The Fracture: Early Summer 2024
Intimate photos from the 1920s, my Tame Impala addiction, and pop-up art. Oh, and not doing well.
Welcome to the articles, music, art, and moments in life that got me tapping on my keyboard. I had an overwhelming June and am looking forward to an off-grid getaway. Hoping nature, yoga, meditation, and nudity crack me in good ways to spur streams of insight and words on the page.
I have a link for a short survey at the end of my post. It would mean a lot if you could fill it out. Thanks!
The articles
I’ve always had an interest in psychology, and Alfred Adler, the early 20th century psychologist, has deeply intrigued me, especially after reading Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi’s The Courage to Be Disliked. In this overview of Adlerian psychology, Amanda Stern states: “But people, being people, often get confused by these life tasks. They get caught up in what others think of them, whether they are recognized how they wish.” In pursuing sensuality and sexual exploration, I’ve found Adler’s approach to life freeing and conducive to sorting out my life tasks. In other words, be nice while not giving a fuck.
Regrets. Many of us have them while others proclaim having none. The hope for us all is to not be on our deathbeds wishing we would have done this or talked to that person. I’ve read a number of books and articles about deathbed regrets, and they’re all the same. Reach out. Quit caring what others think. Don’t live in fear. An ex-hospice worker agrees.
This is wild. So the private photos of a married couple were found—after 80 years… and they were intimate and revealing. Though their identities are kept under wraps and research showed no record of the couple or a family after the mid-1930s, this “collection of intimate and often graphically explicit pictures of the pair, apparently taken by themselves, dressing up, striking erotic poses, and having plenty of sex” are on display in a Madrid museum. (The more graphic scenes are slightly obscured.) To me, this is beautiful yet a little discomforting. Then again, we find vintage photos all the time at thrift stores and estate sales, and those are seen as having historical value in showcasing how people lived in the past. What do you think?
Enjoyed Poor Things, but am I going to like Kinds of Kindness? “Welcome to Emma Stone’s Freak Era” on Slate. (Which reminds me that I need to see The Favourite.)
Celibate girl summer? My pubic bone is already getting sore. (I’m not like most girls in the self-serve department.)
And for my NYT dump: Jill Ciment’s age-gap memoir… revised, the provocative French filmmaker Catherine Breillat’s shocking new work, and no sex toys on Etsy anymore. 😒
Finally, how six writers tackle writer’s block. (Rumaan Alam: “Writer’s block is fiction.” Hate to admit it, but he’s right.)
The music
Need some millennial mom jams? I got you.
Justice & Tame Impala - “Neverender”
As you know, I’m a sucker for Kevin Parker, and he paired up with French duo Justice for this (two-month-old?) song that my GenZer wishes I would stop playing on repeat. “One Night/All Night,” also on this album, is a close second.
Because I remember
The hardest were the times I don't forget
Never-ender
And all I was about to
Because I remember
Never-ender
Lenny Kravitz - “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over”
I’m also a sucker for Lenny Kravitz. In my recent plant story (see below), I mention the Jackson 5’s “Never Can Say Goodbye.” My brain picks up on connections in fierce ways, like a toddler on a vivacious hunt with her first butterfly net, and this gem from Lenny was my piggy-back song.
How many times did we give up
But we always worked things out
And all my doubts and fear kept me wondering, yeah
If I'd always, always be in love
The books
Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad My Mom Died. Yeah, her mom was a monster. Sometimes family is not the best support group.
Dave Grohl’s The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music. Great stories, and Dave’s enthusiastic narration for the audiobook brings these tales to life. The man knows everyone!
The Wife Between Us was a DNF. I just didn’t care about these women. They were painfully predictable. Usually when I DNF a book, I read the spoiler summary, and I’m always thankful I didn’t waste another second on it. Same.
The art
Went to a pop-up art show in a former tasting room downtown. It was actually hard to find these artists on social media, as if they wanted to stay hidden. Just thankful I could drop in for this spark of creativity.
The random
Maybe it was because my therapist went on vacation, but June was a beast for me emotionally, mentally, and physically. I was not well, but I got myself on a different work-out and writing routine. Thankfully, it seems to be helping.
With that, I have a trip coming up to a middle-of-nowhere clothing-optional hot springs retreat. I need this escape. I’m see-sawing between wanting to isolate and connect with random people while naked. I’m desperate for a reset as I started developing body issues this past month that I thought were over and done with. Did I mention I was not well?
I fall in love with him again so easily.
On my IG story, I posted a buy from Victoria’s Secret’s semi-annual sale. (Yes, the jumpsuit pic.) I went into the store for function, but I came out with flashy pieces that made me feel invincible… but with too much coaxing and coaching. Did I mention I was not well?
Maybe it’s the busyness of work, the heat, or my submissions and pitches, but my ambition got the best of me.
If you wouldn’t mind, I would love to get your input on a short survey about turning on paid subscriptions. Everything I already post will remain free, but I’m wondering what additional features would encourage subscribers to contribute. Thanks for your help!