#36: winter has come, good things happen too, etc.
Happy December, all!
Winter is here, and that's always a bit of a struggle for me -- I forget how much the short days and darkness make me just want to sleep and nap and feel vaguely dissatisfied with everything I am doing or not doing. But at least once I have that moment of, "Oh, yeah, it's just the time of year" (and, you know, the news except when the news is brighter) then I can strategize and also accept that getting some things done, the essential things, that's good. Naps are okay.
Now if only I could remember where I stashed the SAD light.
One of the things I've been doing, a strategy, is more time at the aerial studio and gym. I have all these class credits accumulated from travel season and so I finally decided to try the one other specialty type of class I never had -- for the interested, I'd done at least a bit of aerial yoga, silks, trapeze and lyra -- which is pole. Yeah, yeah, I've already heard the jokes at my great-uncle's funeral a couple of weeks ago. The thing is, part of the reason it took me so long to give it a try is that I had all the weirdly internalized assumptions everyone does. Which I know is ridiculous. Because even though I am terrible at it and it is so painful, I kinda am already in love with it and the moves people do in class are gape worthy. It's fun and it's difficult cardio (which I always need and usually hate) and I can feel myself getting stronger instantly. Also? The thing I love is the demographics.
I mean, I'm carrying about 10 pounds of what I refer to as Trump Weight, from a year of extra glasses of wine and stress eating, one of the reasons I want to go to the gym more. And I hate wearing shorts at the best of times. So I expected to feel self-conscious about being in short shorts and tank tops (that's where I am now, but I totally get why people eventually advance to modified bikinis because skin = what grips the pole). But, reader, I don't. Because my classes, every one of them, has been filled with such a variety of ages and body types and just like every other class as Sora, it's a lab of acceptance and positivity and meeting yourself where you are and zero cattiness or competition. I didn't really expect it would be any different, but I guess somehow I did. Anyway, I've been going a couple of times a week now and I need to buy more pole shorts and tanks. Alsoooo, there are so many types of pole and in the fitness world especially "sexy" is just one style (mine so far is awkward, because just learning!) -- but also, why should even that be something that's haha-elbow in the ribs worthy. If we're for women being empowered to enjoy themselves and do what they want for fun or fitness or anything, then we have to reject weird sexist mythologies wherever we find them. I was talking with one of my instructors, who was the first person who taught this as a class here locally starting about nine years ago and she confessed she was afraid to tell her parents she was INSTRUCTING IN POLE FITNESS for quite some time. Which is totally understandable but also jeez, can the culture knock it off? Anyway, I'm also picking up ballet and some other classes that help with graceful movement and the like. To make the winter less grim!
And I'm working away on the serial (seriously I can't WAIT until we get to announce and talk about it), with Carrie Ryan and Rachel Caine. I'm learning so much from them and we're all having a blast, I do believe. I keep having dreams set in this story, which is always a good sign. I'm also working on a new YA, which I hope to sell and complete soon, not necessarily in that order. And I put a sudden desire to do a Star Wars novel onto the internet after seeing The Last Jedi so who knows? Maybe that will happen.
Speaking of which, we went to the first show at the Kentucky Theater, just as we did for The Force Awakens, and I can't imagine seeing a new Star Wars any other way now. The theater is a grand old movie palace, a local landmark, and it was sold out, completely packed. And so there was applause at key moments and gasps and the quiet sound of tears (okay, maybe that was just me at all the great Carrie Fisher stuff). I know a lot of you won't have seen it yet, so I will not spoil except to say: I LOVED IT. I had nits to pick and etc, but I keep thinking about it and I want to see it again and ROSE and REY and FINN and POE. I love the old characters, but I LOVE most of the new characters. LOVE.
On a different note, one of the podcasts I've been enjoying most this year is Sam Sanders' NPR show, It's Been a Minute. He does this bit at the end of each week, where they play several recordings of people who've called in to share the best thing that happened to them that week. It's always a blend of happy and touching and sometimes just gut-wrenchingly beautiful. It's a show that even though it also deals with politics leaves me feeling better -- because it feels like it's being produced lovingly by good people. So since we're coming up on the end of the year, I thought maybe I could share something similar with all of you. I'd love to hear the best things that happened to you this year and share some of the highlights in my end of year tinyletter. If you're willing, just respond back with a bit about the best thing that happened to you this year and how you'd like it attributed. I'll send out the next tinyletter before New Year's so let's say anytime in the next week or so is good.
Tomorrow, friends, tomorrow we are going to pick out a Border Collie puppy from the photo below who will be coming home with us on New Year's as Christopher's birthday/xmas present. This was his idea. Expect many more pictures.
I wish you excellent holidays of whichever kind you celebrate, painless dinner conversations, and whatever makes you happy.
xo
G
p.s. Don't forget books make excellent xmas presents! For younger kids, the first Supernormal Sleuthing Service book is now available! And there's always Lois Lane for teens and adults and Christopher's collection Telling the Map for adults!