marvel, murders, and mulder

just a note about what I'm consuming this week

As much as I try to staple my ass to my seat and just write, I find that I can’t. I have to balance my creation with consumption. I’ve always got a tv show or movie I’m into, a book I’m reading, a crochet project I’m working on. And I kind of want to talk about those things. So here we go.

books

I’m reading a few books right now, which maybe isn't the best practice but seems to suit my ADHD brain. On Kindle I’m reading Why We Can’t Sleep: Women’s New Midlife Crisis by Ada Calhoun. I’ve found it to be a deep dive into why Gen X women are the way they are. My interest comes from being a Gen X woman myself, but also because the main character in my WIP is a Gen X woman. I wanted to get a more complete picture of the Gen X experience of coming into adulthood to balance out my specific, insular experience of growing up in a rural area of Arkansas. The book is checking that box and is an enjoyable read. Dense, due to its nature, but not at all dry.

I’m also reading the paperback of 90s Bitch: Media, Culture, and the Failed Promise of Gender Equality by Allison Yarrow. This book piqued my interest for some of the same reasons Calhoun’s book did, but I liked the idea of focusing on how gender equality failed my generation. Again, I wanted a more universal perspective than just my summer at nerd camp when we decided we were WOMYN instead of WOMEN and then returning to my senior year of high school to have eyes rolled at me for having a point of view. It’s a good read but what I specifically like is returning to the news-worthy events of the 90s and looking at them through the lens of today. (see: Anita Hill, Monica Lewinsky, Marcia Clark)

boob tube

I recently finished a rewatch of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D — which is just the best show ever — and was lost when it was over. I needed a movie or TV show to match the vibe but, other than re-watching every movie in the MCU, what could possibly compare? “Nothing” is the correct answer, but I tried two shows I’d never watched: Doctor Who and The X-Files.

First: Doctor Who. The first episode (2003, Christopher Eccleston as The Doctor) was amazing. Super fun. Christopher Eccleston I already knew from The Leftovers (HBO) so I wasn’t surprised that I loved him. The second episode, however, was not as fun for me but not a deal-breaker either. I decided to wait on watching the third episode, though, since I had another series in mind.

The X-Files is HILARIOUS to watch as a 46 year-old woman in 2021. The show premiered in 1993, which is when I started college. The clothing is so funny, but also? A little bit in style again. Which really just makes it more funny. And Mulder is dreamy. I had no idea. But I really love the FBI plus aliens thing. It checks my Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. box a little more than Doctor Who, so that’s where I am now. We’ll see how long I last.

PLOT TWIST: My husband recently decided he can live without watching Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), which means I can binge it on my own time. I love it. It’s clever and funny and different and I’ve always loved Steve Martin. And Selena Gomez is great. I think I might finish this one this week.

stitches

I just started crocheting a blanket for a sad reason. A family we’ve known for years recently suffered a major loss. Alissa was a mom-friend of mine. We weren’t close, but we operated in the same circles and she was lovely. She was way too young to be done on this earth and will be missed greatly. I know a dumb blanket won’t even begin to comfort her family at this time, but it’s something I can do to let them know they are in my thoughts so I’m doing it.

words

Last but not least, I am actually writing. Currently I’m muddling through a revision of my first 50k words on my novel, but only little by little. I’m also revisiting some essays I wrote a while ago and never placed. For new work, I’m trying to craft an idea specifically for the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition. I’m working from an old idea that I think maybe had legs, but I’m not sure yet. The entry is limited to 450 words so that makes it a little more challenging.

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So that’s my life this week. The create/consume cycle seems to be a constant for me so I may try to regularly write about it. I love book and TV show recs, so hit me up. Currently in search of a great documentary or docuseries.

Thanks for reading!