🖊 writing
Background for the newcomers— I’m writing a book titled Reclaiming Control: Looking Inward to Recalibrate Your Life slated for publication in July 2020.
Those who have pre-ordered, look out for a beta release of chapters 1-3 in your inbox today eek
My deadline to get my manuscript to copyediting is June 5th! These last few weeks of editing have been a struggle, ngl. My most recent challenge has been trying to maintain healthy habits while finishing a book along with everything else in the midst of a pandemic.
🙈 lol-ing
Room Rater - “an account rating Skype rooms and Zoom rooms, too.”
"Art. Plant. Lamp. Which is on. Well played. 9/10"
I have a wall calendar of pigs in my background, would that hold up as art here?
That's all, thanks for reading 💛I asked myself, "What would today's letter look like if it were easy and fun?" and this is what appeared.
If any of this resonated with you, feel free to share or subscribe below to keep up with more musings. You can read past letters here. If you want to chat about anything, anything at all, feel free to reply to this email or schedule a time here.