I’m trying to write this in my favorite coffee shop. But there are two very blonde women behind me talking loud enough I can hear them through my noise-canceling headphones. And they are talking about VERY INTIMATE things. Like trying to get pregnant, miscarriages, and their specific depression medications.
They’re also doing that weird thing we’ve all decided to do which is say something DEVASTATING and then brush it off like it’s just normal with the in-person equivalent of an “lol” at the end of the text: “But it’s fine.”
These are not “it’s fine, lol” times we’re living in Kristen, and everyone knows it. Or at least this whole coffee shop knows that you are dealing with Bad Times(™) because you’re BEING SO LOUD.
Do you MIND? Some of us are trying to doom scroll and procrastinate over here.
I didn’t need to know this stranger is ovulating and taking Zoloft. I’m just trying to live my life and write my silly little newsletter and maybe some poems. Maybe if I were a better person I would take the time to revel in the fact that living is an inherently communal activity and there is something beautiful about that.
Maybe after I’ve finished my coffee.
Let’s cut to the chase. Two things are inspiring me to write this morning. The first is that I don’t want to miss sending out 2 issues in a row. It’s a rule I have for myself so I don’t suddenly disappear into radio silence. The second is that I have some fun things to announce!
As an aside, recently, I listened to this episode about inspiration from Creative Pep Talk. Andy talked about the ways that discipline and inspiration can work together.
So I’m showing up in this space as part of my commitment and as part of my discipline, despite my lack of current inspiration. More true Silly Things are on the horizon, but today’s writing is mostly functional.
Here are the Fun Announcements:
I’ve been accepted into the Indy Fringe and Minnesota Fringe with my show Godzilla’s Not a Dinosaur which debuted at the KC Fringe last year and took home “Best of Venue.”
AND
I recently had the unexpected opportunity to showcase at the APCA National Conference, am signing with an agency, and have already booked an upcoming show at a university this month.
I’m very excited about these opportunities and, despite a slow start, it feels like 2024 is going to be a great year!
Thanks for being along for the ride y’all.