Holy shit I was not ready for the dog! And what is going on with her arm? It looks lie she has a second elbow up by her tricep.
I'll also just add to what some others have said: your memoir writing is probably your best stuff. I remember those twitter stories you wrote, especially the one about a hungover hazy morning in Florida, another about your time in New York and another prior one about being lonely in Austin listening to the radio: so evocative so honest and so free of self serving bullshit that can weigh that type of writing down. Good stuff Kathy!
You're right. I do :) It feels relatable for the community bouncing. But also sad as intended, since it's an acknowledgment that what you want isn't really out there
But oh dear, this turned into a comment on a different post. How embarrassing
This was beautiful “The saddest thing about getting older is I don’t think I’ll ever feel that way again.”
When I lived in Washington DC I had a nifty little apartment near Rock Creek Park.
In the summers I would often fall asleep with the windows open. I could hear the birds chirping.
There were endless opportunities for socializing and I was blessed with a really awesome friend group. This was before 2020.
It was really one of the best times of my life. I’m really happy with where I am now. But if I’m being honest, sometimes I wish I could go back to that.
Sometimes I think one of the hardest things about getting older is comparing the really good times to now .
yes! I think also realizing how happy you are with simplicity when you're younger. I wrote a kind of pretentious essay a few years ago -- I think it's been taken offline now -- about how I (and please excuse this) envy my mom for not having had as many experiences as I have. A fine restaurant is still a special occasion to her. I've burnt out on a lot of special things because I've lived so much more life, and in such a short period of time. The flipside to all this, though, is that as I get deeper into motherhood and my 30s -- and thus further away from the freedom of being 25 -- some of that's coming back. The birds chirping. Walking to Dairy Queen. A good afternoon at the library because it's too rainy to go to the pool.
I’ve had many different jobs, some of which were kinda interesting and I often interacted with fairly well-known public intellectuals, journalist, and politicians. I’ve lived in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, and now Paris.
I envy some of my friends back in Iowa who watch college football and eat at the local steakhouse. Sometimes I feel like my entire purpose for being on Substack is telling those people that their life is actually pretty awesome the way it is.
(I’m sorry for the long comment. It’s midnight here and I can’t sleep.)
Thanks for sharing that anecdote about the college campus. While going through a lonely time years ago I used to load up my mp3 player with Coast to Coast AM and go sit in a field somewhere, away from all the people. I must say I got a shock when I saw Donna Briggs' dog lol.
Thanks for sharing the Austin chapter. My uncle and aunt live in Round Rock, haven't visited Austin in years, she said it's too dangerous (I understand what it means). Glad that your life has changed so much in 5 years.
The atmosphere you painted of West campusy mornings really took me back. For a flash I thought "wait was that me" but I'd moved out of Austin by then, and I'd never tell a woman she was fat because they tend to not like that.
Holy shit I was not ready for the dog! And what is going on with her arm? It looks lie she has a second elbow up by her tricep.
I'll also just add to what some others have said: your memoir writing is probably your best stuff. I remember those twitter stories you wrote, especially the one about a hungover hazy morning in Florida, another about your time in New York and another prior one about being lonely in Austin listening to the radio: so evocative so honest and so free of self serving bullshit that can weigh that type of writing down. Good stuff Kathy!
You may like my new post https://open.substack.com/pub/defaultfriend/p/moldavite-wants-to-be-free?r=3s94v&utm_medium=ios
Maybe I’ll add more memoir writing to my virtual scrap book
The austin part is beautiful. That sort of writing is my favorite, of the sorts of things you write
Donna Briggs, on the other hand, I'm content to remain ignorant of :)
You may like my new post https://open.substack.com/pub/defaultfriend/p/moldavite-wants-to-be-free?r=3s94v&utm_medium=ios
You're right. I do :) It feels relatable for the community bouncing. But also sad as intended, since it's an acknowledgment that what you want isn't really out there
But oh dear, this turned into a comment on a different post. How embarrassing
This was beautiful “The saddest thing about getting older is I don’t think I’ll ever feel that way again.”
When I lived in Washington DC I had a nifty little apartment near Rock Creek Park.
In the summers I would often fall asleep with the windows open. I could hear the birds chirping.
There were endless opportunities for socializing and I was blessed with a really awesome friend group. This was before 2020.
It was really one of the best times of my life. I’m really happy with where I am now. But if I’m being honest, sometimes I wish I could go back to that.
Sometimes I think one of the hardest things about getting older is comparing the really good times to now .
You may like my new post https://open.substack.com/pub/defaultfriend/p/moldavite-wants-to-be-free?r=3s94v&utm_medium=ios
yes! I think also realizing how happy you are with simplicity when you're younger. I wrote a kind of pretentious essay a few years ago -- I think it's been taken offline now -- about how I (and please excuse this) envy my mom for not having had as many experiences as I have. A fine restaurant is still a special occasion to her. I've burnt out on a lot of special things because I've lived so much more life, and in such a short period of time. The flipside to all this, though, is that as I get deeper into motherhood and my 30s -- and thus further away from the freedom of being 25 -- some of that's coming back. The birds chirping. Walking to Dairy Queen. A good afternoon at the library because it's too rainy to go to the pool.
I hear you.
I’ve had many different jobs, some of which were kinda interesting and I often interacted with fairly well-known public intellectuals, journalist, and politicians. I’ve lived in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, and now Paris.
I envy some of my friends back in Iowa who watch college football and eat at the local steakhouse. Sometimes I feel like my entire purpose for being on Substack is telling those people that their life is actually pretty awesome the way it is.
(I’m sorry for the long comment. It’s midnight here and I can’t sleep.)
Don't apologize! The long comments are not just welcome, but I look forward to them.
Yeah, the grass is always greener. Some people seem to strike a balance, though. Maybe one day, we will too.
I didn't know Donna Briggs but watching the video I thought she was a white woman imitating black women.
I once wrote a college paper about white women who dress like Asian women who look like white women- the feedback loops are interesting
Do Asian women who look like white women dress differently than Asian women who don't?
Thanks for sharing that anecdote about the college campus. While going through a lonely time years ago I used to load up my mp3 player with Coast to Coast AM and go sit in a field somewhere, away from all the people. I must say I got a shock when I saw Donna Briggs' dog lol.
It was such a lovely time that can only be felt in cities that aren’t destinations
I thought you were currently married for some reason. I didn’t know you got divorced?
You may like my new post https://open.substack.com/pub/defaultfriend/p/moldavite-wants-to-be-free?r=3s94v&utm_medium=ios
I’m married! I got divorced and remarried and am very happy.
The plot thickens
I am one of these people who is first and foremost somebody's wife
Thanks for sharing the Austin chapter. My uncle and aunt live in Round Rock, haven't visited Austin in years, she said it's too dangerous (I understand what it means). Glad that your life has changed so much in 5 years.
There are lots of small american cities that have the same charm, thankfully. Including much of illinois!
The atmosphere you painted of West campusy mornings really took me back. For a flash I thought "wait was that me" but I'd moved out of Austin by then, and I'd never tell a woman she was fat because they tend to not like that.
I'm glad it was evocative. It was such a precious time in my life. I wish I could go back but covid ruined it
He doesn't seem like a great guy even if he is a 9/11 truther
You may like my new post…!
He may be reading this very blog... Careful