My boyfriend visited this week, so I aimed to show him all that LA had to offer. This included that restaurant where all the food items are named positive “I am” statements. The soup of the day is called “I Am Thriving.” To order the caesar salad, you must say the words, “I Am Dazzling.” It is both embarrassing and punishing, but watch me go to a regular restaurant next week, point to the caesar, and tell the waiter “I am dazzling”. She stares blankly at me, I nod confidently, and she walks away shuddering.
Passions this week include: Beautyland, KJazz 88.1, and sometimes my dog barks so loud when I’m sitting at the table, then I pick him up and he’s quiet.
Beautyland is Marie-Helene Bertino’s third novel, and I’ve loved every book she’s written, but this one hit a soft spot because the main character is a space alien named Adina, based on Adina Talve-Goodman, my dearest, dearest friend who passed away in 2018. The book is both funny and sad, and after I finished it I had to lay down for a while. As weeks went by, I kept thinking about it. The real Adina was not a space alien, but parts of her are so recognizable in this character, and I marvel at how Bertino was able to process her own grief (she was very close with Adina, too) and put some of Adina’s essence into a story so whole, that people who have never met her now love the book and have some idea of what a marvel Adina was. Also Madame Web recommends!
I think I’ve listened to the same 15 songs on Spotify for the last 4 years. I know there are ways people find new music on Spotify, but all I hear is the same 15 songs. Then I heard KJazz 88.1, and now I’m hooked on KJazz. America’s Jazz and Blues station. It makes me grip the steering wheel a little less fervently. They have played none of the 15 songs. Breath of fresh air.
Every morning, I’ll sit down at the table with a cup of coffee. This is after I’ve walked the dog, I’ve played with the dog, I’ve fed the dog. Now it’s coffee time. And that’s when the dog starts barking like he’s physically in danger. Finally, I put him on my lap, and then he’s quiet. I can’t tell if he just wanted to know what was going on on the table, or if he missed me, or what’s going on. But every morning there is resolution.
And now a few from the readers…
Meredith: “As a recent Florida transplant living through my first Midwestern winter, my current passion is animal tracks in snow. Neighbor cat paw, tiny bird feet, bunny tracks leading to a tunnel under my deck. So tender and life-affirming.”
Dawn: “I am passionate for the sky and everything that comes with it. Sunsets/sunrises, clouds, stars, birds, etc. It's absolutely fantastic. Check it out right now! I bet something cool is going on up there.”
Aurelia: “My passion is pre-downloading my podcasts. My phone is old and I have to do that or the app will crash. It feels like free unlimited shopping, and I love shopping.”